Fela’s London Scene

A blinding album of proto-Afrobeat. Fasten your seat belt, please. Recorded at London’s Abbey Road studios in early 1971, the disc features nine members of Fela’s Lagos band augmented by another half dozen London-based musicians – EMI had been unwilling to pay for Africa 70’s complete line-up to travel to Britain. Fela's electric piano is gym-ripped and the great tenor saxophonist Igo Chico, who had been an occasional member of Koola Lobitos before he joined Africa 70, turns in three powerful solos. (Following a row with Fela, Chico quit Africa 70 two years later. Fela promised to replace him on tenor himself within 24 hours, and actually did so). Tony Allen, Lekan Animashaun and Tunde Williams are also among the nine Lagos musicians present. Originally released by EMI.