Discuss the ways in which the instrumentation of Afrobeat and Highlife have been adapted in contemporary settings.

The instrumentation of Afrobeat and Highlife, while rooted in their historical contexts, has undergone significant adaptations in contemporary settings, reflecting technological advancements, changing musical tastes, and a desire to fuse these genres with other styles. While the core elements remain recognizable, modern interpretations often incorporate new instruments and technologies while also re-interpreting the roles of traditional instruments.

In contemporary Afrobeat, while the core instrumentation, such as the drum kit, bass guitar, electric guitars, keyboards, and a horn section, remains, some artists are now incorporating electronic instruments like synthesizers, drum machines, and samplers. These electronic elements often add a modern twist to the genre, creating a hybrid sound that maintains the core characteristics of Afrobeat while exploring new textures and sonic landscapes. Synthesizers may be used to add additional layers to the harmonic texture, sometimes creating soundscapes that were not present in earlier Afrobeat arrangements. The use of drum machines also allows for more precise rhythmic programming, although this is often blended with more organic live drumming elements to maintain the organic feel of the music. Modern recording technology and production techniques have also enabled artists to experiment with sound design, creating a more polished and produced sound. Some artists are also incorporating other percussive elements from other musical styles, adding more cross-cultural sounds to the Afrobeat mix. While keeping the core polyrhythmic nature of the genre, contemporary artists are integrating modern production techniques to create a more varied and interesting sound. Another adaptation is in the mixing, where the drums and bass are often more prominent in modern mixes, and the guitars and horns are often less prominent, although the exact arrangements vary a lot between artists. Also, there's been an increase in the use of digital instruments, such as digital wind instruments, which are used to get specific horn sounds, or to add new elements to the horn section.

In contemporary Highlife, similar adaptations are evident, with some artists incorporating electronic instruments, such as synthesizers and drum machines, into the mix. This adaptation is not often as common as in Afrobeat. However, while electronic elements are often present, they are often used to add harmonic or textural variation rather than transforming the fundamental nature of the rhythmic structures. Another significant adaptation is the increased use of digital effects on instruments, such as reverb, delay, and chorus, which add to the overall sonic texture. This also allows Highlife musicians to explore a wider range of sonic textures without altering the core instrumentation. Some contemporary Highlife artists are also incorporating new instruments such as electric violins or saxophones, creating a unique mix of traditional and modern sounds. Some contemporary artists also experiment with acoustic instruments with newer recording techniques which result in new and unique sounds which maintain some of the acoustic nature of the earlier recordings. A common adaptation in instrumentation is the use of a second or even a third electric guitar, that adds further layers to the overall sound, and allows for different guitarists to explore different styles and textures. Also, there is more emphasis on using digital audio workstations and software to create and fine tune the songs, which is an important element of modern Highlife recordings. A more common element in modern Highlife is a larger emphasis on vocals, with the instrumentals taking more of a supporting role.

Both genres have seen adaptations in the amplification and recording techniques, which have allowed for a wider range of sonic textures, and a more refined sound. Modern amplification technology, for example, enables musicians to utilize guitars and horns in ways that were not previously possible. Also modern recording techniques allow greater emphasis on different instrumental parts which results in a different sound compared to the historical recording processes of these two genres.

Another adaptation is the combination of Afrobeat and Highlife with other styles, creating new genre blends. Afrobeat can be combined with hip-hop, electronic music, pop, and others, and Highlife can be combined with reggae, dancehall, and other styles, resulting in entirely new genres that retain elements of Afrobeat or Highlife, while being fundamentally different styles of music.

In summary, the instrumentation of Afrobeat and Highlife has been significantly adapted in contemporary settings through the incorporation of electronic instruments, digital effects, and new recording technologies, as well as fusion with other genres. These adaptations reflect the ever-evolving nature of music, and the adaptability of these musical forms. The core instruments and musical styles remain recognizable but the way these instruments are now played and used is very different. The modern use of Afrobeat and Highlife is more diverse than ever before, incorporating new ideas, technologies and sounds while maintaining the fundamental character of the two genres.