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Fela Ransome Kuti & Africa 70 – Expensive Shit
Fela Ransome Kuti & Africa 70
Expensive Shit
Style: Funk
Label: Knitting Factory Records
Catalog Number: KFR2015-1
Released: 1975
An Afrobeat classic from “The Black President” Fela Kuti, Expensive Shit was inspired by a peculiar incident with the police in 1974. While it wasn’t uncommon for Kuti to get in trouble with the police (the Nigerian authorities viewed his compound as a political threat), this particular incident was special as the police planted a joint on Kuti in order to arrest him. He ended up eating the joint and the rest is history… “The men in uniform alleged I swallowed some quantity of hemp. My shit was sent for lab test. Result negative. Which brings us to… Expensive Shit.” Musically, Africa 70 director / drummer Tony Allen delicately builds the intricate Afrobeat groove alongside the horn melodies for six minutes until Fela comes in with a poignant but also tongue-in-cheek message about oppression.
Recommended – Full Listen
Tags: Afrobeat
Tracklist:
A Expensive Shit
B Water No Get Enemy
Credits:
Congas – Henry Koffi
Congas [3rd] – Nicholas Addo
Drums [Lead] – Tony Alen*
Executive-Producer – R. Francis*
Guitar [Bass] – Franco Aboddy
Guitar [Rythm] – Leke Benson
Guitar [Tenor] – Ogene Kologbo*
Lacquer Cut By – Dietrich Schoenemann
Maracas – Issac Olaleye*
Percussion [Sticks] – James Abayomi
Tenor Saxophone – Christopher Uwaifor
Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Piano, Vocals, Arranged By, Composed By, Producer – Fela Ransome Kuti*
Trumpet – Tunde Williams
Trumpet [2nd] – Ukem Stephen
