Fela Kuti Open & Close/Afrodisiac CD

Includes liner notes by Jacqueline Grandchamp-Thiam, Rikki Stein and Mabinuori Kayode Idowu.

Digitally remastered by Pompon (Translab Paris, Paris, France).

This CD reissue combines two early-'70s albums -- Open & Close and Afrodisiac -- on a single disc. Open & Close has just three songs, all in the ten- to 15-minute range, mixing some of the improvisational verve of jazz into Kuti's Afro-funk stew. There's a bittersweet, faintly melancholy tone to some of the progressions that differentiates this from much African pop of then and later, and the half-dozen percussionists set a good bed on which the horns and electric keyboards swap lines. "Gbagada Gbagada Gbogodo Gbogodo" is highlighted by extensive call-and-response vocals between Kuti and the band. The four (as usual, lengthy) songs occupying Aphrodisiac had been originally recorded in Nigeria as 45 rpm releases, though that album consists of re-recordings of these done in London in the early '70s. (Confusingly, one part of the liner notes gives the years 1972-1973 as the recording dates, while another section says they were cut in 1971.) While it's true that Fela Kuti's records from this period are pretty similar to each other, in their favor they're not boring. These four workouts, all sung in Nigerian, 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 Kuti's exuberant vocals gives this a jazz character without sacrificing the earthiness that makes it danceable as well. "Jeun Ko Ku (Chop'n Quench)" became Kuti's first big hit in Nigeria, selling 200,000 copies in its first six months in its initial version. ~ Richie Unterberger

Digitally remastered two-fer containing a pair of the African musician's albums on one CD: Open & Close (1971) and Afrodisiac (1973). Of all African musicians, Fela Kuti probably needs the least introduction. He passed his half century with over 50 albums to his credit and became the radiant rallying point for African underclass and political prisoners everywhere. Nigerian Genius fleshing out his extravegance. Bass-laden soul music, flaring horns, a wild Jimmie Smith-like organ, and protest lyrics satirizing Nigerian oppression, militarism, and the ignorance of the 'civilized.' A must for all. Universal.

Recorded at EMI and Abbey Road Studios, London, England.

2 LPs on 1 CD: OPEN & CLOSE (1971)/AFRODISIAC (1973).

Reissue producer: Jean-Pierre Haie.

OPEN & CLOSE (1971):

Personnel includes: Fela Kuti (vocals, saxophone, piano); Tutu Sorummu (guitar); Igo Chiko (tenor saxophone); Lekan Animashaun (baritone saxophone); Tony Nijoku (trumpet); Ayo Azenabor (bass); Tony Allen (drums); Tony Kupoliyi, Akwesi Korrantin (congas); Isaac Olaleye (shekere).

Producer: Fela Ransome Kuti.

Engineer: Emmanuel Odenusi.

AFRODISIAC (1972-1973):

Personnel includes: Fela Kuti (vocals, saxophone, piano); Peter Animashaun (guitar); Iko Chiko (tenor saxophone); Peter Animashaun (baritone saxophone); Tunde Williams, Eddie Faychum (trumpet); Maurice Ekpo (bass); Tony Allen (drums); Henry Koffi, Friday Jumbo (congas); Isaac Olaleye (shekere).

Producer: Jeff Jarratt.

Engineers: Tony Clark, John Kurlander.

Personnel: Igo Chico, Igo Chiko (tenor saxophone); Lekan Animashaun (baritone saxophone); Tunde Williams (trumpet); Maurice Ekpo (bass guitar); Tony Allen (drums); Friday Jumbo, Akwesi Korranting (congas); Isaac Olaleye (shekere).

Liner Note Authors: Jacqueline Grandchamp-Thiam; Rikki Stein.

Recording information: E.M.I. Studios, London, England; EMI Abbey Road Studios, London, England.

Photographer: Bernard Matussiere.Mojo (Publisher) (2/02, p.104) - "...The first real Fela milestone..."h