Fela Kuti (1938–1997)

* Audio CD (July 24, 2001)
* Original Release Date: 2000
* Number of Discs: 1
* Format: Original recording reissued
* Label: Mca
* ASIN: B00004Z4YM
* Average Customer Review: based on 6 reviews. (Write a review.)
* Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,076 in Music (See Top Sellers in Music)
Yesterday: #40,143 in Music

Listen to Samples
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1. Zombie Listen Listen
2. Mister Follow Follow Listen Listen
3. Observation Is No Crime Listen Listen
4. Mistake (Live At The Berlin Jazz Festival 1978) Listen Listen

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
Good Review Below, But..., April 3, 2003
Reviewer: Michael B. Richman (Portland, Maine USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) (TOP 100 REVIEWER)
...giving Fela's "Zombie" only three stars is very misleading. "Zombie" is without a doubt Fela's most important political song, and probably the best synthesis of his composing strengths -- pulsating march-like grooves, funky backbeat rhythms, and great, catchy horn riffs. "Mr.Follow Follow" is not far behind, though it has more of a P. Funk vibe. Unlike the other Fela discs from this massive reissue project, "Zombie" does not couple two original LPs on one CD (what other Fela album could possibly stand up to this!), and instead offers two previously unreleased performances. This is essential music for anyone who considers themselves a fan of jazz, funk, African or international music.… (plus d'informations)

Product Details

* Audio CD (May 16, 2000)
* Number of Discs: 1
* Label: Mca
* Catalog Number: 547378
* ASIN: B00000JOEX
* Average Customer Review: based on 5 reviews. (Write a review.)
* Amazon.com Sales Rank: #86,296 in Music (See Top Sellers in Music)
Yesterday: #82,975 in Music

Listen to Samples
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1. Confusion [Part 1 + 2] (25:36) Listen
2. Gentleman (14:42) Listen Listen
3. Fefe Naa Efe (8:12) Listen Listen
4. Igbe (8:07) Listen Listen

Editorial Reviews
Product Description:
Two Releases on One CD
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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
Cream of Fela's Bumper Crop!, July 4, 2001
Reviewer: "mikemulligan" (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews
Given the enormity of the late-great Fela Kuti's output -- over 50 LPs, which even doubled-up in Universal Music's on-going reissue project, leave 25+ CDs to collect -- it's important for a new Fela collector to know where to start. While the case could be made that anywhere is fine, since Fela's catalog is uniformly strong, THIS 1973/1975 combo may be the single best entree for the uninitiated.

As much as any major artist of the rock-era, Fela's recordings work as a musical biography, telling the chapter-by-chapter story of this fascinating man's 25 year struggle to catalyze the pride of Black Nigeria as it moved beyond British colonialism. Yes, the intrinsic groove of Fela's "afrobeat" rarely fails to amaze and inspire (in short: funk of the FIRST ORDER), but the stories/messages/warnings which his lyrics contain are spellbinding, too. You can't read Rikki Stein's well-written Fela biography in any of the CD booklets without getting enthralled with the daring, !polemical, incendiary and often hilarious messages so expertly woven into the groove.

Confusion/Gentleman epitomizes the dichotomy of Fela: funk-avatar v. political rabblerouser. Confusion -- more-or-less a 20+ minute call to arms -- begins psychedelic in a Soft Machine-ish way, bores headlong into a sustained and super-swinging groove, and culminates in a fasinating and foreboding call-and-response warning that the European influence in Nigeria/Africa would end. Mesmering stuff!

Gentleman, the earlier of the two pieces, follows and lightens up the mood slightly. The groove is less menacing, but the lyrics remain provocative. The title track jeers the Anglo-fied black leaders of Nigeria's government and corporate world bluntly and mercilessly. The shorter -- i.e. 7-9 minute -- "b-sides" on Gentleman likewise plumb the funk whilst delivering some incisive barbs to the status quo.

With a dozen more Fela "two-fers" headed our way in late-July 2001, there will! soon be more Fela Kuti material to be dazzled by. Still, Confusion/Gentleman is one of the high-water marks of the Fela ouvre and it should be priority for all collectors who are seeking to compile a collection while this amazing CD reissue series is available!… (plus d'informations)