Fela!

by Fela Kuti

Overview

Judging only by the music on this recording, there's a reason that the Broadway musical Fela! is a hit: it kicks. While it's true that the original cast recording is no substitute for Fela Kuti's own records, this studio production of music and narrative is drenched with passion, groove, and chops. There are a number of reasons for this. First, the songs are Kuti's; second, the studio band -- also from the stage production -- is none other than the Afrobeat orchestra Antibalas, backing the cast. The show begins inside Kuti's club, called "the Shrine," and he begins narrating the tale of how he came to create Afrobeat in a land ruled by military dictatorship. The musical uses Kuti's tunes to address various chapters in his life, from his leaving Nigeria for Los Angeles and then returning to his home country after being inspired by the revolutionary change in American culture in the late '60s, only to be oppressed brutally by the Nigerian government and imprisoned, not once but twice. Well-known Kuti anthems such as "Expensive Shit," "Teacher," "Trouble Sleep," "I.T.T.," "Zombie," "Torture," and "Coffin for Head of State" are used as cues in the narrative. Throughout, Kuti is haunted by the ghost of his mother (whose theme song here is "Trouble Sleep"), who ultimately becomes a Muse. There is an education to be had while moving your feet and shaking your ass on this set. It is not only a pointer for those who have seen the show, but an accessible document for those who are curious about Kuti's story and music. (Snag The Best of the Black President for an actual introduction to Kuti's amazing Afrobeat sounds.) If cast recordings are your thing, this one will hit you in the head with its intensity; if you're a cynic about musicals, this may be the one time you can suspend your disbelief without regret. ~ Thom Jurek

Product Details

Release Date:	06/08/2010
Label:	Knitting Factory Records
UPC:	0720841110323

Tracks

1. Everything Scatter  - Aaron Johnson  - Fela Kuti  - Jim Lewis  - Jordan McLean
2. BID (Breaking It Down): High Life (Medzi Medzi)/Yellow Fever  - Aaron Johnson  - Ismael Kouyate  - Fela Kuti  - Jim Lewis  - Jordan McLean  - E.T. Mensah
3. Trouble Sleep  - Aaron Johnson  - Fela Kuti  - Jim Lewis  - Jordan McLean
4. Teacher  - Aaron Johnson  - Fela Kuti  - Jim Lewis  - Jordan McLean
5. Black President (Scene)  - Aaron Johnson  - Fela Kuti  - Jim Lewis  - Jordan McLean
6. Lover  - Aaron Johnson  - Fela Kuti  - Jim Lewis  - Jordan McLean
7. Upside Down  - Aaron Johnson  - Fela Kuti  - Jim Lewis  - Jordan McLean
8. Expensive Shit  - Aaron Johnson  - Fela Kuti  - Jim Lewis  - Jordan McLean
9. I.T.T. (International Thief Thief)  - Aaron Johnson  - Fela Kuti  - Jim Lewis  - Jordan McLean
10. Kere Kay  - Aaron Johnson  - Fela Kuti  - Jim Lewis  - Jordan McLean
11. Water No Get Enemy  - Aaron Johnson  - Fela Kuti  - Jim Lewis  - Jordan McLean
12. Torture (Scene)  - Aaron Johnson  - Fela Kuti  - Jim Lewis  - Jordan McLean
13. Zombie  - Aaron Johnson  - Fela Kuti  - Jim Lewis  - Jordan McLean
14. Trouble Sleep (Reprise)  - Aaron Johnson  - Fela Kuti  - Jim Lewis  - Jordan McLean
15. Na Poi  - Aaron Johnson  - Fela Kuti  - Jim Lewis  - Jordan McLean
16. Sorrow, Tears and Blood  - Aaron Johnson  - Fela Kuti  - Jim Lewis  - Jordan McLean
17. Sorrow After Testimonials (Scene/Interlude)  - Aaron Johnson  - Fela Kuti  - Jim Lewis  - Jordan McLean
18. Dance of the Orisas (Shakara)  - Aaron Johnson  - Ismael Kouyate  - Fela Kuti  - Jim Lewis  - Jordan McLean
19. Rain  - Aaron Johnson  - Fela Kuti  - Jim Lewis  - Jordan McLean
20. Coffin for Head of State  - Aaron Johnson  - Fela Kuti  - Jim Lewis  - Jordan McLean
21. Kere Kay (Act II)  - Aaron Johnson  - Fela Kuti  - Jim Lewis  - Jordan McLean
22. Gentleman (Bows)  - Aaron Johnson  - Fela Kuti  - Jim Lewis  - Jordan McLean

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Alex Harding   Sax (Baritone),Percussion
Stuart Bogie   Saxophone,Percussion,Sax (Tenor)
Jordan McLean   Trumpet,Musical Director
Ismael Kouyate   Chant
Bill T. Jones   Director
Sahr Ngaujah   Featured Artist
Kevin Mambo   Featured Artist
Jeremy Wilms   Bass,Keyboards,Percussion
Dylan Fusillo   Percussion
Aaron Johnson   Trombone,Conductor,Keyboards,Music Direction
Greg Gonzalez   Drums,Percussion
Yoshihiro Takemasa   Percussion
Ricardo Quinones   Guitar,Percussion
Oren Bloedow   Guitar,Percussion

Technical Credits

Jordan McLean   Arranger,Composer
Rikki Stein   Liner Notes
Mario X. Soto   Production Assistant
Michael Keller   Music Coordinator
Darrell McClanahan   Mastering
Stephen Hendel   Concept,Executive Producer
Bill T. Jones   Book,Concept,Choreographer
Fela Kuti   Composer,Lyricist
E.T. Mensah   Composer
Adam Long   Mixing,Editing,Engineer
Mike Bauer   Associate Engineer
Robert Sher   Mixing,Editing,Producer
Marina Draghici   Scenic Design,Costume Design
Robert Wierzel   Lighting Design
John Tiggeloven   Technical Supervisor
Aaron Johnson   Arranger,Composer,Supervisor,Orchestration
Jim Lewis   Book,Concept,Composer,Lyricist,Liner Notes
Jason Buell   Associate Producer
Antibalas   Music Consultant
Brandon Wardell   Producer
Helen Zuckerman   Production Assistant
Peter Nigrini   Projection
Roy Gabay   General Manager
Monique Carboni   Cover Photo,Production Photography
Jody Daily   Illustrations
Van Dean   Package Design
Ahmir Thompson   Associate Producer
Jon Goldman   Production Stage Manager
Cookie Jordan   Make-Up,Hair Stylist,Wig Designer
Linda Marvel   Stage Manager
Chris Aniello   Company Manager
Daniel Kuney   Company Manager
Hilary Austin   Stage Manager
Christopher Deathrage   Production Assistant
Robert Kaplowitz   Sound Design
Maija Garcia   Associate Choreographer
Niegel Smith   Associate Director
Jay Janicki   Technical Supervisor
Arnold J. Mungioli   Casting