Showing posts with label Fela. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fela. Show all posts

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Review: The Fela "Chop 'N Quench" Batch


I've been listening to the first 9 re-releases of Fela's catalogue, which w
ere released earlier this month, for a little while now. 9 records and if you've had the Fela Kuti experience, then you know you're in for some long groovy, jazzy, rhythmic jams. Needless to say, it took me a while to make my way through this part of the catalogue. But, these are must have records from the late Arfobeat legend.

I've been listening with the intention of doing a review. Of course, when I set about doing that, I didn't take into consideration that once you start listening, you soon forget you're supposed to be thinking about writing a review. Somewhere along the line, during the first song, I found myself wiggling around to the dynamic rhythms. So, my "review" is bordering on non-existant!

If you don't already own them, need to upgrade your collection (you know from the vinyl you lifted from your parents collection when you were a teen ... okay, maybe the rest of y'all didn't get sticky fingered with your parents stuff) or new to the Fela experience, pick them up. They're well worth the investment. I promise you, you'll have fun while listening and you'll understand why you're getting a borderline review. It's too hard to type and dance! You end up losing yourself in the music. Perhaps that's the best review there is, music so good you lose yourself in it.

My personal faves are Fela Ransome-Kuti and The Africa'70 with Ginger Baker - Live! and the Open & Close / Afrodisiac releases. Be warned, if you listen at work as I do, you may find yourself dancing around he office and some offices frown upon that. Thankfully, mine isn't one of those offices. They give you the feeling of being there.

Fela.net


Video: ?uestlove Discusses Fela


?uestlove
put his thoughts to video. He sat down and discussed the importance of Fela Kuti on a personal level as well as on music and culture. Check out the video below.




Over the next several months, Knitting Factory Records will be re-releasing Fela's entire catalogue. The "Chop 'N Quench" batch, containing 6 CDs (9 albums total) from 1964-1974, is available digitally and physically now. Buy them from Fela.net to get a deal better than you'll find anywhere else!

Fela.net

Monday, February 8, 2010

Fela Kuti Re-mastered & Re-released

The first set of Fela Kuti reissues are now available via Knitting Factory Records. The "Chop 'N Quench" batch contains a total of 9 albums, all re-mastered and re-released in digi-packs with their original artwork. These works represent the earliest period of the late Nigerian, Afrobeat legend's work from 1969 - 1974. The releases are available in digital, physical and deluxe versions HERE. Check out the handy widget below to stream a four song sampler.







The releases ...
6 digi-pack CDs featuring original artwork, including:
  • Koola Lobitos/The '69 L.A. Sessions
  • Live With Ginger Baker
  • London Scene/Shakara
  • Roforofo Fight (+2 Singles)
  • Open & Close/Afrodisiac
  • Gentleman/Confusion
New Yorkers, it's time to get your party on! There's going to be a record re-release party on Wednesday, February 17 at the Knitting Factory. Y'all know where that is, that's over in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. So, head on over to celebrate the re-release of Kuti's first 9 albums.

www.fela.net