Reviews (page 3 of 7)
a really cool album. femi kuti is really a chip off the old block, so to speak. he really took on the feel and sound of his father's music and this is a really fun listen. it has the same looseness and authentic feel of fela's music and the second half of this album really cooks. just a genuinely fun listen, i had a smile on my face the whole time.
Very saxie! 🎷
jazz/funk creo??? muy bueno la verdad... no tengo ni idea de quien es, no es ni siquiera el genero que escucho pero me da a soundtrack de peli y AMO me da vibes a la haine y a trainspotting no se por que pero bueno muy bueno la verdad
Fast paced and jazzy with some excellent percussion
Good stuff. Not as good as Felan but made it over the himp to a 4.
Animado. Un poco cansino a veces. NIGERIA!!!
Huge surprise, banger alert!
Came with no expectations and was positively surprised. 7/10
Ah, so this is Fela Kuti's son. He carries on the afrobeat torch well I must say. Very uplifting & fun, thanks to the funk and groove of it all. If only the power of music could unite nations...
Need more of this in my life! That brass swings!
Activism disguised as some really great fuckin' afro-dance music. I prefer Kuti's next album 'Shoki Shoki', but really you can't go wrong with any of it.
A very fun album that continues the legacy of his father. Mid 4.
It took a while, but the song No Shame really won me over to help me fully understand this album and it's message. Continue the protest your father and grandmother was a big part of. They would be so proud.
I like!
Super super chill
Awesome record. Incredible energy which you can't help but dance to. Feels like a complete album with each track offering something different with catchy vocals and infectious grooves. I only noticed many of the tracks are 9 minutes plus because of the repetition of 'Plenty Nonsense' and 'Stubborn Problems' back-to-back. Not a criticism - after all, we are all bugged by Nonsense and Problems constantly! Looking back, I really enjoyed the Live! album by his dad, and it's impressive how well he has upheld his Fela's legacy. I nearly gave this 5 stars, but by the end I was quite happy for it to finish. Not sure whether this was due to reducing quality or simply novelty wearing off after 75 minutes, but I still make this a solid 8/10
Good stuff. Different than what I normally listen to
I barely know anything about Fela Kuti, so I know nothing about Fema Kuti. And I know almost nothing about afrobeat. So I'm basically a blank canvas. Once I settled into the songs, I enjoyed this much more than I expected. It's not necessarily something I'll put on, but I found plenty to like on here.
A very good and welcome introduction to Femi Kuti. The bass playing was fire. I may start using "Plenty Nonsense" as an instagram story soundtrack given the appropriateness to these times.
This is my first time listening to a Femi Kuti album, I've heard maybe two or three Fela Kuti albums, and we're along the same vein here. It's too easy for me to appreciate afrobeat, in this case there's details and musical elements that surface with multiple listens. I'm surprised this is over an hour long, I didn't feel it! The bass lines are feeling extra '90s jazz, and the conversations between the musicians in general is exquisite. This record has the energy of a live performance, a difficult concept to accurately present. I'd buy this record for the collection, but just because I like the mood the genre puts you in, not because it feels like one of the top afrobeat records I've ever heard. It's definitely quality, and it's a great starting point if you haven't been properly introduced. 3.7/5
This album comes from one of the only three children of Fela Kuti — which is remarkable, considering that Fela at one point had twenty-seven wives simultaneously (for partly political reasons, apparently). It was released in 1995, just two years before Fela’s death from AIDS-related complications — a disease he and his widow insisted did not exist. The album, not Fela’s death, was Femi’s big breakthrough. Still following? For me, this kind of music is difficult to “analyze” in the usual sense. Maybe that’s the point — there isn’t much to dissect. What I hear is a deeply convincing, relentlessly grooving collection of long, jam-like tracks, built on call-and-response vocals and dense rhythms. It’s infectious, no question about it. The main problem is also obvious: it’s a 1995 album, which means it runs for an exhausting 73 minutes across just ten tracks (well, nine — there is a 31-second intro to “Nawa”). That’s simply too long. The extended jams fit the style, of course, but by the time I reached “No Shame,” the seventh or eighth track depending on how you count, I found myself checking my watch. The endless call-and-response stretches could have been trimmed, and the closing percussion solo feels like an afterthought. With tighter editing, this could have been an eight-out-of-ten album. And since I’m complaining: on “Plenty Nonsense,” the drummer chops away so aggressively you could heat a Finnish cabin winterlong on the splinters. Still, it’s a strong, highly listenable record. The standouts for me are “Frustrations” and the excellent “Nawa.”
Excellent and easy to listen fusion of jazz, jam band, political commentary, and African music, with a bit of humor as well. Has a very strong Montréal Jazz Festival vibe to the songs. The band will definitely go into my listening rotation.
It's very good but it's a very long album. There isn't that much variety in the style. Shave off 25 minutes and this is a 5 star.
Super fun. Love the energy.
Very chill and fun world music.
You can absolutely hear his father's influence on the songs. I liked it. Almost a 5
The Femi doesn't fall far from the Fela, as they say, and here it is audibly true. Hard to imagine anyone could not move to this groove; he sure knows when to lie low and when to come on strong. This shit makes me no end of happy. What's the old saying, not my revolution if I can't dance to it? Clearly we could start revoluting here. I guess we can keep up with Nigeria on corruption now.
Enjoyed this album.
Yeah, this is pretty great. Maybe not 5 stars great, but it's a solid groove. I had his second album and that was cool, but this one's better.
Good vibes and great saxophone playing. Wile it sometimes got a bit to much for me with the marimba (?) solos I really enjoyed the album as a whole.
Great album.
Saw the sax on the cover. Saw the runtime of 10 songs for an hour and 13 minutes. Said to myself: buckle the fuck up. Then within a few minutes I found myself really enjoying this. This honestly makes me question whether I have some minor form of schizophrenia as this does not seem like something I should like at all, but I was bobbing my head and tapping my toes involuntarily. I'm not sure whether this is legitimately good or it just got me on the right day, but it was a pleasant surprise. 4.1
Like father like son. This was cool.
Absolutely incredible album. So listenable from t to b.
4.5
Some World Music sounds...otherworldly. Other types make you want to get up and dance. This album is the latter. Get up and dance!
This was a fun listen, and it obviously has a lot of life and culture in it. Overall, it's not something I'd really go back to a lot, but it is well crafted and a great example of the style and genre.
Found myself liking this a lot- ot captured a lot of the magic Fela Kuti brought with his music. Great music to have on while driving.
Rules
Great
Fantastic. 4 stars
Energetic, melodic fusion of jazz, funk and afrobeat. This is the kind of album that feels great to run to, both because of the steady rhythm and the uplifting feel.
proves he isn't a nepo baby
africa
this one actually grooved. a bit long but will listen to again for sure
This was fun. We listened to it while we were out on Saturday. Very enjoyable.
It can be annoying to always be compared to your parents, but Femi Kuti does a good job carrying on his father's legacy here. The social message is still relevant and the music is very good as well. I don't think this album is quite as strong as the Fela Kuti albums on the list, but it's not far off.
Many drums. Very funky, jazz, tribal.
Pretty fun album to listen too if maybe a tad too long. 4/5
Catchy, melodic. A chill and funky listen
Very good vibes
Classic album jam packed with ideas and sounds. Just not my favorite type of music... yet, haha.
No nepotism here, this man holds up his father's legacy brilliantly!
Sort of high speed Reggae sound. Pretty good listen. 4 stars or B-.
What a fun record. Amazing musicianship, total party vibes.
I enjoyed this. Upbeat and interesting. Could really feel the energy. Fun to dance along to.
Had a good rhythm, but tracks could be a bit shorter and less repetitive. I'd had enough by the 5th track, on the first listen. But my second listen I really got into it. Great party background music.
Good album and other collected works - I am not that familiar with Afro-beats and this is a nice addition to my rotation.
A refreshing, funky listen. Great music to play by the pool, or in the backyard when it’s warm outside. There’s been a few albums on this list that fall in to that category, maybe I’ll make a playlist.
Giving Femi Kuti a 4, really liked the jazzy parts and the rhythms. Didn't listen that much to the lyrics, but I heard him singing about his dad Fela Kuti and his 27 wives.
He’s not Fela, but I Wonder Wonder if the Changes are good or not?
Tight, bouncy, slick - most enjoyable! Favourite tracks: Nawa, Stubbor Problems, No Shame
Vibes for days
Favorite Track: Changes
Funky fun jazzy African pop
bastante buono
4 porque me quemó un poquito pero me pareció increible
Funky and inspiring
Funky, sexy and a pleasure to listen.
I will take this political music over rap or Nick Drake everyday of the week.
Fun music. 3.5*, rounding up.
I love afrobeat.
The entire album is a party bop, and the history behind it enrichens it greatly.
Jazz funk that references and builds upon the work of his father. This is more digestible, due to the reduced track length, but in no way compromises on the sharp lyrics and direct messages. The sounds are excellent for a summer drive, your cooking session, dancing, or protesting.
This was a fun one. I’ve heard the name Femi Kuti but haven’t explored his music. I only gave it one listen but it’s four stars at a minimum: tremendous saxophone leads, high energy percussion, pointed social and political lyrics with a deep passion for the wellbeing of Africa… this album has a special feel to it. I need to find the time to explore more.
What fun! The whole way through. And it even bends around genres a bit. There's one track that sorta sounded like Hava Nagila, all that chaos and the sort of polka beat? I dunno, but def enjoyed.
Really liked this album, for most of the songs I didn’t mind them being so long as I felt they changed a lot throughout, but a few felt a little repetitive to me. Put off a little by the lyrics on the last track, hoping I’m just not interpreting correctly, but didn’t get a great vibe - a shame because I love the music. Fav song: Nawa - also liked Frustrations and Stubbor Problems Least fav: WonderWonder
Good vibes. Makes me think of sunny West Holts!
Rating: 8/10 Like father, like son...this album is great. An absolute blast to listen to, great instrumentation, good vocals, and great production. Could be rated higher with repeated listens.
This is a great album 4/5
That was easy to listen to. I enjoyed having it on in the background
This slaps
Bouncy fun Afrobeat jams. The horns get a little too screechy for my preference but this album certainly earned its place on this list.
Really good.
Consistently solid, very listenable afrobeat/jazz album. Keeps moving forward. I'm impressed. 3.9
Listening to this on a long car journey back from Wembley whilst watching the early-Summer sun gradually setting made a 3-0 loss better
I'm not entirely sure I could pick out any specific song as a standout, but this album was a groove and I could listen to it all day.
great music i will one hundred percent be checking out more afrobeat eventually. apparently his father is good so ig ill check him out.
I kinda liked this
drei bis vier
Very upbeat and perfect music to listen to when I want to get things done. Solid beats and percussion.
Fun!
Was very accessible from start to finish, a fun joy ride, and some great drumming.
Fela Kuti's son? This album had no chance of being bad!
This was my first time listening to music like this, I really enjoyed it!
4/5. I love afrobeat, it's just so danceable and with political messaging, it goes even harder. Although not as good as his father, Femi still brings it. More jazz-centric with a solid sax solo every song, it's controlled chaos. The only downside is that the album does overstay its welcome a bit, each song does similar things with instrumentation then vocals then long solo then closing vocals for the most part. It can be hard to differentiate. However, the songs do go hard so it's still enjoyable for the most part. Best Song: Frustrations, Nawa, Wonder Wonder
Good music, good rhythms. This is easy to like.
Fantastic album. I think it technically give it 4.5 stars.
Fun music with a great theme.
Album #13 on the list and my second Kuti album.... This one Femi rather than Fela. Very similar vibe to his old man which is a good thing! A fun listen. 7/10
I gave both his Dad's albums four stars, and this is in the same ballpark. I liked it quite a lot. Standout for me was maybe "No Shame".
Well this is a firecracker of a record The songs are too long but you almost forgive him because it’s such a cool sound
Holy shit this fuckin slaps!
Bright, vibrant, swinging
Great intro to afrobeats. Songs were catchy but quite long. Deep messages when lyrics were included.
It took me a couple listens to get into this one, but I ended up liking it a good bit. If you’re not hearing it through headphones or a good sound system it suffers. Eventually, though, the rhythms absolutely get into you.
I'm glad I was exposed to this album. I really enjoyed listening
++: Wonder, Wonder, Frustrations, Nawa (Intro), Nawa, Plenty Nonsense, Live for Today, Changes +: Survival, No Shame +-: Stubborn Problems 7,9/10
Good with some great
Was I hugely enthused about 73 minutes of Afrobeat? I was not. However, this was really enjoyable, and excellent to have on in the background while I was working (see previous reviews for why this is, in some ways, the most important genre of all). It's interesting that Femi is really able to infuse quite playful and upbeat melodies, while leaving you in no doubt as to the depth of the themes.
Day427 - driving with the window down. what a good vibe
Turns out I love 90s afro pop
Really enjoyed listening to it on my way to work yesterday. So much so that when somebody asked me to put on some music to play before the all staff of 150 people I put it on the stereo that plays in the conference room. It ended up being played repeatedly throughout the day when we took breaks and had lunch.
Really enjoyed this one!
Great songs, carrying the torch proudly forward. Very tasteful, energetic and danceable
Terrible album art, good album. 4/5
Grand and danceable from start to finish.
Refreshing Nigerian Afro-beat that blows pop artists out the water that exist today. Intelligently put together music. Plenty nonsense, more like no nonsense. 7.8/10
What a fantastic groovy collection
As a sax player myself, I really enjoyed putting this on as background music. That guy sure can jam
This is a genre that anytime we’ve had it, I’ve had a lot of fun!
had a fun energy
This was really fun and exactly the kind of stuff I hoped to discover with this project. I have no context or experience with which to speak about it, it was just a nice time.
Really good, fun
Can't go wrong with this, really strong - great grooves.
Loved it.
Standard review for this genre, good vibes, a top soundtrack for a road trip or something. We had this geezer's dad earlier in the list, I wonder if there are any other father/son combos on here?
Solid afro beat jazz that's worth digging into with a great pair of headphones.
The afrobeat apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Enjoyed quite a lot. Would probably be 7/10, will call it 4/5.
I now deeply regret not going to see him at Glasto.
Not something I'd usually listen to but I'd definitely listen again, enjoyed it a lot
Two stepping in the shower with some Sativa in the bow, a vibe indeed!
Haven’t heard much afrobeat, but this has some jams. Didn’t even realize how long some of the songs were, they flowed so well
4.5
fantastic
Lots of fun. Well over an hour but the rare time where that doesn’t feel like too much.
what a great album! full of energy, easy to listen to, songs were kind of long so I expected much more of a jazz vibe and although some of that is there the energy is certainly not aligned to a jazz album.
The dance-able ska-like arrangements make this a very accessible afrobeat album.
A spectacular, funky, big band sound! I love the energy. The upbeat mood and fast-paced tempo are so relentless that you almost can't catch a breath. Very fun, entertaining music.
Nije fela ali je super
- Wild that I received this album and one by his father (Fela Kuti) so close to each other. Even more wild that they seem to be equally accomplished as musicians and as activists. - The whole groove of this album is stellar. You can let it play in the background and you will find yourself bopping along. - "Plenty Nonsense" slaps. - Did prefer the instrumental sections to the call-and-response, but that is just personal taste. I did like how explicitly political much of it is.
Good. Favourite songs were wonder wonder, frustrations and plenty nonsense. Liked most of the stuff on this album but doesn’t stand out too much
Pretty hype. Partial listen, felt like something in the church.
nice and groovy
A wonderful introduction to Afrobeat.
Fela heeft volgens mij nogal wat zoons op deze aardkloot rondlopen, dus dat we er eentje zouden treffen was nooit uitgesloten. Dat de spirit van hem voortleeft in Femi maakt dit album wel duidelijk. Het is wat minder urgent en politiek geladen dan veel van Fela's krachtige werk, maar die legendarische afrobeat schwung zit er echt wel in. Ik heb hier wel van genoten, vooral van 'Survival' en 'No Shame'. 8/10 Highlights: Survival No Shame
This is a hard one to assign a star rating to, on account of how Femi sounds quite a lot like his dad (voice especially) and his dad is one of the greatest. Answers the question of: What would Fela sound like if he had 85% less psychotic energy. The answer is that it’s still really good, it just doesn’t make me want to run through a wall. I hesitated to go as high as 4, because that more or less commits me to giving 5 to any Fela that comes up. Oh well.
Ooh qu’il me gâte le générateur dans le temps des fêtes! Aussi smooth et funky que son père, le petit Kuti n’a rien à envier à son paternel. Une couple de réécoute et qui sait? Il se fera peut être bumper à 5 étoiles lors du mythique grand équilibrage.
nice album
Which Kuti is the best Kuti?
I had no expectations for this album but I was blown away, it's really, really great.
Almost through the first track and this whole time I thought he was talking about someone named "Wanda..." Survival is dope. Feels familiar, as if it has inspired some UM jams that I've seen. But I can't put a finger on it. Had this in the background up to Nawa, and I've been grooving nonstop. Nawa stands out to me for just how wonderfully groovy it is. Went through this album twice and enjoyed both passes, but the luster faded a little bit on second listen. The jams are solid and groove is for real on a lot of these. Going with a soft 4 here.
Loved this. Brought me back a bit to St. Lucia with the afrobeats. Another high 4. I would love to listen to Femi (and Fela) Kuti on at any beach bar at any time.
really cool
I absolutely cannot deny the infectious energy of this album. Femi Kuti, like his father before him, demonstrates his unique ability to inject excitement and levity into songs that may carry heavier, more important messages. How he does this, I don’t know, but it’s incredibly effective. People like listening to happy, fun music. If that’s the genre that gets your message out, you go with it. Was this his intention? No idea. Maybe. But that’s my interpretation. I would give this five stars if only each track wasn’t so damn long. It’s an absolute joy to listen to, but some songs overstay their welcome a bit. On the whole, though, I loved it. Four solid stars. Standout Tracks: Wonder Wonder, Survival, Plenty Nonsense, No Shame, Changes
Funky, jazzy, inspirational, just a few songs that vamped too long
Good stuff had me singing along and everything. SOme songs were too repetitive. Mostly good upbeat vibes.
"Femi Kuti" is an uplifting afrobeat record from the son of the legendary Nigerian artist Fela Kuti. Based in London, Kuti incorporates Western (particularly jazz) influences to craft this album. The sound fits in extremely well to the World Music movement that was (arguably) started by David Bowie's "Lodger". The album is frantic, extremely danceable and larger than life. "Plenty Nonsense" indeed, in the best way possible!
Got worried when I saw the cover of this album thinking it was going to be the same as the previous African album we got. Track 1, Sax starts playing, then bass kicks in... all my worries went away and immediately fell in love! Great discovery :)
Great. I only knew him by name. The songs are long, but there's enough energy for even longer. Favorite song: plenty nonsense
Femi rules, but I'm sort of lacking the depth of knowledge to figure out if this is a 3, a 4, or a 5, so I'm splitting the difference and giving it a 4.
Another fine example of Afrobeat music. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-femi-kuti-by-femi-kuti?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Hey this was good!! I was not aware of this before but it was a great listen front-to-back
These guys are big time Kutis!
Pretty good. Kind of lengthy and at times I almost forgot it was on. 3-4 stars.
This is really good I particularly like all the Horns and drum.
Great album, lots of energy lots of fun. Never heard of him but definitely worth listening to.
Super groovy and fun listening, abit long for the kind of music it was. But will definitely give some his other stuff a listen! Survival was my favourite song.
I love this.
I really really enjoyed this. It’s super cool to listen to an album from one of the fathers of Afrobeats. This album is just cool. It’s fun, it’s a jam, it’s a vibe. Easily would throw this back into rotation.
Cool jazz band that was well blended with the classic African chanting. It went on a bit too long but I still enjoyed it
Vibey
Funky African tunes. Sometimes gives reggae vibes.
Hailing from the legendary Kuti-family it should come as no surprise that Femi Kuti delivers. Fiercely political and wonderfully groovy. Even the most opinionated folk singer will have a hard time keeping up with angry and oppressed African musicians.
"Fema Kuti" is the third album by Nigerian musician Fema Kuti. This album introduced an international audience to afrobeat. The album was released on Motown's Tabu Records and was produced by Kuti and Andy Lyden. A sax, guitar and African beat open "Wonder Wonder." The sax is carrying the melody with an underlying bass. The horns are giving this a jazz vibe and the beat had a African-Jamaican flair. Vocals come in halfway and Kuti wonders if Africa will ever unite. "Frustrations" uses even more horns with a similar song structure. Kuti now stressing the frustrations of a young man making it in society. Kuti begins talking about his problems in "Stubbor Problems." Jazzy horns and the beat kick in. Singing comes in midway through the song. This is really a jazzy jam. The album closes with "Changes." Here the beat is more afrocentric. The bass is also more the forefront. There are societal changes that we all must accept and get back to life. These songs use a lot of horns and the music comes off more in the jazz genre. The beats tend to be African and Jamaican. Most of the songs are in the six and nine minute length range and come off as jazzy jams which is fine by me. The vocals are at spots in songs with the lyrics typically stressing something significant (religion, war, societal problems, young man issues). Overall, it was a really good album that I will definitely listen to again.
I love a good afrobeat from time to time
Great vibes. Hope there's some Fela Kuti on here too. 4.5 🌟
Really fun one! I might have gone all the way to 5, but it went a little long. But I’ll definitely listen again.
A solid 4. A lot of fun beats and instrumentation going on. I could see me putting this on in the kitchen while I’m cooking.
Different, catchy, varied, upbeat and fun. This is the kind of variety in music I want to be exposed to via this exercise!
femi kuti mandando as mais braba do afrobeat
afrobeat não tem erro. um ABSURDO, jesus amado.
Sort of a big band version of bob marley? Maybe not for every day, but as a once off it was very good.
A solid, constant, consistent groove throughout a very long run time. Not all feels urgent, and, sadly, he will always be compared just a little bit less than favorably with his dad. But nonetheless, an enjoyable and compelling listen.
Wow, up there with his dad. Incredible
Soooo great! Full of character and life. It's supremely uplifting.
3.8 - It was good, sometimes was a bit to repetitive though
Good vibes kuti 4/5
I love this. This was a fun time. He’s nowhere near the talent his father had, but what he does have is a knack for making each song energetic and downright enjoyable to listen to. Wasn’t the most original for the 90s, but there were a couple moments here and there. 4/5
3.5 overall. Enjoyable to listen to all the way through even though the songs were long.
One's no Afrobeat connossieur, but, as the saying goes, if it sounds good ... and this is fiery and formidable throughout. The opener, "Wonder Wonder" is, well ... it's accurately titled, no? "Young Man's Blues" sounds how that part of that part of life feels. "Live for Today" is sound advice (as is "leave for today," which is what the singing sounds like). Each cut builds, rocks and flows and grooves, and then rocks and flows and grooves some more. Just great. And one can tell from the emotion and commitment in the music itself that one agrees with the politics.
Interesting, not necessarily my style but might need to give it a 2nd listen
I enjoyed this album. Really liked the bass and percussion and vocals are smooth. A real foot tapper. Will listen to this again 8/10
Digging it
Had a good time with this jazzy Afro beat album. Very positive messages as well
Loved the cheer and liveliness of it along with some great tunes
Very funky, I love it! I only wished it wasn't as full on the whole time, a bit more dynamics (quieter sections) would have been easier on the ears. But, fabulous musicianship and so much fun.
Definitely not my go to choice of music, but really enjoyed this diversion. Rich sounds.
Прикольная этно музыка. Звучит клево
A really good album, I liked Wonder Wonder, Frustrations and Plenty Nonsense.
Cool to hear something different, don’t listen to much African music
An interesting album. Songs were a little samey-samey for the length but good.
Really good funk/jazz 4.5
Great Album. Expected nothing and got everything. Good listen. Good uplifting jazz and tempo.
Þarna kemur aftur þessi gaur sem ég hlustaði á og fílaði í botn og ákvað að ég myndi hlusta á hann aftur og aftur og svo gleymdi ég honum. Sem betur fer kom önnur plata og hún var alveg jafn hressilega fersk og spennandi. Núna mun ég hlusta á hann oftar. Bannað að gleyma!
I'd never heard of Femi Kuti before listening to this album so I could only guess it was some funky African music based on the cover. I was not disappointed, you can help but dance to the intoxicating beats mixed with funk/jazz vocals and horns. I really enjoyed this album.
Aí sim, excelente indicação de afro beat, e achei que era do pai.
Pretty fun and fresh album, infectious drum beats and pleasant brass and bass.
stubbor priblems ufn
Really enjoyed this and would listen as background music again.
Really a very pleasing album. It will not be for everyone, but absolutely nothing is. What a contrast to the prior album I had by The Hives. They are from different continents, but sound like they are from different planets.
Pretty good
Femi carries on the musical and political legacy of his father with an awesome album.
This record is awesome - love the warm production and party vibe. Favourite tracks: Wonder Wonder, Frustrations, Nawa, No Shame.
Sounds just like Fela, but with better production. Sounds so clean and you can hear everything easily. I really want to give this 5 stars, but it's just too long. It would have been perfect around 40 minutes, but an hour and 13 minutes is too much for this genre for me. Compared to Fela's which are usually 30 minutes or less, Fela's stick with you much more
Fast paced, fun, and funky. I really liked this.
Obviously influenced by papa Fela, but an amazing rendition of the style. It suffers a bit under being part of the CD age's obsession with filling every single second of disk memory, but I honestly don't mind too much. I just view it as a package of energetic afrobeat, with a ton of songs that sound similar but raise different issues regarding the West African experience in a time where that was sorely needed.
A lot of fun. Great music and themes Standout songs: Survival Frustrations No Shame
Fresh and vibrant! Not transcendent like Fela’s best work, but as an introduction to afrobeat you could hardly ask for better.
Interesting fun African jazz sound. Great beat. Lovely sax.
The album is simply fun to listen to. Rhythms, horns, choir, a harmonious work.
Love the lengthy grooves!
wonder wonder frustrations nawa plenty nonsense stubbor problems
emi Kuti's eponymous album marks a significant milestone in the Afrobeat genre. Released in [year], it encapsulates the essence of Femi's musical prowess, political activism, and cultural heritage. This in-depth review dissects the album across various facets including lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, while also addressing its pros and cons. Lyrics: Femi Kuti's lyrics on this album are a poignant reflection of socio-political issues prevalent in Nigeria and Africa at large. He employs a blend of English, pidgin English, and Yoruba to convey his messages, enhancing the authenticity and relatability of his words. The themes range from corruption, poverty, and political injustice to love, unity, and hope. Femi's lyrics exhibit a rare balance of depth and accessibility, making them resonate with a diverse audience. Music: True to the Afrobeat tradition established by his father, Fela Kuti, Femi infuses the album with complex polyrhythms, infectious grooves, and horn-driven arrangements. The music pulsates with energy, inviting listeners to dance while also provoking contemplation. Femi's mastery of the saxophone shines through in captivating solos, adding layers of emotion and intensity to the tracks. The incorporation of traditional Yoruba percussion instruments further enriches the sonic tapestry, creating a dynamic and immersive musical experience. Production: The production of the album is stellar, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Femi Kuti and a team of seasoned musicians and producers. Each track is meticulously crafted, with attention to detail evident in the arrangement, mixing, and mastering. The production seamlessly blends analog warmth with modern digital clarity, striking a perfect balance that allows the raw energy of the performances to shine through. The album's sonic landscape is vibrant and multi-dimensional, capturing the essence of Afrobeat while also pushing the boundaries of contemporary production techniques. Themes: Thematically, the album delves into a wide array of issues, ranging from political corruption and social injustice to love, resilience, and cultural pride. Femi Kuti fearlessly confronts the challenges facing his society, using his music as a platform for advocacy and activism. His lyrics are imbued with a sense of urgency and defiance, urging listeners to stand up against oppression and fight for positive change. At the same time, the album celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Africa, promoting unity and solidarity among its people. Through his music, Femi Kuti encourages hope and resilience in the face of adversity, inspiring listeners to strive for a better future. Influence: Femi Kuti's influence on contemporary music, particularly within the Afrobeat genre, cannot be overstated. As the torchbearer of his father's legacy, he has continued to push the boundaries of Afrobeat while also incorporating elements of jazz, funk, and reggae into his sound. His infectious grooves and socially conscious lyrics have inspired a new generation of musicians both in Africa and around the world. Femi's commitment to using his platform for positive change has earned him widespread respect and admiration, solidifying his status as a cultural icon and musical pioneer. Pros: Authentic representation of Afrobeat tradition while incorporating modern influences. Powerful and socially relevant lyrics that resonate with a diverse audience. Dynamic and energetic musical performances, showcasing Femi Kuti's exceptional musicianship. Stellar production quality, blending analog warmth with contemporary clarity. Thought-provoking themes that address pressing socio-political issues while celebrating African culture and resilience. Cons: Limited experimentation with musical structures and arrangements may leave some listeners craving more innovation. The album's dense lyrical content may require multiple listens to fully appreciate and digest. Certain tracks may feel repetitive or formulaic, lacking the element of surprise or spontaneity. In conclusion, Femi Kuti's self-titled album stands as a testament to his artistic vision, musical talent, and unwavering commitment to social change. Through its powerful lyrics, infectious grooves, and vibrant production, the album offers a compelling glimpse into the heart and soul of contemporary Afrobeat. While it may not be without its flaws, its overall impact and significance cannot be denied. Femi Kuti has crafted a timeless work of art that will continue to inspire and resonate with audiences for years to come.
Pretty good, I love the call and response on this! You definitely need to be in the right mood for it tho
Class! Did not know this man had a son!
Frustrations and Plenty Nonsense are amazing. Too long. Cut like 20-30 minutes and this would be really great overall. 🪘 Low 4
Apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Nice utilization of 90's tech and song progressions taking where his father left off to it's natural progression, without compromising artistic merit. Working this one into the rotation more often. Great collection of work!
This was a vibe. Very into it. Throw up some more cool shit like this please game.
Really liked this entire thing. Great to work to. Second African album after Fela Kuti and have loved both. Rating: 4.4
Very lively. Enjoyed the sound and energy.
Música africana animada. Un 4.
Favorite Tracks: Frustration and Plenty Nonsense.
this is amazing afrobeats 8.1/10
groovy and optimistic beats and teachings from the heart of nigeria. blissful and reflective lyrics that discuss life as it is. the drums awaken the soul, the voices of the choirs make you wanna sing along... this album is just fun. really really fun, just standing up and clapping along is the mood i get.
Best Song: Live For Today. The musical equivalent of getting in your car, getting on the highway, and putting your foot through the accelerator. All gas no brakes in the best possible way. Worst Song: Changes. Understandable, but had maybe the lowest energy of any track on the album. Overall: Most bands wish they had an ounce of the energy of this album. Every track has a frenetic, get-up-outta-your-seat energy that roils in this perfect groove, extending into 9 minute songs that still end up feeling too short. If this doesn't make you want to dance, you're already dead.
It's a totally listenable album but when your dad is Fela Kuti you've got some big shoes to fill, and I found this album nothing special.
Solid album gets close to Fela but has his own thing going. I can dig it, would make fine setbreak and possible festival camping music
Funky but fun. Not sure I could listen to it everyday but it feels like the type of variety you’d expect on a list like this.
Man what is this, jazz fusion? Damn fantastic, so much soul and passion with the songs. 3.8
Really enjoyable
Good, fun to listen to in the background but not a record I play often
Great rhythmic work and use of call and response. Risked dragging on a bit with some samey tracks, but I imagine as you get to know it that isn't the case.
Of course I was going to like this. He's the son of Fela Kuti, who's "Zombie" I _adored_ on this list. One thing I did not like is the ending to one or two songs. They kind of just fizzled out, like there wasn't an idea of how to end the song ("Nawa" in particular). A lot of the songs seem to have just an A-A-A-A and not an A-B-A-B form, there's not as much variation as there is a buildup with nowhere to go. I still liked it a lot, but going from one form to another would have been a welcome change. Top tracks: "Changes," "Wonder Wonder"
I wasn't blown away by the opening track Wonder Wonder and that had me thinking his dad is better. But Survival was wicked from the get go - 3 minutes before any vocals and it kicks ass. And the album just hums along through to Nawa and Pretty Nonsense. Maybe because Fela was so political I was also a bit disappointed in the more idealistic tone of the first song. But Femi ups his game and the sharp lyrics as the album progresses. Some notable songs with lyrics to pay attention to are Stubborn Problems (a bit cheeky at the beginning), Live for Today, and Changes. I still think his dad is better. But this was pretty good, especially upon multiple listens.
It's definitely really good but im not sure its something id be revisiting a lot
listened not knowing what to expect and wow, what a pleasant surprise for a saturday morning. the album is full of good vibes, blending afrobeat rhythms with catchy melodies. it's upbeat, vibrant, and just radiates positive energy. didn't know music could lift my spirits like this. sure, some parts are a bit repetitive, but the overall feel-good factor of the album is undeniable. great for anyone looking to brighten up their day.
Very good, definitely a fun follow up to his dad's stuff, although I think the album was a bit too bloated for my tastes.
Wasn’t really my thing but it won me over
As a big burna boy fan, this hit great. 4.5
A groovy mix of reggae and big band. I dig.
Energizing. I can’t deny an afrobeat groove, and why would I want to? On first listen, not as impactful as Fela, but definitely passionate and political.
Such a great time! Tune after tune, really helped me w doing some work before brunch. I knew of Fela Kuti but not of his son so I am glad to have listened to this album!!!
Flaming saxophone!
I’m too white for this.
One of the best world albums: felt like a very western take of a world album which is kinda bad of me to say I really enjoyed. I felt the structures were well crafted and there were a couple songs I could see myself adding to a playlist here and there.
This is pretty fire. Drags on a bit after a while and I feel like some these tracks can be trimmed a minute or two. Sax is slick.
Fast paced jazz with addition of drums and other percussion from African folk music. Quite intense at times. There is some really good sax playing on there. Some songs have vocals, which is a mix between English and what I assume is an African language. Long, banging solo parts in many of the songs too. Found this very catchy!
reggae jazzy, nice listening
Very funky, loved the grooves. It'd make great ambience music, I might play it again next time I do a deep clean!
Being pretty familiar with Fela Kuti, I probably shouldn't be surprised that his son also makes incredibly fun and catchy political afrobeat music. Given it's a little later than that era, the production has caught up a bit more and can really bring the music to life (but they really should've turned the kick drum down a little, jesus christ).
Erfrischender, teils urwaldlich klingender Afrobeat
Not my normal fare, but really enjoyable for what it is.
Enjoyed listening to this album that combines African and Jazz sounds. Definitely had never heard of him before and looks like his father may be the more impactful artist, will have to give him a listen. Overall though, another unique album to add to my list of "jazz-y" albums that I appreciate.
3.5 way too long but at parts sounds incredibly similar to Dave Matthew’s Band. Drum mixing is very intriguing as well.
Wikipedia said it's made to be an intro to Afrobeats, and it was indeed a very solid intro. 3.5 but rounds up.
Lekkere muziek, maar wel veel van hetzelfde. ;)
Mesmerizing, beautiful, transporting. Love all the instruments
an interesting mix of jazzy funky afrobeat ska videogame / elevator music. If you upped the tempo on this a bit, it would be excellent BGM for a Cowboy Bebop-esque chase scene. 3.5/5
Upbeat african jazz
enjoyed the bops
Exceed the little expectations I had. Somewhat profound lyrics with excellent instrumentals, great listen!
Afrobeat funk jazz. Love it. Think of Remain In Light side A along with Fela Kuti 1970 funk jazz. Lots of sax and trumpet.
Rally good
Really good, bordering on great. Crosses from afro beat to funk and soul, with hip-hop influences popping up as well. An interesting and engaging listen, from an artist I had not encountered before
I enjoyed this album more than I anticipated I would. I would not purchase the album and would not necessarily revisit it frequently, but I think for the way he makes Afrobeat music (that's the name, I guess) so accessible then this album would be a must-listen. Listening to this album while doing some work would be enjoyable and I do like how Femi makes the songs so original while also staying true to what he wants the sound to be.
My second bit of afrobeat in the 1001 and it’s another banger
Nice album :)
I don’t want to compare Femi Kuti too much to his father, because even though this music is entirely owed to Fela’s inventions, it stands well on it’s own. Perhaps the album could be shorter, but then the issue isn’t one of losing interest. It’s more ”too much a good thing”, you know?
Dehä va ultra chill
Right up my street here and I've listened to some Femi Kuti before. I do like this type of west African vibe, although this doesn't quite hit the heights of Orchestra Baobab. I do appreciate the political edge to some of this though and the whole package is something I'll choose to listen to again.
Orchestral-funk. The lyrics are political and an introspective look into Nigerian culture. The music absolutely kicks in and the largeness of the band is very present. The music makes you want to dance and move. Femi has a great singing style. I would pair this music with the other dancing international tracks like Tito Puente when I’m feeling adventurous and want the tunes to move my body. Loved the big bad sound here.
One of the classics of the Afrobeat genre. I appreciate it but over a while the album's tracks blend a bit into each other. There are no clear highlights, at least to my untrained ear in this genre. I enjoyed it though.
Fun, energetic. Great all the way through.
I actually liked this quite a lot. Maybe because it was a nice breeze of being something else than rock. Even saved some songs. I think some of the songs were a bit long though and dragged on for too long.
I was not expecting anything coming into this. There is what I think is a saxophone on the cover and its running time was well over 1 hour, two clear warning signs in my mind. I put the album on and got to work. While working i found myself bopping my head along to the tracks. They hit just right with its funk, groove and jazz influences. Before i knew it I'd listened to the whole album and was never bored even though I hadn't heard a single song before.
Could be a 5 actually Awesome grooves so good 4
Yeah this kicked ass. Shaka Zulu take notes
A really good listen, good afrobeats
I'm a bigger fan of the more longform, experimental stuff his father does, but Femi does a great job here in channeling his energy while doing his own thing and creating more catchy, digestible songs.
You know I wasn't sure at first, because the songs were pretty long, but this one got through to me. Loving the heavy African influence over some awesome jazz
A good surprise.
As always, I am so so happy when I see an album on this list come up, that's from another country. Really cool to experience other culture's music. This was very upbeat, positive, and easy to listen to.
Æðisleg plata!
Great African music.Brought me immediately in a summer vibes like on Copacabana festival. Great one to relisten in the summer 😉.
I enjoyed this. I’ll definitely listen again.
Femi Kuti took a page off of his dad's work, and made music that might be better than that of his old man. These are great, danceable songs that are performed with a whole lot of charisma. Afrobeat is cool! Standouts were Wonder Wonder & Stubbor Problems.
I've never really listened to afrobeat before this, but damn this record is good. The songs run long but are all so fun and lively I never got bored listening to it. Favorite track: Frustrations
rad