Afrobeat...No Go Die!: Trans-Global African Funk Grooves

Amazon.com
It's been three decades since the iconoclastic Nigerian sax man Fela Ransome (a.k.a. Fela Anikulapo) Kuti and his drummer Tony Allen fused juju and highlife with American funk to create Afrobeat. Unfortunately, Fela's confrontational lyrics were as potent as the music and his fame was no protection against government retribution. He spent a lot of time in prison before dying of AIDS in 1997. Meanwhile, his son Femi Anikulapo Kuti and several other players have kept the coolly polyrhythmic and compulsively danceable groove going strong, as demonstrated by the the rough-and-ready tracks on this sampler. Highlights include Femi Kuti's exuberantly sexual "Beng Beng Beng," Kiala's lengthy praise-singing on "Batumwindu," Fela's own Egypt 80 led by Baba Ani on "Se Re Re," and Lagbaja's juicy, Yoruba-flavored "Side by Side." However, the pick hit is "Dirt And Blood," a tight, blistering social rant from Antibalas, a U.S.-based outfit. --Christina Roden

From Rhythm Magazine
While many have contributed to the evolution of Afrobeat, two artists are primarily associated with its origins during the 1970s: Nigerian Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and American soulster James Brown. These two command reverence among those who worship the groove. After Fela's untimely death in '97, an Afrobeat revival (perhaps continuation is more appropriate) was inspired by key Fela reissues in Japan and France, combined with Femi Kuti's successful Shoki Shoki album. Many artists worldwide continue to explore the genre, adding hip-hop, DJ, acid jazz and other elements from today. Most of the tunes on this album typically eschew crafty arrangements and turnarounds in favor of promulgating a song's deep rhythmic intent, often with an almost trance-dance approach to songwriting. Featured artists include: Tony Allen (Fela Kuti's drummer and first bandleader), the New York-based Antibalas, Hugh Masekela (who played with Fela in Afrika 70), Nigerian artist Lagbaja, Baba Ani & Egypt 80 (Fela's band leader in Loola Lobitos and Egypt 80 after Allen's departure), Dele Sosimi (Fela's pianist with Egypt 80 throughout the 1980s), and other eminent Afrobeat-niks. -Robert Kaye

Tracks:

The Same Blood - Tony Allen
Beng Beng Beng - Femi Kuti
Gbedu 1 - Dele Sosimi
Batumwindu - Kiala
Upsidown - Daktaris
Crisis - Groove Collective
Fela - Hugh Masekela
Dirt And Blood - Antibalas
Side By Side - Lagbaja
Se Re Re - Egypt 80

Amazon.com

It's been three decades since the iconoclastic Nigerian sax man Fela Ransome (a.k.a. Fela Anikulapo) Kuti and his drummer Tony Allen fused juju and highlife with American funk to create Afrobeat. Unfortunately, Fela's confrontational lyrics were as potent as the music and his fame was no protection against government retribution. He spent a lot of time in prison before dying of AIDS in 1997. Meanwhile, his son Femi Anikulapo Kuti and several other players have kept the coolly polyrhythmic and compulsively danceable groove going strong, as demonstrated by the the rough-and-ready tracks on this sampler. Highlights include Femi Kuti's exuberantly sexual "Beng Beng Beng," Kiala's lengthy praise-singing on "Batumwindu," Fela's own Egypt 80 led by Baba Ani on "Se Re Re," and Lagbaja's juicy, Yoruba-flavored "Side by Side." However, the pick hit is "Dirt And Blood," a tight, blistering social rant from Antibalas, a U.S.-based outfit. --Christina Roden

Customer Reviews:

solid afrofunk compilation .......2005-09-21

i dig this album a lot. It has many of the usual afrobeat artists on it: Antibalas, Tony Allen, Daktaris (now defunct: contains a number of members of Antibalas), Femi, Egypt 80. I already had a number of these tracks (and there are only 10 tracks on the album), perhaps that's why this review is only 4 stars.

I would definitely recommend that all you afrobeat heads check out a 100% charity afrobeat compilation for sudan called "ASAP: the afrobeat sudan aid project." The CD is only [...] and contains 12 tracks from many of these artists: Tony Allen (featuring fela kuti), Antibalas and Dele Sosimi, plus a number of really hot emerging afrobeat artists like Akoya, Kokolo, and Ikwunga. [...]

For real....Afrobeat no go die.......2004-05-04

I initially got this CD because it had the only other Lagbaja song that I don't have in my collection -"Side by Side". Perhaps, that's why I was pleased with the CD...I wasn't expecting much. It's a good CD, I particularly like Hugh Masekela's uniqueness in the song tittled "Fela"...nice! It's not a dancesong but it's something you'll enjoy listening to. And for the folks who were regulars at Fela's Shrine, I'll recommend the track- "Se Rere"(Baba Ani's national anthem at the Shrine). Baba Ani(Lekan Animashaun)wasn't as sharp as the good ol' Shrine days..but there's still that deep feeling when you listen to this song....ha! If only the truth were known. The other tracks like "Gbedu1" , "Dirt and Blood" etc are nice modern Afrobeat songs. How can I forget Egbon Femo's energizing "Beng, Beng, Beng"?

great collection.......2002-08-19

It's a real shame that afrobeat never became mainstream in the states. Then again in this era of TRL and bland boy bands singing manufactured pop songs, I guess it's crazy to expect an American audience to sit through a 15 minute composition from afrobeat legend, Fela Kuti. Anyway, it's their loss.
This CD features a compilation of some of the best contemporary afrobeat tracks around. There are some great tracks like Dele Sosimi's "Gbedu 1", Kiala's "Batumwindu", and "Se re re" by Baba Ani. It took me a while to get into "Dirt and Blood" by Antibalas but it's slamming. However, my favorite track is "side by side", a commentary by Lagbaja on young girls( and their mamas ) in miniskirts giving young dudes high blood pressure.
A minor grouse I have with the playlist is the first track "The same blood". Tony Allen has far better material. "N.E.P.A" and "Road close" come to mind. Also, Groove Collective's "Crisis" does nothing for me. Perhaps a new compilation will feature some material from Lagos based musician Alariwo? The cat has some talent.
All in all, this is a good CD to have whether you are a fan or a newbie to afrobeat.

A real kick.......2000-11-13

Ahhh here's another piece of evidence from where the real funk comes from. This afrorythm collection is a wonderful tribute to "Black President" Fela Kuti. May his rebel spirit never fade away. Horn-laden hypnosis mixed with the typical grooving polyrhythmics - spiritual and funky. A killing mixture of music which has became too rare.

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