Fela Ransome-Kuti Africa '70
Fela's London Scene

Fela Kuti (1938-1997) was a Nigerian musician, producer, arranger, political radical and outlaw, and the originator of Afrobeat. A titanic musical and sociopolitical voice, Fela’s legacy spans decades and genres, touching on jazz, pop, funk, hip-hop, rock and beyond.

After graduating from Trinity College of Music (now Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance) in London, Fela returned to Nigeria with his band Koola Lobitos. Fusing the sounds of Jazz and Funk with the traditional African music he had been raised on, his star status began to flourish.

EMI, his label at the time, saw the true power of his musical creation, what we now know as Afrobeat, and brought Fela and his band back to London. The result was ‘London Scene’. While recording, Fela began his friendship with Ginger Baker, who plays uncredited on the track ‘Egbe Mi O’.

‘London Scene’ is the beginning of what would become Fela’s signature Afrobeat style and serves as a great introduction to Fela’s music. Recorded and remastered at none other than Abbey Road Studio.

This 50th Anniversary edition of the classic Fela album comes on red, blue and white splatter vinyl, with a gold foil obi strip that will be the hallmark of all of the Fela 50th Anniversary reissues.

Liner notes by the legendary Chris May.

Fela recently came in second place, behind Tina Turner, for the fan vote for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominations and received great press coverage in NY Times, Rolling Stone, MOJO, Record Collector and more.