The Underground Spiritual Game

Amazon.com
Many of Fela Kuti's albums have been reissued since his death from AIDS in 1997, but the Underground Spiritual Game is different kind of effort. The 12 tracks on this compilation are reassembled by Blackalicious's Chief Xcel, who seamlessly fuses them all together into one unstoppable Afro-funk groove. Xcel adds a few bits of spoken word and samples to help the in-between song flow, but he thankfully leaves the meat of the songs alone. Featuring material from throughout Kuti's career -- from his Koola Lobitos 1960s stuff to Africa 70 to Egypt 80--Underground highlights include "Unnecessary Begging," "Africa Centre Of The World" and "Monkey Banana." The cumulative effect of having Kuti seamlessly blended only heightens the music's hypnotic impact, while also offering a broader array of material than his typically long songs would otherwise get. Reportedly the first of many Chief Xcel remixes of Fela, Underground Spritual Game finds the hip-hopper off to great start and revealing an uncommonly deep understanding of Afro-beat. –-Tad Hendrickson

Product Description
MIXED BY CHIEF XCEL of Blackalicious. Includes 11 album tracks from FELA KUTI's AFRICA 70, EGYPT 80, and KOOLA LOBITOS lineups, near and dear to the heart of executive producer CHIEF XCEL of BLACKALICIOUS. A new take on the catalog of the founder of afro-beat and one of funk/jazz's most important innovators.

The Underground Spiritual Game,Fela Kuti,Quannum Projects,Africa,African,African Jazz,Afro-Beat,Afro-Pop,Highlife,Int'l & World Music,Nigeria,Pop

Average customer rating: an afrobeat flight on air africa Fela all mixed up ... Strong Fela Compilation

The Underground Spiritual Game Fela Kuti Manufacturer: Quannum Projects ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music Nigeria | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Live in Amsterdam Open & Close/Afrodisiac Music Is the Weapon: The Best of Fela Kuti Expensive Shit/He Miss Road Zombie ASIN: B0002OOUNW Release Date: 2004-09-07

Tracks:

1. Intro
2. Ololufe Mi
3. Trouble Sleep Yanga Wake Am
4. Look and Laugh
5. Mr Grammarticalogylisationaslism is the Boss
6. Monkey Banana
7. Ariya
8. Unnecessary Begging
9. Swegbe and Pako
10. Mr. Follow Follow
11. Africa Center of the World

Amazon.com

Many of Fela Kuti's albums have been reissued since his death from AIDS in 1997, but the Underground Spiritual Game is different kind of effort. The 12 tracks on this compilation are reassembled by Blackalicious's Chief Xcel, who seamlessly fuses them all together into one unstoppable Afro-funk groove. Xcel adds a few bits of spoken word and samples to help the in-between song flow, but he thankfully leaves the meat of the songs alone. Featuring material from throughout Kuti's career -- from his Koola Lobitos 1960s stuff to Africa 70 to Egypt 80--Underground highlights include "Unnecessary Begging," "Africa Centre Of The World" and "Monkey Banana." The cumulative effect of having Kuti seamlessly blended only heightens the music's hypnotic impact, while also offering a broader array of material than his typically long songs would otherwise get. Reportedly the first of many Chief Xcel remixes of Fela, Underground Spritual Game finds the hip-hopper off to great start and revealing an uncommonly deep understanding of Afro-beat. --Tad Hendrickson

Album Description

MIXED BY CHIEF XCEL of Blackalicious. Includes 11 album tracks from FELA KUTI's AFRICA 70, EGYPT 80, and KOOLA LOBITOS lineups, near and dear to the heart of executive producer CHIEF XCEL of BLACKALICIOUS. A new take on the catalog of the founder of afro-beat and one of funk/jazz's most important innovators.

Customer Reviews:

an afrobeat flight on air africa.......2005-12-22

If you've always been timid to jump feet first in to the world of Afro beat, this CD is for you. Chief Excel does a great job assembling a survey of the various stylistic periods in Fela's career. From the stripped down simplicity of his Koola Lobitos sessions to his larger sounds with the Egypt 80 band. I found this album a lot easier to digest then his greatest hits, plus it helps to give someone just getting into Fela, a chance to see which period of his music they enjoy, and then buy accordingly. This CD is a must have for anyone that's a fan of Afro beat, early r&b, or uptempo instrumental music.

Fela all mixed up ..........2005-02-22

Turntablist/producer/DJ Chief Xcel from the hip-hop group Blackalicious blends 12 tracks from the late Fela Kuti's extensive catalog into an album that is seamless, groovy, spiritual and soothing. This release expanded my appreciation for this Nigerian musician, and it serves as a nice introduction to his worldly sound if you've never heard him before. Remixing pre-existing, popular music is tricky, and Xcel does it with the same sort of skill and care that Bill Laswell showed on my favorite remix album of all time ... "Panthalassa: The Music Of Miles Davis 1969-1974."

Strong Fela Compilation.......2004-09-13

This is a strong collection of Fela classics from many eras of his prolific career (highlife to Egypt 80) , lovingly compiled by Chief Xcel (of the hiphop group Blackalicious). The basic core of the songs is untouched (thankfully), but Fela's 10 minute plus compositions are culled down to radio-friendly 4 min. tunes. The slow simmer portions of the songs are absent in favor of the main vocal sections, & burning solos. Pitch matching is employed to seemlessly blend one song into the next, & overdubs of Fela & others speaking about issues from the songs and the music itself added in post production. Fela-philes will hear nothing new on this disc- most overdubs are lifted from various interviews/concerts that they will already own/have heard. But this is a lovely listen- all strong tunes without having to program the changer (great for parties). This is Fela condensed for the dance floor! Shake your yansh!

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