Customer Reviews

Gentleman / Confusion

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Anyone who thinks they know something about funk, groove music or world beat and doesn't own a handful of Kuti's LP'S is both a poseur and charlatan. It's that simple, as harsh as it sounds. Afrobeat was his invention, he put it on the map and had no equal during the 60's or 70's and would be a household name like James Brown if his political leanings didn't keep him persecuted, incarcerated and tortured by his government during the 80's. These two LP's are among his finest and come highly recommended, along with 'London Scene/Shakara', 'Open And Close/ Afrodisiac', 'Inside Out' and 'Rofororo Fight', among others. Non-stop percolating rhythms, punctuating horns, call and response vocals, fiery horn solos and Fela's social and political diatribes keep things constantly sizzling, searing and smoking. No joke, on a funk level, some of his recordings make James Brown and George Clinton sound like the Captain and Tennille - if you're not familiar, I invite you to indulge, imbibe and intoxicate yourself immediately.

This album is so good it's actually painful to listen to and then go back to the dreary world of (so called) 21st century music. "Gentleman" hits and hits on so many levels theres now a need to create a new level solely on the basis that some of the licks on this record actually exist. the groove at times reaches levels that brink on ridiculous insanity, it's too easy to straight loose yourself and wonder how in the hell music could have been this good at one time. in short "Gentleman" is an epic of afro-beat that should not be missed.

Fela Kuti's Gentleman and Confusion are here on one CD. This is a great CD that has the 25-minute Confusion (Parts 1 & 2) and then Gentleman, Fefe Naa Efe, and IGBE in 31 minutes of additional audio. If you like Fela, He totally rocks on this album. The Gentleman version is the typical version that I have on several albums, but the other songs fly along, too. Confusion totally jams at about the five minute mark and beyond. It's the greatest music for navigating rush hour traffic along Interstate 5 near Seattle. Be ready to move. Fela is the greatest. Ever.