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CD: Femi Kuti & Made Kuti: Legacy+
Fela Anikulapo Kuti not only left behind gripping, pulsating music with radical songs, but also two descendants who carry on his legacy. His son Femi Kuti and his grandson Made Kuti move to new horizons with this afrobeat album.
With new ideas and a lot of energy. Everyone in their own way. Femi Kuti has now published a joint work with his son Made Kuti. The special thing about Legacy+ is that everyone produced a record. Stop the Hate is the work of Father Femi. Classic Afrobeat with jazzy influences. Skilled choir singing, repetitive song structures. In addition, dense brass sections. As always, politically committed. In the tradition of Fela, but with a clear reference to present-day circumstances - against corruption, the pitfalls of the privatization of important parts of the economy, the robbery of land or the hostage of racism. Also on For(e)ward, the production by Made, the content is without compromise, but shorter and more concise. The song Free Your Mind shows well where the journey is going. The big difference to Femi's production is that Made recorded the record practically single-handedly. A new form of Afrobeat has emerged. Different styles of music are incorporated. Powerful funk can be heard. The music is not watered down in any way. The lyrics come as singing, as well as in the spoken word. A great album. In addition to all the house and electronic productions that have reached us from South Africa, there are also younger musicians who remember the soundtrack of the anti-apartheid struggle.
[This review was originally published in German by Pius Frey for the Africa Bulletin.]