Search - Daktaris :: Soul Explosion

The 1968 Democratic Convention

Mr. A. Pomeroy | Wiltshire, England | 03/09/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is a re-re-release of an album that came out in the early 1990s, and was re-released towards the end of the decade. It was a celebrated musical hustle; the group was made up of about a dozen or so mostly twenty-something mostly white guys from Brooklyn, who had no personal connection with Fela Kuti at all, apart from being moved by his music. Nonetheless the packaging and song titles etc gave the impression that they were a real African band from the 1970s, without explicitly lying. This was their only LP, and the group went on to become the Antibalas, who still exist and tour.



Even if you don't care for the backstory, this is a fun record, although it's very much background listening; if you're expecting a body-poppin' dance craze you'll be disappointed, it's mid-tempo and sounds like a small brass band with a funky drummer. It goes on too long and it's too one-note to be a masterpiece, but it's pleasant enough. As many people have pointed out, if you write "Eltsuhg Ibal Lasiti" backwards it spells "It is all a big hustle"."

Good flow, but a little repetitive

A. Chadderton | Carolina of the North | 07/19/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The first song (which is the same as the second) reminds me of the song they play in the movie Broken Flowers with Bill Murray. Anyways this cd does consist of some good afro-funk, but does not venture too much musically (Best aspect = the guitar, holding it down with the wah). I think I expected a little more even though I know it's supposed to be simple. Also the give it up turn it loose cover isn't as good as i'd hoped. If you're into Fela Kuti, and other afro funk or funk in general then this would be a good pick up. But I wouldn't pay some of the outrageous prices that I have seen it selling for. I'd say you can defintely get it for less than $13."