Best of the Black President (Dig)

Fela Kuti | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 26, 2009)
• Original Release Date: October 26, 2009
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Knitting Factory Works
• ASIN: B002OPZ30G
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,117 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #1 in Music > World Music > Africa > Nigeria
  • #8 in Music > World Music > Africa > General
  • #8 in Music > World Music > Africa > General AAS

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Lady

2. Shakara

3. Gentleman [Edit Version] [Version]

4. Water No Get Enemy [Edit Version] [Version]

5. Zombie

6. Sorrow Tears and Blood

7. No Agreement, Pt. 2

Disc: 2

1. Roforofo Fight

2. Shuffering and Shmiling, Pt. 2

3. Coffin for Head of State, Pt. 2

4. I T T, Pt. 2

5. Army Arrangement, Pt. 2

6. O.D.O.O. [Edit Version] [Version]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of the compilation CDs, July 5, 2010

By 

doctormanny (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Best of the Black President (Dig) (Audio CD)

The "Afrobeat" music of Fela Kuti is highly infectious and addicting. The lyrics frequently are full of anger and rage about political and racial injustices, and the music is always both hard edged and hypnotic. Trust me, you can't listen to this music passively--it's so engaging that you can help but rock your body to the groove. Fela Kuti was a giant in the history of African "world music" and as many other reviewers have noted, his status is on par with the likes of Bob Marley, John Coltrane, and James Brown, in terms of how he pushed the envelope of his musical genre. It really is a crying shame that more people are not aware of this amazing artist. In my opinion "The Best of the Black President," which, by the way, actually is the exact same CD as "The Best Best of Fela Kuti" is the best of the Fela compilation CDs out there, with the Fela Kuti Anthology, Volume 2, being a close second. All of the songs are great. As others have noted, however, of the 13 songs on this double CD, 8 of them are presented in an edited or abridged form. This was necessitated by the fact that, in their original form, many of the songs were over 25 minutes long, which would have limited the number of songs on each disc to about three. None of the songs feels clipped, and since all but two of the songs run about 10 minutes or more, you probably would not perceive them as having been shortened. This CD may not be for purists, but it is a great introduction to the Afrobeat music of Fela Kuti, and I still listen to it periodically even though I subsequently have purchased many of the original recordings, most of which have been reissued in a "twofer" format (i.e., two original albums put together on one disk). Be forewarned, after listening to the edited versions of some of the songs on this CD, you may find yourself feeling compelled to get the originals and hear the extended jamming that is not included here. Highly, highly recommended.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unreal, January 3, 2010

By 

R. Lister "burblet" (Palo Alto, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Best Of The Black President (MP3 Download)

This is something like *three hours* of superb stuff for $5: you'd be insane not to take this opportunity to try out Fela Kuti, often described as "Africa's Bob Marley." Like Bob Marley, it's "international" music that doesn't require you to rub your goatee beard appreciatively: it rocks! it's incredibly funky! he sings about hiding his stash from the Nigerian police! and sex! It's party music and is one of the first things I'd reach for to pick me up on a gray day.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good lord, download this immediately!, December 27, 2009

By 

Philippe Brand - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Best Of The Black President (MP3 Download)

13 blazing Fela tracks for $5??? Get this immediately.... if you don't know Fela, you'll be glad you did, and if you already love Fela, this is a great deal....