Neil Spencer 

A Long Way to the Beginning review – Seun Kuti remains true to Fela’s legacy

Fela Kuti's youngest son retains the energy of his father's Afrobeat but lacks his way with words, writes Neil Spencer
  
  


Fela Kuti's youngest son has handled his father's esteemed Afrobeat legacy with aplomb, fronting his old band and over two albums adding modernist touches to a fundamentally unchanged format. Third time round the playing is faster and harder, with some wonderfully intricate horn parts, though the production of US jazzer Robert Glasper tends to bury Seun's righteous lyrics – the IMF gets a lashing, and there are torrents of exhortations to young Africa. Rappers M-1 and Blitz the Ambassador add heat, but Fela's sly, melodious narratives are sorely missed. The more languid grooves of Black Woman come as a welcome relief.

 

Leave a Comment

Required fields are marked *

*

*