Many Things

2009 release from Seun Kuti, the third son to be recognized by Afro legend Fela Kuti. Apart from the erotic Fire Dance, every track on this CD is a pulsing, ravaging political pamphlet against the corruption and carelessness of African leaders. On this album we are left in no doubt of Seun's credentials as the worthy heir of Fela Kuti's hardline militancy. With the same energetic and booming voice as Fela, Seun has added his own raging rhythm clearly influenced by Rap (he cites Chuck D, Dr. Dre and Eminem among his musical heroes), but this album clearly stakes it's claim as a flag-bearer of contemporary Afrobeat, with a distinctly traditional aspect. It's not surprising Seun's band sounds so good, as two thirds of the Egypt 80 musicians served under Fela himself. Seun can even count Barack Obama as a fan, as it was only with Obama's direct intervention that the band were able to gain visa's for their first US tour.