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590

Afrobeat Diaries

Part 7 - Knitting Factory rolls out Fela Kuti reissue program

by Chris May
March 7, 2010

Following the release of its The Best Of The Black President sampler in November 2009, New York's Knitting Factory has cut to the main event in its Fela Kuti reissue program. The label, which is scheduled to release all of Kuti's albums during 2010, put out the first batch of six discs in February. Titled the “Chop 'n' Quench" batch (after the title of an early single), the discs cover the years 1964-74, Afrobeat's formative years. They contain nine albums ...

299

Album Review

Fela Kuti: The Best Of The Black President

Read "The Best Of The Black President" reviewed by Chris May

by Chris May
November 20, 2009

Twelve years after his death, activity around the legacy of Afrobeat originator Fela Kuti is growing exponentially and the US, finally, is getting in on the act. Choreographer Bill T. Jones' musical, Fela, is to open on Broadway on November 23, 2009, and meanwhile New York's Knitting Factory label has begun a reissue program which will, between fall 2009 and the close of 2010, see 45 Kuti titles released.Jones is a leading light of American modern dance, and ...

293

Album Review

Fela Ransome-Kuti and Africa 70: Fela With Ginger Baker Live!

Read "Fela With Ginger Baker Live!" reviewed by AAJ Staff

by AAJ Staff
November 25, 2002

Nigerian Afrobeat star Fela Kuti brought a refreshing attitude to his music. On one hand, he was deeply distrustful of authority in all its forms. On the other, he understood that the members of his groups would have to work together to function as a unit. What emerged from that mindset was a unique approach to group dynamics. While the members of his bands knew they would have to play with precision, they could also play with grace. In this ...

379

Album Review

Fela Anikulapo Kuti: Music Is the Weapon of the Future

Read "Music Is the Weapon of the Future" reviewed by AAJ Staff

by AAJ Staff
September 7, 2002

For jazz listeners interested in a portal to African music, there are two obvious routes. One is the spirited South African lyricism of Abdullah Ibrahim and Hugh Masekela. The other is the self-described Afro-beat of Nigerian multi-instrumentalist Fela Kuti. Fela made an enormous number of recordings, and it's very hard to find one which lacks his characteristic inspiration and energy. Fela's music draws upon the rhythmic dynamism of West Africa, the testimonial spirit of East Africa, and New World traditions ...