Bleep

Here we have one of Fela Kuti’s most enduring (and most controversial) LPs. Many interpretations have been put forth about the lyrical stance of Shakara’s A-side ‘Lady’ - some decry it for sexism, others declare it an anthem for African feminism. Which side of the camp you fall on depends on your understanding of Fela, the outcast-rebel position he occupied in early 70’s Lagos, and his relationships with the many strong women in his life. Whatever your opinion on the lyric, the force of the instrumental is undeniable. The title track finds Fela singing in Yoruba over another righteous Afrobeat groove.