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 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 KutiKalakuta ShowKnitting Factory Records
        The ‘Kalakuta Show’ album was Fela Kuti’s undaunted manner of extracting revenge on the military regime that attacked and brutalized him in 1974....
        • – Kalakuta Show
        • – Don't Make Garan Garan
        • New LP (Coloured Vinyl) KFR2020-3£23.99
          In stockAdd to Bag
        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 KutiRoforofo Fight (50th Anniversary Edition)Partisan Records
        By 1972, when Music of Fela: Roforofo Fight was originally released (on two vinyl albums, Music of Fela Volume One and Volume Two), Fela was becoming one...
        • – Roforofo Fight
        • – Go Slow
        • New 2×LP (Coloured Vinyl) KFR2006-8£26.00
          Limited yellow & green vinyl edition
          In stockAdd to Bag
        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 KutiCoffin For Head Of StateKnitting Factory Records
        Fela Kuti made some frantic albums in his career--ones that popped with his enthusiastic political disobedience and ones that roared with fury at the Nigerian...
        • – Coffin For Head Of State part 1
        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£23.99
            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 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 KutiNa PoiKnitting Factory Records
          Hypnotic afrobeat bullet from 1972 - recorded in Lagos. Sprited percussion, tight horns, and pure funk! As with most of the great man's albums, this is...
          • – na poi (part 1)
          • – na poi (part 2)
          • – you no go die...unless
          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 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 RoadKnitting 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
          Fela KutiYellow FeverKnitting Factory Records
          Yellow Fever’ was originally released in 1976, during Fela’s extraordinarily prolific 1975-77 purple period, when he released 24 albums in Nigeria...
          • – Yellow Fever
          • – Na Poi ‘75

          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 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 KutiKalakuta ShowKnitting Factory Records
            The ‘Kalakuta Show’ album was Fela Kuti’s undaunted manner of extracting revenge on the military regime that attacked and brutalized him in 1974....
            • – Kalakuta Show
            • – Don't Make Garan Garan
            • New LP (Coloured Vinyl) KFR2020-3£23.99
              In stockAdd to Bag
            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 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 KutiCoffin For Head Of StateKnitting Factory Records
            Fela Kuti made some frantic albums in his career--ones that popped with his enthusiastic political disobedience and ones that roared with fury at the Nigerian...
            • – Coffin For Head Of State part 1
            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£23.99
                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 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 KutiNa PoiKnitting Factory Records
              Hypnotic afrobeat bullet from 1972 - recorded in Lagos. Sprited percussion, tight horns, and pure funk! As with most of the great man's albums, this is...
              • – na poi (part 1)
              • – na poi (part 2)
              • – you no go die...unless
              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 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 RoadKnitting 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
              Fela KutiYellow FeverKnitting Factory Records
              Yellow Fever’ was originally released in 1976, during Fela’s extraordinarily prolific 1975-77 purple period, when he released 24 albums in Nigeria...
              • – Yellow Fever
              • – Na Poi ‘75

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