GOOD AS NEW

Rummaging through stuff to listen to today, I ran into a Fela disc (out of it's sleeve; which, you know, only enhanced the sound). I slapped in on and, man, did it ever sound good. After listening to it for a few minutes, it occurred to me that I haven't posted any of his stuff for quite a while, which is surprising considering how many times I lean on old standbys when I can't think of anything else. Maybe it's been a while since you've listened to him. Maybe you've never heard him, I don't know. If you haven't, just think of him as the Nigerian James Brown of afro-funk, not musically, just as a genre icon, a musical template, who was prolific and consistently solid. He had a relatively nutty life too. What kind of guy creates their own compound, with a commune, a disco and a recording studio, takes 27 wives and, just for the hell of it, proclaims their independence from the Nigerian state? This guy does. Dig these long grooves. If any of you happen to be young, learn this music, it is a door to another world. Carry it forward, with you, as you age. Pass it on. Luke Skywalker.

~ NOTE: ALL MEDIA IS HOSTED BY THE BLOGS & SITES NAMED BELOW ~

Listen:
Fela Kuti - Expensive Shit mp3 at Review Stalker
Fela Kuti and the Africa 70 - Who're You? mp3 at Dusted
Fela Kuti and the Africa 70 - Question Jam Answer (via DivShare) mp3 at American Athlete
Fela Kuti - Mister Follow Follow mp3 at the Cargo Culte
Fela Kuti - Zombie mp3 at Truants
Read:
How Fela Landed Me In Jail by John Barton at the New York Times
Fela Kuti at Wikipedia