Jazz breaking news: Fela Kuti Felabration hits London
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
A homage to the life and legacy of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, and a celebration of the recent release of the AIDS charity compilation Red Hot + Fela is set to take place on 14 December at the 229 Venue, London, and is part of international celebrations to mark what would have been Afrobeat-icon’s 75th birthday.
Others taking place include a weeklong Felabration festival in Lagos organised by the Kuti family at the New Afrika Shrine, alongside 13 Felabration concerts across the US, one in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil and this week’s one in London. As well as the release new Red Hot + Fela album are another tranche of back-catalogue Fela reissues on Knitting Factory Records including Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense, Original Suffer Head / ITT, Live In Amsterdam, Army Arrangement, Beasts Of No Nation / ODOO and Underground System.
Among the stellar cast of performers taking part in the London concert are flamboyant soul jazz divas Shingai Shoniwa (Noisettes), Eska, Zee Gachette (Z-Star) and rappers/singers Olugbenga (Metronomy), Baloji, Sam Duckworth (Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly), TY and Blak Twang, all voicing their interpretations of classic Fela songs, aided and abetted by the musical backdrop provided by The Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra led by keyboard player Dele Sosimi, who formerly played and toured with Fela’s Egypt 80 band.
The gig also marks the launch of the Red Hot + Fela album/compilation containing new interpretations of Fela songs such as ‘Zombie’ and ‘Go Slow’ by a raft of top drawer artists including Angelique Kidjo, ?uestlove (The Roots) and M1 (Dead Prez). The album blends authentic Afrobeat grooves with contemporary dance beats, moving Fela Kuti’s music style into the 21st century. All profits from this album go towards HIV/AIDS education and relief worldwide.
– Monika Demmler
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