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A must have. This album not only has political views in it, carrying on his father's tradition, but the song Beng, Beng, Beng is really banging. This is a great album that anyone who loves african music.
Femi is more urgent, and so is more thought provoking. This CD is very hot, full of great dance numbers and politically aware lyrics that come across as much more heartfelt and bitter than his dad's. Fela suffered more than Femi, was burnt out of his house and imprisoned by the government, but he always maintained a sarcastic sense of humor. Young Femi Kuti played sax is his legendary father's legendary band. This fire drives the music, infuses it with feeling and meaning and makes your heart beat stronger. He, better than any other, is well grounded in the Afrobeat tradition. You can see him take a little solo in the "Fela in Concert" video, filmed in Paris in 1981. But beginning with Shoki Shoki, he brings this great music into today's musical scene, keeping the rhythms that make this music and adding a completely contemporary sound.
Otherwise, hie thee to a show and be prepared to get knocked out by his phenomenal beauty, power, and just damn grooviness. He must be heard live to be believed. If you can't make one of his few shows in this country, settle for this album. This album is outstanding, and yet. Outrageous. And I did, two days after I heard this CD for the first time. Every time I hear it I want to hear him live. The concert blew me through the wall.
"Beng, Beng Beng" delivers and is probably the best song in terms of music, on the CD in my opinion. This album is another prize in my collection. Buy this, you won't be disappointed. Femi Kuti has really broken away from his father's shadow, but at the same time his jumpy, outspoken lyrics and Afro-beats payes homage to him. Each song seeps with the realism and brutal honesty of Nigeria's state, such as "Blackman Know Yourself" a song speaking to Africans and even African Americans, to come realize who they really are, "Sorry Sorry" blends catchy afro- beats with Femi's displeasure with the government, and the first track "Truth Don' Die" stands out as one of the best songs on the album. Of course most non-Nigerians may recognize Femi Kuti from his performance of "Beng, Beng, Beng" on the World Music Awards, another track on this album and is one of the only songs that talks about his relationship with a woman.
I bought this CD because of it and am truly impressed with it. I had never seen or heard of Femi Kuti until recently when he performed at the World Music Awards. Femi's music is filled with so much energy that it's hard to stay still when listening to it. "Shoki Shoki has several great tracks besides the above mentioned including, "Truth Don Die" and "Eregele". His amazing performance of "Beng Beng Beng" was the highlight of the event. I was drawn to the amazing rhythmic afro beats in the instrumental aspects of his music and the sensuality in his voice.
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