Zombie

This was a great protest album and just all around excellent jazz

Trailblazer. Just thankful his music lives on.

Gold standard for afrobeat. Zombie is such a powerful statement the Nigerian government raided his compound. And Tony Allen on drums oh my

Fun, but might have overdone fela at uni

Ok saxophone album.

They had me in the first half but while it got groovy at times, I couldn’t help but feel like there was a discordant element to it that made me feel like I was awaiting a change that never came. Like it felt like it would be building to a a rhythm switch and then just never drop or jump to it. I wanted it to be a 3 but I just wasn’t feeling anything much after the first song.

as far as our afrobeat albums have gone, i thought this was a weaker one. not to say i didn't enjoy it. i was definitely jamming to it, but it didn't particularly blow me away. still had a great time with it overall.

This was alright, but a bit boring and a bit too short for me to properly get into its groove.

Fun vibes and not bad by any means, but the length and repetition over only four tracks really brings this one down for me. Good for some background music, depending on the scenario.

Awesome album! Can I call this an album? It's not even really an EP. Awesome song? Yeah, lets go with that. Awesome Song!

had not heard about Fela Kuti nor the album before this, which is a more than just a shame, considering how significant he and his music is to nigeria and music in general. so i'm very happy to have broadened my horizon.

Interesting afrobeat sounds, timeless.

Fela always had that great African trance. Wild dude. Every time I listen to one of his albums it’s easy to get lost in everything that flows.

Amazing.

To paraphrase my earlier review for another Fela Kuti album on this list: Music far outside my musical comfort zone but I really liked it. The music has lots of energy and passion. Easy 4 stars.

Exceptional. The band is very cohesive and the steadiness of the rhythm section and the sharpness of the horns work really well together. Fela is one of the great musical savants of our time and this is one of the more polished offerings by him and Afrika 70. 5/5 Will definitely listen again often

It took 34 albums, but we now have our first repeated artist: Fela Kuti. Zombie is a groovy Afrobeats listen, but the sound didn't jump out of the speakers in the same way that Fela’s "Live!" album with Ginger Baker did. It's more mellow and refined, but it doesn’t match the infectious energy of his earlier work

Didn’t enjoy this as much as the last Fela Kuti album. I have to thank him for opening up my world to more AfroBeat, and while the lyrics were poignant for the time, the music was too repetitive for me

Enjoyed this, though didn’t love it. Would listen again but it’s not going to end up in rotation

Would listen again but wouldn’t ever rush to put it on. However, understanding the political significance to it definitely made it more interesting to listen to. Knowing his personal life story made it slightly less of a choice? This man had 27 wives and when that was too many, he narrowed it down to 12 lol.

6/10

this is the kind of album that should be on here

decent jazz album

Weird and unusual, but not in a bad way

This was fun with some great beats.

This was the first Fela I ever heard. Loved the man instantly. What a dude. The horrific history of this one sadly makes it all the better. Goes beyond being a 'protest'.

I mean this is one of the greatest records of all time but we know this. I know it, you know it. It should be mandatory listening for people with ears.

Magic.

Not my style

a really interesting fusion between afro-beat and jazz, i enjoyed the ideas and tracks overall, took me a bit of time to listen due to the long tracks but the quality is very good

Ass!

Groovy stuff that has been hugely influential to bands like Talking Heads and their followers. It would have been great to see Fela and his band live, as this is the kind of music that makes even people who don’t dance want to move

I would fancy this more as instrumental

Funky afrobeat is always appreciated, for some reason all Fela Kuti I've heard before, did not resonate like this one did. I will return!

Нормально

mixing really good horns are crazy nice restrained drumming

album chill pero ñe tmp me ha mostrado mucho

This is afrobeat - jazz over African polyrhythms creating a jazzy but funky, hypnotic, jam band aesthetic which one could imagine as an amazing live experience, preferably outdoors. Others have touched on the protest nature of the music and the retribution and cost in brought to Kuti, and that context brought to the music takes it to even greater heights. Want to know where the Talking Heads "Remain In Light" came from? This is it.

African fusion?

funky and awesome 10/10

So great! Never heard this before. Talking Heads ripped him off!

6.5/10 Best Track: “Mr. Follow Follow” Zombie is a protest in disguise as a groove. Fela Kuti builds up layers of hypnotic percussion atop a message of scathing political critique. It’s infectious, but the record feels stuck in place for all its dynamism. Each song expands for minutes on end, frequently looping around the same musical gestures without much expansion. “Mr. Follow Follow” provides some color to the mix, with more crisp phrasing and a groove that can catch its breath. The message gets delivered with force, but the experience needs to be engaged with some patience. If you’re looking for locked-in afrobeat with a side of revolution, it delivers. If not, it wears thin fast.

Good trumpeter. Good songs

It was interesting to see this album after I'd already rated his son's album not that long ago. I loved that one, so I expected to love this one too. I do like this one, and I did enjoy it, but I think his son, Femi Kuti, has a style I vibe with a little more.

This was basically just one song but it fucking slapped. I love Afrobeats now

Interesting, not really my thing

Very fun listen

I don't really get jazz that much. This, though, is pretty good. Maybe I just need a good rhythm to go with the jazz. I'm going to have to listen to more Afrobeat. Digging into the Wikipedia articles on this album and Fela Kuti was really interesting. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I don't think it was protest music you can dance to. Fela Kuti was an influence on The Talking Heads "Remain In Light", which I (re)discovered on this list last month. Well that makes sense why I like this, then.

Very long jazz fills interrupted by the same lines over and over and over. All 4 tracks feel exactly the same. Didn’t care for it.

Just 4 rambling jazz songs that really seemed to have no point. Not sure why this is so important for us to hear. Definitely don’t ever need to hear it again.

I’m sure it’s fine as far as Nigerian music goes. It’s just not my taste at all! I’m not a fan of jazz and it has that vibe. Even though it was only four songs, it was still a struggle to get through. Interesting history, though.

Gestern Cat Stevens und heute diesen Typen mit nem sehr bewegten Leben. Setzt sich für die Freiheit in Nigeria ein, aber wird später AIDS-Leugner. Die Kunst vom Künstler getrennt muss ich sagen war das Album ganz ok, aber wir hatten schon bessere Alben vom afrikanischen Kontinent

Die Story dahinter verdient 5 Sterne, die Musik allerdings nicht unbedingt der Oberhammer. Von daher schweren Herzens nur 3 Sterne

I think this album deserves 5 stars - the funk, the groove, the lyrics, the meaning, and what it entails. This is the type of album I hoped to learn when starting this project. Brilliant!

Love the combo of musical styles.

Really enjoyable, dancey and fun, but political and heavy too.

Even though I don’t understand the language and can’t truly appreciate the political context, this is still a way better album than many of the other albums on the list. Totally enjoyed the listen.

So incredibly good. Just don’t want to stop listening.

Listened in the truck via YouTube music. There are only 4 tracks each over 12 minutes I believe. The music is repetitive and hypnotic. They rhythms don’t get old as they’re repeated and expanded upon. Whenever I’ve heard Fela’s music I’ve always enjoyed it. This just gives me the reminder I need to listen way more often especially since he has such a large catalog.

Not my go to to put on, but I like the exposure, and can recognize the talent. Nigerian jazz, at it's finest

El jazz no es mi género favorito. Aún así la primer canción (zombie) está bastante bien. Un poco larga para mi gusto.

More lively afrobeat that pokes the bear for every minute of it's 2 track, 25 minute playtime.

Love the album. Very upbeat vibe. The wiki was a very sad read though, knowing this album led to his mother's murder

Groovy jazz and funk feel! Would have been fun to hear live.

When i was a young man in my 20's... i would always find myself in my car... for a job... or just driving... and at 2 or 2:30 PM every Tuesday, i think it was, a show would come on... "Afropop Worldwide with Georges Collinet"... and i started making sure i had it on and listened to every show... i learned about zouk... and soukous... juju... etc... and that's where i first heard the genius music of Fela Kuti... this album... is GREAT... it has four "songs" all over 12 minutes long... even though his lyrics are political... and being American i had no idea about that... but... the grooves... the beats... the playing... the singing... the pure joy of music... even though there is an underlying tone of anger... is truly amazing... FIVE Stars...

The sort of album I wanted to find when I started this. Would have probably never listened to it otherwise, and very glad I did.

Liked it, different.

Funky!

Actually really enjoyed this - long Afrobeats passages that blend together and make for really great background listening

Jazzy grooves that were the perfect backdrop to an afternoon of outdoor working.

Went on a trip while working. Good stuff, burnt on jazz for the moment

What is going on here? Of course I’m asking about the album cover, but I left that sentence fragment in the text box for awhile and it seemed like a funny idea for a complete review. Alas, the completionist/masochist in me forces me to write another unreadable review that will fittingly, never be read. Fela Kuti is… jazz? I don’t really know, but I’m excited to see how this turns out. One way or another, I think it’s going to be memorable. Zombie - ZOOOMBIE ZOMBIE EH EH EH. Man. I really don’t like that song. This song? Pretty good. A little lively and happy for me, but it has a great energy. Relentless funk bassline and huh? Vocals?! Oh well. Nobody’s perfect. Man. It actually goes real hard. Suspiciously hard. So much musical variety and a palpable energy that I initially found a little sugary, but now hits as the funk juggernaut that it is. Mr. Follow Follow - The follow up to the Police’s stalker opus from last week. I mean with a name like that, you’re destined for greatness in the world of sleuthing. It’s a thin line between stalking for good and evil. This is a smooth jazz song with those persistent funk lines underneath. Late vocals popping in again. Listen, it’s not my exact brand of jazz, but it is certainly broadening my horizons. Observation is No Crime - See? Every song is about stalking people. I simply watch, is it so wrong in this topsy turvy world to observe one’s paramour from the proverbial (and literal) bushes? This song isn’t as good. The late vocals that seem to be a trend here are not as engaging and the background vocals have shifted into annoyance territory. Not bad by any means, but this is a let down. Until the end at least. These are long songs so they go all over the world. The sweet jazz outro was an oasis. Mistake (Live) - Those Germans love their jazz. Now this is a good live performance. High quality audio featuring an enamoured crowd. It’s a big enough crowd that I’m not taken out of it by individuals yelling. It probably also helps that they’re not American, meaning they’re less obnoxious. I am so intrigued by the choice to start singing around the same distance into every song. I’m getting so many conflicting track listings for this thing. Things like that make my skin crawl. The RYM page has three songs that i didn’t listen to and none of the songs that i did. The Wikipedia states that THIS is the track listing, but tracks 3 and 4 are CD reissue bonus tracks. I suppose that when this was written, nerds with OCD weren’t the target demo. Whatever. I listened to Fela Kuti from around this era and I was very pleased. Complex and engaging music that challenges and welcomes all at the same time. This Fela Kuti Fella is a real Kutie. No? I like the Kuti of his jib? It just sounds like I’m coming on to the guy. Whatever. Thanks for the memories ol’ Fela. 3.5-4 HIGHLIGHTS: Zombie, Mr. Follow Follow

Some nice beats.

I liked the instrumental aspect a lot. Very groovy.

Some cool musicianship going on here. All of these cats can play. Some interesting rhythms as well. Not perfect but a solid release.

First off, while I’m not quite sure what’s going on in this album cover, it slaps hard. This is the second four track jazz album from the seventies I’ve gotten in a row. Title track starts off strong before getting into its rhythm. However, right before it gets too repetitive, Fela comes in with his coarse voice and simple, yet evocative lyrics. He begins his criticism of the Nigerian military government with a song about how the soldiers are zombies who can’t and won’t think for themselves, reflecting on the danger of that situation. Ultimately the whole thing concludes with a wonderful finale of trumpets that feel both triumphant as well as distorted. “Mr. Follow Follow” is another twelve minute epic that builds to its first word from Fela. This time, speaking about the importance of leaders in relation to their followers. Some people that are followed are cockroaches, rats, ikan (termite?), and darkness. So, brother, if you end up being followed, you must keep your eyes, ears, and mouth to be able to use your senses. This is where the original ends, but it feels a hell of a lot more realized with the additional two songs on the reissue, so that’s the album I’m rating. “Observation Is No Crime” continues the trend of waiting until the middle of the song to start singing. Fela fakes confusion about why the government becomes irritated when the citizens observe what they are doing in detail. The instrumentation is invasively groovy. Every beat, note, intonation, and timing is perfect. Finishing again in an off kilter feeling harmony of trumpets. This takes us to the final song on the album, “Mistake (Live At the Berlin Jazz Festival in 1978)”. I really like the decision to include a live song on this album. It’s important to hear the voices of the masses. To feel how voluminous the oppressed are. Obviously, we’re in Germany, so the people Fela is singing for are thousands of miles away, but the effect is still appreciated. By me at least. The audience cheers when Fela takes his trumpet for a solo. There’s a feeling of togetherness that he achieves. It’s only when everyone feels unified that he starts singing that “everything is alright” before reminding the crowd to remember that “everything is all wrong”. He explains if you make a mistake, you can fix it and still stand tall afterwards. If not you will be ashamed to walk down the road and that’s when you get things like colonial and slavery thinking and army killing students. When he gets to the end of these verses and the chorus takes over we can hear the crowd roar up again as a reminder of the importance of standing together. This album finished with a cacophony of instruments all working to achieve a feeling that everything can be alright if people start to fix it, but the cacophony fades out rather than building to a finale. The song feels unfinished, the album feels unfinished, the work feels unfinished. There was still work to be done and the fight wasn’t over and it still isn’t. I really enjoy this album. It’s funky and you can groove, but it’s also really important and moving, especially given what Fela had just gone through personally with the government killing his mother. One of the best jazz albums of all time and perhaps the best Nigerian jazz album of all time. I love this thing so fucking much, man. 5/5

Som nefertiti en sommarkväll 2012

Is all jazz just background music?

2.5

3.5

3.5, rounding up

I actually really enjoyed this album. Probably probably from, spending my college Years listening to '90s jam bands which would often employ afrobeats. But I really love not only the Fierce message of the song but also the fierce playing that goes along with it. 8.55 ★★★★

Nice vibe. Less repetitive than other afrobeat. 4 stars

I thought the first track was really cool. Second was fine, but took a while to get going. 3.5 stars overall.

4.5

Very afrobeaty kind of afrobeat. Occasionally gets into a glint of a good groove over the course of its two tracks. Album very skimpy though at 25 minutes. You could put on a typical Beach Boys or Loving Spoonful album during the same timeframe and be guaranteed at least 8 or so great tracks as opposed to 0.0025.

Favorites: Zombie, The Follow Follow Just brilliant. Both sides are some of the most engaging and beautiful afrobeat you'll ever hear. This record and Expensive Shit alone establish Kuti as one of the best to ever do it.

It was interesting. Some cool parts, sometimes it felt it dragged out too long. The song at the Berlin Jazz fest was my favorite.

Hated it. Would give it zero stars if able. Long and pointless songs.

Very solid music. Was well-timed with the background music I needed at the moment when I turned it on. I want to give it higher than a three but I just can’t bring myself to do it.

Good background music. Don't need to listen again.

From Sputnik review: The government's reaction to Zombie was swift and violent. Troops set his compound ablaze; destroying his music studio, all of his recordings, and the makeshift club at which he regularly performed. Also during the raid, Fela's mother was thrown from a window, and later died of the resulting injuries. Fela continued to stir up controversy with his politcal music and larger than life persona until his death from AIDS in 1997, most notably marrying twenty-seven women, mostly his background singers and dancers, in a massive ceremony in 1982.

Three weeks ago I had the Ginger Baker album by Fela Kuti. So I expected a lot when this came up. And my expectations were kept. Great album by a great musician.

Väldigt nära en femma

loved this vibe

not my type. tracks were too long.

I had heard Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense before. This is a bit different, more jazz. I don't really like jazz, though. It had its moments, but it's not for me.

There's so much emotion tied sup in music like this, joy and anger in equal measure. Also love the relentless, rhythmic drive it has. Anything with Tony Allen playing has me hooked within 30 seconds. Long live Fela!

A really enjoyable album with great instrumentation and great vocals the story behind the album is amazing too

According to the Wikipedia this guy had 27 wives and this album was credited with starting a revolution in Nigeria in the 70's. That makes total sense to me because this album is absolutely awesome. Love the chill blend of jazz horns and African rhythms. I listened to this 3 times yesterday and will probably keep it in my daytime background music rotation for some time to come.

Holy shit, this is so good! This is some of the most energetic, captivating, and fun protest music I've ever heard! I'll definitely be checking out more of his music

Few things can be political and also feel and sound so fun.

Oh yeah, now we're talking. If you're ever at a party, and someone hands you the aux cord, go ahead and pop this on. You'll instantly become the coolest person at the party.

Fela Kuti and his band of rhythmic reanimators craft Afrobeat that makes you want to grab somebody and burn up the dancefloor then grab a molotov and burn down the powers that be.

His sound was so good

Imagine making a song so badass that the army throws your mom out of a window.

Significant? I guess. Not for me today.

The Revolution has never been funkier. What a great record; meeses a second listen, but I get it now with Fela. The jams can feel daunting but it’s worth it for the punch. Awesome stuff.

I just don't like Jazz. 2 stars if I'm being friendly.

Amazing groove, and loved reading about the political context and reaction to this album.

I am honestly not sure what to make of this. Thoroughly enjoy the beat, the brass, the sax, but it is not something I will find myself coming back to.

16/05/2025 It was okay, didn't set my world alight.

Like it, pretty different

Awesome. Favorite song: observation is no crime.

Album was really good. Jazz album with heavy afro funk. Was this pre-funk? Was this album an inspiration for funk? Really good album. Short album as far as songs, but the songs were long. The songs are instrumental heavy. I really enjoys the songs that featured singing the best. I wish it had more of that. Clearly there was a war story to it. I would like to know more about the meaning of the song or theme.

More of this please! Excellent Afro Cuban jazz

Fascinating story that I didn't know. Good music.

Fine album. Repetitive at times, but always very catchy and groovy. I think I’d really enjoy it if I heard it played live. I think my favorite song was the last one, which is a live recording. I really liked the atmosphere on that one.

Cool to listen to, really sad to hear about his wife. My girlfriend introduced me to other world jazz that this reminds me of. Glad I listened to it.

Really good. Liked the energy and social commentary. Also liked the automatic Spotify suggestions after it. Music that gets you moving

Wait, I've never heard of Fela Kuti and now I am so happy I have. Only four tracks but lord do they all feel like a separate concert that perfectly connects into each other. Fantastic album. I'm making every listen to this. (9/10. This rating still doesn't make any sense."

Cruise control on this one. Zombie brought the funk!

Love all the horns. Very groovy at times, then very jazzy scatting. A big middle finger to the gov't, I can get behind it. And the guy was a polygamist, sweet.

Listening to Fela Kuti can be weird sometimes as a priviledged middle-class white guy, especially if you knew what this guy went through. You can hear the pain and freedom-fighting in all of his music. This one is no exception. The soul, jazz and afro-beat all hit like Fela's music usually does. However, multiple 10+ minute tracks like the ones on this album can be tough especially when all our attention spans have shrunk. Overall I'm glad I heard this one. 3/5

Pretty cool. I’ll listen again.

Best project I've gotten in a while, beast

Not what I thought it would be. Ryan and Mom hated it.

4/5

85% Best: Zombie Must-Hear? Sure

Amazing on multiple levels.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Tolerable but only cool for its history. TWO!

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

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.

interesting vibe - solid 3.5

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

Nah.

Liked the first track, but the rest is too repetitive

Political undertones makes it an interesting listen, but not my style.

flawless. incredible music, message, and bravery

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.

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.

Really cool. A lot of fun.

Very groovy

Fandt på afrobeats genren. Det var rigtig hypnotiserende at lytte til. Meget politisk omkring afrikansk kultur

interestingly nice

Fantastic music. Works for a party and casual listening but is also engaging. Great production

I enjoyed this. Good trumpet / big band / fusion / jazz. And from a historical standpoint, any album that is critical of an authoritarian government and also popular is a "big deal". But to most of the world, the album was mostly unknown. (Yes, I know it was released in the UK also, but I'm pretty confident this wasn't playing on most home stereos around the world.) Musically I would give it 3.5, and while politically significant in one country (Nigeria), that's not enough to get me to round up.

After doing some research seems like a powerful jazz album for the time. 3/5

Excellent Afro-beat album by the undisputed master of it.

Mesmerizing. I’m not a 20th century Nigerian history buff so the government critique element went over my head, but I could see this being an extremely effective medium to channel a message to the listener. Especially if they were smoking some of that sweet 70s grass. To this white Canadian in 2025, this album presents a timeless, infectious, motivating listening experience and will go into my regular rotation.

4 estrelas Zombie quebrou tudo

Funky jazzy beat. Never heard about this guy or his message behind his music. Not normally the kind of music that I would listen to but it was engaging and energetic.

Parece uma sessão de Jam, acho que ficaria melhor como soundtrack de algo.

Very fun. Makes me want to drink a rum cocktail

I've established that jazz is not entirely my thing. I can get into it but it's not something I seek out. This is my first Afrobeat album though (of which Kuti is credited as the creator of), and it's really tight. Reading up on it, this album had a huge impact, causing the Nigerian military to raid Kuti's commune and kill his mother. Researching this guy was wild, he had some... interesting beliefs, but no doubt this criticism of the government and military took some balls. Politics aside, I think this album is pretty good for not being really in my wheelhouse. The sax and trumpet work is obviously great and his lyrics hit hard. The songs are long, however, and mostly just jamming so it got a little tiresome for me, but that's jazz and the beats were nice! The highlight was definitely "Zombie," and with only 4 tracks on the album I don't think another piqued my interest like that one did. Solid influential album that, while I liked reading about it more than listening to it, gets a 2/5 from me because I probably wont revisit any of it.

Loved the world beats jams, and open style

Long wandering Afro-beat that isn’t as accessible as I’m used to.

Never heard this before. Loved it.

Couldn’t get into this one much

Очень крутой качественный афробит, с политическим подтекстом.

Liked it. Crazy background in this one as well

Folk, carino buon sound.

Funky, but not my jam.

This album has such a great groove to it, definitely political resentment driving the urgency. Crazy that these songs, or any music could cause political and military action. It's a 3.5 for me but bumping for relevance.

Another Fela Kuti album? For a guy I never heard about before this list it seems crazy that he would appear on this list twice. Anyway, I still don't like Jazz but Fela's brand is more palatable.

Not my kind of jazz. 1/5

An interesting listen for an artist that I would not have chosen if it wasn’t on this list and music that is very different to what I usually listen to.There was enough about the album for me to think about going back to it if I didn’t have another album to listen to tomorrow

I’ve been meaning to explore Afrobeat because I enjoy global music like Khruangbin. So happy I was given the opportunity to listen to this. Great sound.

4.4/what a fun and enticing jazz album

Snacka om sväng. Jazz eller world music? Afrobeat tydligen. Kanon i vilket fall. Fyra!

Not for me

I was unaware of Fela’s music but am happy to now know.

better w/o vocal

Not really my style, maybe more historically significant than I understand? Still, not bad by any means.

Very groovy, nice beat but I would listen to it on my free time

Okay now albums like this are why I signed up for this project! All 4 tracks have the same structure (long instrumental followed by short call and response) and I'm not sure if the lyrics pack the same punch as they did in the 70s, but the music still is a trip and the sax solos bang.

like most jazz i like it but i don't know why

a jorro jaro jorro! this song is so good

One nation under a groove

Funky and interesting!

Fantastic fun Afro beats

Okayyyy i kinda like this man

In my opinion, this is precisely the album that this list was made for. Absolutely timeless, influential to entire generations and literal nations, and all of that created and played by a one-in-a-billion musical talent.

Fela Kuti’s jazz is woozy and hypnotic. 53 minutes disappears in a flash, and you, the listener, are suddenly in a great mood. The inclusion of the live track at the end was a great choice, because the crowd absolutely enhances the experience. Absolutely belongs here

Short enough that it doesn't get repetitive. I love the message abt military. music with meaning!!

Could get lost in this. Hypnotic and powerful. More so, when you know the profound and tragic story about the Nigerian dictatorship and how they responded with cowardly violence. Kuti had great innovation as a musician and great bravery in life. Highly recommended.

Loved it. Great political story behind it too.

Strong sauce. I can see why Kuti is seen as a pillar of Afrobeat. A lot of presence in this album. That sound is often imitated but without the soul. 4.1

3/10

Rating: 4/5 | Favorite Track: Zombie --- This was my first time taking the time to listen to this album and honestly this was such a fun and enjoyable listen. As a big fan of the Eno-produced Talking Heads albums, it was great to finally dive into what is arguably that era's most important influence.

I dunno, I like Fela Kuti, and I don't know if I just played it on the wrong speakers, but this didn't grab me in the way the other stuff did. I liked the grooves, but I found the format a little bit fatiuing. I went and listened to some Fema Kuti afterwards instead.

Kalakuta Republic 15 April 2025 Fela Kuti and Afrika 70 - Zombie: Released 1977: 4/5 stars I thought it would be fun to try the 1001 album challenge, which is based on the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. The book complies 1001 popular music recordings chosen by a panel of music critics and includes writing about each album. The book was originally published in 2005, though has been updated several times to include more recent recordings. While I don’t have a physical copy of the book (I may buy one,) there is a website: https://1001albumsgenerator.com/ that e-mails you a new album to listen to every day at 03:00 GMT. It creates a personal page for you, which you can leave reviews of albums and look back on them. My big fear in doing this challenge is it would select albums I’m already familiar with or albums I don’t like at all. To my surprise the first album is an album by a musician I have never heard of; Fela Kuta and Africa 70 - Zombie. Fela Kuta was a Nigerian musician and political activist. He is regarded as one of the principal innovators of Afrobeat a music genre from Nigerian that combines West African Music with American music styles such as Jazz and Funk. This album is exciting. Stylistically, there are so many twists and turns. The title track Zombie starts off with an almost ska-style upstroke guitar and rhythmic congas. Horns come in and rival some of the best jazz tracks I’ve heard. This sounds like a blend of American Jazz and African music, however at just slightly past 5 minutes into the track vocals come in. The lyrics describe the Nigerian military as zombies who don’t think for themselves, but follow whatever orders they’re given. The song has frequently been used as a protest song. The original LP is just slightly over 25 minutes and consists of lonely two tracks. The second track Follow Follow is of a similar style using an upbeat guitar, bass, simple percussion and trumpets. This time vocals come in at 7 minutes, again another critique of soldiers. On CD and digital releases there are two bonus tracks Observation is No Crime and Mistake live at the Berlin Jazz festival. Overall this album is a great introduction to Afrobeat, a genre I’m wholly unfamiliar with, but intrigued to hear more. This album defies some Western pop music formulas and introduces me to sounds I’ve not heard before. You can hear some of the inspiration music like this had on the Talking Head’s later discography. What’s more interesting than the album itself is the story behind it. While I don’t have time time to dive too deeply at the moment; the political history of Fela Kuti is fascinating. In 1970 he established the Kalakuta Republic a commune and recording studio he declared independent from Nigerian military rule. The commune was raided by soldiers in 1978. In the raid his mother was injured. His outspoken criticism of the Nigerian military made him a political target. That’s as far as I can go with my reading on Fela Kuti today, but look forward to learning more. I rate this album as 4/5 stars. It sounds great and it’s culturally important. On a personal note, it’s not something I would put on often, but if I saw this in a shop on LP or CD I would buy it in a heartbeat.

Astonishing.

another chill musical album

7.5/10

I mean, c’mon — it’s just vibes! A great album with massive historical significance, and one I can see myself returning to plenty.

Thats an amazing album no doubt. The best afro-beat

First afrobeat album I ever heard! Wish I had stumbled upon this on my own, but this is why we make friends with people cooler than ourselves. Simple and powerful message, funky and primal as fuck.

Muito bom álbum,um perfeito início nq minha singela opinião com um álbum de Jazz,não poderia ter começado esse projeto de uma maneira melhor. Melhor Música: Mr Follow Follow Pior Música: Observation is no crime não me pegou tanto quanto as outras,mas é muito bom também Álbum muito bem construído,pra mim é uma nota 4 estrelas de 5.

I first heard Fela Kuti on the local college radio station while driving a fan as a gopher for a theatre production company. I've been a fan ever since, collecting any vinyl I could find in used record stores. He deserves five stars for inventing an entire genre of music.

Didn't like it.

Not my jam.

Second album by Fela Kuti on this list, I think I can announce now that he may be my favourite African singer. Amazing record, such an intense, but funky music. Reading about the background to this album makes it even more impressive. Easy 5 stars, great job Fela!

Very cool! Kind of reminded me of this reggae album my dad used to play a lot and I loved when I was a kid (Six Boys from Skaville) and of a recent favourite WITCH (the Zambian rock group). Great vibes.

Different, but nice.

# Album Name: Zombie # Artist: Fela Kuta # Rating: # Comments: I listened to the original LP version consisting of two tracks. A grand total of 25 mins. A lovely length for such music. Honestly, wasnt bad. Pretty good, upbeat tempo with some good brass. Very listenable for 25 mins. If it was longer (like the extended CD version) then i think it would be too much. Id give this a very low 4. # Top Tunes: Errrrr there were only two on this LP. # Would I listen to it again? Doubtful

Favorite Track: Mr. Follow Follow

Legendary album from a legendary dude.

'75-'78 must have been some intense years in Fela Kuti's life. He released 18 albums, including Zombie, an album so powerful and political that it potentially resulted in the Nigerian military murdering his own mother, was banned from entering Ghana and married 27 women. I mean.. Slow down man. Not musically though, that afrobeat shit slaps.

Good

So good I had to play it twice. This has it all, heart, soul and funky as anything. Sublime.

Joyous, moody and uplifting. This is everything music should be. Raw emotions played out by very a tight band putting across a powerful political message. It always helps if you can dance whilst you stick it to the Man.

Zombie was a very upbeat, groovy song. I especially love the keyboard towards the end and the sax at the end. Mr. Follow Follow had some catchy runs and lyrics, but a step down from Zombie for me. Love the percussion and saxophone on Observation is No Crime.

Excellent - start to finish

Decent. I know this was really influential in bringing a style of music to western audiences.

Short and sweet, wanted a little more but overall pretty fun.

really like the groove. 4/5

Finally something new. Very easy listen. ZOMBIE

The link only provided one song. It was good

Interesting style, funky but I didn't love the total length of the songs or the length to get to the vocals. Once the vocals dropped on both of the tracks I was enjoying it. I respect the bravery behind putting something like this out there and it seems like it had a real impact. 6/10

Groovy in the beginning, lost me towards the end. Was aight.

I did not use a private session for this one. I could have guessed what I was getting into and thought it might be a bad choice for a Friday morning. I was correct, too frantic, world music, african rythms and jazzy, to listen to in the morning. So I listened to some other mellow music for a while and came back to this one, still didn't work for me but was better in the afternoon.

This was the first Afrobeat album I heard years ago, and it’s just as invigorating today as the first time I heard it. A great groove.

Funky

It's a really worthwhile listen, others may get more out of it, but I certainly appreciate the historical insight it has given me, and it's influence on some albums that I love. Happy to give a 3.

It’s great groovy stuff.

Rad.

WTF, 1001 greatest albums? No stars if I could

The kind of music I love finding on this list, drew me in straight away and I wanted to replay it straight away when it finished, have gotten a lot of jazz type music lately but mixed with African beats is a real winner, outstanding record.

Trompetteeeeeeen

Fela's stuff rules, but he was so incredibly prolific that it's hard to keep it all straight. I prefer "Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsesnse" but this is great and set me off in the direction of a 55-video Fela playlist on YouTube.

Cool l'afrobeat

Loved the first 2 songs of the album. After that it's a bit less appealing. Great to see an album with some political context combined with feel-good vibes.

Really different from anything i typically listen to for extended periods of time. I really enjoy the groove and general energy, but i worry the repetitiveness of the “endless groove” might be a little boring for me. Trying to appreciate more by paying attention to details and thinking about the historical context of the album. Prime example of how art can be and is political, and why we should never be lulled into forgetting the importance of freedom of artistic expression. All said I’ve been meaning to get more into so-called world music so I’m really glad that was my first album on this site

Pretty cool stuff

Awesome 15min songs, I loved it!

Funky tripy afrobeat, love it

Amazing! Brought me joy

Most jazz is unpleasant to me.

Interesting

Nice short album. Goid listen for a tired drive

Gets a 4 for the title track alone, amazing song.

Funky, little weird. But good background noise.

Good stuff, made especially more potent due to the history behind it. In a way, making music can be revolutionary.

Interesting beats with a hypnotic sound over them, the songs could have done with a bit of a trim though. Essential listening for the story of the artist.

Songs are very long

Very cool short album, nice saxophone, and jazzy, 3.5/5

Funky, groovy, short album, would be happy to dance to this at a club lol

Initially, I understood the message of the album and even started to enjoy the sound a little. But at some point, it ended up getting boring due to the long length of the tracks. For those who manage to get to the end, it's a great experience. That wasn't the case for me.

Pas ma came, mais il y a un petit côté hypnotique pas dégueu.

Funky African Jazz, apparently inspired Talking Heads. Nothing to hate here, if a bit long. Bernie Hancock esque, I’m a fan. 3.7/5

This was pretty good. I’ll probably never listen to it again. But good nonetheless.

Lots of great grooves but lacking some hooks to really bring me in.

jazzy

Not my thing

A great story and a cool sound. It felt more like a singular song than an album experience given its short length and similarities among the two tracks.

This may be the wildest Wikipedia page for an album on this list. Zombie is a hell of a track to kick an album off with. I really enjoyed listening to this and found more depth on a relisten. Cool example of why you listen to all of these albums. It's something I wouldn't have found otherwise.

The horns! What a wild story. Solid production. Great music.

The problem I have with Fela Kuti's music (and this genre of African music in general) is the repetitive aspect. I realize there's a meditative quality and intention to sitting a groove for a long time, but even if the band is great and has kickass horns, I don't want the same groove for 12 minutes. I acknowledge this is a "me problem," though.

brown people kino

这个小号我就爱了

Haven't ever heard of this person before and did not want this album to end. Really, really enjoyed this one. Plus the playlist that auto generated after it was done had me hooked for another couple hours. I guess I need to listen to more afrobeat!

Wow, this was so friggin cool, and what a wild story. Loved this.

Could have dropped the needle any place on this album and apart from tempo’s it would have sounded the same. Reminded me a bit of a wedding I went to last year when a sax player mingled with the dancers improvising over the music being played over the speakers. Not a bad thing at at a drunken night do but not a thing I could sit down to and listen for pleasure. 2/5 22/3/25

Oh you know the hips were shaking and swaying!!

Beat was novel

Interesting historically, but not my style musically

The Good: we know the singer is a he, cause he’s a fellah The Bad: we did not need to know he’s a cuty too, besides, that’s only for mothers to know… The Ugly: realizing that this cute fellah will be devoured by zombies in no time… African style jazz. For me neither here, nor there. Yet, I can understand that Fela did not have it easy and that he used his music as a way to place attention to a horrid situation. But we are here for the music, not the politics… and though I found the music palatable, I was kind of glad when the 4th song was done… Run of the mill rating for me… 3*

This was groovy!

Love Fela Kuti, “Zombie” was my favourite song of the album. You hit me with a saxophone and a strong drum beat, and I’m in.

Fela Kuti’s *Zombie* is a seismic fusion of Afrobeat brilliance and biting political commentary. Released in 1976, the album relentlessly critiques authoritarianism, targeting Nigeria’s oppressive military regime through sharp metaphors—comparing mindless soldiers to “zombies.” The title track, a 12-minute opus, pulses with hypnotic horns, frenetic percussion, and Fela’s fiery call-and-response vocals, embodying resistance and groove in equal measure.

I get that Zombie is a culturally important album, and I respect Fela Kuti's influence—but this just wasn’t for me. The groove is there, sure, but the songs drag on forever with not a whole lot of variation. If you're really into Afrobeat or political protest music, this might hit harder. But for a casual listener like me, it felt more like background noise than something I’d actively want to play again.

I think even outside of the artist's and music's context this was a fun listen

A good friend of mine introduced me to Fela before I was ready to really understand just how revolutionary this stuff is. Stands up as the pinnacle of Afrobeat, but also just kinda rips.

afrobeats, ihi ihi ihi diye gidiyo

Dudeludeludeludeluuuuuuu

The social commentary, the timing, the Jazz, the grooves - it’s all fantastic. The musicality of everyone involved shines through.

3.5 - cool and jazzy

One of the best ever.

Fela Kuti might delete later

An intense, groovy workout, and yet 2 listens didn’t even take me an hour. I guess I know now how Minor Threat fans feel The bonus track “Observation is a Crime” is also good, though slower paced

Yeeeeeaaaaah, so good.

It’s very free form, but i prefer some tighter music for stuff other than background work music

yeah this was great, why was every song 17 minutes!

Pre-listening songs: THIS IS ONLY TWO SONGS??? 😭😭😭😭😭 but it’s only 25 mins so it’ll be a very short listen. But it’s like flipping a coin to see which song I’m adding to my playlist. Anyways all I know about Fela Kuti is his work heavily inspired David Byrne/Talking Heads. Post/during listening thoughts: yeah you can 100% hear Remain in Light in these songs. Damn I listened to eight minutes of the first song before realizing eight minutes had gone by! Okay holy shit dude please read up on this album even if you didn’t like how it sounded musically. This is insane. This is the kind of entry I’m looking for on this list in terms of global context. 8.5/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yes Fav tracks: Zombie Least fav tracks: n/a

Як я колись писав, із жанром afrobeat ,я знайомий доволі поверхнево. Але після огляду чудової сумісної роботи Yannis Phillippakis із легендою цього жанру - Тоні Алленом, цікавість до цієї джазової африканської музики у мене, безумовно, зросла. І цей класичний альбом став чудовою нагодою, познайомитись із жанром поближче. Тим паче, що автор цього альбому - Fela Kuti, фактично і є його засновником, а у гурті Afrika 70 він грав разом із вищезгаданим Тоні. Афробіт - це, по суті, суміш афро-американського джаз-фанку із «традиційною»африканською музикою, зокрема - нігерійською. А ще, це була доволі «ідеологічна» музика, що звертала увагу на політичні проблеми Африки. І Zombie - є дуже яскравим його прикладом. В ньому, Fela Kuti критикує тих, хто сліпо підкорюється наказам, та не здатен думати своєю головою. Натомість, «відповідь» на критику від нігерійського військового уряду не змусила себе чекати. Він скерував армію для нищівного нападу, який призвів до поранення, та згодом, і смерті матері Fela, а також до повного знищення його комплексу, відомого як Республіка Калакута, та його клубу Shrine. Що стосується музики, то це доволі колоритний джаз із фанковим грувом, що передає дух спекотної Африки. Він мелодійний, танцювальний і, не дивлячись на доволі серйозні та зовсім «невеселі» теми які тут підіймаються, сповнений сонячного та веселого настрою. Зрештою, в цьому, швидше за все, і є його особливість. Коли бажання радіти, насолоджуватися музикою в собі та, не дивлячись ні на що, ділитися радістю із усіма навколо - і було головною ідеєю музикантів. Проте сказати, що альбом мені сподобався дуже і дуже сильно, я на жаль не можу. Проте тільки завдяки контексту, він сприймається як щось значно більше ніж просто музика. Це частинка іншої, далекої від нас, культури, поринути в яку цікаво, хоча б, для загальної ерудиції.

Enjoyable for a while, but the fourth (live) song was difficult.

Some good grooves, songs are a bit too long, probably better enjoyed in a live setting

A fantastic blend of African and African American sounds, bringing in some of the best of both worlds. It's a very infectuous record, before you even know the dramatic history. Kuti dared to criticize the Nigerian government it's "zombie" military, who he claimed followed orders without question. The popularity of this release would prompt the government to prove him right, as they would later storm his commune, tragically resulting in the death of his mother. It's speaks to the brutality of that regime, the power of music to make change, and to Kuti's popularity across Africa and the world. The story makes the music much more impactful and sad, but the music itself is fantastic.

That's whatvim talking about! 2 days in a row! An artist I was completely unfamiliar, making interesting music (bonus that I liked it). That's what I expected more of when I started this journey. Instead I listened to 20 Yes albums and 400 Euro Electronic Repetition bands. 1001 Albums... being lackluster notwithstanding, this album kicks ass. I'm going to listen to more bu Fela if available.

I could stand to listen more. Could be a 5. I like this guy, second high rated album.

it was good, jazzy and soulful. it was clear it came from a troubled and oppressed viewpoint. stand out track was Mr. Follow Follow

I really enjoyed the afro beats and the variety it brings musically. I love it when this list brings something up I'd have never found on my own and expands my musical world view Excellent listen, would recommend strongly!

Artiste inconnu. La partie instrumentale au début de Zombie est vraiment intéressante, avec une section de cuivre au top. Mais l'entrée du chant gâche un peu l'expérience, le morceau devient trop répétitif. Même constat pour le second morceau. Je ne le ré-écouterais donc pas. =>2/5

The story behind this is SAD. This album is GOOD.

Fela Kuti is like Miles Davis. I see I have an album by either and I know before I listen that it's a 5/5 (I still listen for confirmation and enjoyment).

What a magnificent listen. I love Fela. He is a band leader like no other. The energy that he sends to the band is fabulous. This album is absolutely amazing. It might be a little less dinemic inside the tracks than London session (the other of his that I heard) but the progression that builds between this 4 long songs is incredible. It starts quite slowly with the viby Zombie, than transforms into the great Mr. Follow Follow, with its great drum and bass appearances. It really kicks on in my opinion in the second half with the brass arrangement on Observation is no crime. Than, surprisingly it moves to the live gam of Mistake. I was afraid it might disrupt the rithem of the track list but the live atmosphere only adds to the energy of the gam, that leads into a satisfying finish to the album. As always, Fela's presence on the record is amazing vocaly, and I adore his keyboard parts. They add a lot to the texture of the music in my opinion. Lovely, lovely record.

‘Twas ok

Objectively great, but I never have and probably never will get into jazz. So repetitive. More thankful to have been acquainted with this artist's influence and history. "Sacred monster", indeed, as Bill T. Jones put it.