June 9th, 2023 - Getting Hazy With Osibisa

 

Hey there music lovers and hoppy craft beer freaks!  The Meista is here today with another great pairing for you... the self-titled, debut album by Ghanaian-British Afro-rock band, Osibisa and a Hazy I.P.A. from Big Sky Brewing Company!  

Album Info:

• Artist: Osibisa
• Title: "Osibisa"
• Recorded: 1971 at Advision Studios in London, England
• Release date: 1971 (1st studio album by Osibisa)
• Record company: MCA Records
• Production: Tony Visconti 
• Album cover art: Roger Dean (art and logo)
• Personnel: Loughty Lasisi Amao (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, congas, and percussion), Sol Amarfio (drums, percussion, and vocals), Robert Bailey (organ, piano, timbales, percussion, and vocals), Teddy Osei (tenor saxophone, flute, African drums, percussion, and lead vocals on "The Dawn", "Music For Gong Gong", and "Ayiko Bia"), Wendell Richardson (lead guitar and lead vocals on "Think About The People"), Spartacus R aka Roy Bedeau (bass guitar and assorted percussion), and Mac Tontoh (trumpet, flugelhorn, kabasa, percussion, and vocals)
• Musical style: Afro-rock, progressive rock, jazz fusion, highlife, soul, funk
• Sound: Blending traditional African beats and grooves with western progressive rock and jazz, Osibisa created a unique and wonderfully upbeat sound that is both mesmerizing and uplifting.
• Major themes: Life, music, celebration, joy, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "The Dawn"
2. "Music For Gong Gong"
3. "Ayiko Bia"
4. "Akwaaba"
5. "Oranges"
6. "Phallus C"
7. "Think About The People"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Big Sky Brewing Company (Montana)
• Website: https://bigskybrew.com/
• Brew: Hazy I.P.A.
• Style: India Pale Ale (IPA) 
• Serving: 19.2 ounce can
• ABV: 6.0%
• IBUs: 60
• Pour: The Hazy I.P.A. pours a hazy, straw yellow hue with a bright white, 2+ finger, frothy and billowy head with great retention and lots of sticky, intricate lacing.
• Nose: The nose is citrusy, tropical, grainy, and slightly herbal.  There are aromas of pineapple, mango, grapefruit rind, orange peel, tangerine, crackery biscuit, and caramel/toffee.
• Taste: The taste of the Hazy I.P.A. follows the nose with lots of tropical, citrusy, grainy, and herbal flavors.  There are notes of pineapple, mango, grapefruit juice, tangerine, herbal tea, soft caramel, and blue agave.
• Mouthfeel: Light to medium-bodied and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel is very crisp and juicy, yet very smooth and easy drinking with only a slightly bitter finish.

Overall pairing: Visually speaking, this pairing goes well in my humble opinion.  And coming in at only 6.0% ABV, you can crush a couple of these easy drinking brews whilst grooving to the sweet and funky tunes of the mighty Osibisa!

Cheers!