The Best Of The Black President

I'm not connoisseur enough to address all that goes into these tracks, but after reading almost hyperbolic praise of Fela in the alternative press back in the 1980s, I bought a live double-LP set...and was disappointed. The tracks took a full side each (his concerts must have lasted hours) and were built on grooves I did not find especially interesting...at the time; I exchanged the set, but have broadened my taste since then. THESE tracks, at least, are edited down for more Western tastes (or contemporary short attention spans) yet still sprawl comfortably before, between, and after Fela and his singers serve up lyrics, which address social tensions, such as between Westernizing fashions/attitudes and "original African" traditions and identities; corruption; and religious and political conflict, such as his own long struggle against a violent Nigerian government that kept trying to shut him up and shut him down.And the grooves, with his jazz-capable band (Africans taught Western drummers how far they lagged in polyrhythms) layering them up and back down and back up, are as compelling as his own rich, broad-spectrum vocal attack -- singing, shouting, scatting, swearing, humming, doing impressions, up and down his range; and his equally strong sax-playing.

I bought this CD at a brick-and-mortar record store -- oddly, because someone had changed their mind on the way to the register and dumped it in the candy bin (ok, it doesn't take much to get me to buy a CD). I had heard one of Fela's records at a party 20 years ago and remembered liking it, so I thought I'd give it a try. This is a wonderful record, and great introduction to Fela (I've now got another half dozen or so albums). Many of his best known songs are here, and while some are edited for length (the ones that are 25+ minutes long in the original versions), the edits are well-done and the sound quality is quite good. The album is a chronological, and you get a good sampling of the different styles he played in over the years. The liner notes are also great, and clue you into the meaning of the pidgin English lyrics. I still listen to this CD even though I now have many of the original albums the songs are drawn from -- the variety is nice, the songs are well programmed, and it is, the "best best."

Fela kUTI I lived in Nigeria for 4 years and I was there when Fela was at the top of his game Fela is a Nigerian who suffered the lost of his mother he play this in this CD. ZOMBIE is my best another cut that I play daily is Shuffering and ShmilingOh I had the honor to meet Fela with his 13 wifes and he was a tender man. If your not into African music then you need to buy Fela I promise you The Best Best Of Fela Kuti will stay on your CD or iPod. There is a play on Broadway called FelaJ Zee, Will Smith produce it.( A must see.)

This is a great album for those who are fela fans and those who would like to be introduced to his music (afrobeat). One reviewer complained about the sound quality of the album but I didn't notice any issues with sound quality when compared to my other fela cds. My only complaint is I wish yellow fever was included on the album.

I like Fela Kuti. Unfortunately it is difficult to find any excellent compilation albums. While this is a good album, it does give up some of the quality of his music to focus on quantity. As some have mentioned before, it is a good album to have to get many of his tracks without having to figure which of his 100 or so albums to purchase. I think the latter is my next move.Bottomline: Buy it if you don't have already have this amazing musician in your collection. If you already do, you will be better served by sampling some of his releases.

This is the best of the best in African dance rhythm. Loaded with high intensity sub bass, horns,vocals and a song describing, one truly emancipated lady. The lyrics of the song Lady is ripe for the esteem of today's Women in Politics, the Military and on the domestic scene. I've searched for hard to find music, DVD's and priced right items and when all the other merchants tell me the item is out of distribution, Amazon.com has it in their golden vault. Now I go directly to Amazon.com

This is an excellent compilation of Fela Kuti's "hits," lengthy reminders of what this musician and social activist could produce. With his saxaphone leading the way, and a dozen musicians behind him providing a rhythmic structure, Afropop was his way of reaching West Coast Africa. Over 50 albums have been produced and this is the cream of the great man himself. Recommend.

I was vaguely familiar with Fela Kuti before purchasing this; I really just wanted something new to listen to when I clean the house. This collection is beautiful. Every song is great, energetic, strong and powerful. I definitely recommend it for a newbie who just may end up digging deeper in the creates.