This double CD set covers the six years befure he changed his name from Fela-Ransome to Fela-Anikulapo (in Yoruba, “Anikulapo” means “he who carries death in his pouch”) - no wonder the Nigerian authorities felt so scared of him.

The tracks on this album are influenced by the time he spent in London (1958-1961) where he was studying music at Trinity College and before his first visit to the U.S.A. This is a time of a young trumpet player and band leader finding his musical feet. This is Fela Ransome Kuti and the Koola Lobitos in the nightclubs of Lagos in at a time when Nigeria had just become independent from colonial rule (1962) and expectations were high. Some of the tracks give us the impression he knew where he would be in a few years time (‘Ako’ recorded around the time his Afro-Spot at the Kakadu club), some show the influence of the American jazz scene (‘Amaechi’s Blues’), some are more calypso, some a little ska, some R&B (‘VC7’) but most of these tracks belong on the dancefloor of the nightclub; and boy, would you have loved to be in a club where Fela was playing in the sixties? That would be living the Highlife!

Forty years before co-creator of Afrobeat Tony Allen released Lagos No Shaking, the music of Lagos Baby ruled the niteclubs and it still sounds great.

Extensive and in depth sleeve notes from Max Reinhardt (The Shrine, Notting Hill branch) who is also in the process to writing a new biography In Search of Fela Anikulapo Kuti (with Rita Ray) is coming out next year. That’s one to definitely look forward to but in the meantime it’s Highlife Time with Fela-Ransome Kuti - it’s got the (pre-Afro)beat.

Reviewed: Fela-Ransome Kuti - Lagos Baby (1963-1969) (Vampi Soul) Cat No: VAMPICD 097 Release date: July 2008 [Warning: these tracks were originally lo-fi recordings and are not the current day standard quality - it’s a testament to the musicians that the quality of the music is still first class].

Links
www.myspace.com/vampisoul
www.theshrine.uk.com
www.myspace.com/theshrinesynchrosystem
Wed 15th Oct LIVE: Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra + guest www.cargo-london.com This is an Afrobeat extraveganza celebrating Fela Kuti’s birthday - he would have been 70. Although many people know Fela’s recording from the 1980’s and beyond, this night is about Fela at his funkiest - the 1970’s. There will also be an exclusive exhibition showing 70 (keeping with the theme) original Fela Kuti vinyls, as well as never-before-seen photographs and some Fela inspired art. If you love afrobeat, and love Fela you should come pay your respects the only way he would have wanted - singing and dancing to Afrobeat. 7pm-1am £8 ADV, £10 DOOR
06-01-2009 In Search of Fela Anikulapo Kuti - IN ALL GOOD BOOKSTORES, WORLDWIDE Price (Hardback) £16.99/$29.95