Africa for Africa

Femi Kuti has had a stop-start career. At the same age he is now, 48, his father Fela had virtually finished with the recording studio and had some 40 albums to his name. In the quarter of a century since he formed his band Positive Force in 1985, Femi has recorded just half a dozen albums on almost as many labels. Different times, for sure, but also an indication of the struggles he has faced in escaping the mighty shadow of his father. Hailing his latest as his best to date might be glib, but it might just be true. At the very least, Africa for Africa rivals 1998's Shoki Shoki as a career highlight. Gone are the faddish hybrid attempts to appeal to an American hip-hop audience and the over-polished production, in favour of a raw, aggressive Nigerian roots flavour that sounds as rough as a Lagos street fight. With his thrilling sax playing to the fore it's a record that pulsates to an irresistible Afro-beat, but there are subtle embellishments, too. ‘Nobody Beg’ and ‘Now You See’ both have a Santana-like Latin tinge, augmented by swelling Hammond and punching horns. ‘Politics in Africa’ and ‘Obsanjo Don Play You Wayo’ surge to a jabbing, Afro-jazz vibe. The title-track bubbles with a loose-limbed reggae suppleness and even ‘Boys Dey Hungry For Town’, the most downbeat track, builds to a simmering Afro-beat climax. Amazingly, these studio recordings capture the energy of a Femi live performance better than his 2004 concert album did. A late contender for one of the African albums of the year.