Fela Kuti fans celebrate rhythm method

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Jan. 30, 2004 | 8:24 a.m.

A few years ago, piecing together Fela Kuti's considerable catalog was a trying (not to mention expensive) venture for fans of the Nigerian bandleader.

Rare vinyl records and pricey import CDs were the primary sources of Fela's work from the 1970s and '80s, preventing many from discovering his acclaimed African rhythms.

In 2001, however, MCA Records took a major step toward rectifying that situation, reissuing many of Fela's best albums. Most are packaged two to a disc, helping to ensure the music can be obtained at more affordable rates.

The pairing of 1971's "Open & Close" and 1973's "Afrodisiac" provides an excellent point of entry for those unfamiliar with Fela's legacy. The two albums take listeners on an upbeat trip through some of the man's best compositions.

Fela's story is one of the most unique in the annals of world music. Born in Nigeria and educated in London, the vocalist/keyboardist/saxophonist launched an Afro-beat movement that swept not only through the African continent but also to many points beyond.

Fela's lyrics -- which combine English and African dialects -- made him an enemy of the state in his home country. His anti-military stance landed him in prison on several occasions before his 1997 death and, according to the disc's liner notes, resulted in the death of his mother when the Nigerian government stormed his property.

As you might expect from such a revolutionary figure, many of Fela's tracks bristle with decidedly political themes. That's not true of the standout title track on "Open & Close," however.

Rather, that 15-minute song is a merry romp, in which Fela describes the movements to his "Open & Close" stage dance.

Fela's Africa '70 ensemble, known to swell as large as 70 members for live performances, is scaled back to a dozen musicians on each of these albums. Spearheaded by Tony Allen's fluid drumming, Fela's groovy keyboard solos and a fiery horn section, the band creates an amazingly danceable experience for their listeners.

The four tracks that make up "Afrodisiac" are equally intense, with energy building toward passionate closing cut "Je'Nwi Temi (Don't Gag Me)."

Fans of jazz, reggae or world music, as well as those who listen to jam bands, will likely enjoy Fela's groundbreaking efforts. Most of MCA's reissues are worth owning, particularly those from the 1970s, including "Confusion/ Gentleman," "Monkey Banana/Excuse O" and "Zombie."

Artist: Fela Ransome Kuti & The Africa '70.

Title: "Open & Close"/"Afrodisiac."

Year of release: 1971/1973 (reissued 2001, MCA Records).

Tracklisting: ("Open & Close":) "Open & Close," "Swegbe and Pako," "Gbagada Gbagada Gbogodo Gbogodo," ("Afrodisiac":) "Alu Jon Jonki Jon," "Jeun Ko Ku (Chop'n Quench)," "Eko Ile," Je'Nwi Temi (Don't Gag Me)."