Fela Kuti
The Best Of The Black President 2
Knitting Factory Records / Kalakuta Sunrise (KFR1029)
4 March 2013
If you’re unfamiliar with Fela Kuti
then you really need to familiarise yourself, and, 2013 is the perfect time to
start with over 50 albums being re-released between now and September.
Fela was more than a singer-songwriter,
and more than a multi-instrumentalist, he was a freedom fighter and spearheaded
political change. He was incredibly
outspoken on the subjects of African corruption in Government and of injustice
for his people who whilst fighting, was beaten and scarred over two hundred
times, but, never stopped his battle for what he believed. He is a legend.
On 2 August 1997, Fela died at the
age of 58, and an estimated one million people turned up for his funeral. The musical Fela!, was nominated for 11
Tony’s and a documentary about his life, directed by Oscar winner Alex Gibney,
is planned for release this year.
So what of his music? A unique mix of traditional African rhythms
mixed with jazz, funk and psychedelia underpinned by a frantic drumbeat is what
you get. Tracks that continue endlessly
(some of Fela’s tracks were known to last for a full side of an album!) with
drums, horns and guitar riffs prevalent throughout. Unfortunately, the length of the tracks
limited Kuti’s popularity outside of Africa.
Tracks steam ahead form the word go with
two saxophones, two bassists and two guitars often common presenting a musical style
which was heavy influenced by modern day funk and hip-hop – with the man
himself often playing keyboards, trumpet, drums, sax and guitar (presumably not
at the same time!) as well as taking the vocal in his native Nigerian.
Best Of The Black President 2 is a
double cd containing just twelve tracks (six on each disc), but, the choices
for the compilation are superb. Opening
with the near forty year old Everything Scatter which has become one of the
classic Afrobeat tunes and straight into Expensive Shit, the album is
completely relentless. Yellow Fever
describes the practice of Nigerian women and skin bleaching, and, there’s a near
seventeen minute version of the true classic Sorrow Tears and Blood. There’s also representation of his later
career with Undergound System (Part 2) recorded just five years before his
death.
Unless you’re a true die-hard, 50
albums may be a bit much to invest in, but, this collection is a superb insight
into the music of a man which is either worshipped by some or unknown by
others.
Do yourself a favour, buy this
album, and, listen to one of music true geniuses.
9.5/10
Find out more about Fela Kuti here.
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