Who doesn‘t like Eryka Badu moreover who doesn’t like Fela Kuti? When the two collide we are blessed with a amazing 400 or Vinyl box set called ‘Fela‘ curated by Eryka Badu.
Now I’m a big fan of both so it wasn’t long before I was washed away into the sea of rhythms that nobody on the planet has ever been able to replicate. You have to understand Fela is an institution and once you have just one of his songs you are part ofthat global institution too. The selection of songs are not only carefully chosen, but carefully lined up in an audacious sequence. The music of Fela is simple yet complex at the same time, its the singular rhythm that often hooks before you are aware of the weaving patterns and arrangements which fly in the face of traditional productions.
They say the pen is mightier than the sword and on ‘Army Arrangement’ we are reminded that Fela is an amazing poet and activist painting the picture of everyday struggles corrupt governments and unbridle love in one sentence. When l first heard this track I played it four times in a row. each time being aware of something new. Almost like a who-done-it the tune unearths a different mood a different sound a different conclusion on each listen.
To ‘Underground System‘ more traditional in it‘s make-up with Fela not only singing, but preaching to the listener and this time the music buckles to allow the words to punch. This song is a real tribute to the arranger with eyes shut you can picture the brass section urged to awake then ushered away the mic almost swallowed as the words are digested. Nobody was untouchable to Fela no subject out of bounds and ‘Underground System‘ is a feast of political shaming and satire.
‘VlP (Part 1)” another track Eryka Badu has blessed us with… this live performance stands up to the intro given on stage. in fact the intro is so good it seemed the Berlin audience were wetting themselves in anticipation.
Fela walks through the tapestry of sounds to introduce himself as an African. He rips into the wealthy and uplifts the poor before the instrumentation sneaks up on us. Todays Afrobeats are not million miles away from this hypnotic, simplistic and positive mantra. In 2018 artist want to keep us dancing and that’s a good thing. What’s missing is an African leader mixing up the music and social mumblings of a nation in bitesize beats.
When you listen to Fela you listen to the world. He’s was in love with Africa and Africa loved him back. His words resinate with us all and it‘s our duty to keep this music alive.
You need this in your life because music = Fela.
The audio has been restored and remastered from Fela’s original Nigerian recordings. The artwork for each album has been meticulously recreated from original album artwork, alongside vintage vinyl label artwork. The box also includes a 20-page full colour booklet featuring seven personal essays written by Erykah Badu, seven in-depth commentaries by veteran music journalist and Afrobeat historian, Chris May; song lyrics; and never before published photos of Fela Kuti, plus a 16"x24" poster designed by Nigerian artist Lemi Ghariokwu, the creative force behind 26 of Fela Kuti‘s album covers.
WATCH/ LISTEN: Fela Kuti - “Coffin For Head of State” YouTube: https://youtu.be/3VfWCwBROLc (featuring commentary by Afrobeat historian Chris May)
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