Fela Kuti - Live In Detroit 1986 '2012

Tracks list

In its own way, this is a kind of grail; a live recording by the great Fela Kuti
captured live mere months after his release from prison in 1986. After serving
two years on a trumped-up charge of currency trafficking, he was reluctantly
released by the Nigerian government in April due to considerable pressure by
Amnesty International. This show took place at Detroits historic Fox Theater in
November. The recording is the first release of new Fela material in nearly 20
years. The three CDs clock in at a bit under two-and-a-half hours – the
show could have easily fit on two discs – and an audience recording by
Bob Tegan.

While this isnt the best quality sonically, its certainly very good. It contains
four very long tracks – Just Like That, Confusion Breaks Bones, Teacher
Dont Teach Me Nonsense, and Beast of No Nation. Interestingly, others who
attended the show distinctly remember five jams; what happened to the other one
is anyones guess. Fela and Egypt 80 are in excellent form. His between-song
banter with the audience is lively and doesnt detract at all. It ranges from
very humorous to pointed to admonishing (especially when teaching them to
pronounce Yoruban words). Musically, this band showcases jazz over funk, in
contrast to the Africa 70 group, but the audience didnt mind a bit, and neither
will listeners. Fela plays keyboards and saxophone, dances, and of course
handles most of the lead vocals, backed by a chorus and very capable
instrumentalists – check the close level of communication on Beast of No
Nation. The improvisations are by turns spiraling, instinctively knotty, and
sometimes dissonant – there is a section of Confusion Breaks Bones where
the whole band just loses its way before fighting back after a few minutes
– its awesome hearing them try. The audience is somewhat familiar with
this material, which adds to the sense of euphoria at the Fox and the
electricity of the performance. While it isnt all great, most of it is, and
while this isnt the best way for newcomers to acquaint themselves with Fela
Kutis music, it is an essential document for fans.


Tracks:

CD1
01 - Just Like That

CD2
01 - Confusion Break Bone
02 - Teacher Dont Teach No Nonsense

CD3
01 - Beast Of No Nation

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