Name: Various Artists - Black Man's Cry : The Inspiration Of Fela Kuti
Brand: Fela Kuti

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

na5056cd

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Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2010-03-15

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

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Tax rate GB

Standard:20

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Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Fela Kuti

Genre GB

African

Label GB

Fela Kuti, born on 15 October 1938 in Abeokuta, Nigeria, was a legendary musician and human rights revolutionary. He formed his first group Koola Lobitos in 1963 and later changed the name to Afrika 70. Fela's vision and collaboration with key members like drummer Tony Allen ensured that the jazz, funk, and afrobeat style remained consistent throughout the decades. Known for his political activism, Fela started his own party to protest corruption in Nigeria. His influence on funk and African music is unparalleled, with a discography of approximately 77 albums.

After visiting America in 1969, Fela returned to Nigeria and opened club Afro Spot in Lagos. He collaborated with renowned musicians such as Ginger Baker and Bobby Tench from The Jeff Beck Group on notable albums like "Ginger Baker Live with Afrika 70" (1971) and "Stratavarious" (1972). In 1981, he renamed his group Egypt 80.

Fela Anikulapo Kuti, formerly known as Fela Ransome-Kuti until about 1978, was not only a musical icon but also a symbol of resistance against oppression. He established his own compound called the Kalakuta Republic in Lagos which he declared independent from Nigeria. However, this led to constant harassment by the government towards him and his numerous wives.

deluxe cd and hardbound book with extensive liner notes and never-published-before photos of fela kuti. 'black man's cry' is a beautiful selection of covers and music inspired by the godfather of afro-beat. this fela estate-approved anthology includes rare and previously unreleased music from nigeria, ghana, colombia, trinidad and more. fela kuti and his africa 70 popularized the hybrid of highlife, jazz and james brown style, big-band funk he invented: afro-beat. in nigeria, his countrymen knew his music like americans know elvis. on foreign shores, a chosen few westerners - cream's drummer ginger baker and new york-based jazz vibraphonist roy ayers amongst them - could claim to know the extent of fela's genius. as a result, while music historians have filled books with references to the influence of westerners on fela's creation, little has been said about fela's inspiration on others. fela's music, and that of his organization inspired musicians across the global village when afro-beat was new and novel. this compilation focuses on the music fela inspired - whether by fellow nigerians recording alongside him in the early 70s, neighbours in ghana, then-modern colombian cumbia ensembles inspired by the man who injected a new feel into the yoruban rhythms that formed cumbia's base, trinidadian steel bands or the select few organizations left that have maintained fela's fury in the new millennium. this is but a cursory investigation into those inspired by fela kuti's genius, but it is unique: the first time that many of these tracks are not only offered a second chance for worthy introspection, but, in the case of many, the first time they're being issued full stop.

Various Artists - Black Man's Cry : The Inspiration Of Fela Kuti

Music GB