I'm going to preface this review by admitting that Afro-beat is not a style of music I am too familiar with. The closest I've come is listening to Paul Simon's Graceland a couple of times. So that should tell you my level of insight into the genre.
Think about all the sons of musical legends that we've seen over the years. How many of them have been able to even come anyone near the heights of their fathers? Julian Lennon? Um, nope. Jakob Dylan? Don't make me laugh. Jason Bonham? Only by sitting in with his dad's old group.
Femi Kuti may be the only one we have. The son of legendary Afro-beat pioneer Fela Kuti, Femi has managed to chart out a career for himself that almost rivals that of his iconic father.
The younger Kuti's new album, Day By Day (out Nov. 18th), should do nothing but help that.
On Day By Day the Nigerian native continues to mix traditional African music with jazz and funky beats to create infectious rhythms. African drumming, the backing vocals, keyboards, and a shimmering horn section give the music a big bold feel.
Day By Day had me seat dancing from the first chords of the opener "Eh Oh". While the jazz/funk fusion of "Do You Know" shows that in terms of musicianship Kuti's band needs to take a back seat to no one.
On a couple of occasions Kuti does seem to step out of his comfort zone. The results are pretty good as with the Curtis Mayfield-esque "You Better Ask Yourself".
Kuti does not shy stick to the safe topics. The themes of political and social justice are rife throughout his music. But through it all Kuti brings sunshine and optimism to his subject matter.
After listening to Day By Day I can't help but think it's coming out a little too late. It would have made for the perfect summer album.
Best tracks: "Demo Crazy", "One Two"
Track listing for Day By Day:
- Eh Oh
- Day By Day
- Demo Crazy
- Do You Know
- You Better Ask Yourself
- One Two
- Tell Me
- Tension Grip Africa
- Let's Make History
- Oyimbo
- Dem Funny
- They Will Run
7.5
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