Felabration / New Years 2016

For this (end of) year’s Felabration we bring you a left-field selection of Kuti’s lesser known songs, past-collaborators and Afrobeat-associates. This mix features some of his early pre-Afrobeat work such as the illustratively named ‘Highlife Time’, an instrumental track from the Hykkers who, according to Uchenna Ikonne, borrowed Fela’s instruments to record when they had fallen on hard times. Also, Fela’s cousins the twin Lijadu Sisters, one of whom briefly dated Cream drummer and original South-East London resident Ginger Baker, feature on the banger ‘Life’s Gone Down Low’. Ginger Baker made a number of collaborations with Fela, one which features under the moniker Stratavarious- Fela’s vocals and keys work can be heard on the track ‘Ariwo’. There is a also a great cover from Colombian artists Wganda Kenya, his Spanish Sharakara always fills a dancefloor. Lastly an obscure interview/spokenword/instrumental track of Fela recanting his time in prison and general beefs with the Nigerian government. We hope you enjoy.

P.s for those looking for a left-field account of Fela’s life, get yourself a copy of  John Collins’ book ‘Kalakuta Notes’

Tracklist

1. Fela Kuti- Viva Nigeria
2. Fela Kuti- It’s Highlife Time
3. The Hykkers- I want to Break Thru
4. Stratavarious- Ariwo
5. Lijadu Sisters- Life’s Gone Down Low
6. Sandra Izsadore- Excerpts of Fela Vol.1
7. Fela Kuti- Who’re You!?
8. Wganda Kenya- Shakalaodé