Underground Spiritual Game

Fela Kuti | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 7, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Quannum Projects
• ASIN: B0002OOUNW
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #178,199 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #34 in Music > World Music > Africa > Nigeria

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Many of Fela Kuti's albums have been reissued since his death from AIDS in 1997, but the Underground Spiritual Game is different kind of effort. The 12 tracks on this compilation are reassembled by Blackalicious's Chief Xcel, who seamlessly fuses them all together into one unstoppable Afro-funk groove. Xcel adds a few bits of spoken word and samples to help the in-between song flow, but he thankfully leaves the meat of the songs alone. Featuring material from throughout Kuti's career -- from his Koola Lobitos 1960s stuff to Africa 70 to Egypt 80--Underground highlights include "Unnecessary Begging," "Africa Centre Of The World" and "Monkey Banana." The cumulative effect of having Kuti seamlessly blended only heightens the music's hypnotic impact, while also offering a broader array of material than his typically long songs would otherwise get. Reportedly the first of many Chief Xcel remixes of Fela, Underground Spritual Game finds the hip-hopper off to great start and revealing an uncommonly deep understanding of Afro-beat. –-Tad Hendrickson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strong Fela Compilation, September 12, 2004

By 

D. McDavitt "dsmcdavi" (Arlington, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Underground Spiritual Game (Audio CD)

This is a strong collection of Fela classics from many eras of his prolific career (highlife to Egypt 80) , lovingly compiled by Chief Xcel (of the hiphop group Blackalicious). The basic core of the songs is untouched (thankfully), but Fela's 10 minute plus compositions are culled down to radio-friendly 4 min. tunes. The slow simmer portions of the songs are absent in favor of the main vocal sections, & burning solos. Pitch matching is employed to seemlessly blend one song into the next, & overdubs of Fela & others speaking about issues from the songs and the music itself added in post production. Fela-philes will hear nothing new on this disc- most overdubs are lifted from various interviews/concerts that they will already own/have heard. But this is a lovely listen- all strong tunes without having to program the changer (great for parties). This is Fela condensed for the dance floor! Shake your yansh!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fela all mixed up ..., February 21, 2005

By 

Jesse T. Sarles (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Underground Spiritual Game (Audio CD)

Turntablist/producer/DJ Chief Xcel from the hip-hop group Blackalicious blends 12 tracks from the late Fela Kuti's extensive catalog into an album that is seamless, groovy, spiritual and soothing. This release expanded my appreciation for this Nigerian musician, and it serves as a nice introduction to his worldly sound if you've never heard him before. Remixing pre-existing, popular music is tricky, and Xcel does it with the same sort of skill and care that Bill Laswell showed on my favorite remix album of all time ... "Panthalassa: The Music Of Miles Davis 1969-1974."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an afrobeat flight on air africa, December 21, 2005

By 

Loran G. Mcdonald (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Underground Spiritual Game (Audio CD)

If you've always been timid to jump feet first in to the world of Afro beat, this CD is for you. Chief Excel does a great job assembling a survey of the various stylistic periods in Fela's career. From the stripped down simplicity of his Koola Lobitos sessions to his larger sounds with the Egypt 80 band. I found this album a lot easier to digest then his greatest hits, plus it helps to give someone just getting into Fela, a chance to see which period of his music they enjoy, and then buy accordingly. This CD is a must have for anyone that's a fan of Afro beat, early r&b, or uptempo instrumental music.