Zombie

YES this is the kind of music I was hoping to find on here - artists/music/genres I've never heard of but instantly like and appreciate. This musician's bio was awesome to read - he's had such an influence on so many people

Politically charged, yet makes me wanna party. Thats a combo I can get down with.

I’m keeping this one. You can have it back later.

I love me some Fela Kuti, but I've listened to his early-70s stuff more than the rest. My favourite album is "Gentleman", and I stand by that as being his best work. However, "Zombie" is close behind, and I hadn't fully appreciated it until now. The album was a critique of the Nigerian military, and it resulted in violent suppression of Kuti, his family and his followers. But the music is also worth holding up on his own terms. The original record has two 12-min tracks (the other two are reissue bonus tracks), and as usual they are energetic explorations of funk and jazz, matched with African rhythms and call-and-response. "Gentleman" has an even better elastic energy to it, but "Zombie" is a little more polished. Many of Kuti's albums do follow a blueprint, but it's such a good and original blueprint that it doesn't matter! Perfect 5 for this one.

This album delivers the 2 things I felt were missing from Monday's Fela album, so I have no choice but to give it a 5. The album cover alone is worth a 5. Sue and I drove to Toronto in 1987 to see them at Lamport Stadium and the concert was cancelled due to "VISA issues" which, in retrospect, I understand to mean the Nigerian government didn't want Fela travelling the world singing about Zombie Soldiers. I have a much greater appreciation listening all these years later, after hearing his influence popping up in the 3 decades of Acid Jazz that have been released since.

This is generally not my genre. That said, the sheer unbridled energy brought to music on this album is infectious. It's 100% a protest album and also 100% and act of creative freedom. It was his way of saying "screw you I'm going to be me and be free no matter what." And you have to respect that. Even so, it really really wasn't my jam. So I can't give it full marks.

A phenomenal album with a funky sound, an artist with an admirable commitment to freedom, and lyrics that are easy for an English speaker to understand but with hidden depths and a biting political message. No complaints.

Did a quick Wiki on this and mad props to Fela Kuti. He showed integrity and the importance of making your voice heard through your art, and he suffered so much from it. The music itself lacking context is also really good

Wow, this album seems to have quite a tragic and bloody history, which I guess makes the lyrics some of the most potent ever. Musically, there's nothing I don't like, per se... but if you were to cut off ~4 minutes at the start and end of every track (leaving the call-and-response vocal bits) I'd probably rate it a lot higher. It's the kind of music which, if a live band was performing it, I'd have an absolutely great time dancing to for 5-10 minutes... before gradually losing enthusiasm over the next hour until I was swaying out of habit only; a little dead behind the eyes and secretly, desperately wondering when it was going to end. 2.5 stars.

The mighty Fela! You have to admire a man who can marry 27 women and still survive another two decades after that. This album is one of a bunch of classic releases by him in the 70s. The original only have two pieces on it, each slightly under 13 minutes but both having such an impact both politically and musically. If you ever wondered where the Talking Heads got a major influence from. Even McCartney talked about seeing Fela play when flew to Lagos to record Band on the Run. I usually try to rate just the original album but that would already have received 5 stars. The bonus tracks I think add to the original release and the album still maintains it's original vibe with them added. If you're looking to get into more of his music checkout out Roforofo Fight, Gentleman, Sorrow Tears & Blood, or Expensive Shit. All of these along with Zombie are probably his strongest releases.

Fela you've never done me wrong. African Jazz is some of the best shit we, as a species, have ever come up with (not that I can take any credit for it). ONE OF THE FEW ALBUMS ON THIS CURSED LIST THAT IS TOO SHORT INSTEAD OF TOO LONG.

Wow, this was just... amazing. Really hit that jazz craving I need every so often. Reading the background of the album was essential to this as well. Definitely going to seek out more of his work.

Great for cooking and chilling

“Music is the weapon. Music is the weapon of the future.” -Fela Kuti

What a groovy, fun album! The first track Zombie is the more upbeat of the half, with a clear blueprint for the incredible opening track Born Under Punches on Remain In Light, released three years later. Clearly an important political album, criticizing the Nigerian military of the day. It's impossible not to appreciate such a cornerstone.

Zombie was the most popular and impacting record that Fela Kuti & Africa 70 would record -- it ignited the nation to follow Fela's lead and antagonize the military zombies that had the population by the throat.

Refreshment, and yet another African record that I imagine being cool live.

Very long, horn-y songs

LOVELY, thicc jazz

Petite touche de soleil dans ce monde tellement morose

This album has two songs and last just over twenty-five minutes. One of the few EPs here! Afrobeat and African popular music are not really my styles (I enjoyed 'The Age of Pleasure', though, and I don't mind a bit of jazz, funk and reggae, which have influenced the style). Nice antiphony on the title track. Combined with the political lyrics, a very memorable song is created. (The antiphony on the other track is also good. It's one of the features that makes the album obviously African). This really reminds me of Frank Zappa's 'Hot Rats'. Someone else said this album is acid jazz, which 'Hot Rats' is as well, so maybe I'm not the only one. I thought 'Hot Rats' was great but '70s instrumental jazz is not my thing. 5.5/10.

Heard it before?: No Enjoy it?: I did, not my usual genre at all but this one was unique! Favourite song: Track 1 - Zombie

I was not kuti with this felas album

If this album doesn't get you moving, you're probably dead. Protest music with bite from a time and place where that put your life at risk. Powerful lyrics and infectious grooves. a deadly combination for the authoritarian regime. 5 stars.

Wow, very into this. I’m gonna be looking up the discography. My first 5 star moment. Come through Fela!

Apparently this album is a "scathing attack on Nigerian soldiers using the zombie metaphor to describe the methods of the Nigerian military" and its release resulted in the military attacking Fela Kuti's home and studio, beating Kuti and killing his mother in the process. . The album is comprises only two tracks. Both are powerful and funky with politically charged lyrics. The metaphor is clear once the context is known, and both tracks appear to be questioning soldiers following orders like the titular zombies and Mr Follow Follows. Away from the heavy context, considered just as a piece of music, this is an enjoyable and fun listen. With the context this is powerful and engaging. 4/5.

Zombie is a studio album by Nigerian Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti. It was released in Nigeria by Coconut Records in 1976, and in the United Kingdom by Creole Records in 1977.[1] The album criticised the Nigerian government; and it is thought to have resulted in the murder of Kuti's mother Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and the destruction of his commune by the military. The album was a scathing attack on Nigerian soldiers using the zombie metaphor to describe the methods of the Nigerian military. The album was a smash hit with the people and infuriated the government, setting off a vicious attack against the Kalakuta Republic (a commune that Fela had established in Nigeria), during which one thousand soldiers attacked the commune. Kuti was severely beaten, and his elderly mother was thrown from a window, causing fatal injuries. The Kalakuta Republic was burned, and Kuti's studio, instruments, and master tapes were destroyed. Kuti claimed that he would have been killed if it were not for the intervention of a commanding officer as he was being beaten. Kuti's response to the attack was to deliver his mother's coffin to the main army barrack in Lagos and write two songs, "Coffin for Head of State" and "Unknown Soldier", referencing the official inquiry that claimed the commune had been destroyed by an unknown soldier. Kuti and his band then took residence in Crossroads Hotel as the Shrine had been destroyed along with his commune. In 1978 Kuti married 27 women, many of whom were his dancers, composers, and singers to mark the anniversary of the attack on the Kalakuta Republic. Later, he was to adopt a rotation system of keeping only twelve simultaneous wives.[2] The year was also marked by two notorious concerts, the first in Accra in which riots broke out during the song "Zombie," which led to Kuti being banned from entering Ghana. The second was at the Berlin Jazz Festival after which most of Kuti's musicians deserted him, due to rumors that Kuti was planning to use the entirety of the proceeds to fund his presidential campaign.

More African shit

YES YES YES YES YES YES. i absolutely loved this and it was the perfect soundtrack to playing my nyt games

music for the soul. while this is not something i would listen to regularly, i still really like it. this is top tier, and i really vibe with the message he conveys. oh my shit after additional research i discovered that he apparently created afrobeat wtf lmaoo? this guy was a genius overall, i rlly like this!!

On top of absolutely honking, this album has the best Wikipedia article I’ve ever read.

Really enjoyed this. Good music, and the political messages were well delivered. Shame about the attack: autocrats rule in and with fear. It's also a shame that he had to give up all 28 wives, but it wasn't good for them to be jealous of each other.

really fun and best jazz i've heard in a while.

One of the best afrobeat albums + it's short. 9/10

Back in highschool I blind-bought Expensive Shit/He Miss Road and loved it. I'd always intended to go back for more but never did until today. Felt like hitting the jackpot when this dropped.

Ooh, loved this. Such a groove, and considering what the subject matter is, loving the vibe. Been swithering but I’m feeling generous so 5 it is

flawless. incredible music, message, and bravery

A very nice way to wrap up the week! Love this one, and honestly all the Fela Kuti I’ve heard. I’ll take more of this over Morrissey any day.

zoombie zoombie zoo-o-o-mbie.. nyt ei ole pätkitty lyhyihin paloihin vaan annetaan mestarin mennä minne haluaa.. afrikkabeat kunigas.. kutikuti, kutittaako.. tänne sieltä. kutikuti.. tuuppa vittutännepäin. niih. AINA seitsemän minuutin intro ja sitten lauletaan jalallalallalai lallalalla lallalai USKOMATON CONCEPTI. vähän eurooppalaista sivistyneisyyttä ja afrikkalaista hullunkurisuutta menetelty yhteen tässä heh... ei sanoi ei europeans, aftobeat dis is afro beat.. tajuttu että sinne alitajuntaan niitä influensseja kerääntyy hiljalleen ja hankalasti saa pois heh ei ole helppoa.. zombie

Zombie

Day 19: Zombie - Fela Kuti. Zombie is an album by Fela Kuti, who singlehandedly created and pioneered Afrobeat music, and may be the most recognizable Nigerian musician of all time. The album is a very innovative album that explores a plethora of ideas. The album features four tracks. Each of its tracks is longer than twelve minutes. Each track goes in various different directions. The album is politically-charged, as Fela Kuti fearlessly criticizes the military in Nigeria. It is really impressive that an album like this was released back in 1977. This is a very ambitious album. It still holds relevance to this day. It can resonate with people from all over the world. I wish that "1,001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die" featured more albums like this, for I'd rather listen to this than generic Britpop. Personal Enjoyment: 5/5. How Much It Belongs Here: 5/5.

Mesmerising Tantalising

barring the insane political context of this album, this is a magnificent piece. very intricate, complex, demanding of attention on a solemn listen, yet catchy, energetic, danceable, and charged with righteous anger. this feels like a cultural monument, and it fills me with endless fascination that i couldn't realistically do justice by talking about it in a condensed one-day format of this challenge.

A really good album with some fascinating history behind it. The world needs more musicians like this.

Phenomenal horns and saxophone in these bangers. For all the drama and odd cultish behavior from Fela and his followers, he sure makes some good tunes. Best of the Black President is a great compilation of his works, that showcases a lot more than a couple tracks.

Cool African groove!

Loved it. Great mix of jazz and African traditional music. Fela was an interesting guy for sure and would probably be a big star today with music being much more globally available. He had a way of never going too far in any one direction but not being boring either. More people should listen to his work.

Oh, this band is so funky... I did some searching to see what other reviews were out there, and some that I came across described the consistent rhythm, the pidgen lyrics, and rough recording style as "difficult" (Sound Collective, I'm looking at you). I love this record exactly because of all those aspects; they are features, not bugs. The mixture of African polyrhythm, jazz and funk is infectious and compelling. The political content of this album is powerful (so much so that it prompted violent retribution from the Nigerian armed forces). Fela is the real deal, no compromises, and funky as hell while he is doing it. Fela recognised the power of funk (especially James Brown) and its African roots, and translated it back into an African context. The Lost Notes podcast has a really great episode on how Fela evolved his 'highlife jazz' into Afrobeat during an ill-fated tour of the USA (https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/lost-notes/fela-kuti-los-angeles-afrobeat). This record is surprising, powerful, political, and, above all, you can dance to it.

I love the energy! And this is my favorite era of music.

Listened before?: No, never heard of Fela Kuti Funky protest music. I loved it.

Dang, this is great. When I saw today’s album was Fela, only 4 tracks, but 54 minutes long, I knew this would either be amazing or horrible. This album is delightful. The parallels are tenuous, but this album has adjacent vibes to Hawkwind’s Space Ritual that this project served up earlier this week.

Global jazz, long intro and build, beefy organic sound, super warm

VERY chill afrobeat vibes songs are 12 minutes long, which proved to be difficult when listening through the entire thing but doesnt diminish the chillax vibes

I appreciate this. I read up on the story behind the album and the meaning of the songs and it feels like a powerful and enduring work. However, there's shallower layer where Fela Kuti also reminds me of when it's the 90s and you're hanging out with a dude and he keeps playing his Fela vinyl and he's digging it more than he's digging you and it triggers an existential crisis. Maybe we could have had a 1001 albums date.

When I first saw it was only four song, without checking the time length, I assumed it was a fairly short EP. Then, before I knew it, I had listened to almost an hour of some pretty groovy jazz. Enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would (especially since the album cover is less than appealing). Not going to add it to my library as I don’t imagine I will ever listen to it again, but it was definitely a great album. 4/5.

I was going to say, as a joke, that a nice change from the Fela album we heard a few days ago is the half dozen or so of his wives who joined to sing back up vocals.  But after reading wiki, they might all actually be his wives. Fuck I'm funny!   On general principle, I can't give the same same artist two 5s in one week even though I like Zombie more. I feel like the boxing judge who is worried he scored an early round wrong so makes up for it by fudging the score in a later round. 

Pleasant enough! It is interesting that music about some difficult conditions can sound so happy.

Bros just not for me too long/ too jazzy, theoretically good tho 3/5

Another album I probably wouldn’t have heard if it wasn’t for this game. Got his combo with ginger baker from wax lyrical last month, enjoyed this too.

A funk world album is such an awesome combo and I really hope there’s more of it on the list later on mmmmmmm

Ciekawe. Niewybitne ale też nie nudne. Taki afrykański jazz? 3/5

It’s not my sound but I recognise the musicianship and support the courage of the protest

70s afrobeat. Funky. Massively political. Brass-heavy jazz. Very long songs. A bit repetitive.

I really liked the song Zombie then I felt like I kept listening to it the whole rest of the album.

even if its masterful its boring

The songs are well constructed. But not really my thing.

This drummy trumpety rhythm album resulted in the death of his mother and the destruction of his home? What?!

Good background listening if in the mood for some jazzy sax and horn repetitions. Not a style or genre for continuous listening, definitely feels of the 70's.

Definitely not my style. This music maybe better suited to being played during the ending credits of a 70’s cop show or blacksploitation karate movie.

Steely Dan is an ok artist with about 3 decent songs. His album with reeling in the years on it was acceptable. This is just pushing it. It’s alright but there is nothing that says to me ‘this is in the top 1001 albums ever written’

Now, that's more like it! This is my jam! Perfect to restart my hiatus after pregnancy leave.

A masterpiece and one of the most impressive examples of the political power of popular music that we have.

Una brisa para el alma

Welcome to the new year! It's always exciting to see what the first album of the new year is. 2024 and 2025 made some of the best first impressions I could've gotten with Illmatic and Rumours respectively. So, going into 2026, I was very curious to see if my "peak music" streak would continue. Well, I obviously can't put this at quite the same level as Illmatic or Rumours seeing as those are two of the greatest albums ever made, but that doesn't make Zombie a bad album. Far from it actually. This album is super cool! It's kinda crazy that I got two albums in a row that come from Africa, but between this and that Songhoy Blues album from yesterday, I vastly prefer Fela Kuti. The energy here is palpable. I guess this is where the discussion of afrobeat as a genre starts. Fela Kuti is THE Afrobeat guy. His influence is unmatched by anyone else in the genre, and that influence is pretty strong. Afrobeat music, specifically the work of Fela Kuti, has seen influence on other parts of music history, perhaps most notably on Talking Heads on their 1980 masterpiece, Remain in Light. Now, as I mentioned in my final review of 2025, Remain in Light was the best album that I listened to for the album project last year, so to hear the music that influenced its style is pretty cool! But yeah, the musicianship on display is quite enjoyable. The vocals fit the vibe well. It's very authentic, which is the exact kind of thing that an album like this demands. But do you want to know what I respect most about this album? It's the politics. Yeah, I'm one of those kinds of people, and my biggest source of respect in regards to this album is the album's heavy criticism of the Nigerian government. Protest music is something that is vital in times of corruption and political struggle, and it's something that I think is sorely lacking in the current music world seeing as the "leader of the free world" is a narcissistic bigoted pedophile. The writing of this album is perfect in that it clearly represents the Nigerian culture and the specific issues of that country at the time of recording, and yet it's also understandable to any modern-day English-speaking listener with any sense of reading comprehension. It's the exact kind of thing that appeals to me. The scathing political commentary and the up-lifting energy of the music itself are perfectly balanced, which is quite valuable in music with a message as it helps make said message more palatable for the average listener. It's kind of like System of a Down in that regard. Shit, this thing is making me think about System of a Down and Talking Heads? Maybe I do really love this album after all! I have one problem though. It's too short! Yeah, that's not an issue that's come up very much on this list, has it? I get albums that are too long all the time, so to get an album that I actually want more of rather than less of is a change of pace for sure. I'm impressed. I think this is one of those albums where my respect is slightly higher than my enjoyment of the album, but that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy this thing. Zombie is a blast of an album, but not a meaningless one. I mean, Fela Kuti literally rage-baited the Nigerian government by releasing this album. If that's not bad-ass, I don't know what is! This thing rocks. Low 5/5.

Favorite Tracks: Zombie / Mr Follow Follow / Mistake Rating: 4.4 Only day 3 for me with 1001 Albums, but this is the kind of exposure I was hoping for from this exercise! I'd never heard of Fela Kuti and found this album super interesting and enjoyable. Will definitely dig more into his discography, and reading about Fela on Wikipedia was fascinating, what a story!

A 5. Fantastic and unique sound & delivery that the inspired James Brown. Each song is a timeless groove.

Moments into this thing you can just immediately tell these people can see atoms. They are tuned into the rhythm of the universe. Their playing is as natural as the wind in the trees but more beautiful because they let you see what is special about the moment you are in. This music drives, drives you wild. Everything is cooking and eventually cooked to perfection. Everything that’s wrong with music industry is contained in the fact that this album, or Fela Kuti’s other work, is not routinely seen in the top of the top albums lists. This album makes the 1001 albums list look good.

Before listening: I'm not really sure what I'm looking at. I haven't heard of this album or band/singer? Completely in the dark. The album art is interesting, I'm seeing a public speaker failing to connect with this audience of soldiers. The artwork is a collage similar in feeling to a comic strip of the time, creating a lighter feeling to what is very somber. You cannot see the soldiers faces aside from their eyes. I assume the album will feel political, it feels connected to violence. The sharpie text Zombie is childlike connecting with the comic book imagery. It's all very juxtaposed. Listening: Funky. I was not expecting jazz. I'm vibing for sure. Loving the saxophone solo. I don't have a lot to say but I'm enjoying the album. I am aware based off comments that this a political statement and I'm not reading lyrics so I'm struggling to understand the message but it feels uplifting in spirit. I think I'm getting it, maybe. I like it either way. After listening: Really good, I don't think I've ever listened to a jazz album in its entirety before and this was really great. It sounds like an insult but it was great background music and i think that's a good thing. 9/10

If someone asks me what afrobeat is, this is the one I reach for

Conocía el nombre de Fela Kuti y lo asociaba a un estilo afrobeat que jamás había llegado a escuchar. Una vez hecha la escucha… madre mía qué groove! Es como James Brown pasado por un túrmix de jazz, funk y sonidos afrocubanos que da como resultado ritmos sin fin y canciones que se van fácil más allá de los 12 minutos (en otros discos más largas todavía). Pero si indagáis más en la vida de este músico nigeriano vais a ver que estamos hablando de un personaje luchador por los derechos civiles perseguido por las juntas militares de su país y con múltiples contradicciones (machismos recalcitrantes incluidos). Me he tragado el documental “Finding Fela” del tirón y os lo recomiendo encarecidamente. Bueno, buenísimo el artista.

i’ve never heard of this album before but it was so good, i’ll definitely have to listen to more by them.

Amazing music from someone who had a turbulant life! I'd recommend to read the Spotify biography

Amazing album, best to be listened to on a good headset.

Mesmerizing, tight grooves with great horn arrangements. I enjoyed reading about the sociopolitical history surrounding Fela and all he went through in his life.

Great EP. Love the rhythm it really grooves.

Banger.

This is fun. Great rhythmic feeling. Not exactly my taste, i.e. I would not go out of my way to listen to it. But I will keep it in mind and if I hear it somewhere I will enjoy it. Of course it's very well composed, produced and played. Great album to expand my musical horizon.

go and die! go and kill! go and quench! yay! yea i had to read about it after reading your reviews and this is so awesome. really sad that so much awful shit happened but the message and encompassing situation is awesome as f. Zombie itself is an awesome song, especially the go and die go and quench go and kill put am for reverse part lmfao. Mr. Follow Follow is a great vibe as well, the backing vocals are my favorite part (g'boing-boing-boing please) I just know being at the Berlin Jazz Festival for that performance was probably the height of many people's lives. that organ is sick as hell. Overall, with the history and the message and everything surrounding this album, I'm going to have to give it a 5, even if I won't be saving these songs and listening all the time. the vibe that would require listening to this album again is extremely specific, but Inshallah it finds me

Excellent album art and excellent music. Fela blended the instrumental with the vocals well, a rarity compared to some previous instrumental-heavy albums we have listened to. I would have likely never found this album without the list. I read the album's history after listening, and yeah, it added a greater appreciation for the album. Some people make music for fun, others for money... Fela's musical critique on the Nigerian government resulted in his commune getting razed.

Funky, fierce, and inspirational. This album unlocked many new chambers of music exploration for me, and countless others. What’s this guy’s story? What other non-Western sounds am I missing out on? Who are the rich, unconventional influences of other artists I listen to? I’m telling ya, so much to discover behind those 3 queries. If you liked Zombie, check out these fantastic afrobeat / world artists that would not exist without Fela: - Mdou Moctar (Nigerian guitar-driven protest music) - Antibalas (US-based afrobeat) - Budos Band (afro/70s stuff) - Polyrhythmics Plus some other artists that fuse non-Western sounds: - Khruangbin - Altin Gun - Kikagaku Moyo - Hermanos Gutierrez - Glass Beams

I listen to most of these albums at work and this is the first one that noticeably increased my productivity. I’ll definitely listen to this again soon. 5/5.

protest art turns me on

I’m actually addicted. This album sounds so cool, and I love the combination of guitars and extended horn solos and everything. It’s such a unique sound that I could genuinely listen to for hours. When the vocals come in too, they’re incredible. I love the call and response (and ORGAN!!) of “Observation is No Crime.” Also learning about this album’s influence on Brian Eno and Talking Heads’ work was really interesting. It surprised me initially, but it makes so much sense. And the deep message of the album being a critique of mindless soldiers, who can’t or won’t think for themselves (which can also be applied to the fears of AI in our modern world) really adds the icing on the cake to an already incredible-sounding album. Favs: Zombie, Observation is No Crime, Mr. Follow Follow Dislikes: none.

This works in so many levels - it's fun, artistic, it's political, it works as background music but you can also get lost in it's complexity. Simply great

Exactly what I came to discover here.

Fantastic

Opens with a hard driving funk tour de force, a thick steamy dance party with endless layers of brass, percussion, keyboards, and a relentless bass - an undeniable groove with call and response vocals delivered forcefully, woven between sax lines and trumpet stabs. Mellows out into a slower jazz fusion number to breathe, a patient groove with slinky melodies. The band is huge and with so many parts locked in together it creates a kaleidoscope effect, ever shifting, always a new element or detail, fractal funk.

From the album cover alone I knew this was going to be something good and then I started reading about it. I might not have rated the music as highly without the context (I still really liked it, it would have been at least a 4 anyway), but I do think who an artist is can make the music more interesting. Anyway this is my review so I get to give it 5 stars

Incrível. A versatilidade, abrangência e dinâmica do som de Kuti foram o que mais me surpreendeu. Já entrou para minha lista de melhores que conheci este ano.

insane banger