Open & Close / Afrodesiac

I'm one of those people who purchases music and/or books mentioned in other books and/or movies. I looked for this CD after watching "The Visitor"; I'm so glad I did. This entire album is awesome. My favorite selection is "Open and Close" even though also I love the song Richard Jenkins jams to in "The Visitor" :-), "Je'Nwi Temi (Don't Gag Me)". This is great for anyone who has an appreciation for good rhythms, jazz, etc. It stays in my CD changer...

Great album!

I liked 1 of 3 tunes on Open & Close. Liked all tunes on Afrodisiac, but sound quality poor on both. I think that both LPs were originally recorded by EMI &/or EMI Nigeria, so I guess that the sound was pretty good. Knitting Factory Records' compilation is disappointing.

Great book.

This was my first exposure to Fela Kuti and I love this CD. Terrific for cocktail parties!

I give it five stars because of the energy and a great rhythmsection.Its tight and itswings hard.Kuti is a strong leader, and direct the music. The rhythms in drums andpercussion are absolutely top.Every time i listen to this music i get inspired, and almostwait for something, and that is a soloist of a broader level than heard here.Imagine a MaceoParker, a Fred Wesley or Chris Potter taking the music to the next level.Despite this, the musicstands on its own, and as it is recorded.

Absolutely mandatory listening for all musicians and lovers of funk. Grooves that don't relent for a second, horns that season and pepper, punctuating percussion, call and response vocalizing, blistering horns and incomparable drumming by Tony Allen make this gem a timeless classic. Think the 'Sargeant Pepper's' of Afrobeat. Yeah, it's that good. Along with 'Confusion/Gentlemen', 'London Scene/Shakara' and 'Inside Out', these recordings represent the cream of the crop by Fela. And speaking of Cream, get the LP with Ginger Baker as well... if 'Afrodisiac' doesn't get you hard, Viagra won't help either, it's time to call the coroner.

Holy @#$$T%@I can listen to this record over and over and over and over...I just logged into Amazon to buy more Fela.Seriously, stop reading, get this record.

初めてのアフロビートＣＤでしたが、ＢＧＭとして流しっぱなしにしてもいいし乗りもいい！ほかのＣＤも物色中！！

フェラ・クティの音楽は、日本をはじめ外国ではクラブ・ミュージックとしての側面が強い。それはアフリカ土着のビートにアメリカ黒人音楽の影響を反映させたダンサブルなアレンジがそうさせているのだろうが、実は歌詞は政治的なものが多く、生涯で12回逮捕されています（全て証拠不十分で釈放されているのだが）。　そんな反骨のミュージシャンにして27人もの嫁を持った（ナイジェリアは一夫多妻制）パワフルなミュージシャン、全盛期の作品から溢れるエネルギーには本当に圧倒されてしまいます。　クラブ・サイドからすれば『SHAKARA』『EXPENSIVE SHIT』『ZOMBIE』といった作品が著名だと思いますが、この1972年の作品も実に素晴らしい1枚です。新しいダンスの定義を表顕したタイトル曲『OPEN & CLOSE』はとりわけグルーヴの隙間を埋めるように構築されていくアレンジは圧巻の一言！　余談ですが、映画『扉をたたく人』で主人公がシリア系男性からジャンベの叩き方を教わるのだが、『このアルバムは聴かなきゃダメだ』とこのCDをプレゼントされるシーンがあり、「わかってるなあ」と個人的に嬉しかったです。