Open And Close/Afrodisiac [Remastered] - Fela Kuti

Advantages: Great triple CD
Disadvantages: None

...Essential Afroboeat is essential if you are in any way interested in Afrobeat music. The CD sleeve notes bake a somewhat bold claim. "This is Afrobeat: The past, the present and the future. Contributions to this compilation come from all the corners of the Earth, with influences from every culture of the world. Fela said that Africa was "The centre of the world." This compilation has proved him right: Afrobeat is afrian and Africa is at the centre. The contribution of each artist to this compilation is testimony to the fact that Afrobeat is universal." But are these sleeve notes right? Yeah. I guess they are, pretty much. There's a glittering array of some of the best of the most talented musicians from Africa. There's Fela Kuti himself, with his super-eclectic style, which combines elements of R&B, Reggae, Ska and some hard pushing... Read review

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Advantages: Brilliant lyrics, relaxing, takes you back to the roots of Hip Hop, Inspirational piece of work!!
Disadvantages: mmmmm.......

..., Relativity. 1997's One Day It'll All Make Sense boasted guest appearances by Lauryn Hill, Q-Tip, De La Soul, Erykah Badu, Cee-Lo, and the Roots' Black Thought and epitomized the movement of "intelligent hip-hop" that saw its peak around that time. Known as the most well-known underground rapper, Common signed a major record with MCA. 2000's Like Water for Chocolate featured production by Roots drummer ?uestlove and, because of more extensive marketing resources, introduced Common to the mainstream. The album was a huge critical and commercial success and featured the Grammy-nominated "The Light." Guests included Macy Gray, MC Lyte, Cee-Lo, Mos Def, D'Angelo, jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove, and international star Femi Kuti (on a tribute to his legendary father Fela Kuti). Common followed up with a well-received guest appearance on Mary J. Blige... Read review

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Advantages: Lyrics, great indie-pop, remastered and bonus tracks
Disadvantages: Not entirely justified for already firm Five fans

...When I put Whatever and Ever Amen in my cd player I get hit with nostalgia and happiness. I spent a good deal of high school listening to these records with Amen definitely ranking up there. The band, self-described as 'punk rock for pussies', accurately reference this in the opening track 'One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces' with incredibly aggressive piano playing and distorted bass. Folds' lyrics may see his tongue stuck firmly in his cheek for a good deal of the time, but his references are so cleverly ironic while being brutally honest they hit remarkably close to the heart. Obvious standouts on 'Amen' here are 'Song for the Dumped', radio hit 'Brick' and 'Kate' but there is not one weak track on the entire album. In fact after repeated listens I'm sure most will find the album-only tracks surprisingly stronger. 'Selfless Cold... Read review

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