2000 Blacks Got to be Free

As I continue to get myself "musically prepared" for tonight's Roy Ayers show at Yoshi's, I thought I would post another classic track that he collaborated on with Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti called "2000 Blacks Got to be Free". This funky gem was featured on the 1980 album Music of Many Colours, which was a collaborated effort between Kuti and Ayers that also featured the track "Africa - Centre Of The World ". Even though I highly doubt Ayers will perform this eighteen-plus minute track in tonight's set, I couldn't help but share this amazing song that truly brings out the musical brilliance in both artists. Enjoy!

Fela Kuti & Roy Ayers - 2000 Blacks Got to be Free

Nigeria Afrobeat Special

In 2009, Soundway Records had a very good year releasing a number of great compilations including Ghana Special, Panama! Volume 2 & 3, and my favorite compilation from last year Tumbele!. Well the record label has reasons be excited as they have started off again strong in 2010 with some solid early releases including the Afrobeat masterpiece, Nigeria Afrobeat Special: The New Explosive Sound In 1970s Nigeria. This record might be one of the finest Afrobeat compilations I've ever heard with some funky gems from Afrobeat heavy-weights Fela Ransome Kuti & His Africa 70, Orlando Julius & His Afro-Sounders, and The Sahara All Stars. There is also plenty of great cuts from a select group of lesser known groups like Bongos Ikwue & The Groovies, Godwin Omabuwa & His Cassanova Dandies, The Tony Benson Sextet, and among many others. For the record, Fela's opening track, "Who're You?", might be one of his best songs ever released in my opinion. Soundway had last year's best compilation and they might be well on there way of having this year's best as well. With all that being said, I recommend doing yourself a favor and purchase a copy of this record. I promise you'll be satisfied.

Fela Ransome Kuti & His Africa 70 - Who're You?

Afro Beat Explosion

Over the past decade, there has been a number of newer "Afro-beat" groups popping up on the scene. Keeping the sound that Fela Kuti helped create alive, group's like Fanga, Akoya Afrobeat Ensemble, Koloko Afrobeat Orchestra, Antibalas, as well as this group The Daktaris. The Daktaris were probably one the first modern day Afro-beat groups to successfully recapture Fela's unique African groove. This group released it's only record back in 1998, titled Soul Explosion. The entire record has overall classic 70's Afro-beat feel to it with cuts like "Super Afro-Beat", "Daktari Walk", "Voodoo Soul Stew", and a cover of Fela's classic "Upside Down". From what I've been able to research, it looks as if this group has broken up and the Soul Explosion record is the only material they successfully left behind. That being said, it's safe to say that their Soul Explosion album will forever be cheerished by Afro-beat and African funk enthusiasts as a true gem. Enjoy!

The Daktaris - Upside Down

African Zombie

I haven't had much time to update this blog this week. My work-related visit to Seattle has been a bit more hectic than I expected. I certainly do apoligize as this will robably be my last post until Monday. Anyways, if I have to cut out early, what better way then to end the week with a Fela Kuti classic. Here is his 1977 Afro-beat classic "Zombie". This track, in my opinion, is one of his best tracks that he ever wrote. The song was the title track to the 1977 record that also feature solid cuts "Monkey Banana", and "Everything Scatter". Overall, another gem from Afro-beat's finest.

Fela Kuti & Afrika 70 - Zombie

Shakara Oloje-Lady

Here is a one of my favorite African disco tracks in Ephraim Uzomechina Nzeka's funky cover of Fela Kuti's "Shakara Oloje-Lady". This track is featured on both the hard-to-find 1980 LP Brother To Brother, under the name Brother Ephraim, and the excellent African disco compilation African Disco: Deep Disco From 1970s Africa. Overall, Ephraim does a nice job here of making the classic Fela Kuti song all of his own by really speeding up the tempo and making the song very accessible to a disco dancefloor. It's safe to say that his 1980 Brother To Brother LP is high on my wish list. Regardless, it's amazing track that I reccommend snatching up in anyway or format possible. Enjoy.

Ephraim Uzomechina Nzeka - Shakara Oloje-Lady

Question Jam Answer

I thought I would post the whole version of Fela Kuti & The Africa 70's "Question Jam Answer" after playing an excerpt of the thirteen-plus minute Afro-beat gem on the last Booga Beat Radio broadcast. This song is featured on Kuti's 1975 Music of Fela: Volume 2 record. I was really excited to find an original used copy of this LP over the weekend. I wasn't really aware of this record prior to finding it, however after just a few listens since owning it, I must say the record is very impressive. All three tracks, that make up the entirety of the album, have that "Fela Kuti signature" Afro-beat that made him such an influential musician. This is definitely the kind of record that can make a long Sunday afternoon of crate-digging well worth it. Enjoy!

Fela Kuti - Question Jam Answer