Feel Good Music: Nightmares On Wax's Favourite Albums | Page 5 of 14 | The Quietus

Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

4. Fela KutiLive!

I’ve been a fan of Fela Kuti since a friend gave me a copy of Army Arrangement in 1989. I started collecting his records when I was going digging. He’s had an incredible career, recording something like 36 albums. This particular performance, because it’s a live album with Ginger Baker, it had a different twist to his Afrobeat stuff. I think it was recorded in New York in 1971. There’s only four songs on the whole album, but they all go on for ages. It’s like an African version of James Brown with a Ginger Baker twist. It goes somewhere else. I think the melodies are a lot more solid. I love Fela Kuti’s discordant, edgy grooves, but the Ginger Baker element gives it a classical touch. I wish I’d been there when they recorded it. It’s such an energetic record. Ginger gives it a jazz influence, but in a melodic way, not so experimental. He brought more melody and colour to what Fela does – that’s not to say Fela can’t be colourful, but he can be really down and dirty with this pulsing Afrobeat going on.

Selected in other Baker’s Dozens: Julian Barratt, Ginger Baker
PreviousNext Record

Previously Read

The Quietus Digest

Sign up for our free Friday email newsletter.

Support The Quietus

Our journalism is funded by our readers. Become a subscriber today to help champion our writing, plus enjoy bonus essays, podcasts, playlists and music downloads.

Support & Subscribe Today