Review Summary: Dooby Dooby A-Scooby Dooby Dooby
When I heard this during Moma Yendodo, I wasn't certain whether or not Ata Kak was actually saying something in his native African tongue or if he was chanting the mascot’s name of that old Hanna-Barbera cartoon, but I know now that his work and “Scooby Doo, Where Are You” have at least one thing in common: they’re both innocent, wholesome fun. This is evident from the first couple piano stabs on the title track, which are reminiscent of Marshall Jefferson’s eternal “Move Your Body”. Indeed, Ata Kak, real name Yaw Atta-Owusu, creates somewhat of his own version of the anthem, singing jubilantly and other times rapping over his track, and using some sugary female vocals to sing the chorus ad infinitum.
Moma Yendodo utilizes a similar formula, this time trading the keyboard jamming in for a smooth bass line. As with its predecessor it provides super catchy chorus that I can only ad-lib cluelessly to, though of course that only makes the song more fun. It is somewhat tricky to describe the tracks beyond this without coming off as superfluous, because they are so simple. There’s not a whole lot in the mix, there’s no build-ups, there’s little variation within the tracks, and there’s no extraordinary, or even competent, display of sound design. In fact, the recording is of such low quality that it could easily have been recording decades ago (house music from the 60s though, wouldn't that be something). However, none of this retracts much from his album, because it has more spirit and soul than many electronic artist’s whole discographies.
This is entirely to the credit of Atta-Owusu himself, who crafts all of his songs with an unbounded enthusiasm, from his bouncy keyboard chords, to his playful rapping and his animated singing. As there had originally only been 50 copies released of the record, on tape no less, Obaa Sima was not intended to be played in any club. Rather, Atta-Owusu made it as a labor of love, as a testament to the unbridled joy that the producers of the genre are able to express. As you listen, you'll likely feel like inviting the whole neighborhood hood over for a pool party and some BBQ.
