Anthony Kwaku Baah

Anthony “Rebop” Kwaku Baah (13 February 1944 – 12 January 1983) was a Ghanaian percussionist perhaps best known for working with the 1970s rock groups Traffic and Can.

BIOGRAPHY

Rebop was born on 13 February 1944, in Konongo, Ghana.

In 1969, Rebop performed on Randy Weston’s album African Rhythms. Following that, he played in the English band Traffic from 1971 to 1974, having met them in Sweden during a tour in 1971. He appeared on the albums Welcome to the CanteenThe Low Spark of High Heeled BoysShoot Out at the Fantasy FactoryOn the Road and When the Eagle Flies. He worked with Nick Drake in 1969 on the song “Three Hours” released 2004 on Made to Love Magic.

In 1973 he played in Eric Clapton’s Rainbow Concert along with Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend, Rick Grech, Jim Capaldi, Ronnie Wood, Jimmy Karstein, and Steve Winwood.

After Traffic disbanded, he played on Steve Winwood’s self-titled debut solo album, which was released in 1977. Also in 1977, he joined the German band Can along with former Traffic bassist Rosko Gee, playing with them until their breakup in 1979, appearing on the albums Saw DelightOut of Reach and Can.

In 1983 he recorded an album with Zahara, a group with several notable members including Paul Delph (keyboards), Bryson Graham (drums), Rosko Gee (bass).

Rebop died of a cerebral hemorrhage during a performance in Sweden in 1983 (he had originally gone there as part of Jimmy Cliff’s touring band). His final album, Melodies in a Jungle Mans Head, was released in its unfinished state.

DISCOGRAPHY

Solo

  • 1972 Reebop
  • 1973 Anthony Reebop Kwaku Baah
  • 1977 Trance
  • 1983 Melodies in a Jungle Mans Head

With Traffic

  • 1971 Welcome to the Canteen
  • 1971 The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
  • 1973 Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory
  • 1973 On the Road

With Can

  • 1977 Saw Delight
  • 1978 Out of Reach
  • 1979 Can

With others

  • 1968 Wynder K. Frog, Out Of The Frying Pan
  • 1969 Randy Weston, African Cookbook
  • 1972 Jim Capaldi, Oh How We Danced
  • 1973 Eric Clapton, Eric Clapton’s Rainbow Concert
  • 1973 Free, Heartbreaker, (played congas on “Wishing Well”)
  • 1973 Rolling Stones, Goats Head Soup
  • 1973 Third World, Aiye-Keta (as Remi Kabaka / with Steve Winwood and Abdul Lasisi Amao)
  • 1974 Vivian Stanshall, Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead
  • 1975 Jim Capaldi, Short Cut Draw Blood
  • 1977 Steve Winwood, Steve Winwood
  • 1983 The Unknown Cases, Masimbabele (12″ 45)
  • 1983 The Unknown Cases, Cuba
  • 1984 Wally Badarou, From the CD “Echoes” – Jungle
  • 1985 Free – Wishing Well 12″ remix (played congas)