''Army Arrangement'' is a 1985 studio album by

Fela Kuti Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti (born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti; 15 October 1938 – 2 August 1997), also known as Abami Eda, was a Nigerian musician, bandleader, composer, political activist, and Pan-Africanist. He is regarded as the p ...

Background

The album consists of two tracks. Fela criticized the Nigerian military and the military government, documenting the period of transition from military rule back to civilian rule in the late 1970s in the track "Army Arrangement". In "Government Chicken Boy", Kuti tackles people who follow authority with obedience. It was also a period when Kuti's home came under repeated attacks.

Production and release

Kuti recorded ''Army Arrangement'' with the Egypt 80 band and the tapes were sent to New York for mixing. Kuti was however arrested by the Nigerian government while attempting to leave for the United States. It was mixed by Bill Laswell with input from

Sly Dunbar Lowell Fillmore "Sly" Dunbar (born 10 May 1952, Kingston, Jamaica) is a drummer, best known as one half of the prolific Jamaican rhythm section and reggae production duo Sly and Robbie. Biography Dunbar began playing at 15 in a band called ...

, Ayib Dieng and Bernie Worrell on drums and the keyboard. Fela later described "Army Arrangement" as one of his least favourite tracks saying "What Bill Laswell has done is not African music the way I hear it" and "anything that changes the natural sound of my instruments, I don't use. I will not do music with computers and electronic gadgets because African music is natural sound." The album was originally released under the Knitting Factory Records label and has been re-released under other labels including

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and

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Records.

Other releases

''Army Arrangement'' was released as part of a box set of Fela Kuti's "indisputable classics" curated by Erykah Badu.

Reception

A ''Pulse Nigeria'' reviewer described ''Army Arrangement'' as a "riveting political critique of the Nigerian military government and laced with swashbuckling instrumentation". It was considered alongside '' Unknown Soldier'' and ''Beasts of No Nation'' as one of Kuti's trifectas; "three consecutive top quality, universally acclaimed and commercially successful albums". ''

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'' wrote, "The guiding pulse on each song here is lucid and dramatic — less complex per haps than tracks Egypt 80 finished themselves, but no less compelling. Less is more when you're reproducing a music not your own by ear. Thus, Laswell's work on the anthemic "Army Arrangement" shows admirable restraint." When Kuti was imprisoned, contrary to the usual intimidation of newcomers, he was welcomed to cheers at Kirikiri Prison by the inmates. He was asked to sing whilst the other prisoners clapped. He sang "Army Arrangement". Nigerian rapper Falz sampled some lyrics from "Army Arrangement" including the repetitive use of "e no finish" on the eighth track of his 2019 studio album, '' Moral Instruction''. It was also sampled by

2Baba Innocent Ujah Idibia MON (born 18 September 1975), known by his stage name 2Baba, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Noted for his vocal range, lyrical depth, and longevity, he is widely regard ...

on the "Jeje" track from his 2014 studio album, '' The Ascension''.

Track listing

Personnel

* Feladey & Friends - Performer * Jean-Pierre Haie - CD Preparation, Collection * Fela Kuti - Composer, Primary Artist * Fela Kuti & Egypt 80 - Guest Artist * Bernard Matussiere - Photography * Rikki Stein - Liner Notes, Project Administrator

References

{{Authority control Fela Kuti albums 1985 albums Afrobeat albums 1985 in Nigeria