Remembering Chris May, Spinning Afrobeat

Listen to this week's show

This special program focuses on Afrobeat, performed by the genre's creator, Nigerian musician and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti, along with a few selections from his son Seun Anikulapo Kuti and others. A brief introduction to Kuti and his work is offered below (YouTube). For vivid background and analysis, we refer you to Chris May's popular Afrobeat Diaries (AD) series for All About Jazz, including his notes on Knitting Factory's re-release of Kuti's oeuvre (selected articles linked below).

Program

"Alagbon Close" (Alagbon Close, Wrasse Records, 2008 [1974]) - "Part 1 - Fela Ransome Kuti & Africa 70: Alagbon Close / Why Black Man Dey Suffer" (AD, August 25, 2009)

"Zombie" (Zombie, Wrasse Records, 2008 [1977]) - "Part 2 - Fela Anikulapo Kuti and the Sack of Kalakuta Republic" (AD, September 4, 2009) and "Part 11 - Knitting Factory releases Fela Kuti 'Zombie' batch." (AD, September 9, 2010)

"African Soldier" (Seun Anikulapo Kuti & Egypt 80, From Africa with Fury: Rise, Because Music, 2011) - "Part 22 - Seun Kuti and Brian Eno Take Afrobeat Forward" (AD, March 26, 2011)

"Big Man" (Antibalas, Who Is This America, Ropeadope 2004) and "President Dey Pass" (Akoya Afrobeat Ensemble, P.D.P. President Dey Pass, Afrobomb, 2008) - "Afrobeat: An Alternative Top Ten"  (May 5, 2020)

Caminhos do Jazz pays tribute to Chris May (1946-2024), senior editor and prolific contributor to All About Jazz (AAJ), who has died unexpectedly. May edited Black Music & Jazz Review (1978-1984) before moving on to head the UK office of Celluloid Records (ca.1985-1989, working with bassist-producer Bill Laswell). Over two decades (1989-2008), he served in arts administration, first as director of marketing for London Contemporary Dance Theatre and Rambert Dance Company, then as executive director of Richard Alston Dance Company. In addition to numerous liner notes, articles and some 1,500 pieces written for AAJ, his publications include African All-Stars: The Pop Music Of A Continent (1989) and The Last Poets: Vibes From The Scribes (1985). More on May is here.

Click here for the show archive.

 

Caminhos do Jazz with Katchie airs live on Saturday mornings at 10 Central. 

KRTU 91.7 FM in San Antonio, worldwide at KRTU.org.

 

New! Read the Caminhos do Jazz column on All About Jazz. Focusing on Brazilian music and musicians in and outside of Brazil, Caminhos do Jazz follows paths that traverse the jazz landscape, conversing with creators and delving into recordings and performances (past and present) along the way...

 

...follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and All About Jazz. While you're at it, why not support community radio by becoming a member of the station at join.krtu.org?

 What's that catchy theme music for Caminhos do Jazz? Damas Grátis (Ladies Free) / 4:37 / 2007 / Eduardo Neves / Gafieira de Bolso / Eduardo Neves