''Unknown Soldier'' is an album by Nigerian
Afrobeat composer, bandleader and multi-instrumentalist
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 ...
, recorded in 1979 and originally released on the Nigerian Skylark label.
Fela Kuti discography
, accessed May 9, 2014.
Reception
AllMusic stated: "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.... 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".[Smith, J.]
AllMusic review
accessed May 9, 2014.
Track listing
All compositions composed and arranged by Fela Kuti. French lyrics translated by Kwesi Yopee
# "Unknown Soldier" (Instrumental) – 14:45
# "Unknown Soldier" (Vocal) – 16:23
Personnel
*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 ...
– tenor saxophone, alto saxophone
The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments. Saxophones were invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in the 1840s and patented in 1846. The alto saxophone is pitched in E, smaller than the B tenor ...
, electric piano
An electric piano is a musical instrument which produces sounds when a performer presses the keys of a piano-style musical keyboard. Pressing keys causes mechanical hammers to strike metal strings, metal reeds or wire tines, leading to vibrations ...
, vocals
*Nana Kwame Opoku, Okalue Ojeah – tenor guitar
*Mardo Martino, Tunde Brown – rhythm guitar
*Adekunle Adewala, Kalenky Clement Djalo – bass guitar
*Durotimi Ikujenyo – rhythm piano
*Oyinade Adeniran, Yinusa Akinibosun – tenor saxophone
*Lekan Animashaun – baritone saxophone, leader, soloist
*Mukoro Owieh – second baritone saxophone
*Oye Shobowale – trumpet
* Tony Allen – drums kit
*Nicholas Avom, Maseaswe Anam – drums
*Popoola Awodoye, Okon Etuk Iyang, Moses Emmanuel – congas
*Taiye Ojomo – claves
*Fesobi Olawaiye – maracas
*Alake Anikulapo Kuti, Fehintola Anikulapo Kuti, Folake Anikulapo Kuti, Ihase Anikulapo Kuti, Kevwe Anikulapo Kuti, Omowunmi Anikulapo Kuti, Tejumade Anikulapo Kuti, Tokunbo Anikulapo Kuti – Africa 70 singers
;Technical
*Tunde Orimogunje – design
*Femi Osunla – photography
References
{{Authority control
Fela Kuti albums
1981 albums
Afrobeat albums