Shakara / London Scene

This is a fantastic Fela album. The musicians are clearly heard the songs original and a fine example of Africa 70.

I came across Fela purly by chance. Jazz is mainly my thing from coltrane-lonnie smith, but Fela ticks so many musical boxes, theres something for everyone tastes with fela. This is the only fela cd i have and so im not able to compare this to any of his other albums but i gave it 5* in comparason to other funk i have heard.I have brought 10 for xmas presents! IF you like funk check out Herbie Hankcocks 1974 album Head Hunters.

Good Album

This disc serves up two amazing Fela albums on one CD. "Shakara" was originally released in 1971, after the band had returned from an eye-opening excursion to America in the late '60s. In Los Angeles, Fela had met Sandra Isadore, an anthropology student and supporter of the Black Panther Party, who turned him on to the literature of Black activism and Malcolm X. This newfound cultural insight, coupled with the infectious soul music of the time, became the inspiration for what he dubbed 'Afrobeat,' a mix of the jazz and highlife style of his earlier work and the funk of James Brown. With lyrics reflecting his political awakening (sung alternately in pidgin English and his native Yoruba) and movements extending past the ten minute mark, these tracks aren't songs so much as they are workouts. The title cut aims at braggarts, while the undeniable groove of "Lady," a jab at Westernized African women, offers up the magic of Igo Chico's tenor sax along with Fela's spacey organ riffs. The relentless shuffle of Tony Allen's fantastic drumming holds the whole act together. "London Scene," from 1972, features five more jams from The Africa 70, including "Egbe Mi O," recorded live with Ginger Baker. Out of a catalog of over 75 releases, it's tough to find a bad Fela album. Curious listeners could certainly do worse than start with this CD.

TOP NOTCH AFRICAN MUSIC FROM THE KING OF AFROBEAT-ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL MUSIC!EVERY HOME SHOULD OWN THIS!

Die Musik ist eine Art Big-Band-Funk mit afrikanischen Trommeln. Scharfe Bläser-Riffs, ein cool swingendes E-Piano, Backgroundchöre immer wieder vorangetrieben von Felas emotionalen Pidgin-Gesang. Auf dieser CD sind 2 Alben von Fela Kuti vereinigt. Fela's London Scene von 1971 und Shakara erschienen ein Jahr später. Gerade letzteres Album hebt richtig ab. Das ganze Album besteht nur aus 2 Stücken, beide über 13 Minuten lang. Trotz dieser Länge kommt doch keine Sekunde Langeweile auf. Sie grooven ohne Ende - im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes. Fans von James Brown, Bob Marley und von Herbie Hancocks Headhunters sollten da unbedingt zugreifen.

This one is my Fela's favorite music.Still the best !!!This music will be always loved by humanity, and for eternity.

Fantastic album. By chance I heard this album in a restaurant and now Fela goes with me everywhere. The first track is off the hook.

I'm a huge fan of James Brown. After listening to something like The Payback, there is only one place to turn for solace. That's Fela Kuti and the Africa 70. The beats are big, the rhythms African, and the horns are like the light from a thousand suns. Shakara/London Scene is one of my favorite Fela Kuti albums. It will take you to funk Nirvana.

I found out about Fela Kuti through listening to Antibalas. Both bands create a great vibe and can really stretch a song. Unlike most FK albums which seem to have only one or two tracks, this one has seven. If I were going to complain about anything on this disc it would be the brassiness. A little more guitar and a little less horn would appeal to my ear. Oh well.