Captain Yaba was a true original. Hailing from northern Ghana, he turned playing the traditional two-stringed koliko lute into an art form, effortlessly blending the folk music of his roots with the lively jazz and funk scenes of Accra. Thanks to champions like Mac Tontoh and producer Francis Fuster, his hypnotic grooves reached international stages in Europe, capturing a unique sound that bridged ancient Sahelian traditions with modern rhythm. Though he passed away tragically young in 2001 around the age of thirty, his brilliant musical legacy lives on through projects like Yaba Funk Roots.