1978
1978 was a year full of historically significant events in the turbulent life of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti. Fela was not performing locally, the Nigerian government had banned Fela shows for a year. In Februari, he married 27 women, many of whom were his dancers, composers, and singers. The year was also marked by two notorious concerts, the first in Accra in which riots broke out during the song “Zombie”, which led to Fela being banned from entering Ghana.
"Our own spirituality is not accepted by hierarchy... we call di underground spiritual game"
- Fela Kuti
The last Africa 70’s show
Surfacing mysteriously after over 30 years, this footage of Fela and Africa 70’s set at the Berlin Jazz Festival in 1978 is probably the best quality video/audio and musical performance of Fela to date. The polyrhythmic percussion groove is solid as ever, and it’s a truly stunning demonstration of the highest level of musicianship, control, and stage presence. It’s hard to tell the group wasn’t in sync at the time, shortly after this performance most of Fela’s musicians deserted him, due to rumours that he was planning to use the entire proceeds to fund his presidential campaign.