On this week’s show, you’re getting three hours. I’ve made good use of that third hour, too, as it’s devoted to the music of pioneering Nigerian musician, producer, and political activist Fela Kuti.

Alongside important contributors such as his musical director Tony Allen, Fela Kuti has developed the Afrobeat sound that most of us know and enjoy today. Not many know about how extensive his contribution to music has been (some 50-plus releases during his career), and of the circumstances behind it. He was a tireless political activist in his home of Nigeria, and was a frequent target of the country’s corrupt government militia for a good portion of his life there. The politics in his music was unmistakable, his resolve unwavering, and the price he paid very heavy.

It was 10 years ago last week that Fela Kuti passed away, a victim of the HIV epidemic that has decimated 1/4 of the African population. Perhaps the closest artist of his stature would be that of Jamaican artist Bob Marley, but Kuti’s recognition has been posthumous for the most part.

The set ends with Seun Kuti, the last of Fela’s sons. Alongside his father’s band Egypt 80 (known as Africa 70 during the 1970’s), Seun Kuti capably carries the torch of the spirit of his father’s music.

I hope you enjoy the tribute, and enjoy this week’s extended edition of the show. Back at you next week…peace.

Song - Artist - Title - Label
Mr. Bongo - Mr. V. - Welcome Home - Vega
Mallorca - Wagon Cookin - 2Faces - Compost
God of the Crossroads - Bobby Matos - The Best of Bobby Matos - Cubop promo
Moving Forward (Atjazz Remix) - Bitter:Sweet - The Remix Game - Quango
Who Is It? (featuring Amalia) - Eddy Meets Yannah - Once In A While - Compost promo
Neophilia - 1Luv - Neophilia - Sonar Kollektiv
All I Wanna Do - Albin Janoska - Le Grand Baheux - Klein promo
Shake It - Lorenz Rhode - EP - Compost CD-R
Don’t Stop - Wagon Cookin - 2Faces - Compost
Thoughts - Florian Kruse - Heya Hifi promo
The Bride - Stefan Goldmann - EP - Macro promo
Boomerang - Zed Bias featuring Robbie Rue - Biasphere EP - Sick Trumpet
Why (DJ Spinna Remix) - Tortured Soul - EP - Delicious Vinyl
Midnight Rhythm (Part Sixx Edit) - Right Direction - EP - Past Due promo
Night People (All Good Funk Alliance Remix) - Kabanjak - Fantastic Freeriding Remixed - Switchstance promo
Start To Move (Natural Self Remix) - Elizabeth Shepherd Trio - Besides - Do Right! promo
Xtra Sensory - The Politik - The Politik - Milan/Antipodean
96 - Steve&I - EP - Still Music
Free - Jet Tricks - CD-R

Song - Artist - Label
Zombie - Fela Kuti - MPG
Colonel Mentality - Fela Kuti - MCA
Egbe Mi O Carry Me I Want To Die - Fela Kuti - Celluloid
Africa: Centre of the World - Fela Kuti - MPG
Na Oil - Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 - EP - Still Music
END BROADCAST

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Posted on Friday, August 10th, 2007 at 11:29 pm You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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