A MOST HAPPY FELA! Fela Ransome Kuti and His Koola Lobitos: Highlife Jazz and Afro-Soul (1963-1969)

This 3 disc set brings together the earliest material from the guy that started the whole Afro-Soul scene. Fela Ransome-Kuti’s first two albums and a collection of his singles is presented here in gloriously raw form, allowing you to see what and how the excitement was all about. There is something here for fans of jazz, soul and Afro-Soul to appreciate and cherish.

The first disc’s collection of singles is the most raw and earthy. The sound quality is a bit primitive at times, and the fidelity can be lacking, but the visceral energy is present. The material ranges from calypso’d pieces with Fela’s trumpet as on “Bonfo” to hints of Afro-Cuban on “Fere.”At this stage, Fela also was highly influenced by jazz, revealed by a bopping “Great Kids” The patented mix of charging saxes is already present during “Oijo” and Egbin” while the mix of percussion charges through on “VC 7/.”

The second disc features his first album, and this time the horns give hints of jazz-pop hits like “Vehicle” by The Ides of March on “Lai Se” while James Brown comes to Africa on the soulful “Omuti.” Bebopping grooves sound like they’ve returned home on “Lagos Baby” and the “Afro” in Afro-Cuban takes pre-eminienc on”Signature Tune” Lots of exciting sax wailings and vocals mix with funky percussive grooves.

The third disc has the band recorded in concert at the Afro Spot, and the sweaty session includes a jazzy “Everyday I Got My Blues” and more calypso on “Wak aWaka and “Mot Gborakan” along with serpentine saxes. Fela even shouts out “Now’ we’re swingin!” during the set, and “Ajo” and the souful “My Baby Don Love Me” would be big hits on Soul Train while “Home Cooking” would feel right at home on a CTI session. The mix of Fabulous Flames, Blood Sweat & Tears jazz/rock and Afro Beat as on “Se Tun De” points music to an exciting and fresh direction. Wonderful energy and vision is emitted here.

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