Review

Femi Kuti: Africa For Africa (Wrasse)

Femi and the band deliver just what you want and need in an afrobeat album; rhythm, power, blazing brass and that wonderful feeling that makes your feet jiggle in their slippers enticing you to knock the Ovaltine away and dance the night through with gay abandon.

From the off, with the opener Dem Bobo, you’re treated to politics Nigeria style backed up by some of the tightest playing I’ve had the pleasure to hear for quite some time. Big, bold and smack-bang in yer face – just how I like it.

The album thunders along from there-on with faster and slower tempo tracks such as the frantic Can’t Buy Me and the mellower Bad Government, while Now You See is THE track on Africa For Africa with straining organ, shuffling percussion and stabbing brass that fair knocks your wig off with its power. A jazzy guitar runs in and then trades chops with the brass before leading into Femi’s affirmation of ‘now you see the things I see and feel the things I feel’ in the so-called democracy of Nigeria. There aren’t many lyrics and really it’s a showcase for his exemplary band to shine, and boy do they!

It really is a great album and quite likely one of Femi’s best so far with a more mature and cohesive feel to the songs and stunning playing throughout.

Go-on buy it – you know want an early Christmas present.
Words MICHAEL DE KONINGH