31108

    Fela Kuti The Best Of Black President (Deluxe Edition)

    Knitting Factory Records
      • 1. Lady
      • 2. Shakara
      • 3. Gentleman (Edit Version)
      • 4. Water No Get Enemy (Edit Version)
      • 5. Zombie
      • 6. Sorrow Tears And Blood
      • 7. No Agreement (Part 2)
      • 8. Roforofo Fight
      • 9. Shuffering And Shmiling (Part 2)
      • 10. Coffin For Head Of State (Part 2)
      • 11. I T T (Part 2)
      • 12. Army Arrangement (Part 2)
      • 13. O.D.O.O. (Edit Version)

      Fela Anikulapo Kuti was a transformational figure not only in Africa, but throughout the world. Very few individuals can lay claim to being the creator of a genre, yet Fela’s Afrobeat, a fusion of jazz and funk fundamentals with traditional African music, is one who can be deemed at the forefront and creator of the medium. 

       

      Best of the Black President is a window into the world of Fela Kuti and his expansive songwriting career. With over 45 albums available, it is hard to pinpoint an individual who wrote hours upon hours of songs, many of which were never recorded, yet Best of the Black President is truly one of the best snapshots at the prolific life and output of one of Africa’s most beloved musicians. Some of Fela’s most popular and controversial tracks are covered in this collection, giving those who need an introduction to the man a first glimpse into his epic life and storytelling style. 

       

      This double-CD collection also includes a compiled DVD of excerpts from documentaries, live concerts and interviews


      Other Releases by Fela Kuti

      Fela KutiIkoyi BlindnessKnitting Factory Records
      Fela used the cover of ‘Ikoyi Blindness’ to announce his change of middle name from Ransome, which he now considered a slave name, to Anikulapo, which...
      • – Ikoyi Blindness
      • – Gba Mi Leti Ki N'Dolowo (Slap Me Make I Get Money)
      Fela KutiOriginal SufferheadKnitting Factory Records
      This edition of ‘Original Sufferhead’ is a major event. With the release of ‘Box Set #5’, and now on this reissue, the title track of this magnificent...
      • – Original Sufferhead
      • – Power Show
      • New LP (Coloured Vinyl) KFR2039-3£20.99
        In stockAdd to Bag
      Fela KutiO.D.O.O. (Overtake Don Overtake Overtake)Knitting Factory Records
      ‘Overtake Don Overtake Overtake’ was the penultimate album of newly recorded studio material released by Fela before he passed in 1997.Like its immediate...
        Fela KutiNoise For Vendor MouthKnitting Factory Records
        The Nigerian establishment labelled Kalakuta Republic inhabitants as ‘hooligans’, ‘hemp smokers’, etc. ‘Noise For Vendor Mouth’ is Fela’s...
        • – Noise For Vendor Mouth
        • – Mattress
        • New LP (Coloured Vinyl) KFR2019-3£20.99
          In stockAdd to Bag
        Fela KutiWhy Black Man They SufferKnitting Factory Records
        ‘Why Black Man Dey Suffer’, recorded in 1971, was originally deemed too controversial for release by EMI, his label at the time. Having recently been...
        • – Why Black Man Dey Suffer
        • – Ikoyi Mentality vs Mushin Mentality
        • New LP (Coloured Vinyl) KFR2012-3£20.99
          In stockAdd to Bag
        Fela KutiGentleman: 50th AnniversaryKnitting Factory Records
        “Gentleman is the last of Fela's early 1970s albums recorded with the Africa 70. The title track can be interpreted literally or as a metaphor concerning...
          • New LP (Coloured Vinyl) KFR2009-8£23.00
            Limited smoke coloured vinyl edition
            In stockAdd to Bag
          Fela KutiOpen & CloseKnitting Factory Records
          Reissue of Fela's highly sought-after 1971 album, 'Open & Close'! Super-funky Afrobeat featuring the incredible title track!
          • – Open And Close
          • – Suegbe And Pako
          • – Gbagada Gbogodo
          Fela KutiArmy ArrangementKnitting Factory Records
          Fela Kuti stories Nigeria’s attempt at ‘democracy’ in 1979 after more than a decade ofmilitary rule told through this album, originally released...
          • – Army arrangement (vocal)
          Fela KutiJ.J.D (Johnny Just Drop!!) Live!! At Kalakuta RepublikKnitting Factory Records
          Originally released in 1977, ‘Johnny Just Drop (J.J.D.)’ features Fela lampooning Nigeria’s ‘been-tos’, people who had been to Europe or America...
            • LP + Download Code KFR2026-1£20.99
              In stockAdd to Bag
            Fela KutiNo AgreementKnitting Factory Records
            ‘No Agreement’ is sometimes overlooked among Fela’s 1977 releases, eclipsed by albums such as ‘Johnny Just Drop (J.J.D.)’ and ‘Sorrow Tears...
            • – No Agreement
            • – Dog Eat Dog
            • LP + Download Code KFR2007-1£20.99
              In stockAdd to Bag
            Fela KutiUnderground SystemKnitting Factory Records
            Reissue of one of Fela's later recordings, comprised of two extended tracks, the title cut and the classic, 'Pansa Pansa'.
            • – Underground System
            • – Pansa Pansa
            Fela KutiAfrodisiacKnitting Factory Records
            1973 Nigerian afro beat funk at it's best from the master - Fela Kuti 
            • – Alu Jon Jonki Jon
            • – Eko Ile
            Fela KutiFela's London SceneKnitting Factory Records
            Recorded at Abbey Road Studios in 1971. Essential Fela Kuti, featuring Tony Allen on drums!
            • – J'Ehin J'Ehin
            • – Who're You?
            • – Buy Africa
            Fela KutiI.T.T.Knitting Factory Records
            'International Thief Thief' classic Fela from 1979
              Fela KutiAlagbon Close Knitting Factory
              Unmissable classic afro-beat! Alagbon Close represents one of the first times anyone had directly taken on the Nigerian authorities in such a brash manner!   
              • – alagbon close
              • New LP (Coloured Vinyl) KFR2011-8£22.99
                50th anniversary special - Jollof orange vinyl
                In stockAdd to Bag
              • LP KFR2011-1£17.99
                In stockAdd to Bag
              Fela KutiEverything Scatter (2015 Reissue)Knitting Factory Records
              Another killer gem from the undisputed 'King Of Afrobeat' Fela Kuti! Originally released in 1975. Expect nothing less than perfection. Sweet locked-in...
              • – Everything Scatter
              • – Who No Know Go How
              Fela KutiExpensive ShitKnitting Factory Records
              'Expensive Shit' is one of Fela's most notorious albums! This killer afro-beat LP was originally release in 1975 and now gets a reissue on Brooklyn-based...
              • – Expensive Shit
              • – Water No Get Enemy
              Fela KutiSorrow Tears & Blood (2014 Vinyl Reissue)Knitting Factory Records
              Originally released in 1977, Fela and Afrika 70 rise to their peak with rowsing, radical stuff as espoused by 'Colonial Mentality'.
                Fela KutiTeacher Don't Teach Me NonsenseKnitting Factory Records
                In 'Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense', Fela explains the role of the teacher in any society with the concept that all the things we consider to be problems...
                • – Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense
                Fela KutiHe Miss Road (2014 Vinyl Reissue)Knitting Factory Records
                He Miss Road', also 1975, was produced by Ginger Baker. A deep and darker shade of afro-beat that is one of Fela's best.
                • – He Miss Road
                • – Monday Morning In Lagos
                • – It's No Possible
                Fela KutiAlagbon Close / Why Black Man Dey SufferKnitting Factory
                Alagbon Close represents one of the first times anyone had directly taken on the Nigerian authorities in such a brash manner. Why Black Man Dey Suffer:...
                • – Alagbon Close
                Fela KutiFela With Ginger Baker Live!Knitting Factory Records
                'Let's Start' - Seriously killer tune! and loads more. It's hard to go wrong with Fela Kuti's work from the 1970s, and LIVE!, which features the Afrobeat...
                • – Let's Start
                Fela KutiOpen & Close / AfrodisiacKnitting Factory Records
                Two classic Afro-beat albums on one bargain price CD! All Fela Kuti's albums are superb! Highly recommended!
                • – Open & Close

                Other Releases on Knitting Factory Records

                Fela KutiIkoyi BlindnessKnitting Factory Records
                Fela used the cover of ‘Ikoyi Blindness’ to announce his change of middle name from Ransome, which he now considered a slave name, to Anikulapo, which...
                • – Ikoyi Blindness
                • – Gba Mi Leti Ki N'Dolowo (Slap Me Make I Get Money)
                Fela KutiOriginal SufferheadKnitting Factory Records
                This edition of ‘Original Sufferhead’ is a major event. With the release of ‘Box Set #5’, and now on this reissue, the title track of this magnificent...
                • – Original Sufferhead
                • – Power Show
                • New LP (Coloured Vinyl) KFR2039-3£20.99
                  In stockAdd to Bag
                Fela KutiO.D.O.O. (Overtake Don Overtake Overtake)Knitting Factory Records
                ‘Overtake Don Overtake Overtake’ was the penultimate album of newly recorded studio material released by Fela before he passed in 1997.Like its immediate...
                  Fela KutiNoise For Vendor MouthKnitting Factory Records
                  The Nigerian establishment labelled Kalakuta Republic inhabitants as ‘hooligans’, ‘hemp smokers’, etc. ‘Noise For Vendor Mouth’ is Fela’s...
                  • – Noise For Vendor Mouth
                  • – Mattress
                  • New LP (Coloured Vinyl) KFR2019-3£20.99
                    In stockAdd to Bag
                  Fela KutiWhy Black Man They SufferKnitting Factory Records
                  ‘Why Black Man Dey Suffer’, recorded in 1971, was originally deemed too controversial for release by EMI, his label at the time. Having recently been...
                  • – Why Black Man Dey Suffer
                  • – Ikoyi Mentality vs Mushin Mentality
                  • New LP (Coloured Vinyl) KFR2012-3£20.99
                    In stockAdd to Bag
                  Fela KutiGentleman: 50th AnniversaryKnitting Factory Records
                  “Gentleman is the last of Fela's early 1970s albums recorded with the Africa 70. The title track can be interpreted literally or as a metaphor concerning...
                    • New LP (Coloured Vinyl) KFR2009-8£23.00
                      Limited smoke coloured vinyl edition
                      In stockAdd to Bag
                    Fela KutiOpen & CloseKnitting Factory Records
                    Reissue of Fela's highly sought-after 1971 album, 'Open & Close'! Super-funky Afrobeat featuring the incredible title track!
                    • – Open And Close
                    • – Suegbe And Pako
                    • – Gbagada Gbogodo
                    Fela KutiArmy ArrangementKnitting Factory Records
                    Fela Kuti stories Nigeria’s attempt at ‘democracy’ in 1979 after more than a decade ofmilitary rule told through this album, originally released...
                    • – Army arrangement (vocal)
                    Fela KutiJ.J.D (Johnny Just Drop!!) Live!! At Kalakuta RepublikKnitting Factory Records
                    Originally released in 1977, ‘Johnny Just Drop (J.J.D.)’ features Fela lampooning Nigeria’s ‘been-tos’, people who had been to Europe or America...
                      • LP + Download Code KFR2026-1£20.99
                        In stockAdd to Bag
                      Fela Kuti & Roy AyersMusic Of Many ColoursKnitting Factory Records
                      Reissue of the classic ‘Music Of Many Colours’, the joint album between Roy Ayers and Fela Kuti, recorded after a three week tour of Nigeria’s major...
                      • – 2000 Blacks Got To Be Free
                      • – Africa-Center Of The World
                      Fela KutiNo AgreementKnitting Factory Records
                      ‘No Agreement’ is sometimes overlooked among Fela’s 1977 releases, eclipsed by albums such as ‘Johnny Just Drop (J.J.D.)’ and ‘Sorrow Tears...
                      • – No Agreement
                      • – Dog Eat Dog
                      • LP + Download Code KFR2007-1£20.99
                        In stockAdd to Bag
                      Fela KutiUnderground SystemKnitting Factory Records
                      Reissue of one of Fela's later recordings, comprised of two extended tracks, the title cut and the classic, 'Pansa Pansa'.
                      • – Underground System
                      • – Pansa Pansa
                      Fela KutiAfrodisiacKnitting Factory Records
                      1973 Nigerian afro beat funk at it's best from the master - Fela Kuti 
                      • – Alu Jon Jonki Jon
                      • – Eko Ile
                      Fela KutiFela's London SceneKnitting Factory Records
                      Recorded at Abbey Road Studios in 1971. Essential Fela Kuti, featuring Tony Allen on drums!
                      • – J'Ehin J'Ehin
                      • – Who're You?
                      • – Buy Africa
                      Fela KutiI.T.T.Knitting Factory Records
                      'International Thief Thief' classic Fela from 1979
                        Fela KutiEverything Scatter (2015 Reissue)Knitting Factory Records
                        Another killer gem from the undisputed 'King Of Afrobeat' Fela Kuti! Originally released in 1975. Expect nothing less than perfection. Sweet locked-in...
                        • – Everything Scatter
                        • – Who No Know Go How
                        Fela KutiExpensive ShitKnitting Factory Records
                        'Expensive Shit' is one of Fela's most notorious albums! This killer afro-beat LP was originally release in 1975 and now gets a reissue on Brooklyn-based...
                        • – Expensive Shit
                        • – Water No Get Enemy
                        Fela KutiSorrow Tears & Blood (2014 Vinyl Reissue)Knitting Factory Records
                        Originally released in 1977, Fela and Afrika 70 rise to their peak with rowsing, radical stuff as espoused by 'Colonial Mentality'.
                          Fela KutiTeacher Don't Teach Me NonsenseKnitting Factory Records
                          In 'Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense', Fela explains the role of the teacher in any society with the concept that all the things we consider to be problems...
                          • – Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense
                          Fela KutiHe Miss Road (2014 Vinyl Reissue)Knitting Factory Records
                          He Miss Road', also 1975, was produced by Ginger Baker. A deep and darker shade of afro-beat that is one of Fela's best.
                          • – He Miss Road
                          • – Monday Morning In Lagos
                          • – It's No Possible
                          Fela KutiFela With Ginger Baker Live!Knitting Factory Records
                          'Let's Start' - Seriously killer tune! and loads more. It's hard to go wrong with Fela Kuti's work from the 1970s, and LIVE!, which features the Afrobeat...
                          • – Let's Start
                          Fela KutiOpen & Close / AfrodisiacKnitting Factory Records
                          Two classic Afro-beat albums on one bargain price CD! All Fela Kuti's albums are superb! Highly recommended!
                          • – Open & Close

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