Fela Kuti...A Legacy

In which the Curmudgeons express awe and amazement over the musical innovation and rebellious spirit of one Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti. Already an established jazz-fusion bandleader in his native Nigeria, a nearly year long stay in Los Angeles in 1969 exposed Kuti to the thrilling sounds of that era's soul and funk music and to the rage and purpose behind the politics of Black empowerment. Kuti returned home reinvigorated and over the course of the 1970s, he proceeded to fashion what we now call Afrobeat, writing and performing marathon-length compositions that spliced funk, R&B, jazz and Afro-Cuban music with the polyrhythmic Yoruba beats of his homeland. Kuti thrusted rousing horn punches, electric-piano sensuality and especially lush and glorious saxophone solos into the world's consciousness. And he became more furious and more targeted in his criticisms of African colonialism, imperialism and governmental corruption--to the point the Nigerian government burned down his commune and, later, imprisoned him on trumped-up charges. Kuti's resultant suffering and defiance through it all became a rallying cry for justice among the Western world, helping him transcend his status as a musical visionary into something entirely more heroic. We explore the best of Fela Kuti's music and meditate on his lasting influence during this episode.    Enjoy the music of Fela Kuti by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7jmPzVgNCI1252H9b19UhJ?si=3fcbe59f198346bb   Here is a handy navigational companion to this episode.   (00:52 - 03:37) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Fela Kuti   (04:11 - 14:21) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Brother Wallace and Touch Girl Apple Blossom (and an amusing recitation mishap by Christopher O'Connor)   (15:20 - 49:18) - We discuss the musical and cultural legacy of Fela Kuti right up front. We also tell his origin story. And we begin an analysis of his best songs, starting with the nastily funky "Roforofo Fight."    (50:27 - 01:07:37) - We analyze more of Fela Kuti's best songs, including the James Brown-inspired vamp-up "Zombie" and the amazingly intense 24-minute classic "I.T.T. (International Thief Thief)"       Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Edited with an assist from Descript! web.descript.com     Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons