'BODEDEREK

Making Sense of the Fela Bandwagon: Fela Kuti died in 1997. His unexpected death was a blow to fans of afro-beat. Before Fela, the genre didn't exist. That alone, is a great achievement. We know that the music industry marginalised African music in general for decades. Fela's chaotic lifestyle, his uncompromising attitude, his politics and the music industry's bias, ensured that his music (as brilliant as it was), remained in the doldrums until after his death. A Felabration From 2003, the music emerged to take it's place exactly where it should have been. There became an awareness all over the globe. It created a wider fan base and even more appreciation for Fela's work. The tragedy is, Fela did not live long enough to see and enjoy the fruits of his labour. A lot of bands and artists have emerged trying to play afro-beat. Few have succeeded, often playing a watered down version of Fela's sound. None have come close to doing it as well a...

A taste of the Gambia and Senegal in one evening! It was Saturday 21st September and I was at Hackney Attic. Another evening of African music during the London african Music Festival. This one was presented by Laura Mills. I came to see Fofoula featuring members of Outhouse Ruhabi, the highly acclaimed Outhouse project with their own distinct sound. A creative vision that embraces each member's musical personality, combines and brings together a fresh and unique musical experience. The core of the music is mainly from the Gambia. African praise songs fused with guitar, drums, bass, keyboard, saxophone and the African Sabar created and underpinned by electronic sound textures. These musicians knew their stuff.   The audience was a mix of all nations coming together in peace and harmony to enjoy the musical experience.  The support band, Minn Jiarabi fronted by the charismatic guitarist, singer/songwriter from Senegal Abdoulaye Samb, were quite im...