VARIOUS "Black Man's Cry: The Inspiration of Fela Kuti"

Now-Again/Stones Throw NA50566

Covers and music inspired by the Godfather of Afro-Beat! Limited edition luxurious box set contains four 10 vinyl records, plus a large-format booklet. The CD edition comes in a hardbound book.

He's best known by his first name, Fela. He's certainly Nigeria's most famous musical export. In Nigeria, his countrymen knew his music like Americans know Elvis. On foreign shores, a chosen few Westerners could claim to know the extent of Fela's genius. As a result, while music historians have filled books with references to the influence of Westerners on Fela's creation, little has been said about Fela's inspiration on others. Thus, our compilation begins.

Fela's music, and that of his organization inspired musicians across the global village when Afro-Beat was new and novel. This compilation focuses on the music Fela inspiredwhether by fellow Nigerians recording alongside him in the early 70s, neighbors in Ghana, then-modern Colombian cumbia ensembles inspired by the man who injected a new feel into the Yoruban rhythms that formed cumbia's base, Trinidadian steel bands or the select few organizations left that have maintained Fela's fury in the new millennium. This Fela Estate-approved anthology includes rare and previously unreleased music from Nigeria, Ghana, Colombia, Trinidad and more. Compiler Egon has written extensive liner notes and sourced never before seen Fela photos and other ephemera for this project.

Tracklisting :

01. Cumbia Moderna De Soledad - Shacalao 3:42

02. Dan Satch and his Atomic 8 Dance Band - Woman Pin Down 2:52 | Download MP3

03. 6th Infantry Brigade of the Nigerian Army - Black And Proud 3:33

04. Bola Johnson - Hot Pants 2:52

05. Segun Bucknor - Adebo 5:52

06. Bola Johnson - Never Trust A Woman 5:13

07. Jerry Hansen - Sisi Mi 5:31

08. The Daktaris - Up Side Down 4:14

09. Phirpo Y Sus Caribes - Comencemos 2:11

10. Lever Brothers Gay Flamingoes - Egbi Mi O / Black Man's Cry (Medley) 9:53

11. Mosco Tiles Fonclaire Steel Orchestra - Black Man's Cry 4.28

12. Sylvania East Side Symphony - Egbi Mi O / Black Man's Cry (Medley) 2:58

13. Lisandro Meza - Shacalao 3:43

14. Karl Hector and The Malcouns - Toure Samar 3:17

15. The Whitefield Brothers - Lullaby For Lagos 2:39