Femi Kuti

Expected nothing, got everything. Awesome fucking record.

It's not an album you could put on any time, any day. But at the right time this is awesome. For me that was making breakfast on a Sunday morning and this had me bouncing around the kitchen.

When you're the son of one of the most revolutionary musicians of the second half of the 20th Century, it's best to be aware of the massive sized shoes that would hopefully be filled but Femi Kuti's self-titled does all that and then some. Bringing, and refining, his father's penchant for lengthy jams about societal and personal issues into the 90s (atrocious album cover aside), this over an hour long collection gives the listener an understanding of who Femi is and what he could be capable of, regardless of the knowledge of who preceded him. The songs may be long but the grooves are undeniable and the pedigree beyond worthwhile.

I didn't even notice the songs were 9 minutes long because I was having so much fun

hard, if not impossible, to compare his work to his father's. his shadow looms large but this is still worth a listen! fav track: changes

Not going to lie, this slaps. Fantastic, really fun, amazing

Nothing else I can say other than this album will exceed every expectation you may or may not have

Think if Earth, Wind and Fire were from Nigeria. A great jazz-funk album all around. Lots of fun, infectious grooves, and top talent to boot. Who knew listening to a sax-led band could be so much fun?

Not generally a world music fan, but the debut album by Femi Kuti is an absolute monster. A tour de force os musicianship, with Femi’s voice and sax playing leading the way. The call and response at the end of “Frustrations” between Femi’s sax and the percussion is a highlight. Loved it all the way through!

Funky, groovy Jazz. Hooks you in with the first couple of beats and doesn't let go!

Femi Kuti is a groovy, funky, lovely to listen self-titled album. Energetic, a bit on one-note, a bit long, but I didn't feel bored. And you know, some problems really do be stubborn problems. I wouldn't call it a masterpiece, and I'd find it hard to compare about my favourites, but I think it's very, very solid record.

great album with great sounds. The tunes slap hard. solid 9/10

At first it just made me want to listen to Fela. But after a bit I really got into it.

Refreshing album that I’ve always wondered about. It would be beautiful to see him at a festival. Not sure I’d ever choose this album again but I appreciated nonetheless

More Kuti is just what I needed.

Quite an excellent record, though I will say it was very difficult not to compare his music to that of his father. Like they say, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. The DNA of Fela Kuti’s music is here, but Femi manages to differentiate himself enough with a broader view and incorporation of different musical styles. It’s more polished, chilled and maybe a more accessible sound, where Fela’s records were more stripped back, aggressive and carrying a palpable sense of righteous anger.

Interesting, very African sounding, fun, different genre to the rest of the albums really

So funky and groovy. The music is uplifting and danceable while the lyrics are political. Very glad to be introduced to this artist. Favorite tracks: Frustrations, Plenty Nonsense, Live for Today

This album is really cool! I it's full of cool rhythms and groovy sax. It also feels like experiencing a new culture through the music alone. The song, Frustration, makes me feel like I am playing as Knuckles in Sonic Adventure 2 haha. Favorite track: Frustration and Survival

Wow, this is fantastic! Superb performances, so expressive, and such a nice blend of styles and ideas. I'll bet it's great to see him play live.

Vibes. At first glance, I had thought this was going to be a Fela Kuti album (who also has some banging music), but was pleasantly surprised to find someone new in the genre. The orchestration is superb and I found myself getting quite pumped up as I listened to it during a workout. I'm a sucker for some saxophone and he can really rip. There is enough genre bending across the album to hold your attention and he does so without losing the core sound. Overall, a great time but I don't know how often I would go looking for it to listen. Stand out track: Survival

Clearly talented but totally not my thing

Nando’s bathroom music but in the best way. Made me sad I’ve not got a drink machine in my house. Great vibes - no complaints for any of the 8 min songs. Specific rating-4.5 Fav song- wonder wonder Least fav- plenty nonsense

Based on the albums I've listened to so far, I like this guy's music more than his father's.... WAY more! I loved every second of this album, and was enjoying a wild private party in my headphones while listening to it. Great sax playing and the playful tunes perfectly offset the seriousness of some of the political messages in the songs. I'm adding this to my Tidal library and giving it five stars.

The groove is absolutely infectious, and the social commentary is a righteously angry cherry on top. Femi manages to distance himself effectively from his father’s legacy; the influence is still clearly there but Femi’s music seems more structured, less improvisational. But what’s important for both is that this is just good damn music

Way better than Julian Lennon and not as good as Sean Lennon. Not bad by any means but just made me want to play a Fela Kuti record.

Interesting. Clearly solid music. But not for me really

Wonder Wonder - 7.5/10 Survival- 7.5/10 Frustrations - 8/10 Nawa - intro - 7.5/10 Nawa - 8/10 Plenty Nonsense - 8/10 Stubbor problems - 7.5/10 No Shame - 8/10 Live for Today - 8/10 Changes - 8/10 TOTAL - 78/100

I liked the Fela Kuti album better by his dad I think. This one was ok but got a bit repetitive

No. Just. No.

Total surprise. Loved it!

This is very reminiscent of his father's work, perhaps with more lyrics per song.  I loved it! Liked Songs Added: Wonder Wonder Frustrations Nawa Plenty Nonsense Stubbor Problems No Shame Live For Today

LET'S GO I LOVE AFROBEAT 5 STAR

Even protoafro beat goes hard. Immaculate vibes.

Phenomenal Album. Absolutely Slapped.

Like father like son

5/5

Herlig musikk og energi. Aldri i tvil.

holy balls. aivoja on järistetty ja tärähtelty. you go laff laff laaaaaafff.. miksi tällä ei ole biljoonia näyttökertoja mutta jistin bieber saa miljoonia? harvemmin näissä albumituokioissa nostan siitä yleisestä äänenvoimakkuudesta tähän ylempään jonka korvat juuri ja juuri kestää.. uskomattoman racist arvostelu tuli sieltä puolelta jassoo.. no heh en vitsistä rupee PERUMAAN URAASI.. urasi ei ole peruttu.. olufela olufemi anikulapo heittää semmonlaista settiä että oksat pois! aika helppo päätös leimata vitosta seinään en tiedä mitä muualla kävi mutta yksi parhaista tähän mennessä. nawa

Favorite songs: Nawa, Survival, Live for Today, Frustrations, Wonder Wonder, No Shame Least favorite songs: none 5/5

This man knows his way around a saxophone!

Great album! Good lyrics and amazing beats.

Excelente álbum. Creo que uno de los aspectos que hace que la experiencia de álbum sea muy positiva es que la obra sea una experiencia consistente. Este disco cumple con esa espectativa. La musicalidad es muy buena. Es música repetitiva, esa es la intención. Sin embargo, a diferencia de lo discos de música electrónica que he tenido que escuchar, la ejecución instrumental humana hace que por más repetitiva y larga sea la música, hay pequeñas variaciones (incluso imperceptibles concientemente) que hacen que la música se sienta siempre fresca incluso en temas de 8 minutos de duración. Además tiene el plus de tratar contenidos políticos y sociales en las letras.

I love African music, so when this popped up it had me quite excited. Should be right up my alley as long as the musicianship is at least halfway decent. Wonder Wonder Love the rhythm provided by the percussion. Great variety. Lovely energy. Love the groove. The lyrics are really typical of the Afrobeat genre. Singing about unity for the continent is at least an honourable sentiment. Fun track. Fantastic. 5/5 Survival Great groove and rhythm. Love the paralells between the sax and horns. Awesome solo from the percussion instrument I don't know the name of. Awesome mood. Infectious and fun. Actually has some really thought out lyrics. Great. 4.5/5 Frustrations Wow thosw horns truly are magnetic. Absolute cinema. Love the jazziness of the instrumental. Lyrics seem to recount or at least be inspired by some sort of personal experience. As always awesome drumming. Good. 4/5 Nawa - Intro A wild ride with an infectious tempo. Unrated/5 Nawa Feels almost triumphant or celebratory in a way. Lovely texture from the keys. Solid bassline. Really like how the keys get a more active role to contrast with the vocals. Passionate vocal delivery. Dancable and fun. Good. 4/5 Plenty Nonsense Great energy, love the drum pattern. Fun group vocals. I like the subtle guitar. Really like the direct lyricism. Love the chorus. Catchy and fun. Great. 4.5/5 Stubborn Problems Large and dynamic. Love how the dynamic sax performance contrasts against the rigid and consistent bassline. Nice horns peaking through as well. Super fun lyrics, really infectious. Fantastic. 5/5 No Shame Impossibly fun groove. Love the opening vocals. Extremely catchy sax riff. Very political. Awesome keyboard solo. Fantastic. 5/5 Live For Today Funky guitar riff. Awesome bass. Love the vocal delivery. Really fun sax. I know I'm repeating myself but every song on this album is great and has very similar qualities. This is no exception. Amazing chorus. Lovely message. Fantastic. 5/5 Changes Layered and danceable. Great groove, with some quality funkiness. Infectious chorus. Gonna go with the benefit of the doubt and assume some of the lyrics aren't meant in a regressive way. Good atmosphere none the less. Great. 4.5/5 I am floored. Very few albums leave such an instant impression as this one did. It's over an hour of the most fun and infectious grooves you'll ever hear. Topped with some ridiculously slick saxophone playing and passionate and catchy vocal deliveries. It's an absolute party, where you'll be barraged with banger after banger full of African spirit and thoughtful messages that could resonate with an entire continent. Rarely does an album make me want to get up and dance as much as this one does. I feel refreshed and enlightened. Empowered and full of energy. There's not a single boring moment on this, making the hour run by. 5/5

Funk! Life! Energy! Music! Africa! Incredible record that makes me want to live and truly enjoy my life and people around me. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!!!

It's really hard to play bad jazz funk in the first place, but when your father is considered the mind behind Afrobeat itself... this might be the first album on this list that is actually something you need to hear before you die. Endlessly talented, extremely fun listen.

The very best Afrobeat since Houmous & Chutneys controversial 82nd studio album ‘We’ll Afrobeat You At Your Own Game’ 4.8

Femi Kuti toma el relevo de su padre creando su propio estilo de Afrobeat, aún más enérgico y con los instrumentos de viento tomando el protagonismo. Las canciones son más cortas y algo más comerciales, más cercanas al ska y menos al jazz, pero manteniendo la esencia del Afrobeat clásico. La voz no es gran cosa, siguiendo siempre la misma fórmula de decir una frase que es repetida por el coro justo después. Pero la instrumentación es increíble: las líneas de bajo, el saxofón y el resto de vientos, y, sobre todo, la percusión, demuestran una calidad técnica impresionante y rebosan energía. Hasta ahora solo había escuchado a Fela, y me ha encantado descubrir a su hijo. Precisamente por descubrir álbumes como este es que estoy haciendo este challenge.

Femi can jam just like his father. This album is so good and fun, it was easy to just get lost in the music. My favorite is definitely Plenty Nonsense. It's so upbeat and esch part gets to shine. Most of the songs are similar, especially the singing which has Femi doing a call and response for large parts around the title of the song, but that didn't really bother me. Seems like a staple of world music from this area and the instruments are just so good that it gets a free pass. The sax and percussion are the highlights for me here.

Discovering bangers like this album are why I continue through all the middling and garbage picks. I put this on at work and I was just in my seat grooving right along. From start to finish it just gets you moving. Fantastic!

Very fun listen

This is the 92nd album I’m rating. I’ve listened to his dad and it was pretty good. Adding to my Playlist - Wonder, Wonder, Survival, Frustrations, Nawa (Intro), Nawa, Plenty Nonsense, Stubborn Problems, No Shame, Live for Today, and Changes. Not Adding to my Playlist - Nothing. Nawa (Intro) - Why isn’t this combined? All in all I liked 10/10 songs. Arguably better than his dad.

*****

Papa was beter maar wel 5/5

Just as good as his dad. Strong lyrics with amazing instrumentals. Just an amazing album! Also the opening to Stubbor Problems was crazy especially considering that it's what really happened to Fela Kuti.

A really fantastic and fun album. Vibrant musical colors and styles throughout each song, with a wide breadth of lyrical topics. A great album to either dance to, or sit and listen to. The longer runtimes for the songs aren't an issue either, as every second is equally engaging. Great listen

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Can I start dancing now?

Number 1000! and its Afrobeat! Funky jazz. yes. Was a little worried of a dated sound when I saw the year but the production is fine. Nawa is a joyous banger. Plenty Nonsense also a joyous banger somehow while furiously railing against corruption in Nigerian and African politics, one of his dad's favourite pastimes (the railing, not the corruption). Oh and Stubbor Problems. the same. They just keep on coming. Soooo good. and I'd never heard it before, even better. Fantastic from start to finish for over 70 minutes. That's some achievement.

One of those completely unexpectedly awesome albums that just come out of no where. I remember listening to his father's album Fela Kuti and really liking it. This one was a lot more groovy I believe with some long drawn out jams that hit me perfectly. The singing that went with the horns and drums was just such a fun aspect I was really bouncing around. The guitar parts in Survival were so awesome I could listen to that song all day long. Live for Today was also really dope with the energy that it brought and the build up. This wouldn't normally be a 5 type of album for me but this just really hit nicely in all of the best ways. This style was right up my alley and I am such a sucker for awesome horns.

This was an absolute banger, put me in a great mood. Definitely going to be listening to this again. Must be great live.

I had never heard of Femi Kuti until I heard this album. But I didn't need much information because everything I needed to know I heard in this album. The Nigerian's album brings Afrobeats in a fun and sincere way. Even though each song is long, time passes smoothly. Kuti gave Afrobeats the recognition that the genre needed and today artists like Tyla, Tems and other artists carry the genre today with equal mastery.

Oh snap! This fabulous. Loved it all the way through.

Funky rhythms slaps, good listen

Fantastic!

That was great! They were jamming so hard, Femi didn't start singing until about 3 minutes in on almost every song. I love a good build-up.

Wow. This album is a blast.

Something I would have loved to have seen live. The music took me to a different place, I could close my eyes and the world around me would transform into a dimly lit club with the musicians on stage, everyone either dancing or sitting in leather club chairs with a whiskey in their hand and their feet tapping to the percussion. The energy is infectious.

Sensational jazz album

Really enjoyed this album! I love the whole Afrobeat genre in general and this was really great. I'll definitely throw this on and play it all the way through in the evening while enjoying a cocktail or making dinner. But I also really liked that you can pick it apart and listen to the actual musicians and what each one is doing. Sax is great, horns are great, fantastic bass, superb vocals. This is the kind of album that most people, especially in North America/Europe, which I would imagine is the majority of people going through this list, probably don't hear too much but absolutely should. Exactly what this list was made for. One of my favorite 'world' albums from this list so far. 5/5

This album fucking slaps.

This kept me moving and grooving for over an hour. Marvelous!

This is great fun. Let's dance!

Always up for something from Africa or Asia on this list since the pickin’s are slim. I loved those awesome rhythms and the presence of the choir of singers backing Femi Kuti. The band instruments were fantastic! While I wasn’t able to listen closely enough to catch everything, I detected a lot of activism in those lyrics. Fun with a purpose! I love this. Would love seeing this performed live. Terrific!

Wow, wow, wow - I loooooove this! I also then found his father's music, Fela Kuti.

This was fantastic!! A wonderful combination of funk, jazz, Afro-influence...really, really fun discovery. Favorite track: Stubbor Problems

um this was actually incredible? omg.... i had so much fun listening to this! i can't believe i haven't heard of him before! what a fun surprise!

Femi Kuti is so good, I could listen to his music for hours.

Same vibe I get from his father’s work.

A straight hour of horns and sax. This was made for me

This is listed as “pop” and “world” at the 1001albums site. Wikipedia calls it “afrobeat”. I dunno…. This seems very Jazzy to me, rather than pop. I rather like the Allmusic review which states the album is “Packed with contagious rhythms born of African, jazz, and funk melodies”. That seems to fit perfectly. I don’t know about labels, but this album is really good. It has GREAT rhythms, great songs. If you don’t groove to this it’s your own fault. All of the songs are 6-10 minutes long, I wouldn’t mind if they were all a hint more concise. But that’s a very minor complaint. This is what I came to this project to find, new and different (and good) music. It will absolutely get listened to again. 5/5

Fantastic album from beginning to end , difficult shoes for Femi to fill - but he slams it :)

Yes! this is exactly what I am.listening to a lot of right now. Polyrhythmic, funky and righteous. Continuing his father's rich legacy with more of the same.

Afrobeat? Very is 5/5. Great album from start to finish, I loved everything about it. What a perfect combination of jazz, funk and African influence. Another record to look for in my vintage vinyl shops endeavours.

Saved. Great music

I was expecting strict Afro beats, but this is so much more! What a fun, exciting album!

Loved it

Welp, turns out I'm an Afrobeat fan.

So so good. As soon as the sax notes hit in the first track I was on board. Not a genre you get to hear very often and its executed so well. Gives great vibes of 70's car chases at some points.

Really enjoyable! Modern afrobeat

When I was a young whippersnapper, my buddy Deen from Nigeria turned me on to Femi's dad Fela Kuti. My first exposure to Afrobeat. Fast forward a few decades and here's his kid -- who may be a better musician than his father was. This is just a fun album...about revolution! Play it loud! Unexpected bangers: Wonder Wonder, Plenty Nonsense, Stubbor Problems

Like father, like son!

The sax sure is saxy. A real snarky puppy bug band jazz sound 5

Albums like this are why I wanted to to through this list in the first place. I don't think I would ever find this on my own, but I love it and can't wait to listen again. The energy and joyous performances hit you right in the face, but the vocals and lyrics also hit you in the face for a competent different reason. I'm sold and I want to drive more into Femi's stuff now.

This is an album I won't soon forget. Incredible music, just incredible. Time went by so fast as I worked with this album in my ears. I was grooving and dancing all the way through. I don't know when next I might listen to this again, but this has definitely been my favorite album in my music discovering journey so far. I think I'd prefer to give it a 4.5 but I can't so I'll let it be a close 5.

Loved the beats on this one!! I danced in the kitchen while I was cooking it was heaven!!

Great! You can hear the influence of his dad, but it doesn’t feel derivative.

Phenomenal record, had me grooving the whole time. Very much influenced by the sound of his father but elevated and updated with an incredibly heavy horn section and some great incorporations of synths/organs. Top tracks: Wonder Wonder, Survival, Frustrations, Nawa, No Shame, Live For Today

Wow

Absolute bop. I had never heard of this artist before but I will definitely be listening again!