50th Anniversary Edition of Fela Kuti’s ‘Shakara’ includes new renditions from Ezra Collective
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of arguably the greatest Afrobeat album ever recorded, in Fela Kuti and The Africa 70’s Shakara, Brooklyn’s Partisan Records has put out a special edition reissue of the two-track classic that includes an additional 7inch record featuring new renditions of both “Lady” and “Shakara (Oloje)” by one of the leading lights among the London jazz scene, Ezra Collective.
Originally released in 1972, Shakara is Fela Kuti and The Africa 70 at their best, featuring drummer and Africa 70 music director Tony Allen along with an impressive horn section that includes Tony Njoku, Igo Chico, Lekan Animashaun and Kuti himself. Both tracks are over 13-minutes long, and set the standard for the Afrobeat sound and even staples among the NYC underground disco scene during the 70’s.
For Ezra Collective’s new versions, the UK quintet continues to lean into their signature Afrobeat-meets-jazz-funk sound, keeping the base foundation of the originals while still turning up the heat on these two dancefloor scorchers. Given their virtuosic chops and the strong friendship that Ezra Collective drummer Femi Koleoso had with the late Tony Allen, they were the perfect group to breathe new life into these songs.
This special 50th edition of the LP is packaged in a gatefold jacket and pressed on pink vinyl, with the bonus 7inch pressed on yellow vinyl (for those that are into that kind of thing).
Overall, an outstanding and well-crafted reissue that celebrates a timeless classic while still looking towards the future of this powerful music.
Fela Kuti & The Africa 70 — ‘Shakara’ (50th Anniversary Edition)
(Originally Released: 1972 / EMI)
(Reissued: 2023 / Partisan Records)
12″ — Pink Vinyl
SIDE A: Fela Kuti & The Africa 70 — “Lady”
SIDE B: Fela Kuti & The Africa 70 — “Shakara (Oloje)”
7″ — Yellow Vinyl
SIDE A: Ezra Collective — “Lady”
SIDE B: Ezra Collective — “Shakara (Oloje)”
