Kinitting Factory Records has announced the release of Fela Ransome Kuti and Koola Lobitos’ ‘Highlife – Jazz and Afro-Soul (1963-1969).’ The 3-CD compilation is scheduled for release April 1, 2016.
‘Highlife – Jazz and Afro-Soul (1963-1969)’ contains all the Koola Lobitos recordings with a 12-page booklet, including a full discography and essay by Fela Kuti scholar and author Michael Veal. The significant collection of 39 tracks, recorded live at the Afro-Spot in Lagos, Nigeria, in the mid-1960s demonstrates how Fela used a mix of jazz and high-life to create the early beginnings of what was soon to become his characteristic Afrobeat.
The compilation traces Fela’s musical evolution in the decade before he formed the famous Africa 70 band. In 1958 Fela was sent to London by his parents to study medicine but he decided to study music instead at the Trinity College of Music.
Upon returning to Lagos in 1963 Fela had aspirations of becoming a successful modern jazz musician and became the leader of Koola Lobitos, a popular dance band. ‘Highlife – Jazz and Afro-Soul (1963-1969)’ follows Fela Kuti’s career, from highlife (a genre considered to be a West African slant on jazz) to soul to the beginnings of Afrobeat.
Also for Record Store Day (April 16, 2016) Knitting Factory will release a limited edition 10” vinyl single of the 1986 recording of “I Go Shout Plenty”, backed with “Frustration”.
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Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
