Search - Fela Kuti :: Opposite People / Sorrow Tears & Blood

The Nelson Mandela Of Music

J.D. | Arizona | 07/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's twenty years ago that I first listened to Fela. Funny how time flies. I was a musician at the time, looking for a new direction, something that wouldn't grow stale so easily, and to me Fela represented it. My first record of his was Sorrow Tears And Blood. This music has the power to grab you and never let go. It's relaxed, yet pulsing, funky cool, yet heart warming. This is about real life problems, heroism, suppression, fearlesness and integrity. Reading up on his life adds dimension to the music. Be forewarned though. Once you've heard Fela Anikulapo Kuti ('the one who carries death in his pouch') it will be hard to go back to silly love songs and shallow commercial tunes. Although not a mainstream name, Fela more than deserves a place among the musical legends of the 20th century. If the quality of the true classics is that they don't grow stale, Fela is right up there with them. His music is timeless."

A musical masterpiece...

Eddie Landsberg | Tokyo, Japan | 11/11/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Its rare that you can listen to an album that stands alone both on MUSIC and MESSAGE... Fela's music consistantly does this... one element doesn't compensate for the other... both are presented at an unbelievably high spiritual and musical level. Take SORROW TEARS & BLOOD... well before Fela's powerful message comes in, the tune is unbelievably musically engaging in depth and funk... Coltrane with a JB pocket.... then Fela comes in mocking the sounds of an approaching police car with his voice... (*anyone familiar with Fela, especially as his music matured is well aware of the brilliant way his pieces just build and build and not simply "stop" where you'd expect them to, but to keep going in interesting directions.) - - within moments, Fela is wise enough to state the first chorus of his verse several times prior to "chanting" his scathing indictment of the army and police in his own country (which can be assumed to also represent police and military abuse throughout the world)... in response the well orchestrated chorus responds with the same vigor and intensity of the horn's JB like horn punches letting you know that they agree and are listening... After the message has been stated Fela delivers his message, then returns to that incredible verse of his once again, then the vocals make way for his solo, Fela being one of the one of the only men in history who could probably be described as both the African JAMES BROWN (actually JB said this) and John Coltrane (my opinion).



The first time I heard some of the tunes on this album I remember it hit me similar to the first time I discvoered modern Jazz... I had turned the radio dial too far to the left, and heard this music that was so different and non-worldly that I wound up just laying on the floor feeling the world was spinning and not knowing what was going on... it was like a religious experience. Rarely since had I had such feelings toward music... but when I listened to Fela's BLACK PRESIDENT CD (which had two of the tunes from this album) it happened all over agin.



Though Fela has developed a cult following since his death, I think the world has yet to truly describeda man with a message as strong and powerful as the Marley's and Gil Scott Heron's and groove that has MANY REVIEWS uttering the words JB and ART BLAKEY in the same breath (and actually knowing what they're talking about.)



(P.S. The Vocal arrangements over the incredibly mysterious, sharp, yet funky rhythmic groove and horn arrangements in COLONIAL MENTALITY in my book serve as high points in musical innovation and performance.)"

Dance for enjoyment

Ahmed Chronwell | Washington DC | 04/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One part Marley, One part James, One Part Trane, Fela is a hero I only recently discovered. These two albums from 1977 are classical and rock solid. The best tune is Sorrow Tears and Blood which is so timeless, because it can apply to the Cincinatti police brutality situation that happens to colored people in this nation.The late 2pac is a true poet similar to the great Fela. I hope open-minded hiphop listeners check this album out, because Fela's drummer Tony Allen lays down beats so hot they will make your sweat evaporate."