The youngest son of the great Fela Kuti, and of eldest brother of Femi, returns with his father’s band Egypt 80, which he inherited and his fifth, and first album in six years, keeping the fabulous bright flame of afrobeat alight, and including the son of another great in the form of Bob’s son Damian Marley. Their first track together, Dey, is felt as significant as a cultural and historic bridge between Nigeria and Jamaica, combining the energy of afrobeat and rhythmic vibes of reggae, joining their origins and calling for unity. Another highlight, Stand Well Well, for example, also chock full of fabulous riff and rhythms, and those stabbing horns, is inspired by Aldous Huxley's novel Brave New World, and protests against a trend of global homogeneity and blandness of culture. Jazz, funk and African however retain their own heady concoction on this album of six lengthy track with other standouts including the Love & Revolution where the chorus of growling horns really come into their own alongside deep groove of the bassline, and then another African voice, Zambia’s Sampa The Great, comes into play in call-and-response through the interweaving rhythms the fabulous Emi Aluta, a salute to revolutionaries. Also produced by Lenny Kravitz, wondrous sounds, energy and momentum, with such a genius invention of complexity and engaging simplicity, this music swirls and runs like an unstoppable river. Out on Record Kicks
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