Name: Coffin For Head Of State / Unknown Soldier
Brand: Fela Kuti

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

kfr-1021

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2017-12-11

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

PIAS

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Fela Kuti

Genre GB

African

Label GB

Knitting Factory

Fela Kuti, born on 15 October 1938 in Abeokuta, Nigeria, was a legendary musician and human rights revolutionary. He formed his first group Koola Lobitos in 1963 and later changed the name to Afrika 70. Fela's vision and collaboration with key members like drummer Tony Allen ensured that the jazz, funk, and afrobeat style remained consistent throughout the decades. Known for his political activism, Fela started his own party to protest corruption in Nigeria. His influence on funk and African music is unparalleled, with a discography of approximately 77 albums.

After visiting America in 1969, Fela returned to Nigeria and opened club Afro Spot in Lagos. He collaborated with renowned musicians such as Ginger Baker and Bobby Tench from The Jeff Beck Group on notable albums like "Ginger Baker Live with Afrika 70" (1971) and "Stratavarious" (1972). In 1981, he renamed his group Egypt 80.

Fela Anikulapo Kuti, formerly known as Fela Ransome-Kuti until about 1978, was not only a musical icon but also a symbol of resistance against oppression. He established his own compound called the Kalakuta Republic in Lagos which he declared independent from Nigeria. However, this led to constant harassment by the government towards him and his numerous wives.

Knitting Factory is a renowned music label that was initially called [l7826]. With the aim of promoting diverse and innovative music, Knitting Factory has established itself as a leading force in the industry. Since its inception, this label has been dedicated to supporting talented artists and performers, showcasing their unique sounds to a global audience.

With an impressive catalog of releases, Knitting Factory offers a wide range of genres including jazz, world music, rock, and electronic. The label's commitment to quality and artistic integrity is evident in every release they put out. From iconic albums by *John Zorn* and *Medeski Martin & Wood* to groundbreaking works by *The Bad Plus* and *Bill Frisell*, Knitting Factory continues to push boundaries and redefine what it means to be a record label.

As you explore the vast collection of music on offer from Knitting Factory, you'll discover hidden gems waiting to be unearthed. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the label's roster, there's something for everyone here. Join us on this musical journey as we celebrate the incredible talent fostered by Knitting Factory.

These masterpieces were pivotal accomplishments for Kuti, as they solidified his rise from mere social commentator to fiercely determined cultural leader. Recorded after the brutal raid of his Kalaluta compound and the consequent death of his mother, they comprise two of the most personal statements Kuti ever made. "Coffin for Head of State" denounces the corrosive effect of Christian and Muslim influence on African life and takes to task the leaders that perpetuate the "Bad bad bad things/Through Jesus Christ our Lord." It takes its name from a protest in which Kuti and a group of supporters laid a coffin on the steps of Christian leader Olusegun Obasanjo's Dodan Barracks, the headquarters of the military government. An epic 31-minute tribute to his fallen mother, "Unknown Soldier" is one of the most ambitious recordings of Kuti's career which describes in frightening detail the events that transpired on the eve of the Kalakuta raid, including the rape of several women, beatings, mutilation, and the throwing of his mother ("the Mother of Nigeria") out of a window. The official police report after the raid blamed the attack on "unknown soldiers," and in response to this fantastic cover-up, Kuti gives a tortured, powerful performance of some of his most vivid and incendiary music -- music that was in many ways the ideological equal of the physical torture that Kuti and his company had endured.

Coffin For Head Of State / Unknown Soldier

Music GB