Usually, the station’s newly added albums are fresh off the block, offering new sounds from debuting artists or evolving ones. Makes sense, right? But this week, we received a special treat: Vintage hits from Fela Kuti’s golden era. And sure enough, they’ve rocketed to the top.
For those of you who aren’t yet familiar with the guy, Fela was a Nigerian bandleader and a–rather, THE–pioneer of Afro-Beat music. It’s rhythmic, it’s funky, it’s politically charged. It’s the crux of a ginormous culture throughout Nigeria and beyond. And we’re STOKED to see its revival, in all of its grungy, unmastered glory.
The release is a collection of previously unreleased songs (live AND studio-recorded to boot) with his group at the time, Koola Lobitos. Here’s a good example of what’s offered:
And now, the list you’ve all been waiting for:
Fela Ransome Kuti and his Koola Lobitos ~ Highlife-Jazz and Afro-Soul (1963-1969)
Andrea Beaton ~ Little Black Book
Bombino ~ Azel
Eva Salina ~ Lema Lema
Idan Raichel ~ At The Edge Of The Beginning
Julia Vorontsova ~ Over
Noctambule ~ The Waking
Rokia Traore ~ Ne So
Zmei3 ~ Rough Romanian Soul
Baaba Maal ~ The Traveler