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Rating: I stumbled upon Fela Kuti's works by chance when I listened to the album by the "supergroup" Rocketjuice & the Moon last year, featuring Damon Albarn, Flea, and Tony Allen. Fascinated by the rhythms woven by the latter, I decided to delve deeper and discovered, filling a gap in my ignorance, that he was originally the co-founder of afrobeat alongside Fela Kuti, whose band he was the percussionist and musical director of.
Fela Kuti, a Nigerian, was not only a musical artist but also a human rights activist and revolutionary in his own country. He often conveyed his political message through his music, blending socialism and pan-Africanism, and is undoubtedly a figure worth exploring beyond the strictly musical boundaries. The album in question dates back to 1976 and I would recommend it as a first step to approach his music, as it consists of only two tracks in suite form, each lasting a little over 14 minutes ("Upside Down" and "Go Slow"), for an album that is undoubtedly fresh and smooth, remaining under half an hour in total duration.
So, what is this afrobeat then?
It is an unimaginable melting pot of sounds and colors, combining in a fantastic mix of jazz, funk, reggae, ska, and Yoruba. In fact, imagine Sly & the Family Stone and Funkadelic joined with Herbie Hancock of Head Hunters, and you can get an idea of the sounds you can taste on this album, with even some soul sprinkles in the vocalizations. In short, it's joyful music that exudes Africa from every angle, in an incredible kaleidoscope of colors and sounds.
Don't miss it, it's worth it.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Go Slow (14:41)
Go slow, go slow
[Chorus]
Go slow, go slow!
Go slow, go slow
Go slow, go slow
Go slow, go slow
Go slow, go slow
Man must be man for him land o
I say, man must be man for him land o
You must agree with me
Man must dey work for him land o
You must agree with me
Man must dey chop for him land o
You must agree with me
When go slow catch you for your house
[Chorus]
Ole make yeye!
Impossible
Impossibility
Impossibilityism
Impossibilityismalogy
[Fela starts scatting]
Impossibilityismalogicalization
Impossibilityismalogicalization, baba
When go slow catch you for your house
When go slow catch you for your house
When go slow catch you for your house
You dey make your business every day
Then your head start to ache
Because car crush dey for your head
Your nose start to run
Because water pour cool for your head
You dey cough cough every time
Because carbu air dey for your throat
You dey shaking shaking like a paper
Because your yansh cold like ice
Go slow catch you
[Chorus]
Go slow, go slow!
Go slow don't come
Go slow, go slow
Go slow, go slow
You dey make your business every day
Then you buy your motor car
Or you join your public transport
Then you start to go for work
Then suddenly, suddenly, suddenly
Lorry dey for your front
Tipa dey for your back
Motorcycle dey for your left o
Taxi-moto dey for your right
Helicopter dey fly fly for your top o
You self don dey for cell
Go slow catch you
[Chorus]
Go slow, go slow!
Go slow don't come
Go slow, go slow
Go slow, go slow
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