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Hedzoleh Soundz, formed in Accra, Ghana in the late 1960s, is a notable Afro-Rock group led by a visionary who assembled a diverse ensemble of musicians from the Ghana Arts Council. Aiming to create a sound that was more traditional and African, they sought to surpass the popularity of Osibisa. Their original compositions drew inspiration from traditional Akan and Ewe music, utilizing organic African-made drums rather than modern Western percussion. In 1973, they released their first LP on Blue Thumb, which is widely regarded as one of the finest African jazz-funk fusion albums, celebrated for the seamless integration of the band's unique sounds with the trumpet of their guest soloist, whose identity remains undisclosed. This collaboration was facilitated by a mutual acquaintance, and Masekela had previously worked with an early version of Hedzoleh as early as 1967 at Monterey, leading to a familiarity with each other's styles by 1973. Hedzoleh Soundz's music is characterized by a blend of traditional African rhythms and contemporary Western instrumentation, merging songs in Ghanaian languages with a style known as "West African Highlife."

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