Afrodisiac (Fela Kuti album) explained

Afrodisiac
Type:Studio
Artist:Fela Ransome-Kuti and the Africa '70
Cover:Afrodisiac (Fela Kuti album).jpg
Released:1973
Recorded:1972 at Abbey Road Studios
Genre:Afrobeat
Length:39:51
Label:EMI
EMI 062
Producer:Jeff Jarratt
Chronology:Fela Kuti
Prev Title:Roforofo Fight
Prev Year:1972
Next Title:Gentleman
Next Year:1973

Afrodisiac is an album by Nigerian Afrobeat composer, bandleader, and multi-instrumentalist Fela Kuti, originally released on the Nigerian EMI label in 1973.[1] The album's four tracks were re-recordings of Nigerian 45s redone in London in 1972. The album features Kuti's first Nigerian hit "Jeun Ko Ku," which sold over 200,000 copies.

AllMusic stated that "These four workouts [...] are propulsive mixtures of funk and African music, avoiding the homogeneity of much funk and African records of later vintage, done with nonstop high energy. The interplay between horns, electric keyboards, drums, and Fela's exuberant vocals gives this a jazz character, without sacrificing the earthiness that makes it danceable as well".[2]

The album later served as both an inspiration and a template for American post-punk band Talking Heads' 1980 album Remain in Light.[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Fela Kuti.

  1. "Alu Jon Jonki Jon" – 12:41
  2. "Jeun Ko Ku (Chop & Quench)" – 7:14
  3. "Eko Ile" – 6:41
  4. "Je'nwi Temi (Don't Gag Me)" – 13:15

Personnel

Notes and References

  1. http://biochem.chem.nagoya-u.ac.jp/~endo/EAFela.html Fela Kuti discography
  2. Unterberger, R., Allmusic review, accessed 12 May 2014.
  3. News: Helmore. Edward. 'The business is an exciting mess': Edward Helmore Talks to Brian Eno and David Byrne. The Guardian. 27 March 2009 . 24 January 2017.