Keziah Jones: Biography(Japanese)
Keziah Jones: Biography(Japanese)
1968年1月10日
ナイジェリアの首都ラゴスに生まれる。兄2人、姉2人、妹3人の8人兄弟の3男。
本名 Olufemi Sanyalou。ヨルバ族の酋長の父はナイジェリアでも有数の資産家。
1978年頃
将来を嘱望されたキザイアは、8歳の時に英才教育を受けるべくイギリスのグロスターシャー(Gloucestershire) にあるPrep School (パブリック・スクール入学まで行く学校) に留学。
1983年頃
ミルフィールドのパブリックスクール (全寮制の名門校) に進学。同時期に友人やレイ・チャールズの影響で音楽に目覚め、独学でピアノを演奏し始める。
1985年頃
15、16歳の頃、ギターに転向し独学でマスターする。
1988年
18歳の頃、両親の反対を押し切って学校を中退し、フォーククラブ等で演奏を始める。ロンドンのトゥルパドール・クラブでライヴ・デビューし、オリジナルの他、プリンスのカヴァー等をプレイして、生まれてはじめてのギャラ￡20を手にする。しばらく続けたクラブ・サーキットに飽きてしまったキザイアはバスカー (ストリート・ミュージシャン) に転向、コヴェント・ガーデン、ノッティング・ヒルなどのストリートでプレイを開始。
1990年
2年に及ぶバスキング生活に終止符を打って再びクラブに舞い戻ったキザイアは、アフリカ出身のトランペッター、ヒュー・マセケラ (Hugh Masekela) のサポートをしていた所を見出され、レコーディングを行う。しかし完成したテープはキャピトルの期待していたものとは遠くかけ離れたものであり、契約を解消されてしまう。
1991年
ギター、ベース、ドラムスという最小のユニットでライヴ・サーキットを再開したキザイアは、ヴァージン・フランス傘下のデラベル・レーベルの最初のアーティストとして契約。
1991年冬
レニー・クラヴィッツのヨーロッパツアーをサポート。
1992年3月
デビューアルバム「ブルーファンク・イズ・ア・ファクト (Blufunk Is A Fact!) 」発表。
1992年5月
初来日公演。
1992年8月
ヴィルジニー・テヴネ (Virginie Thevenet) 監督の日仏合作映画「サム・サフィ」 (Sam Saffit) 公開。音楽監督をつとめた他、オーレ・アッティカ (Aure Atika) 演ずる主人公エバと結婚する新進ミュージシャン (Theo Johnson) 役で初の映画出演を果たす。
1993年7月
ミニ・アルバム「キザイア・ジョーンズ・ライヴ (Live EP) 」発表。
1993年9月
「ブルーファンク～」ようやくアメリカで発売される。プッツィー・コリンズ、ジョージ・クリントン率いるP－ファンク・オール・スターズと共に全米ツアー。
1995年3月
セカンド・アルバム「アフリカン・スペース・クラフト (African Space Craft) 」発表。
1995年7月
2度目の来日公演。
1999年5月
3枚目のアルバム「リキッド・サンシャイン (Liquid Sunshine) 」発表。
1978年のParliamentの曲「Liquid Sunshine」 (「Motor Booty Affair」収録) にちなんで名付けられた。
当初のアルバム名は「Uncle Fem's Long Grain Funk」。
1999年9～10月
3度目となる来日公演を行う。
2002年10月
ミュージシャンとして参加した、フェラ・クティ (Fela Kuti) のトリビュート・アルバム「Red Hot + Riot」が発売。
2003年4月
4枚目のアルバム「ブラック・オルフェウス (Black Orpheus) 」発表。
マルセル・カミュ (Marcel Camus) 監督の1959年の映画「黒いオルフェ (Orfeu Negro) 」にインスパイアされて作られたアルバム。
2004年6月
ライブDVD「Live at the Elysee Montmartre」 (国内盤未発売) を発表。
2004年夏
デラベル・レーベルとの契約を解消。アメリカ西海岸でのツアーを行う。
2004年11月
ベスト・アルバム「Rhythm is love」を発売。
2005年3月
ナイジェリアで凱旋ライブを行う。
2008年9月
「ナイジェリアン・ウッド(Nigerian Wood)」発売。
2009年
来日公演。ビルボードライブ東京・大阪。
2013年11月
「キャプテン・ラギッド(Captain Rugged)」発売。
2014年2月
来日公演予定。ビルボードライブ東京・大阪。
Keziah Jones: Biography(Japanese)
Keziah Jones: Biography(Japanese)
1968年1月10日
ナイジェリアの首都ラゴスに生まれる。兄2人、姉2人、妹3人の8人兄弟の3男。
本名 Olufemi Sanyalou。ヨルバ族の酋長の父はナイジェリアでも有数の資産家。
1978年頃
将来を嘱望されたキザイアは、8歳の時に英才教育を受けるべくイギリスのグロスターシャー(Gloucestershire) にあるPrep School (パブリック・スクール入学まで行く学校) に留学。
1983年頃
ミルフィールドのパブリックスクール (全寮制の名門校) に進学。同時期に友人やレイ・チャールズの影響で音楽に目覚め、独学でピアノを演奏し始める。
1985年頃
15、16歳の頃、ギターに転向し独学でマスターする。
1988年
18歳の頃、両親の反対を押し切って学校を中退し、フォーククラブ等で演奏を始める。ロンドンのトゥルパドール・クラブでライヴ・デビューし、オリジナルの他、プリンスのカヴァー等をプレイして、生まれてはじめてのギャラ￡20を手にする。しばらく続けたクラブ・サーキットに飽きてしまったキザイアはバスカー (ストリート・ミュージシャン) に転向、コヴェント・ガーデン、ノッティング・ヒルなどのストリートでプレイを開始。
1990年
2年に及ぶバスキング生活に終止符を打って再びクラブに舞い戻ったキザイアは、アフリカ出身のトランペッター、ヒュー・マセケラ (Hugh Masekela) のサポートをしていた所を見出され、レコーディングを行う。しかし完成したテープはキャピトルの期待していたものとは遠くかけ離れたものであり、契約を解消されてしまう。
1991年
ギター、ベース、ドラムスという最小のユニットでライヴ・サーキットを再開したキザイアは、ヴァージン・フランス傘下のデラベル・レーベルの最初のアーティストとして契約。
1991年冬
レニー・クラヴィッツのヨーロッパツアーをサポート。
1992年3月
デビューアルバム「ブルーファンク・イズ・ア・ファクト (Blufunk Is A Fact!) 」発表。
1992年5月
初来日公演。
1992年8月
ヴィルジニー・テヴネ (Virginie Thevenet) 監督の日仏合作映画「サム・サフィ」 (Sam Saffit) 公開。音楽監督をつとめた他、オーレ・アッティカ (Aure Atika) 演ずる主人公エバと結婚する新進ミュージシャン (Theo Johnson) 役で初の映画出演を果たす。
1993年7月
ミニ・アルバム「キザイア・ジョーンズ・ライヴ (Live EP) 」発表。
1993年9月
「ブルーファンク～」ようやくアメリカで発売される。プッツィー・コリンズ、ジョージ・クリントン率いるP－ファンク・オール・スターズと共に全米ツアー。
1995年3月
セカンド・アルバム「アフリカン・スペース・クラフト (African Space Craft) 」発表。
1995年7月
2度目の来日公演。
1999年5月
3枚目のアルバム「リキッド・サンシャイン (Liquid Sunshine) 」発表。
1978年のParliamentの曲「Liquid Sunshine」 (「Motor Booty Affair」収録) にちなんで名付けられた。
当初のアルバム名は「Uncle Fem's Long Grain Funk」。
1999年9～10月
3度目となる来日公演を行う。
2002年10月
ミュージシャンとして参加した、フェラ・クティ (Fela Kuti) のトリビュート・アルバム「Red Hot + Riot」が発売。
2003年4月
4枚目のアルバム「ブラック・オルフェウス (Black Orpheus) 」発表。
マルセル・カミュ (Marcel Camus) 監督の1959年の映画「黒いオルフェ (Orfeu Negro) 」にインスパイアされて作られたアルバム。
2004年6月
ライブDVD「Live at the Elysee Montmartre」 (国内盤未発売) を発表。
2004年夏
デラベル・レーベルとの契約を解消。アメリカ西海岸でのツアーを行う。
2004年11月
ベスト・アルバム「Rhythm is love」を発売。
2005年3月
ナイジェリアで凱旋ライブを行う。
2008年9月
「ナイジェリアン・ウッド(Nigerian Wood)」発売。
2009年
来日公演。ビルボードライブ東京・大阪。
2013年11月
「キャプテン・ラギッド(Captain Rugged)」発売。
2014年2月
来日公演予定。ビルボードライブ東京・大阪。
Keziah Jones: Biography(Japanese)
Keziah Jones: Biography(Japanese)
1968年1月10日
ナイジェリアの首都ラゴスに生まれる。兄2人、姉2人、妹3人の8人兄弟の3男。
本名 Olufemi Sanyalou。ヨルバ族の酋長の父はナイジェリアでも有数の資産家。
1978年頃
将来を嘱望されたキザイアは、8歳の時に英才教育を受けるべくイギリスのグロスターシャー(Gloucestershire) にあるPrep School (パブリック・スクール入学まで行く学校) に留学。
1983年頃
ミルフィールドのパブリックスクール (全寮制の名門校) に進学。同時期に友人やレイ・チャールズの影響で音楽に目覚め、独学でピアノを演奏し始める。
1985年頃
15、16歳の頃、ギターに転向し独学でマスターする。
1988年
18歳の頃、両親の反対を押し切って学校を中退し、フォーククラブ等で演奏を始める。ロンドンのトゥルパドール・クラブでライヴ・デビューし、オリジナルの他、プリンスのカヴァー等をプレイして、生まれてはじめてのギャラ￡20を手にする。しばらく続けたクラブ・サーキットに飽きてしまったキザイアはバスカー (ストリート・ミュージシャン) に転向、コヴェント・ガーデン、ノッティング・ヒルなどのストリートでプレイを開始。
1990年
2年に及ぶバスキング生活に終止符を打って再びクラブに舞い戻ったキザイアは、アフリカ出身のトランペッター、ヒュー・マセケラ (Hugh Masekela) のサポートをしていた所を見出され、レコーディングを行う。しかし完成したテープはキャピトルの期待していたものとは遠くかけ離れたものであり、契約を解消されてしまう。
1991年
ギター、ベース、ドラムスという最小のユニットでライヴ・サーキットを再開したキザイアは、ヴァージン・フランス傘下のデラベル・レーベルの最初のアーティストとして契約。
1991年冬
レニー・クラヴィッツのヨーロッパツアーをサポート。
1992年3月
デビューアルバム「ブルーファンク・イズ・ア・ファクト (Blufunk Is A Fact!) 」発表。
1992年5月
初来日公演。
1992年8月
ヴィルジニー・テヴネ (Virginie Thevenet) 監督の日仏合作映画「サム・サフィ」 (Sam Saffit) 公開。音楽監督をつとめた他、オーレ・アッティカ (Aure Atika) 演ずる主人公エバと結婚する新進ミュージシャン (Theo Johnson) 役で初の映画出演を果たす。
1993年7月
ミニ・アルバム「キザイア・ジョーンズ・ライヴ (Live EP) 」発表。
1993年9月
「ブルーファンク～」ようやくアメリカで発売される。プッツィー・コリンズ、ジョージ・クリントン率いるP－ファンク・オール・スターズと共に全米ツアー。
1995年3月
セカンド・アルバム「アフリカン・スペース・クラフト (African Space Craft) 」発表。
1995年7月
2度目の来日公演。
1999年5月
3枚目のアルバム「リキッド・サンシャイン (Liquid Sunshine) 」発表。
1978年のParliamentの曲「Liquid Sunshine」 (「Motor Booty Affair」収録) にちなんで名付けられた。
当初のアルバム名は「Uncle Fem's Long Grain Funk」。
1999年9～10月
3度目となる来日公演を行う。
2002年10月
ミュージシャンとして参加した、フェラ・クティ (Fela Kuti) のトリビュート・アルバム「Red Hot + Riot」が発売。
2003年4月
4枚目のアルバム「ブラック・オルフェウス (Black Orpheus) 」発表。
マルセル・カミュ (Marcel Camus) 監督の1959年の映画「黒いオルフェ (Orfeu Negro) 」にインスパイアされて作られたアルバム。
2004年6月
ライブDVD「Live at the Elysee Montmartre」 (国内盤未発売) を発表。
2004年夏
デラベル・レーベルとの契約を解消。アメリカ西海岸でのツアーを行う。
2004年11月
ベスト・アルバム「Rhythm is love」を発売。
2005年3月
ナイジェリアで凱旋ライブを行う。
2008年9月
「ナイジェリアン・ウッド(Nigerian Wood)」発売。
2009年
来日公演。ビルボードライブ東京・大阪。
2013年11月
「キャプテン・ラギッド(Captain Rugged)」発売。
2014年2月
来日公演予定。ビルボードライブ東京・大阪。
Keziah Jones: Biography(English)
Keziah Jones: Biography(English)
Delabel /EMI 2003
Born in 1968 in Yaba, Central Lagos, Keziah Jones aka Captain Rugged aka Olufemi Sanyaolu grew up in a large middle class family. On his way to school, the young Femi would pass by the Kalakuta Republic, the great bandleader Fela Kuti's legendary commune, home to his Afrika 70 musicians, wives and hangers-on.
'I would look through the car window; I could sometimes see him in the yard. I remember hearing about a family member who had ran off and joined him. Every Lagos family's got someone who ran off to join Fela.'
In 1977, he was dispatched to the UK where he's been based ever since. He went to prep school in Gloucestershire followed by 4 years at Millfield, the international public school. Here, amidst the children of the business class and the political elite,16 year old Femi began to develop the persona that what would become Keziah Jones.
'I had it all planned out at that age. I saw the name in a magazine, some old woman called Keziah, added Jones on the end of it. Thought "Keziah Jones" yeah, that's just a whole new me. Olufemi Sanyaolu is from a certain place, he's a known thing. Keziah Jones is an unknown side of myself that I can explore through music.'
In 1989, Femi began to busk in Covent Garden and Leicester Square. Eager for new experiences, he decamped to Paris where he met entrepreneur Philippe Cohen-Salal who recorded his demo tape. Back in London, his unique thrash-guitar style caught the ear of songwriter turned manager Phil Pickett.
Pickett videoed him in concert supporting Hugh Masekela at Subterrania in 1990. The video triggered a bidding war; Jones chose Emmanuel de Buretel, then head of the brand new Parisian record label Delabel/Virgin France, now head of EMI/Virgin Europe.
Jones had made a wise choice. As the first, and for a while only, signing to Delabel, the label built itself around him. Instead of forcing him towards hiphop as a British label might have done, Delabel supported Jones' vision of the new sound he called 'Blufunk'.
'I taught myself a very percussive way of playing guitar to support my words. I called it Blufunk.' With it's cryptic lyrics and harshly struck chords, 1991's Blufunk Is A Fact was a startling breakthrough debut that sold 500,000 copies throughout Europe & Japan.
Now a star in Europe and Japan, Keziah was a cult in London, a figure outside and beyond the dance, hiphop and guitar scenes that dominated the UK. Not suprising, perhaps, since his albums only ever appeared as expensive French imports. As Keziah says, 'Within the context of British music or black music, my music is always sticking out a little bit to the side because I just don't belong or play to those mentalities. I think I'm the only International Yoruba solo singer songwriter. I'm the first Yoruba funk guitarist. I'm definitely the first Yoruba solo songwriter that's taken his music out and toured all over the world.'
Four years later came the follow up album: African Space Craft. 'I wanted it to be more explicit and bolder about race,' he says. 'Lyrically, it's very hard sounding.' Confrontational yet wounded songs like Colorful World, Dear Mr Cooper and Never Gonna Let You Go shocked audiences expecting another Lenny Kravitz.
'I got a lot of flak for African Space Craft. The label did not get it. They were very shocked that I would do that.'
Several major life changes occurred in the mid 90s. Jones' father died just before African Space Craft was released. He also married Anglo-Nigerian singer songwriter Akure Wall. It wasn't until 1999 that the third album, the brilliant and largely self produced Liquid Sunshine emerged. Initially titled Uncle Fem's Long Grain Funk, it was conceived as a concept album, hosted by a Lagos based radio dj, complete with weather reports and traffic jam news spots. On the eve of it's release however, Jones retitled and abandoned the entire concept.
Named after the 1978 Parliament track, Liquid Sunshine, nonetheless, is Jones' most luxuriant album. Songs like God's Glory and Sunshineshapedbulletholes belie his sombre mood by offering a tenderness far removed from his previous harsh sound. Looking back, Keziah says that recording Liquid Sunshine 'healed my mind. It forced me to get out and tour again. I'd been lying about for 2 years getting high.'
But there was more crisis to come. On the 1999 European tour, his bass player 'started freaking out.' The group split. The tour collapsed. Keziah left for the States, then Nigeria. 'I realised I had no inner strength,' he now says of this bleak time. Slowly he regrouped, dismissing his old manager, breaking up the band, assembling a new team and crucially forcing himself to practice every day.
For the next 3 years, Jones recommitted himself to music. He discovered music theory and developed a personal means of notating his now vast range of guitar techniques. 'Before I didn't even know what I was doing. Now I have a way to notate my guitar styles. In my notebooks I have different ways of showing a guitar sound, whether it's a right hand form or a left hand form,hitting or strumming, the edge of thumb or the tip of thumb.'
To write Black Orpheus, Jones moved to Denia, a little town near Valencia, Spain to 'wash my head of London.' He fasted and painstakingly recorded demos that were then rerecorded in London with a 9 piece group. The album was produced by Kevin Armstrong who worked with Keziah a decade previously on Blufunk.
Black Orpheus' serene mood, evoked by the recurrent sound of ocean tides was conjured by the celebrated engineer Russell Elevado, famous for his work with D'Angelo, Alicia Keyes and Erykah Badu. Elevado picked up on the contemplative mood of the Yoruba-ambient epic Orin O' Lomi (Liquid Music) and threaded it throughout the album.
Black Orpheus is Jones' most lyrically personal, musically detailed and satisfyingly sequenced album to date. It ranges from ambiguous ballads such as Neptune, intricately composed suites like All Praises and Autumn Moon to lithe funk tracks like Kpafuca and 72 Kilos, hook-filled Prince inspired pop smashes like Afrosurrealism for the Ladies and Femiliarize to infectiously open hearted guitar-picked songs like Sadness Is and Beautiful Emilie.
Black Orpheus' title references Marcel Camus' famous 1958 movie which relocates the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice to 50's Rio de Janeiro. Struck by the movie's depiction 'of love between two black people', Black Orpheus evokes 'the dangerous, mythical' form of African relationships within a fantasia of 21st Century Lagos.
Lyrically Jones breaks new ground in his quest for a West African 'English that is not quite English.' The propulsively funky instructions and orders of the track Kpafuca (meaning 'something is broken/ confused') for example, are Keziah's linguistic riffs on the slang term invented by Fela Kuti in Go Slow, his early 1970s anthem to Lagos notorious traffic jams.
Kpafuca exemplifies Keziahs mission to create a slang that is uniquely Lagosian, but which, like Kingston's dancehall chat, appeals to the French and English alike. 72 Kilos draws vivid images of 'how surreal Nigeria is, how contradictory it is. You know, something like a Nigerian 419 scam letter, which I think is pretty funny.'
These days, the musical legacy of Fela Kuti and Yoruba-avant music shines brighter than ever. Artists like Common, Erykah Badu and The Roots are, Jones notes, 'all trying to get to West Africa.' On their way, they will surely meet Keziah Jones, whose journeys between Paris, Lagos, London, New York and Valencia have resulted in his most intimate, immediate, insightful and impactful album so far.
'I'm much more aware of where the music is' Jones states calmly. 'It has it's own system. I've found the score that can take me through the next 10 to 15 years.'
Captain Rugged - 2013
Five years after Nigerian Wood, Keziah Jones is back with a personal and political project, wearing the outfit of an Afro superhero,”Captain Rugged”, his quirky and socially committed double.
Nigerian, Afropolitan, universal, Captain Rugged tells us about modern Africa and its urban movements. He was born among the ghettos and skyscrapers of bustling Lagos, flying around in his ankara cape and shaking the city with his angry beats: “Here I come, an Afro Superhero, Captain Rugged”, cries Keziah. His Afronewave echoes his rebellion: a concept album in the shape of a manifesto.
“I’ve been nurturing this character for the past ten years.this superhero business is a satire on power,politics,and magic. I’m telling the epic story of refugees,immigration and exile,I wanted to portray these personalities as particularly rugged and robust: they’re survivors. superheroes. african superheroes.. That was my ambition for this album”.
Keziah is following in the footsteps of Fela Kuti, a fellow countryman and great defender of pan-africanism who was imprisoned several times for speaking against the Nigerian dictatorship. “I met Fela in the year before he died, and he emphasised to be the necessity of creating music that relates directly to the reality.
Lagos allowed Keziah to give life to Captain Rugged, a more powerful, outspoken and liberated avatar.
Keziah Jones assesses the relationship between the northern and southern hemispheres. “What I want to show the world is the modernity of post-colonial Africa, far from the image that the western world carries of a continent devastated by famine and/or war. I’m talking about young urban Africa: 20 million people live in Lagos! Modern contemporary African culture is a reality.Today, African culture has proven its vivacity and is nourished by the Diaspora
His music is Blufunk as but with an infusion of a punk-funk attitude crossed with yoruba rhythms. Recorded between London and Paris, mixed in New York, the album captain rugged has a psychedelic quality that he sums-up with a rather engaging: “George Clinton sharing a joint with Fela”.
Keziah Jones: Biography(English)
Keziah Jones: Biography(English)
Delabel /EMI 2003
Born in 1968 in Yaba, Central Lagos, Keziah Jones aka Captain Rugged aka Olufemi Sanyaolu grew up in a large middle class family. On his way to school, the young Femi would pass by the Kalakuta Republic, the great bandleader Fela Kuti's legendary commune, home to his Afrika 70 musicians, wives and hangers-on.
'I would look through the car window; I could sometimes see him in the yard. I remember hearing about a family member who had ran off and joined him. Every Lagos family's got someone who ran off to join Fela.'
In 1977, he was dispatched to the UK where he's been based ever since. He went to prep school in Gloucestershire followed by 4 years at Millfield, the international public school. Here, amidst the children of the business class and the political elite,16 year old Femi began to develop the persona that what would become Keziah Jones.
'I had it all planned out at that age. I saw the name in a magazine, some old woman called Keziah, added Jones on the end of it. Thought "Keziah Jones" yeah, that's just a whole new me. Olufemi Sanyaolu is from a certain place, he's a known thing. Keziah Jones is an unknown side of myself that I can explore through music.'
In 1989, Femi began to busk in Covent Garden and Leicester Square. Eager for new experiences, he decamped to Paris where he met entrepreneur Philippe Cohen-Salal who recorded his demo tape. Back in London, his unique thrash-guitar style caught the ear of songwriter turned manager Phil Pickett.
Pickett videoed him in concert supporting Hugh Masekela at Subterrania in 1990. The video triggered a bidding war; Jones chose Emmanuel de Buretel, then head of the brand new Parisian record label Delabel/Virgin France, now head of EMI/Virgin Europe.
Jones had made a wise choice. As the first, and for a while only, signing to Delabel, the label built itself around him. Instead of forcing him towards hiphop as a British label might have done, Delabel supported Jones' vision of the new sound he called 'Blufunk'.
'I taught myself a very percussive way of playing guitar to support my words. I called it Blufunk.' With it's cryptic lyrics and harshly struck chords, 1991's Blufunk Is A Fact was a startling breakthrough debut that sold 500,000 copies throughout Europe & Japan.
Now a star in Europe and Japan, Keziah was a cult in London, a figure outside and beyond the dance, hiphop and guitar scenes that dominated the UK. Not suprising, perhaps, since his albums only ever appeared as expensive French imports. As Keziah says, 'Within the context of British music or black music, my music is always sticking out a little bit to the side because I just don't belong or play to those mentalities. I think I'm the only International Yoruba solo singer songwriter. I'm the first Yoruba funk guitarist. I'm definitely the first Yoruba solo songwriter that's taken his music out and toured all over the world.'
Four years later came the follow up album: African Space Craft. 'I wanted it to be more explicit and bolder about race,' he says. 'Lyrically, it's very hard sounding.' Confrontational yet wounded songs like Colorful World, Dear Mr Cooper and Never Gonna Let You Go shocked audiences expecting another Lenny Kravitz.
'I got a lot of flak for African Space Craft. The label did not get it. They were very shocked that I would do that.'
Several major life changes occurred in the mid 90s. Jones' father died just before African Space Craft was released. He also married Anglo-Nigerian singer songwriter Akure Wall. It wasn't until 1999 that the third album, the brilliant and largely self produced Liquid Sunshine emerged. Initially titled Uncle Fem's Long Grain Funk, it was conceived as a concept album, hosted by a Lagos based radio dj, complete with weather reports and traffic jam news spots. On the eve of it's release however, Jones retitled and abandoned the entire concept.
Named after the 1978 Parliament track, Liquid Sunshine, nonetheless, is Jones' most luxuriant album. Songs like God's Glory and Sunshineshapedbulletholes belie his sombre mood by offering a tenderness far removed from his previous harsh sound. Looking back, Keziah says that recording Liquid Sunshine 'healed my mind. It forced me to get out and tour again. I'd been lying about for 2 years getting high.'
But there was more crisis to come. On the 1999 European tour, his bass player 'started freaking out.' The group split. The tour collapsed. Keziah left for the States, then Nigeria. 'I realised I had no inner strength,' he now says of this bleak time. Slowly he regrouped, dismissing his old manager, breaking up the band, assembling a new team and crucially forcing himself to practice every day.
For the next 3 years, Jones recommitted himself to music. He discovered music theory and developed a personal means of notating his now vast range of guitar techniques. 'Before I didn't even know what I was doing. Now I have a way to notate my guitar styles. In my notebooks I have different ways of showing a guitar sound, whether it's a right hand form or a left hand form,hitting or strumming, the edge of thumb or the tip of thumb.'
To write Black Orpheus, Jones moved to Denia, a little town near Valencia, Spain to 'wash my head of London.' He fasted and painstakingly recorded demos that were then rerecorded in London with a 9 piece group. The album was produced by Kevin Armstrong who worked with Keziah a decade previously on Blufunk.
Black Orpheus' serene mood, evoked by the recurrent sound of ocean tides was conjured by the celebrated engineer Russell Elevado, famous for his work with D'Angelo, Alicia Keyes and Erykah Badu. Elevado picked up on the contemplative mood of the Yoruba-ambient epic Orin O' Lomi (Liquid Music) and threaded it throughout the album.
Black Orpheus is Jones' most lyrically personal, musically detailed and satisfyingly sequenced album to date. It ranges from ambiguous ballads such as Neptune, intricately composed suites like All Praises and Autumn Moon to lithe funk tracks like Kpafuca and 72 Kilos, hook-filled Prince inspired pop smashes like Afrosurrealism for the Ladies and Femiliarize to infectiously open hearted guitar-picked songs like Sadness Is and Beautiful Emilie.
Black Orpheus' title references Marcel Camus' famous 1958 movie which relocates the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice to 50's Rio de Janeiro. Struck by the movie's depiction 'of love between two black people', Black Orpheus evokes 'the dangerous, mythical' form of African relationships within a fantasia of 21st Century Lagos.
Lyrically Jones breaks new ground in his quest for a West African 'English that is not quite English.' The propulsively funky instructions and orders of the track Kpafuca (meaning 'something is broken/ confused') for example, are Keziah's linguistic riffs on the slang term invented by Fela Kuti in Go Slow, his early 1970s anthem to Lagos notorious traffic jams.
Kpafuca exemplifies Keziahs mission to create a slang that is uniquely Lagosian, but which, like Kingston's dancehall chat, appeals to the French and English alike. 72 Kilos draws vivid images of 'how surreal Nigeria is, how contradictory it is. You know, something like a Nigerian 419 scam letter, which I think is pretty funny.'
These days, the musical legacy of Fela Kuti and Yoruba-avant music shines brighter than ever. Artists like Common, Erykah Badu and The Roots are, Jones notes, 'all trying to get to West Africa.' On their way, they will surely meet Keziah Jones, whose journeys between Paris, Lagos, London, New York and Valencia have resulted in his most intimate, immediate, insightful and impactful album so far.
'I'm much more aware of where the music is' Jones states calmly. 'It has it's own system. I've found the score that can take me through the next 10 to 15 years.'
Captain Rugged - 2013
Five years after Nigerian Wood, Keziah Jones is back with a personal and political project, wearing the outfit of an Afro superhero,”Captain Rugged”, his quirky and socially committed double.
Nigerian, Afropolitan, universal, Captain Rugged tells us about modern Africa and its urban movements. He was born among the ghettos and skyscrapers of bustling Lagos, flying around in his ankara cape and shaking the city with his angry beats: “Here I come, an Afro Superhero, Captain Rugged”, cries Keziah. His Afronewave echoes his rebellion: a concept album in the shape of a manifesto.
“I’ve been nurturing this character for the past ten years.this superhero business is a satire on power,politics,and magic. I’m telling the epic story of refugees,immigration and exile,I wanted to portray these personalities as particularly rugged and robust: they’re survivors. superheroes. african superheroes.. That was my ambition for this album”.
Keziah is following in the footsteps of Fela Kuti, a fellow countryman and great defender of pan-africanism who was imprisoned several times for speaking against the Nigerian dictatorship. “I met Fela in the year before he died, and he emphasised to be the necessity of creating music that relates directly to the reality.
Lagos allowed Keziah to give life to Captain Rugged, a more powerful, outspoken and liberated avatar.
Keziah Jones assesses the relationship between the northern and southern hemispheres. “What I want to show the world is the modernity of post-colonial Africa, far from the image that the western world carries of a continent devastated by famine and/or war. I’m talking about young urban Africa: 20 million people live in Lagos! Modern contemporary African culture is a reality.Today, African culture has proven its vivacity and is nourished by the Diaspora
His music is Blufunk as but with an infusion of a punk-funk attitude crossed with yoruba rhythms. Recorded between London and Paris, mixed in New York, the album captain rugged has a psychedelic quality that he sums-up with a rather engaging: “George Clinton sharing a joint with Fela”.
Keziah Jones: Biography(English)
Keziah Jones: Biography(English)
Delabel /EMI 2003
Born in 1968 in Yaba, Central Lagos, Keziah Jones aka Captain Rugged aka Olufemi Sanyaolu grew up in a large middle class family. On his way to school, the young Femi would pass by the Kalakuta Republic, the great bandleader Fela Kuti's legendary commune, home to his Afrika 70 musicians, wives and hangers-on.
'I would look through the car window; I could sometimes see him in the yard. I remember hearing about a family member who had ran off and joined him. Every Lagos family's got someone who ran off to join Fela.'
In 1977, he was dispatched to the UK where he's been based ever since. He went to prep school in Gloucestershire followed by 4 years at Millfield, the international public school. Here, amidst the children of the business class and the political elite,16 year old Femi began to develop the persona that what would become Keziah Jones.
'I had it all planned out at that age. I saw the name in a magazine, some old woman called Keziah, added Jones on the end of it. Thought "Keziah Jones" yeah, that's just a whole new me. Olufemi Sanyaolu is from a certain place, he's a known thing. Keziah Jones is an unknown side of myself that I can explore through music.'
In 1989, Femi began to busk in Covent Garden and Leicester Square. Eager for new experiences, he decamped to Paris where he met entrepreneur Philippe Cohen-Salal who recorded his demo tape. Back in London, his unique thrash-guitar style caught the ear of songwriter turned manager Phil Pickett.
Pickett videoed him in concert supporting Hugh Masekela at Subterrania in 1990. The video triggered a bidding war; Jones chose Emmanuel de Buretel, then head of the brand new Parisian record label Delabel/Virgin France, now head of EMI/Virgin Europe.
Jones had made a wise choice. As the first, and for a while only, signing to Delabel, the label built itself around him. Instead of forcing him towards hiphop as a British label might have done, Delabel supported Jones' vision of the new sound he called 'Blufunk'.
'I taught myself a very percussive way of playing guitar to support my words. I called it Blufunk.' With it's cryptic lyrics and harshly struck chords, 1991's Blufunk Is A Fact was a startling breakthrough debut that sold 500,000 copies throughout Europe & Japan.
Now a star in Europe and Japan, Keziah was a cult in London, a figure outside and beyond the dance, hiphop and guitar scenes that dominated the UK. Not suprising, perhaps, since his albums only ever appeared as expensive French imports. As Keziah says, 'Within the context of British music or black music, my music is always sticking out a little bit to the side because I just don't belong or play to those mentalities. I think I'm the only International Yoruba solo singer songwriter. I'm the first Yoruba funk guitarist. I'm definitely the first Yoruba solo songwriter that's taken his music out and toured all over the world.'
Four years later came the follow up album: African Space Craft. 'I wanted it to be more explicit and bolder about race,' he says. 'Lyrically, it's very hard sounding.' Confrontational yet wounded songs like Colorful World, Dear Mr Cooper and Never Gonna Let You Go shocked audiences expecting another Lenny Kravitz.
'I got a lot of flak for African Space Craft. The label did not get it. They were very shocked that I would do that.'
Several major life changes occurred in the mid 90s. Jones' father died just before African Space Craft was released. He also married Anglo-Nigerian singer songwriter Akure Wall. It wasn't until 1999 that the third album, the brilliant and largely self produced Liquid Sunshine emerged. Initially titled Uncle Fem's Long Grain Funk, it was conceived as a concept album, hosted by a Lagos based radio dj, complete with weather reports and traffic jam news spots. On the eve of it's release however, Jones retitled and abandoned the entire concept.
Named after the 1978 Parliament track, Liquid Sunshine, nonetheless, is Jones' most luxuriant album. Songs like God's Glory and Sunshineshapedbulletholes belie his sombre mood by offering a tenderness far removed from his previous harsh sound. Looking back, Keziah says that recording Liquid Sunshine 'healed my mind. It forced me to get out and tour again. I'd been lying about for 2 years getting high.'
But there was more crisis to come. On the 1999 European tour, his bass player 'started freaking out.' The group split. The tour collapsed. Keziah left for the States, then Nigeria. 'I realised I had no inner strength,' he now says of this bleak time. Slowly he regrouped, dismissing his old manager, breaking up the band, assembling a new team and crucially forcing himself to practice every day.
For the next 3 years, Jones recommitted himself to music. He discovered music theory and developed a personal means of notating his now vast range of guitar techniques. 'Before I didn't even know what I was doing. Now I have a way to notate my guitar styles. In my notebooks I have different ways of showing a guitar sound, whether it's a right hand form or a left hand form,hitting or strumming, the edge of thumb or the tip of thumb.'
To write Black Orpheus, Jones moved to Denia, a little town near Valencia, Spain to 'wash my head of London.' He fasted and painstakingly recorded demos that were then rerecorded in London with a 9 piece group. The album was produced by Kevin Armstrong who worked with Keziah a decade previously on Blufunk.
Black Orpheus' serene mood, evoked by the recurrent sound of ocean tides was conjured by the celebrated engineer Russell Elevado, famous for his work with D'Angelo, Alicia Keyes and Erykah Badu. Elevado picked up on the contemplative mood of the Yoruba-ambient epic Orin O' Lomi (Liquid Music) and threaded it throughout the album.
Black Orpheus is Jones' most lyrically personal, musically detailed and satisfyingly sequenced album to date. It ranges from ambiguous ballads such as Neptune, intricately composed suites like All Praises and Autumn Moon to lithe funk tracks like Kpafuca and 72 Kilos, hook-filled Prince inspired pop smashes like Afrosurrealism for the Ladies and Femiliarize to infectiously open hearted guitar-picked songs like Sadness Is and Beautiful Emilie.
Black Orpheus' title references Marcel Camus' famous 1958 movie which relocates the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice to 50's Rio de Janeiro. Struck by the movie's depiction 'of love between two black people', Black Orpheus evokes 'the dangerous, mythical' form of African relationships within a fantasia of 21st Century Lagos.
Lyrically Jones breaks new ground in his quest for a West African 'English that is not quite English.' The propulsively funky instructions and orders of the track Kpafuca (meaning 'something is broken/ confused') for example, are Keziah's linguistic riffs on the slang term invented by Fela Kuti in Go Slow, his early 1970s anthem to Lagos notorious traffic jams.
Kpafuca exemplifies Keziahs mission to create a slang that is uniquely Lagosian, but which, like Kingston's dancehall chat, appeals to the French and English alike. 72 Kilos draws vivid images of 'how surreal Nigeria is, how contradictory it is. You know, something like a Nigerian 419 scam letter, which I think is pretty funny.'
These days, the musical legacy of Fela Kuti and Yoruba-avant music shines brighter than ever. Artists like Common, Erykah Badu and The Roots are, Jones notes, 'all trying to get to West Africa.' On their way, they will surely meet Keziah Jones, whose journeys between Paris, Lagos, London, New York and Valencia have resulted in his most intimate, immediate, insightful and impactful album so far.
'I'm much more aware of where the music is' Jones states calmly. 'It has it's own system. I've found the score that can take me through the next 10 to 15 years.'
Captain Rugged - 2013
Five years after Nigerian Wood, Keziah Jones is back with a personal and political project, wearing the outfit of an Afro superhero,”Captain Rugged”, his quirky and socially committed double.
Nigerian, Afropolitan, universal, Captain Rugged tells us about modern Africa and its urban movements. He was born among the ghettos and skyscrapers of bustling Lagos, flying around in his ankara cape and shaking the city with his angry beats: “Here I come, an Afro Superhero, Captain Rugged”, cries Keziah. His Afronewave echoes his rebellion: a concept album in the shape of a manifesto.
“I’ve been nurturing this character for the past ten years.this superhero business is a satire on power,politics,and magic. I’m telling the epic story of refugees,immigration and exile,I wanted to portray these personalities as particularly rugged and robust: they’re survivors. superheroes. african superheroes.. That was my ambition for this album”.
Keziah is following in the footsteps of Fela Kuti, a fellow countryman and great defender of pan-africanism who was imprisoned several times for speaking against the Nigerian dictatorship. “I met Fela in the year before he died, and he emphasised to be the necessity of creating music that relates directly to the reality.
Lagos allowed Keziah to give life to Captain Rugged, a more powerful, outspoken and liberated avatar.
Keziah Jones assesses the relationship between the northern and southern hemispheres. “What I want to show the world is the modernity of post-colonial Africa, far from the image that the western world carries of a continent devastated by famine and/or war. I’m talking about young urban Africa: 20 million people live in Lagos! Modern contemporary African culture is a reality.Today, African culture has proven its vivacity and is nourished by the Diaspora
His music is Blufunk as but with an infusion of a punk-funk attitude crossed with yoruba rhythms. Recorded between London and Paris, mixed in New York, the album captain rugged has a psychedelic quality that he sums-up with a rather engaging: “George Clinton sharing a joint with Fela”.
Keziah Jones: Discography
Keziah Jones: Dicography
ALBUMS
| BLUFUNK IS A FACT! | |
 発売日 1992年03月21日 発売元 ヴァージン・ジャパン CD品番 VJCP-28104 | 01. The Wisdom Behind the Smile (Cash) 02. Walkin' Naked Thru' a Bluebell Field 03. Rhythm Is Love 04. Runaway 05. Where's Life? 06. Funderlying Undermentals 07. Fringro Interstellar 08. Free Your Soul 09. Curious Kind Of Subconscious 10. The Waxing And The Waning 11. Invisible Ladder 12. Pleasure Is Kisses Within BONUS TRACK 13. Sophie's Breasts (Japanese editon only) |
| LIVE E.P. | |
 発売日 1993年07月14日 発売元 東芝ＥＭＩ CD品番 VJCP-20009 | 01. Scream 02. Hidetheology 03. Rainy London Streets 04. Blufunk Is Alive! 05. Secret Thoughts 06. Rhythm Is Love BONUS TRACKS 06-08 Recorded live at On Air Club Tokyo May 1992 |
| AFRICAN SPACE CRAFT | |
 発売日 1995年03月24日 発売元 東芝ＥＭＩ CD品番 VJCP-25147 | 01. Million Miles From Home 02. Colourful World 03. Prodigal Funk 04. Splash 05. Dear Mr Cooper 06. African Space Craft 07. Speech 08. Cubic Space Division 09. Funk 'N' Circumstance 10. Man With The Scar 11. Never Gonna Let You Go 12. If You Know BONUS TRACKS |
| LIQUID SUNSHINE | |
 発売日 1999年05月08日 発売元 東芝ＥＭＩ CD品番 VJCP-68023 | 01. Hello Heavenly 02. God's Glory 03. Liquid Sunshine 04. New Brighter Day 05. Runaway 06. Don't Forget 07. Phased 08. I'm Known 09. Sunshineshapedbulletholes 10. Functional 11. Stabilah 12. Wounded Lovers Son 13. Teardrops Will Fall BONUS TRACK |
| BLACK ORPHEUS | |
 発売日 2003年04月16日 発売元 東芝ＥＭＩ CD品番 VJCP-68477 | 01. Afrosurrealismfortheladies 02. Kpafuca 03. Femiliarise 04. Wet Questions 05. Neptune 06. 72 Kilos 07. All Praises 08. Beautiful Emilie 09. Sadness Is... 10. Autumn Moon 11. Black Orpheus 12. Orin O'Lomi BONUS TRACK |
| RHYTHM IS LOVE (BEST OF) | |
 発売日 2004年12月08日 発売元 東芝ＥＭＩ CD品番 TOCP-66339 | 01. Rhythm Is Love 02. Million Miles From Home 03. Beautiful Emilie 04. I'm Known 05. Neptune 06. Kpafuca 07. Don't Forget 08. Femiliarise 09. The Wisdom Behind the Smile (Cash) 10. Functional 11. All Praises 12. Where's Life? 13. Speech 14. The Invisible Ladder 15. Hello Heavenly 16. Wet Questions 17. April Again 18. Our Lady Soul (acoustic) 19. Solitary (acoustic) |
| LIVE AT THE ELYSEE MONTMARTRE (DVD) | |
 発売日 2004年06月15日 発売元 DELABEL (フランス盤) DVD品番 724359932194 | 01. Colonial Mentality 02. Kpafuca 03. Cubic Space Division 04. Cash 05. Million Miles From Home 06. Hello Heavenly 07. Where's Life? 08. Neptune 09. Afrosurrealismfortheladies 10. Funderlying Undermentals 11. Beautiful Emilie 12. Wet Questions 13. What We Don't Know 14. Machine Gun 15. Femiliarise 16. 72 Kilos 17. Rhythm Is Love 18. Secret Thoughts BONUS TRACKS |
| NIGERIAN WOOD | |
 発売日 2009年04月08日 発売元 ワーナーミュージック CD品番 WPCR-13357 | 01. Nigerian Wood BONUS TRACK |
| CAPTAIN RUGGED | |
 発売日 2014年01月15日 発売元 ワーナーミュージック CD品番 WPCR-15440 | 01. Afronewave 02. Nollywoodoo 03. Hypothetical 04. Lunar 05. Utopia 06. Falling 07. Memory 08. Rugged 09. + The Free 10. Laughter 11. Praise BONUS TRACK 12. Angels+Devils 13. Postcolonialmothership 14. Ancestors 15. Telephone 16. Ruggido |
| Keziah Jones & Native Maqari: Captain Rugged | |
 発売日 2013年11月 Published by Damiani | Captain Rugged is a multimedia graphic-novel collaboration between Nigerian musicians and artists Keziah Jones (born 1968) and Native Maqari (born 1980) that describes Nigeria’s oil boom of the 1970s. The hero, Captain Rugged, was conceived by Jones as an embodiment of the Nigerians who flooded the city of Lagos in hopes of making a living, inadvertently bringing about an extreme population explosion and a soaring crime rate. It also led to a bizarre jumble of architectural styles and uncompleted buildings around the city. From Captain Rugged’s birthplace in Makoko--an illegal water settlement on stilts within the Lagos lagoon--through the hectic bus stations of Obalende, this publication chronicles the hero’s adventures through the city. This publication includes a special card containing the url to download the tracks of Jones’ accompanying new album. |
COMPILATIONS
1992
 | Sam Saffit French Cinema by Virginie Thevenet |
1995
 | D'INFLUENCE - PRAYER 4 UNITY CD Credit: Guitar (Acoustic) |
1996
| | VARIOUS ARTISTS/1000 9 100 4 20 16 19 90 6 (1996) LP promo Delabel promo compilation album includes 16 - Keziah Jones.RZA Niggers Bomb Remix |
1997
 | AKURE WALL - AFROMORPH TEXT CD
|
1998
 | THE MEN X PERIENCE - LA MANCHA NEGRA: The Black Stain 2 - LSD 12 - LSD(revisit) Credit: Main Vocalv |
2001
 | VARIOUS ARTISTS/Nigeria 70 Credit:Musician
|
2002
 | E Dey Happen:A Compilation (Jazzhole Lagos) Ile Labo Simi(Afrospot mix)
|
 | VARIOUS ARTISTS/Red Hot + Riot: The Music and Spirit of Fela Kuti Credit:Vocals (Background)
|
 | Hakim/Talakik Credit:Composer, Guitar
|
2003
 | Canibala/J.O. Ndo. Speed Credit:Quotes Researched & Compiled
|
2004
 | Siji/God Given Credit:Guitar
|
 | VARIOUS ARTISTS/VIBRATIONS : Le Son Du Golfe De Guinée 4 - Ile Labo Simi (afrospot mix)
|
 | OSUNLADE/OSUNLADE PRESENTS THE YORUBA SOUL REMIXES Credit:Composer, Primary Artist
|
 | VARIOUS ARTISTS/Unity: The Official Athens 2004 Olympic Games Album 11 - Macy Gray & Keziah Jones: Oh yeah
|
 | ROKIA TRAORE - LIVE
|
 | VARIOUS ARTISTS/ASAP: The Afrobeat Sudan Aid Project 4 - Garan Garan
|
 | VARIOUS ARTISTS/ Sounds From Momo's Kemia Bar 11 - Dele Sosimi Feat. Keziah Jones – Invisible Hands
|
2005
 | Patrice/Nile Credit:Guitar (Steel), Primary Artist, Vocals
|
 | Freedom |
 | Rugged International |
2006
 | Amp Fiddler/Afro Strut Credit:Guitar, Main Personnel
|
2007
 | Angélique Kidjo/Djin Djin Credit:Guitar, Soloist
|
 | 6 - People Unite
|
2008
 | Femi Kuti/Day by Day Credit:Guest Artist, Guitar, Main Personnel
|
 | Amadou & Mariam/Welcome to Mali Credit:Featured Artist, Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals
|
 | In the Name of Love: Africa Celebrates U2 One |
2009
 | Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band/Bird Head Son/La Diablesse - EP Véro (feat. Keziah Jones) http://www.anthonyjoseph.co.uk/discography-2/la-diablesse-ep/
|
 | Aṣa/Live in Paris Credit:Featured Artist
|
2010
 | VARIOUS ARTISTS/37th State Fire//Invisible Hands/Invisible Hands (Yam Who Remix)/Invisible Hands (Greg Cerrone Remix 1) /Invisible Hands (Greg Cerrone Remix 2)
|
|
|
Keziah Jones:
Dicography
Keziah Jones: Dicography
ALBUMS
| BLUFUNK IS A FACT! | |
| 発売日 1992年03月21日 発売元 ヴァージン・ジャパン CD品番 VJCP-28104 | 01. The Wisdom Behind the Smile (Cash) 02. Walkin' Naked Thru' a Bluebell Field 03. Rhythm Is Love 04. Runaway 05. Where's Life? 06. Funderlying Undermentals 07. Fringro Interstellar 08. Free Your Soul 09. Curious Kind Of Subconscious 10. The Waxing And The Waning 11. Invisible Ladder 12. Pleasure Is Kisses Within BONUS TRACK 13. Sophie's Breasts (Japanese editon only) |
| LIVE E.P. | |
| 発売日 1993年07月14日 発売元 東芝ＥＭＩ CD品番 VJCP-20009 | 01. Scream 02. Hidetheology 03. Rainy London Streets 04. Blufunk Is Alive! 05. Secret Thoughts 06. Rhythm Is Love BONUS TRACKS 06-08 Recorded live at On Air Club Tokyo May 1992 |
| AFRICAN SPACE CRAFT | |
| 発売日 1995年03月24日 発売元 東芝ＥＭＩ CD品番 VJCP-25147 | 01. Million Miles From Home 02. Colourful World 03. Prodigal Funk 04. Splash 05. Dear Mr Cooper 06. African Space Craft 07. Speech 08. Cubic Space Division 09. Funk 'N' Circumstance 10. Man With The Scar 11. Never Gonna Let You Go 12. If You Know BONUS TRACKS |
| LIQUID SUNSHINE | |
| 発売日 1999年05月08日 発売元 東芝ＥＭＩ CD品番 VJCP-68023 | 01. Hello Heavenly 02. God's Glory 03. Liquid Sunshine 04. New Brighter Day 05. Runaway 06. Don't Forget 07. Phased 08. I'm Known 09. Sunshineshapedbulletholes 10. Functional 11. Stabilah 12. Wounded Lovers Son 13. Teardrops Will Fall BONUS TRACK |
| BLACK ORPHEUS | |
| 発売日 2003年04月16日 発売元 東芝ＥＭＩ CD品番 VJCP-68477 | 01. Afrosurrealismfortheladies 02. Kpafuca 03. Femiliarise 04. Wet Questions 05. Neptune 06. 72 Kilos 07. All Praises 08. Beautiful Emilie 09. Sadness Is... 10. Autumn Moon 11. Black Orpheus 12. Orin O'Lomi BONUS TRACK |
| RHYTHM IS LOVE (BEST OF) | |
| 発売日 2004年12月08日 発売元 東芝ＥＭＩ CD品番 TOCP-66339 | 01. Rhythm Is Love 02. Million Miles From Home 03. Beautiful Emilie 04. I'm Known 05. Neptune 06. Kpafuca 07. Don't Forget 08. Femiliarise 09. The Wisdom Behind the Smile (Cash) 10. Functional 11. All Praises 12. Where's Life? 13. Speech 14. The Invisible Ladder 15. Hello Heavenly 16. Wet Questions 17. April Again 18. Our Lady Soul (acoustic) 19. Solitary (acoustic) |
| LIVE AT THE ELYSEE MONTMARTRE (DVD) | |
| 発売日 2004年06月15日 発売元 DELABEL (フランス盤) DVD品番 724359932194 | 01. Colonial Mentality 02. Kpafuca 03. Cubic Space Division 04. Cash 05. Million Miles From Home 06. Hello Heavenly 07. Where's Life? 08. Neptune 09. Afrosurrealismfortheladies 10. Funderlying Undermentals 11. Beautiful Emilie 12. Wet Questions 13. What We Don't Know 14. Machine Gun 15. Femiliarise 16. 72 Kilos 17. Rhythm Is Love 18. Secret Thoughts BONUS TRACKS |
| NIGERIAN WOOD | |
| 発売日 2009年04月08日 発売元 ワーナーミュージック CD品番 WPCR-13357 | 01. Nigerian Wood BONUS TRACK |
| CAPTAIN RUGGED | |
| 発売日 2014年01月15日 発売元 ワーナーミュージック CD品番 WPCR-15440 | 01. Afronewave 02. Nollywoodoo 03. Hypothetical 04. Lunar 05. Utopia 06. Falling 07. Memory 08. Rugged 09. + The Free 10. Laughter 11. Praise BONUS TRACK 12. Angels+Devils 13. Postcolonialmothership 14. Ancestors 15. Telephone 16. Ruggido |
| Keziah Jones & Native Maqari: Captain Rugged | |
| 発売日 2013年11月 Published by Damiani | Captain Rugged is a multimedia graphic-novel collaboration between Nigerian musicians and artists Keziah Jones (born 1968) and Native Maqari (born 1980) that describes Nigeria’s oil boom of the 1970s. The hero, Captain Rugged, was conceived by Jones as an embodiment of the Nigerians who flooded the city of Lagos in hopes of making a living, inadvertently bringing about an extreme population explosion and a soaring crime rate. It also led to a bizarre jumble of architectural styles and uncompleted buildings around the city. From Captain Rugged’s birthplace in Makoko--an illegal water settlement on stilts within the Lagos lagoon--through the hectic bus stations of Obalende, this publication chronicles the hero’s adventures through the city. This publication includes a special card containing the url to download the tracks of Jones’ accompanying new album. |
COMPILATIONS
1992
| | Sam Saffit French Cinema by Virginie Thevenet |
1995
| | D'INFLUENCE - PRAYER 4 UNITY CD Credit: Guitar (Acoustic) |
1996
| | VARIOUS ARTISTS/1000 9 100 4 20 16 19 90 6 (1996) LP promo Delabel promo compilation album includes 16 - Keziah Jones.RZA Niggers Bomb Remix |
1997
| | AKURE WALL - AFROMORPH TEXT CD
|
1998
| | THE MEN X PERIENCE - LA MANCHA NEGRA: The Black Stain 2 - LSD 12 - LSD(revisit) Credit: Main Vocalv |
2001
| | VARIOUS ARTISTS/Nigeria 70 Credit:Musician
|
2002
| | E Dey Happen:A Compilation (Jazzhole Lagos) Ile Labo Simi(Afrospot mix)
|
| | VARIOUS ARTISTS/Red Hot + Riot: The Music and Spirit of Fela Kuti Credit:Vocals (Background)
|
| | Hakim/Talakik Credit:Composer, Guitar
|
2003
| | Canibala/J.O. Ndo. Speed Credit:Quotes Researched & Compiled
|
2004
| | Siji/God Given Credit:Guitar
|
| | VARIOUS ARTISTS/VIBRATIONS : Le Son Du Golfe De Guinée 4 - Ile Labo Simi (afrospot mix)
|
| | OSUNLADE/OSUNLADE PRESENTS THE YORUBA SOUL REMIXES Credit:Composer, Primary Artist
|
| | VARIOUS ARTISTS/Unity: The Official Athens 2004 Olympic Games Album 11 - Macy Gray & Keziah Jones: Oh yeah
|
| | ROKIA TRAORE - LIVE
|
| | VARIOUS ARTISTS/ASAP: The Afrobeat Sudan Aid Project 4 - Garan Garan
|
| | VARIOUS ARTISTS/ Sounds From Momo's Kemia Bar 11 - Dele Sosimi Feat. Keziah Jones – Invisible Hands
|
2005
| | Patrice/Nile Credit:Guitar (Steel), Primary Artist, Vocals
|
| | Freedom |
| | Rugged International |
2006
| | Amp Fiddler/Afro Strut Credit:Guitar, Main Personnel
|
2007
| | Angélique Kidjo/Djin Djin Credit:Guitar, Soloist
|
| | 6 - People Unite
|
2008
| | Femi Kuti/Day by Day Credit:Guest Artist, Guitar, Main Personnel
|
| | Amadou & Mariam/Welcome to Mali Credit:Featured Artist, Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals
|
| | In the Name of Love: Africa Celebrates U2 One |
2009
| | Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band/Bird Head Son/La Diablesse - EP Véro (feat. Keziah Jones) http://www.anthonyjoseph.co.uk/discography-2/la-diablesse-ep/
|
| | Aṣa/Live in Paris Credit:Featured Artist
|
2010
| | VARIOUS ARTISTS/37th State Fire//Invisible Hands/Invisible Hands (Yam Who Remix)/Invisible Hands (Greg Cerrone Remix 1) /Invisible Hands (Greg Cerrone Remix 2)
|
|
|
Keziah Jones: Dicography
Keziah Jones: Dicography
ALBUMS
| BLUFUNK IS A FACT! | |
| 発売日 1992年03月21日 発売元 ヴァージン・ジャパン CD品番 VJCP-28104 | 01. The Wisdom Behind the Smile (Cash) 02. Walkin' Naked Thru' a Bluebell Field 03. Rhythm Is Love 04. Runaway 05. Where's Life? 06. Funderlying Undermentals 07. Fringro Interstellar 08. Free Your Soul 09. Curious Kind Of Subconscious 10. The Waxing And The Waning 11. Invisible Ladder 12. Pleasure Is Kisses Within BONUS TRACK 13. Sophie's Breasts (Japanese editon only) |
| LIVE E.P. | |
| 発売日 1993年07月14日 発売元 東芝ＥＭＩ CD品番 VJCP-20009 | 01. Scream 02. Hidetheology 03. Rainy London Streets 04. Blufunk Is Alive! 05. Secret Thoughts 06. Rhythm Is Love BONUS TRACKS 06-08 Recorded live at On Air Club Tokyo May 1992 |
| AFRICAN SPACE CRAFT | |
| 発売日 1995年03月24日 発売元 東芝ＥＭＩ CD品番 VJCP-25147 | 01. Million Miles From Home 02. Colourful World 03. Prodigal Funk 04. Splash 05. Dear Mr Cooper 06. African Space Craft 07. Speech 08. Cubic Space Division 09. Funk 'N' Circumstance 10. Man With The Scar 11. Never Gonna Let You Go 12. If You Know BONUS TRACKS |
| LIQUID SUNSHINE | |
| 発売日 1999年05月08日 発売元 東芝ＥＭＩ CD品番 VJCP-68023 | 01. Hello Heavenly 02. God's Glory 03. Liquid Sunshine 04. New Brighter Day 05. Runaway 06. Don't Forget 07. Phased 08. I'm Known 09. Sunshineshapedbulletholes 10. Functional 11. Stabilah 12. Wounded Lovers Son 13. Teardrops Will Fall BONUS TRACK |
| BLACK ORPHEUS | |
| 発売日 2003年04月16日 発売元 東芝ＥＭＩ CD品番 VJCP-68477 | 01. Afrosurrealismfortheladies 02. Kpafuca 03. Femiliarise 04. Wet Questions 05. Neptune 06. 72 Kilos 07. All Praises 08. Beautiful Emilie 09. Sadness Is... 10. Autumn Moon 11. Black Orpheus 12. Orin O'Lomi BONUS TRACK |
| RHYTHM IS LOVE (BEST OF) | |
| 発売日 2004年12月08日 発売元 東芝ＥＭＩ CD品番 TOCP-66339 | 01. Rhythm Is Love 02. Million Miles From Home 03. Beautiful Emilie 04. I'm Known 05. Neptune 06. Kpafuca 07. Don't Forget 08. Femiliarise 09. The Wisdom Behind the Smile (Cash) 10. Functional 11. All Praises 12. Where's Life? 13. Speech 14. The Invisible Ladder 15. Hello Heavenly 16. Wet Questions 17. April Again 18. Our Lady Soul (acoustic) 19. Solitary (acoustic) |
| LIVE AT THE ELYSEE MONTMARTRE (DVD) | |
| 発売日 2004年06月15日 発売元 DELABEL (フランス盤) DVD品番 724359932194 | 01. Colonial Mentality 02. Kpafuca 03. Cubic Space Division 04. Cash 05. Million Miles From Home 06. Hello Heavenly 07. Where's Life? 08. Neptune 09. Afrosurrealismfortheladies 10. Funderlying Undermentals 11. Beautiful Emilie 12. Wet Questions 13. What We Don't Know 14. Machine Gun 15. Femiliarise 16. 72 Kilos 17. Rhythm Is Love 18. Secret Thoughts BONUS TRACKS |
| NIGERIAN WOOD | |
| 発売日 2009年04月08日 発売元 ワーナーミュージック CD品番 WPCR-13357 | 01. Nigerian Wood BONUS TRACK |
| CAPTAIN RUGGED | |
| 発売日 2014年01月15日 発売元 ワーナーミュージック CD品番 WPCR-15440 | 01. Afronewave 02. Nollywoodoo 03. Hypothetical 04. Lunar 05. Utopia 06. Falling 07. Memory 08. Rugged 09. + The Free 10. Laughter 11. Praise BONUS TRACK 12. Angels+Devils 13. Postcolonialmothership 14. Ancestors 15. Telephone 16. Ruggido |
| Keziah Jones & Native Maqari: Captain Rugged | |
| 発売日 2013年11月 Published by Damiani | Captain Rugged is a multimedia graphic-novel collaboration between Nigerian musicians and artists Keziah Jones (born 1968) and Native Maqari (born 1980) that describes Nigeria’s oil boom of the 1970s. The hero, Captain Rugged, was conceived by Jones as an embodiment of the Nigerians who flooded the city of Lagos in hopes of making a living, inadvertently bringing about an extreme population explosion and a soaring crime rate. It also led to a bizarre jumble of architectural styles and uncompleted buildings around the city. From Captain Rugged’s birthplace in Makoko--an illegal water settlement on stilts within the Lagos lagoon--through the hectic bus stations of Obalende, this publication chronicles the hero’s adventures through the city. This publication includes a special card containing the url to download the tracks of Jones’ accompanying new album. |
COMPILATIONS
1992
| | Sam Saffit French Cinema by Virginie Thevenet |
1995
| | D'INFLUENCE - PRAYER 4 UNITY CD Credit: Guitar (Acoustic) |
1996
| | VARIOUS ARTISTS/1000 9 100 4 20 16 19 90 6 (1996) LP promo Delabel promo compilation album includes 16 - Keziah Jones.RZA Niggers Bomb Remix |
1997
| | AKURE WALL - AFROMORPH TEXT CD
|
1998
| | THE MEN X PERIENCE - LA MANCHA NEGRA: The Black Stain 2 - LSD 12 - LSD(revisit) Credit: Main Vocalv |
2001
| | VARIOUS ARTISTS/Nigeria 70 Credit:Musician
|
2002
| | E Dey Happen:A Compilation (Jazzhole Lagos) Ile Labo Simi(Afrospot mix)
|
| | VARIOUS ARTISTS/Red Hot + Riot: The Music and Spirit of Fela Kuti Credit:Vocals (Background)
|
| | Hakim/Talakik Credit:Composer, Guitar
|
2003
| | Canibala/J.O. Ndo. Speed Credit:Quotes Researched & Compiled
|
2004
| | Siji/God Given Credit:Guitar
|
| | VARIOUS ARTISTS/VIBRATIONS : Le Son Du Golfe De Guinée 4 - Ile Labo Simi (afrospot mix)
|
| | OSUNLADE/OSUNLADE PRESENTS THE YORUBA SOUL REMIXES Credit:Composer, Primary Artist
|
| | VARIOUS ARTISTS/Unity: The Official Athens 2004 Olympic Games Album 11 - Macy Gray & Keziah Jones: Oh yeah
|
| | ROKIA TRAORE - LIVE
|
| | VARIOUS ARTISTS/ASAP: The Afrobeat Sudan Aid Project 4 - Garan Garan
|
| | VARIOUS ARTISTS/ Sounds From Momo's Kemia Bar 11 - Dele Sosimi Feat. Keziah Jones – Invisible Hands
|
2005
| | Patrice/Nile Credit:Guitar (Steel), Primary Artist, Vocals
|
| | Freedom |
| | Rugged International |
2006
| | Amp Fiddler/Afro Strut Credit:Guitar, Main Personnel
|
2007
| | Angélique Kidjo/Djin Djin Credit:Guitar, Soloist
|
| | 6 - People Unite
|
2008
| | Femi Kuti/Day by Day Credit:Guest Artist, Guitar, Main Personnel
|
| | Amadou & Mariam/Welcome to Mali Credit:Featured Artist, Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals
|
| | In the Name of Love: Africa Celebrates U2 One |
2009
| | Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band/Bird Head Son/La Diablesse - EP Véro (feat. Keziah Jones) http://www.anthonyjoseph.co.uk/discography-2/la-diablesse-ep/
|
| | Aṣa/Live in Paris Credit:Featured Artist
|
2010
| | VARIOUS ARTISTS/37th State Fire//Invisible Hands/Invisible Hands (Yam Who Remix)/Invisible Hands (Greg Cerrone Remix 1) /Invisible Hands (Greg Cerrone Remix 2)
|
|
|
Keziah Jones: Videography
Keziah Jones: Videography
A Short Film on Mr Jones
Rhythm is Love promo video
Where's Life? promo video
Million Miles From Home promo video
If You Know promo video
Cubic Space Division promo video
African Space Craft promo video
I'm Known promo video
Beautiful Emilie promo video
My Kinda Girl promo video
Long Distance Love feat. Nneka promo video
Afronewave promo video
Lunar promo video
Keziah Jones:
Videography
Keziah Jones: Videography
A Short Film on Mr Jones
Rhythm is Love promo video
Where's Life? promo video
Million Miles From Home promo video
If You Know promo video
Cubic Space Division promo video
African Space Craft promo video
I'm Known promo video
Beautiful Emilie promo video
My Kinda Girl promo video
Long Distance Love feat. Nneka promo video
Afronewave promo video
Lunar promo video
Keziah Jones: Videography
Keziah Jones: Videography
A Short Film on Mr Jones
Rhythm is Love promo video
Where's Life? promo video
Million Miles From Home promo video
If You Know promo video
Cubic Space Division promo video
African Space Craft promo video
I'm Known promo video
Beautiful Emilie promo video
My Kinda Girl promo video
Long Distance Love feat. Nneka promo video
Afronewave promo video
Lunar promo video
Keziah Jones: Live Videos
Keziah Jones: Videography
Afronewave
Lunar
Memory
All Along The Watchtower (Jimi Hendrix cover)
Million Miles From Home:live @jazzhole Lagos Nigeria
Simply Beautiful (Al Green cover)
Afrosurrealismfortheladies:live @jazzhole Lagos Nigeria
Orin O'Lomi
My Kinda Girl
African Space Craft
Autumn Moon
Keziah Jones:
Videography
Keziah Jones: Videography
A Short Film on Mr Jones
Rhythm is Love promo video
Where's Life? promo video
Million Miles From Home promo video
If You Know promo video
Cubic Space Division promo video
African Space Craft promo video
I'm Known promo video
Beautiful Emilie promo video
My Kinda Girl promo video
Long Distance Love feat. Nneka promo video
Afronewave promo video
Lunar promo video
Keziah Jones: Videography
Keziah Jones: Videography
A Short Film on Mr Jones
Rhythm is Love promo video
Where's Life? promo video
Million Miles From Home promo video
If You Know promo video
Cubic Space Division promo video
African Space Craft promo video
I'm Known promo video
Beautiful Emilie promo video
My Kinda Girl promo video
Long Distance Love feat. Nneka promo video
Afronewave promo video
Lunar promo video
Keziah Jones: Collection
Keziah Jones: Collection
this is a list of my private collecton i collected to reserch the great works of keziah jones.
(sorry 'Not For Sale')
LIBERATEYOMIND
 | 12" | A1 - Free your soul A2 - Rythm is love B1 - The mind of confused musician/Pleasure is kisses within B2 - The wisdom behind the smile (Cash) |
THE WISDOM BEHIND THE SMILE (CASH) (1991)
 | 7" promo France DE9024 | A - The wisdom behind the smile (Cash) B - Sophie's breasts |
FRINIGRO INTERSTELLAR E.P. (1991)
 | CD France: DE033001 Austria: DLBCD 1 | 1 - Frinigro interstellar |
 | CD France | w/outer jacket |
 | 12" UK DLBT-1 | A1 - Frinigro interstellar A2 - The wisdom behind the smile (Cash) B1 - Free your soul B2 - Sophie's breasts |
RHYTHM IS LOVE (1991)
 | CD France: DE035061 UK: DLBCD2 | 1 - Rythm is love |
 | 12" UK DLBT-2 | A1 - Rythm is love |
 | 7" UK: DE095061 France: DE035061 | A - Rythm is love |
 | Cassette DE055061 | 1 - Rythm is love 2 - Dilute yo' hype |
BLUFUNK IS A FACT! (1992)
 | CD Japan VJCP-28104 | 1 - The wisdom behind the smile (Cash) 2 - Walkin' naked thru a bluebell field 3 - Rhythm is love 4 - Runaway (Slavery days are over) 5 - Where's life? 6 - The funderlying undermentals 7 - Frinigro interstellar 8 - Free your soul 9 - A curious kind of subconcious 10 - The waxing and the waning 11 - The invisible ladder 12 - Pleasure is kisses within 13 - Sophie's Breasts |
 | CD Austria:DLB1 US:HERR005 | 1 - The wisdom behind the smile (Cash) 2 - Walkin' naked thru a bluebell field 3 - Rhythm is love 4 - Runaway (Slavery days are over) 5 - Where's life? 6 - The funderlying undermentals 7 - Frinigro interstellar 8 - Free your soul 9 - A curious kind of subconcious 10 - The waxing and the waning 11 - The invisible ladder 12 - Pleasure is kisses within |
 | LP France DE070907 | 12 tracks |
WHERE'S LIFE? (1992)
 | CD UK DLBCD4 | 1 - Where's life ? 2 - At the end of the lords prayer 3 - What we don't know 4 - Walkin' naked thru a bluebell field (live - "On Air" Tokyo, May 23th, 1992) |
 | CD France DE035143 | 1 - Where's life ? (edit) |
 | 12" DE085143 | A1 - Where's life ? A2 - At the end of the lords prayer B1 - What we don't know B2 - Walkin' naked thru a bluebell field (live - "On Air" Tokyo, May 23th, 1992) |
 | Cassette DE055143 | 1 - Where's life ? |
LIVE AT THE MEGASTORE (1993)
 | CD promo France DE03276 | 1 - Rhythm is love 2 - Free your soul 3 - The invisible ladder 4 - Where's life 5 - There I was |
LIVE E.P. (1993)
 | CD Japan VJCP-20009 | 1 - Scream 2 - Hidetheology 3 - Rainy London streets 4 - Blufunk is alive 5 - Secret thoughts 6 - Rhythm is love 7 - The waxing and the waning 8 - Walkin' naked thru' a bluebell field |
 | CD Holland DE918922 | 1 - Scream 2 - Hidetheology 3 - Rainy London streets 4 - Blufunk is alive! 5 - Secret thoughts 6 - Rhythm is love |
AFRICAN SPACE CRAFT (1995)
 | CD Japan VJCP-25147 | 1 - Million miles from home 2 - Colorful world 3 - Prodigal funk 4 - Splash 5 - Dear Mr. Cooper 6 - African space craft 7 - Speech 8 - Cubic space division 9 - Funk 'n' circumstances 10 - Man with the scar 11 - Never gonna let you go 12 - If you know 13 - stereophobia 14 - sugar coated bombs |
 | CD | 1 - Million miles from home 2 - Colorful world 3 - Prodigal funk 4 - Splash 5 - Dear Mr. Cooper 6 - African space craft 7 - Speech 8 - Cubic space division 9 - Funk 'n' circumstances 10 - Man with the scar 11 - Never gonna let you go 12 - If you know |
 | CD promo France DE 3484 | 12 tracks card sleeve |
 | 2LP | 12 tracks |
 | Cassette Holland DE7243 8 401634 0 | 12 tracks |
MILLION MILES FROM HOME (1995)
 | CD promo Japan PCD-0569 | 1 - Million miles from home |
 | CD 3" Japan VJCP-10238 | 1 - Million miles from home |
 | CD Holland France 7243 8928442 3 | 1 - Million miles from home 2 - 1914 my ass |
 | CD Holland 7243 8928442 6 | 1 - Million miles from home 2 - 1914 my ass 3 - Sugar coated bombs |
 | CD UK 7243 8931722 0 | 1 - Million miles from home 2 - Million miles from home (DJ-SS roller mix) 3 - 1914 my ass |
 | 12" UK DLBT-7 | A - Million miles from home (DJ-SS roller mix) B - Million miles from home (DJ-SS easy roller mix) |
 | 12" promo UK DLBTDJ7 | A - Million miles from home (DJ-SS roller mix) B - Million miles from home (DJ-SS easy roller mix) |
IF YOU KNOW (1995)
 | CD France 7243 8930782 5 | 1 - If you know 2 - Freedom in captivity |
 | CD France 7243 8930782 6 | 1 - If you know |
 | CD promo France DE3564 | 1 - If you know card sleeve |
CUBIC SPACE DIVISION (1995)
 | CD promo Japan PCD-0602 | 1 -Cubic Space Division |
LIQUID SUNSHINE (1999)
 | CD Japan VJCP-68023 | 1 - Hello heavenly 2 - God's glory 3 - Liquid sunshine 4 - New brighter day 5 - Runaway 6 - Don't forget 7 - Phased 8 - I'm known 9 - Sunshineshapedbulletholes 10 - Functional 11 - Stabilah 12 - Wounded lovers son 13 - Teardrops Will Fall 14 - Gangsta Lean |
 | CD EU 724384720926 | 1 - Hello heavenly 2 - God's glory 3 - Liquid sunshine 4 - New brighter day 5 - Runaway 6 - Don't forget 7 - Phased 8 - I'm known 9 - Sunshineshapedbulletholes 10 - Functional 11 - Stabilah 12 - Wounded lovers son 13 - Teardrops Will Fall |
 | CD promo France DE4640 | 13 tracks card sleeve |
 | CD promo France DE4584 | "New Album 13.4.1999" 14 tracks card sleeve |
 | 2CD ltd. edition France | CD1 - Liquid Sunshine CD2 - Bonus CD |
 | 2CD ltd. edition France | CD1 - Liquid Sunshine CD2 - Blufunk Is A Fact! |
 | CD-R promo | 14 tracks |
 | Cassette promo Japan | 14 tracks |
 | CD-R test press | withdrawn title "Uncle Fem's Long Grain Funk" |
 | Cassette promo Japan | withdrawn title "Uncle Fem's Long Grain Funk" |
| | 2LP | 12 tracks |
I'M KNOWN (1999)
 | CD promo EU DE4630 | 1 - I'm known |
NEW BRIGHTER DAY (1999)
 | CD promo Japan PCD-2119 | 1 - New brighter day |
 | CD promo EU DE4843 | 1 - New brighter day |
THE AFRICAN ANARCHIST CORP. E.P. (2000)
 | CD HollandCD Holland 7243 89650723 7243 89650723 | 1 - Suffering and smiling 3 - African space craft (Prince Paul Remix) |
 | 12" EU 8965076 PM214 8965076 PM214 | Phased A1 - Phased B1 - Suffering and smiling B2 - African space craft (Prince Paul Remix)B1 - Suffering and smiling B2 - African space craft (Prince Paul Remix) |
 | CD-R promoo | "African Anarchist Corporation"can Anarchist Corporation" |
BLACK ORPHEUS (2003)
 | CD Japan VJCP-68477 | 1 - Afrosurrealismfortheladies 2 - Kpafuca 3 -Femiliarise 4 - Wet questions 5 - Neptune 6 - 72 Kilos 7 - All praises 8 - Beautiful Emilie 9 - Sadness is... 10 - Autumn moon 11 - Black Orpheus 12 - Orin o'lomi 13 - Guitar in the river |
 | CD promo France DE7213 | card sleeve |
 | CD promo France | 1 - Kpafuca 2 - Femiliarise 3 - Wet questions 4 - All praises 5 - Beautiful Emilie |
 | CD promo France | "Black Orpheus" Acoustic Sampler |
 | 2CD ltd. edition France | CD1 - Black Orpheus CD2 - Bonus CD |
 | 2CD ltd. edition France | CD1 - Black Orpheus CD2 - Blufunk Is A Fact! |
 | 2LP France | 12 tracks |
FEMILIARISE (2003)
 | CD promo DE7225 | 1 - Femiliarise |
BEAUTIFUL EMILIE (2003)
 | CD promo EU DE7317 | 1 - Beautiful Emilie (new mix) |
 | CD 724355334725 | 1 - Beautiful Emilie (Love Remix) 2 - Beautiful Emilie (Russel Elevado mix) 3 - Beautiful Emilie 4 - Devil On The Scene |
 | CD-R promo France | 1 - Beautiful Emilie |
KEZIAH JONES PRESENTS BLACK FUNK'TIONAL
 | Cassette promo | Mixed by KROLL & Water, featuring MULATHU/ICE/MANU BIANGO/ZAKA/PERCUSSION/KEZIAH JONES/FELA KUTI/JIMI HENDRIX/SLY STONE/KELIS/MASTERS AT WORK/MEITZ/ FREDERIC GALLIANO/AFROLOGIC FEAT KEZIAH JONES |
LIVE AT THE ELYSEE MONTMARTRE (2004)
 | DVD France | 1 - Colonial mentality 2 - Kpafuca 3 - Cubic space division 4 - Cash 5 - Million miles from home 6 - Hello heavenly 7 - Where's life? 8 - Neptune 9 - Afrosurrealismfortheladies 10 - Funderlying Undermentals 11 - Beatiful Emilie 12 - Wet questions 13 - What we don't know 14 - Machine gun 15 - Femiliarise 16 - 72 Kilos 17 - Rythm is love 18 - Secret thoughts Backstage, Documentary in Lagos , Video clips: Beautiful Emilie & Rythm is love , Photo gallery |
ALSO APPEARS ON;
SAM SUFFIT (1992)
 | DVD Video | French Cinema by Virginie Thevenet |
D'INFLUENCE - PRAYER 4 UNITY (1995)
 | CD | Credit: Guitar (Acoustic) |
VARIOUS ARTISTS - 1000 9 100 4 20 16 19 90 6 (1996)
 | LP promo France | Delabel promo compilation album includes 16 - Keziah Jones.RZA Niggers Bomb Remix |
AKURE WALL - AFROMORPH TEXT (1997)
 | CD Japan QTCY2115 | 1 - The only way is down 2 - Cold storage 3 - Sticky 4 - Umbrella 5 - Defying the linear 6 - Come see 7 - Someone 8 - Oyindamola 9 - Travelling through 10 - Lullaby ganesh 11 - Superniggasoulsista 12 - Merman 13 - The only way is down (bonus radio edit) |
 | CD promo Japan QTCA-4050 | 1 - The only way is down 2 - Oyindamola 3 - Superniggasoulsista |
THE MEN X PERIENCE - LA MANCHA NEGRA: The Black Stain (1998)
 | CD | 2 - LSD 12 - LSD(revisit) Credit: Main Vocal |
VARIOUS ARTISTS - NIGERIA 70 (2001)
 | 3CD | Credit: Musician |
HAKIM - TALAKIK (2002)
 | CD | 12 - Feeling good Credit: Guitar |
VARIOUS ARTISTS - RED HOT + RIOT: The Music and Spirit of Fela Kuti (2002)
 | CD | Credit: Vocals (Background) |
CANIBALA - J.O. NDO. SPEED (2003)
 | CD | Credit: Quotes Researched & Compiled |
VARIOUS ARTISTS - VIBRATIONS : Le Son Du Golfe De Guinée (2004)
 | 2CD | 4 - Ile Labo Simi (afrospot mix) |
VARIOUS ARTISTS - UNITY: The Official Athens 2004 Olympic Games Album (2004)
 | CD | 11 - Macy Gray & Keziah Jones: Oh yeah |
 | CD promo UK | 1 - Macy Gray & Keziah Jones: Oh yeah 2 - Tiziano Ferro & Jamelia: Universal Prayer |
 | CD promo Spain | 1 - Macy Gray & Keziah Jones: Oh yeah |
ROKIA TRAORE - LIVE (2004)
 | DVD | |
 | CD promo France | 1 - Le Temps... (wati) |
SIJI - GOD GIVEN (2004)
 | CD |
OSUNLADE - OSUNLADE PRESENTS THE YORUBA SOUL REMIXES (2004)
 | CD | 12 - Kpafuca (Yoruba Soul mix) |
VARIOUS ARTISTS - ASAP: The Afrobeat Sudan Aid Project (2004)
 | CD | 4 - Garan Garan |
cd/dvd/video(not listed above)
rhythm is love 2-track cd france
my kinda girl 1-track promo-only cd japan
nigerian wood promo-only cd japan
black orpheus 5-trk sampler+pvc france
african space craft autoportrait promo vhs france
a short film on keziah jones promo vhs japan
femiliarise promo cd france
blufunk/african space craft 2 cd set france
blufunk/black orpheus 2 cd set france
beautiful emilie radio edit 1-trk cdr acetate france
black orpheus(2cd new pressing) 9-trk cdr acetate france
rhythm is love single promo vhs
black orpheus 12-trk cdr acetate france
black orpheus epk + music planet 2 nite promo vhs france
black orpheus ediion limitee 9-trk cdr acetate france
nigerian wood 9-trk sampler non definitive artwork france
my kinda girl 1-trk promo france
black orpheus(2cd) france
femiliarize promo cd france
black orpheus promo interview disc 68min france
live ep promo cassette japan
blufunk is a fact! promo cassette japan
making of 'my kinda girl' epk promo dvd
E Dey Happen:A Compilation (Jazzhole Lagos)
my kinda girl promo dvd
memorabilia
blufunk is a fact tour crew jacket
blufunk is a fact withdrawn artwork proof
tour itinerary book-summer tour 1993
tour itinerary book-m people support tour
tour itinerary book-african space craft uk tour
african space craft book
crackfish and mizz book
femiliarise press kit
african space craft unused tickets(may 1,may 3,may 17,may 31 1995)
blufunk is a fact unused ticket oct 16 1992
rhythm is love(best) press kit
black orpheus press kit
african anarchist corp.ep press kit,precommande #687
liquid sunshine press kit,bon de precommande#785
liquid sunshine press kit,bon de precommande#439
liquid sunshine tournee,bon de precommande#160
black orpheus press kit,bon de precommande#1281
black orpheus press kit,precommande#5325
black orpheus press kit,commande spéciale #1523
beautiful emille nouveau maxi press kit,commande spéciale #1482
nigerian wood biography press kit booklet
3 press photo delabel/circa 8x10
press photo delabel/virgin 8x10
blufunk is a fact! 1993 us caroline press kit 8x10+2-page press sheet
press photo virgin 8x10
3 small press photos
set list numero des morceaux
press pass-hamburg 24 april 1995
press pass-after show/photographie 01/06
ticket stub-blufunk is a fact frankfurt 03 11 1992
ticket stub-african space craft may 31 1995
ticket stub-en concert prive oui fm 1 feb 2004
ticket stub-keziah jones x wunmi zenith 1 juin 2004
ticket stub-keziah jones x tony allen place debut 14 mars 2003
ticket stub-placement libre 31 octobre 2003
ticket stubs-japan tour 1992-2009
ticket stub-muson centre lagos nigeria march 11 2005
black orpheus display
black orpheus large display
rhythm is love(best)display
liquid sunshine lp size display france
liquid sunshine large display france
black orpheus t-shirt no sleeve
black orpheus t-shirt
african anarchist corp.ep t-shirt
nigerian wood t-shirt
jones to ground control... t-shirt
african space craft tour t-shirt
liquid sunshine t-shirt
magazine advert
blufunk is a fact! japanese cd release b6
blufunk is a fact! japanese cd release b5 2-page
blufunk is a fact! japanese cd release b5
african space craft japan tour 1995 b6
liquide sunshine japanese cd release b6
nouvel album liquide sunshine -les inrockptibles
attention exclusivite! liquide sunshine
attention événement! keziah jones en show-case liquid sunshine
african space craft novel album
black orpheus sortie le 22/4
le fnac aime le nouvel album de keziah jones black orpheus sorte le 22/4
liquide sunshine nouvel album 11.05.99
our fm la radio rock présente…nouvel album liquide sunshine
black orpheus advert
oui fm la radio rock présente keziah jones acoustique 1 feb
magazine/cuttings
Cut Magazine, January 1992 japan
Bad News Magazine, February 1992 japan
Bad News Magazine, April 1992 japan
Rockin'On Magazine, April 1992 japan
Crossbeat Magazine, April 1992 japan
Crossbeat Magazine, July 1992 japan
Music Magazine, July 1992 japan
Takarajima Magazine, 9 July 1992 japan
iD Japan Magazine, August 1992 japan
Rockin'On Magazine, August 1992 japan
Parade Magazine, Summer 1992 japan
Crossbeat Magazine, September 1993 japan
Player The Guitar6 1993 japan
HMV The Music Master, free magazine, 20 March 1995 japan
Bad News Magazine, April 1995 japan
Crossbeat Magazine, April 1995 japan
Crossbeat Magazine, May 1995 japan
Bad News Magazine, May 1995 japan
Rockin'On Magazine, May 1995 japan
Music Magazine, May 1995 japan
Rockin'On Magazine, June 1995 japan
Guitar Magazine, June 1995 japan
Crossbeat Magazine, September 1995 japan
Player Magazine, June 1995 japan
Playboy Magazine 1995 japan
Guitar Magazine 1995 japan
AERA Magazine, 18 September 1995 japan
Rockin'On Magazine, October 1995 japan
FM Station Magazine, 20 October 1995 japan
Rock Sound mai 95 peule fiction…2-page 1995 japan
bounce, free magazine, April 1999 japan
Guitar Magazine, June1999 japan
Player Magazine, July1999 japan
Tokyo Classified, free magazine, 7 August1999 japan
Player Magazine, December1999 japan
Latina Magazine, March 2000 japan
Campus Mag mai 2003 france on cover-2-page
Presto! 2003 france on cover
Nouvelle vague novembre 2008 france on cover
?? newspaper-la musique identitaire de keziah jones france
?? newspaper-la jones' touch:un groove spirituel 11 oct 2003 france
?? la force tranquille 2-page france
?? 1-page france
?? 1-page l'étrange voyage de keziah jones france
Rock Mag 08 france
RnB entre afrique&europe 4-page france
Soul R&B desracines&des ailes 4-page france
Riff#8 keziah jones reloaded 2-page france
carrefour savoirs mai 2003-keziah jones retour vers le futur france
telerama 16 avril 2003 music planet 2nite france
crossroads février 2004-african king 4-page france
Zarban no157-art et religion sount ume meme chose 2-page france
Afroriddim 5-page france
Radical 72 2-page france
Elle keziah jones le socierdes sons 3-page france
Rolling Stone jullet 2004-peintre en sentiments france
Rolling Stone avril 2003-africa unite 4-page france
jalouse 2-page france
r&b magazine mars 2004-l'afrique qui brille 4-page france
guitar part#131-master class keziah jones 4-pag france
open mag france
vibrations 1995 france
montpellier I'"orisha"funky france
mondomix 2003 france
wanted 2005 france
vibrations mai 2003
tyler france
musiq france
flyer
frinigro interstellar ep release uk
rhytum is love the single released 15 june 1992 uk
rhytum is love new single released 2 march 1992 uk
subterania 22 june 1992 uk
jazz cafe june 18 1992 uk
koln concert 1995 germany
the velvet underground nov 14 1995 france
ronnie scott's oct 4 1992 uk
live ep release uk
where's life? release uk
black orpheus nouvel album sortie le 22.04.03 10x15cm france
black orpheus nouvel album déjà disponsible 10x15cm france
black orpheus virgin megastore show case feb 6 france
keziah jones en live-music planet 2 nite 22.04.03 france
keziah jones en concert 01 juin zenith paris france
yoruba acoustic soul keziah jones&siji @sob's
la mangrove 8 avril 2003 france
attention to express,satori,keziah jones… us
Starcomms-Jazzhole presents keziah jones
at mason centre lagos nigeria march 11,13 2005 nigeria
elysee montmartre 14 mars 2003 france
olympia 23 octobre france
les nuits secretes 8-10 aout 2003 france
nice jazz festival 2003 france
nice jazz festival 2004 france
rock au max 15-18 juillet 1999 france
le rock états 25-26 juin 2004 france
rock en seine 27 aout 2003 france
live at elysee montmartre dvd flyer france
solidays festival 9-11 juillet 2004 france
jam'sahel 17 juin 2004 france
le triptyque journal du soirjuin 2004 france
japan tour '92
japan tour '99
nagoya club quatro Oct 2 1999 japan
agenda juin 1999 france
les rendez-vous da la frac de lille mai 2003 france
sound world france
digital rock france
poster
festival solidays 10-11 juillet 1999 france
blufunk is a fact tour
blufunk is a fact promo
african space craft promo
african space craft tour france
african space craft tour 29.4 theater haus germany
african space craft tour 26.4 pc69 germany
liquid sunshine promo france
liquid sunshine tour germany
muson centre lagos nigeria march 11 2005
black orpheus promo france
black orpheus tour germany
black orpheus promo/en concert w/z-star
Keziah Jones:
Collection
Keziah Jones: Collection
this is a list of my private collecton i collected to reserch the great works of keziah jones.
(sorry 'Not For Sale')
LIBERATEYOMIND
| | 12" | A1 - Free your soul A2 - Rythm is love B1 - The mind of confused musician/Pleasure is kisses within B2 - The wisdom behind the smile (Cash) |
THE WISDOM BEHIND THE SMILE (CASH) (1991)
| | 7" promo France DE9024 | A - The wisdom behind the smile (Cash) B - Sophie's breasts |
FRINIGRO INTERSTELLAR E.P. (1991)
| | CD France: DE033001 Austria: DLBCD 1 | 1 - Frinigro interstellar |
| | CD France | w/outer jacket |
| | 12" UK DLBT-1 | A1 - Frinigro interstellar A2 - The wisdom behind the smile (Cash) B1 - Free your soul B2 - Sophie's breasts |
RHYTHM IS LOVE (1991)
| | CD France: DE035061 UK: DLBCD2 | 1 - Rythm is love |
| | 12" UK DLBT-2 | A1 - Rythm is love |
| | 7" UK: DE095061 France: DE035061 | A - Rythm is love |
| | Cassette DE055061 | 1 - Rythm is love 2 - Dilute yo' hype |
BLUFUNK IS A FACT! (1992)
| | CD Japan VJCP-28104 | 1 - The wisdom behind the smile (Cash) 2 - Walkin' naked thru a bluebell field 3 - Rhythm is love 4 - Runaway (Slavery days are over) 5 - Where's life? 6 - The funderlying undermentals 7 - Frinigro interstellar 8 - Free your soul 9 - A curious kind of subconcious 10 - The waxing and the waning 11 - The invisible ladder 12 - Pleasure is kisses within 13 - Sophie's Breasts |
| | CD Austria:DLB1 US:HERR005 | 1 - The wisdom behind the smile (Cash) 2 - Walkin' naked thru a bluebell field 3 - Rhythm is love 4 - Runaway (Slavery days are over) 5 - Where's life? 6 - The funderlying undermentals 7 - Frinigro interstellar 8 - Free your soul 9 - A curious kind of subconcious 10 - The waxing and the waning 11 - The invisible ladder 12 - Pleasure is kisses within |
| | LP France DE070907 | 12 tracks |
WHERE'S LIFE? (1992)
| | CD UK DLBCD4 | 1 - Where's life ? 2 - At the end of the lords prayer 3 - What we don't know 4 - Walkin' naked thru a bluebell field (live - "On Air" Tokyo, May 23th, 1992) |
| | CD France DE035143 | 1 - Where's life ? (edit) |
| | 12" DE085143 | A1 - Where's life ? A2 - At the end of the lords prayer B1 - What we don't know B2 - Walkin' naked thru a bluebell field (live - "On Air" Tokyo, May 23th, 1992) |
| | Cassette DE055143 | 1 - Where's life ? |
LIVE AT THE MEGASTORE (1993)
| | CD promo France DE03276 | 1 - Rhythm is love 2 - Free your soul 3 - The invisible ladder 4 - Where's life 5 - There I was |
LIVE E.P. (1993)
| | CD Japan VJCP-20009 | 1 - Scream 2 - Hidetheology 3 - Rainy London streets 4 - Blufunk is alive 5 - Secret thoughts 6 - Rhythm is love 7 - The waxing and the waning 8 - Walkin' naked thru' a bluebell field |
| | CD Holland DE918922 | 1 - Scream 2 - Hidetheology 3 - Rainy London streets 4 - Blufunk is alive! 5 - Secret thoughts 6 - Rhythm is love |
AFRICAN SPACE CRAFT (1995)
| | CD Japan VJCP-25147 | 1 - Million miles from home 2 - Colorful world 3 - Prodigal funk 4 - Splash 5 - Dear Mr. Cooper 6 - African space craft 7 - Speech 8 - Cubic space division 9 - Funk 'n' circumstances 10 - Man with the scar 11 - Never gonna let you go 12 - If you know 13 - stereophobia 14 - sugar coated bombs |
| | CD | 1 - Million miles from home 2 - Colorful world 3 - Prodigal funk 4 - Splash 5 - Dear Mr. Cooper 6 - African space craft 7 - Speech 8 - Cubic space division 9 - Funk 'n' circumstances 10 - Man with the scar 11 - Never gonna let you go 12 - If you know |
| | CD promo France DE 3484 | 12 tracks card sleeve |
| | 2LP | 12 tracks |
| | Cassette Holland DE7243 8 401634 0 | 12 tracks |
MILLION MILES FROM HOME (1995)
| | CD promo Japan PCD-0569 | 1 - Million miles from home |
| | CD 3" Japan VJCP-10238 | 1 - Million miles from home |
| | CD Holland France 7243 8928442 3 | 1 - Million miles from home 2 - 1914 my ass |
| | CD Holland 7243 8928442 6 | 1 - Million miles from home 2 - 1914 my ass 3 - Sugar coated bombs |
| | CD UK 7243 8931722 0 | 1 - Million miles from home 2 - Million miles from home (DJ-SS roller mix) 3 - 1914 my ass |
| | 12" UK DLBT-7 | A - Million miles from home (DJ-SS roller mix) B - Million miles from home (DJ-SS easy roller mix) |
| | 12" promo UK DLBTDJ7 | A - Million miles from home (DJ-SS roller mix) B - Million miles from home (DJ-SS easy roller mix) |
IF YOU KNOW (1995)
| | CD France 7243 8930782 5 | 1 - If you know 2 - Freedom in captivity |
| | CD France 7243 8930782 6 | 1 - If you know |
| | CD promo France DE3564 | 1 - If you know card sleeve |
CUBIC SPACE DIVISION (1995)
| | CD promo Japan PCD-0602 | 1 -Cubic Space Division |
LIQUID SUNSHINE (1999)
| | CD Japan VJCP-68023 | 1 - Hello heavenly 2 - God's glory 3 - Liquid sunshine 4 - New brighter day 5 - Runaway 6 - Don't forget 7 - Phased 8 - I'm known 9 - Sunshineshapedbulletholes 10 - Functional 11 - Stabilah 12 - Wounded lovers son 13 - Teardrops Will Fall 14 - Gangsta Lean |
| | CD EU 724384720926 | 1 - Hello heavenly 2 - God's glory 3 - Liquid sunshine 4 - New brighter day 5 - Runaway 6 - Don't forget 7 - Phased 8 - I'm known 9 - Sunshineshapedbulletholes 10 - Functional 11 - Stabilah 12 - Wounded lovers son 13 - Teardrops Will Fall |
| | CD promo France DE4640 | 13 tracks card sleeve |
| | CD promo France DE4584 | "New Album 13.4.1999" 14 tracks card sleeve |
| | 2CD ltd. edition France | CD1 - Liquid Sunshine CD2 - Bonus CD |
| | 2CD ltd. edition France | CD1 - Liquid Sunshine CD2 - Blufunk Is A Fact! |
| | CD-R promo | 14 tracks |
| | Cassette promo Japan | 14 tracks |
| | CD-R test press | withdrawn title "Uncle Fem's Long Grain Funk" |
| | Cassette promo Japan | withdrawn title "Uncle Fem's Long Grain Funk" |
| | 2LP | 12 tracks |
I'M KNOWN (1999)
| | CD promo EU DE4630 | 1 - I'm known |
NEW BRIGHTER DAY (1999)
| | CD promo Japan PCD-2119 | 1 - New brighter day |
| | CD promo EU DE4843 | 1 - New brighter day |
THE AFRICAN ANARCHIST CORP. E.P. (2000)
| | CD HollandCD Holland 7243 89650723 7243 89650723 | 1 - Suffering and smiling 3 - African space craft (Prince Paul Remix) |
| | 12" EU 8965076 PM214 8965076 PM214 | Phased A1 - Phased B1 - Suffering and smiling B2 - African space craft (Prince Paul Remix)B1 - Suffering and smiling B2 - African space craft (Prince Paul Remix) |
| | CD-R promoo | "African Anarchist Corporation"can Anarchist Corporation" |
BLACK ORPHEUS (2003)
| | CD Japan VJCP-68477 | 1 - Afrosurrealismfortheladies 2 - Kpafuca 3 -Femiliarise 4 - Wet questions 5 - Neptune 6 - 72 Kilos 7 - All praises 8 - Beautiful Emilie 9 - Sadness is... 10 - Autumn moon 11 - Black Orpheus 12 - Orin o'lomi 13 - Guitar in the river |
| | CD promo France DE7213 | card sleeve |
| | CD promo France | 1 - Kpafuca 2 - Femiliarise 3 - Wet questions 4 - All praises 5 - Beautiful Emilie |
| | CD promo France | "Black Orpheus" Acoustic Sampler |
| | 2CD ltd. edition France | CD1 - Black Orpheus CD2 - Bonus CD |
| | 2CD ltd. edition France | CD1 - Black Orpheus CD2 - Blufunk Is A Fact! |
| | 2LP France | 12 tracks |
FEMILIARISE (2003)
| | CD promo DE7225 | 1 - Femiliarise |
BEAUTIFUL EMILIE (2003)
| | CD promo EU DE7317 | 1 - Beautiful Emilie (new mix) |
| | CD 724355334725 | 1 - Beautiful Emilie (Love Remix) 2 - Beautiful Emilie (Russel Elevado mix) 3 - Beautiful Emilie 4 - Devil On The Scene |
| | CD-R promo France | 1 - Beautiful Emilie |
KEZIAH JONES PRESENTS BLACK FUNK'TIONAL
| | Cassette promo | Mixed by KROLL & Water, featuring MULATHU/ICE/MANU BIANGO/ZAKA/PERCUSSION/KEZIAH JONES/FELA KUTI/JIMI HENDRIX/SLY STONE/KELIS/MASTERS AT WORK/MEITZ/ FREDERIC GALLIANO/AFROLOGIC FEAT KEZIAH JONES |
LIVE AT THE ELYSEE MONTMARTRE (2004)
| | DVD France | 1 - Colonial mentality 2 - Kpafuca 3 - Cubic space division 4 - Cash 5 - Million miles from home 6 - Hello heavenly 7 - Where's life? 8 - Neptune 9 - Afrosurrealismfortheladies 10 - Funderlying Undermentals 11 - Beatiful Emilie 12 - Wet questions 13 - What we don't know 14 - Machine gun 15 - Femiliarise 16 - 72 Kilos 17 - Rythm is love 18 - Secret thoughts Backstage, Documentary in Lagos , Video clips: Beautiful Emilie & Rythm is love , Photo gallery |
ALSO APPEARS ON;
SAM SUFFIT (1992)
| | DVD Video | French Cinema by Virginie Thevenet |
D'INFLUENCE - PRAYER 4 UNITY (1995)
| | CD | Credit: Guitar (Acoustic) |
VARIOUS ARTISTS - 1000 9 100 4 20 16 19 90 6 (1996)
| | LP promo France | Delabel promo compilation album includes 16 - Keziah Jones.RZA Niggers Bomb Remix |
AKURE WALL - AFROMORPH TEXT (1997)
| | CD Japan QTCY2115 | 1 - The only way is down 2 - Cold storage 3 - Sticky 4 - Umbrella 5 - Defying the linear 6 - Come see 7 - Someone 8 - Oyindamola 9 - Travelling through 10 - Lullaby ganesh 11 - Superniggasoulsista 12 - Merman 13 - The only way is down (bonus radio edit) |
| | CD promo Japan QTCA-4050 | 1 - The only way is down 2 - Oyindamola 3 - Superniggasoulsista |
THE MEN X PERIENCE - LA MANCHA NEGRA: The Black Stain (1998)
| | CD | 2 - LSD 12 - LSD(revisit) Credit: Main Vocal |
VARIOUS ARTISTS - NIGERIA 70 (2001)
| | 3CD | Credit: Musician |
HAKIM - TALAKIK (2002)
| | CD | 12 - Feeling good Credit: Guitar |
VARIOUS ARTISTS - RED HOT + RIOT: The Music and Spirit of Fela Kuti (2002)
| | CD | Credit: Vocals (Background) |
CANIBALA - J.O. NDO. SPEED (2003)
| | CD | Credit: Quotes Researched & Compiled |
VARIOUS ARTISTS - VIBRATIONS : Le Son Du Golfe De Guinée (2004)
| | 2CD | 4 - Ile Labo Simi (afrospot mix) |
VARIOUS ARTISTS - UNITY: The Official Athens 2004 Olympic Games Album (2004)
| | CD | 11 - Macy Gray & Keziah Jones: Oh yeah |
| | CD promo UK | 1 - Macy Gray & Keziah Jones: Oh yeah 2 - Tiziano Ferro & Jamelia: Universal Prayer |
| | CD promo Spain | 1 - Macy Gray & Keziah Jones: Oh yeah |
ROKIA TRAORE - LIVE (2004)
| | DVD | |
| | CD promo France | 1 - Le Temps... (wati) |
SIJI - GOD GIVEN (2004)
| | CD |
OSUNLADE - OSUNLADE PRESENTS THE YORUBA SOUL REMIXES (2004)
| | CD | 12 - Kpafuca (Yoruba Soul mix) |
VARIOUS ARTISTS - ASAP: The Afrobeat Sudan Aid Project (2004)
| | CD | 4 - Garan Garan |
cd/dvd/video(not listed above)
rhythm is love 2-track cd france
my kinda girl 1-track promo-only cd japan
nigerian wood promo-only cd japan
black orpheus 5-trk sampler+pvc france
african space craft autoportrait promo vhs france
a short film on keziah jones promo vhs japan
femiliarise promo cd france
blufunk/african space craft 2 cd set france
blufunk/black orpheus 2 cd set france
beautiful emily radio edit 1-trk cdr acetate france
black orpheus(2cd new pressing) 9-trk cdr acetate france
rhythm is love single promo vhs
black orpheus 12-trk cdr acetate france
black orpheus epk + music planet 2 nite promo vhs france
black orpheus ediion limitee 9-trk cdr acetate france
nigerian wood 9-trk sampler non definitive artwork france
my kinda girl 1-trk promo france
black orpheus(2cd) france
femiliarize promo cd france
black orpheus promo interview disc 68min france
live ep promo cassette japan
blufunk is a fact! promo cassette japan
making of 'my kinda girl' epk promo dvd
E Dey Happen:A Compilation (Jazzhole Lagos)
my kinda girl promo dvd
memorabilia
blufunk is a fact tour crew jacket
blufunk is a fact withdrawn artwork proof
tour itinerary book-summer tour 1993
tour itinerary book-m people support tour
tour itinerary book-african space craft uk tour
african space craft book
crackfish and mizz book
femiliarise press kit
african space craft unused tickets(may 1,may 3,may 17,may 31 1995)
blufunk is a fact unused ticket oct 16 1992
rhythm is love(best) press kit
black orpheus press kit
african anarchist corp.ep press kit,precommande #687
liquid sunshine press kit,bon de precommande#785
liquid sunshine press kit,bon de precommande#439
liquid sunshine tournee,bon de precommande#160
black orpheus press kit,bon de precommande#1281
black orpheus press kit,precommande#5325
black orpheus press kit,commande spéciale #1523
beautiful emille nouveau maxi press kit,commande spéciale #1482
nigerian wood biography press kit booklet
3 press photo delabel/circa 8x10
press photo delabel/virgin 8x10
blufunk is a fact! 1993 us caroline press kit 8x10+2-page press sheet
press photo virgin 8x10
3 small press photos
set list numero des morceaux
press pass-hamburg 24 april 1995
press pass-after show/photographie 01/06
ticket stub-blufunk is a fact frankfurt 03 11 1992
ticket stub-african space craft may 31 1995
ticket stub-en concert prive oui fm 1 feb 2004
ticket stub-keziah jones x wunmi zenith 1 juin 2004
ticket stub-keziah jones x tony allen place debut 14 mars 2003
ticket stub-placement libre 31 octobre 2003
ticket stubs-japan tour 1992-2009
ticket stub-muson centre lagos nigeria march 11 2005
black orpheus display
black orpheus large display
rhythm is love(best)display
liquid sunshine lp size display france
liquid sunshine large display france
black orpheus t-shirt no sleeve
black orpheus t-shirt
african anarchist corp.ep t-shirt
nigerian wood t-shirt
jones to ground control... t-shirt
african space craft tour t-shirt
liquid sunshine t-shirt
magazine advert
blufunk is a fact! japanese cd release b6
blufunk is a fact! japanese cd release b5 2-page
blufunk is a fact! japanese cd release b5
african space craft japan tour 1995 b6
liquide sunshine japanese cd release b6
nouvel album liquide sunshine -les inrockptibles
attention exclusivite! liquide sunshine
attention événement! keziah jones en show-case liquid sunshine
african space craft novel album
black orpheus sortie le 22/4
le fnac aime le nouvel album de keziah jones black orpheus sorte le 22/4
liquide sunshine nouvel album 11.05.99
our fm la radio rock présente…nouvel album liquide sunshine
black orpheus advert
oui fm la radio rock présente keziah jones acoustique 1 feb
magazine/cuttings
Cut Magazine, January 1992 japan
Bad News Magazine, February 1992 japan
Bad News Magazine, April 1992 japan
Rockin'On Magazine, April 1992 japan
Crossbeat Magazine, April 1992 japan
Crossbeat Magazine, July 1992 japan
Music Magazine, July 1992 japan
Takarajima Magazine, 9 July 1992 japan
iD Japan Magazine, August 1992 japan
Rockin'On Magazine, August 1992 japan
Parade Magazine, Summer 1992 japan
Crossbeat Magazine, September 1993 japan
Player The Guitar6 1993 japan
HMV The Music Master, free magazine, 20 March 1995 japan
Bad News Magazine, April 1995 japan
Crossbeat Magazine, April 1995 japan
Crossbeat Magazine, May 1995 japan
Bad News Magazine, May 1995 japan
Rockin'On Magazine, May 1995 japan
Music Magazine, May 1995 japan
Rockin'On Magazine, June 1995 japan
Guitar Magazine, June 1995 japan
Crossbeat Magazine, September 1995 japan
Player Magazine, June 1995 japan
Playboy Magazine 1995 japan
Guitar Magazine 1995 japan
AERA Magazine, 18 September 1995 japan
Rockin'On Magazine, October 1995 japan
FM Station Magazine, 20 October 1995 japan
Rock Sound mai 95 peule fiction…2-page 1995 japan
bounce, free magazine, April 1999 japan
Guitar Magazine, June1999 japan
Player Magazine, July1999 japan
Tokyo Classified, free magazine, 7 August1999 japan
Player Magazine, December1999 japan
Latina Magazine, March 2000 japan
Campus Mag mai 2003 france on cover-2-page
Presto! 2003 france on cover
Nouvelle vague novembre 2008 france on cover
?? newspaper-la musique identitaire de keziah jones france
?? newspaper-la jones' touch:un groove spirituel 11 oct 2003 france
?? la force tranquille 2-page france
?? 1-page france
?? 1-page l'étrange voyage de keziah jones france
Rock Mag 08 france
RnB entre afrique&europe 4-page france
Soul R&B desracines&des ailes 4-page france
Riff#8 keziah jones reloaded 2-page france
carrefour savoirs mai 2003-keziah jones retour vers le futur france
telerama 16 avril 2003 music planet 2nite france
crossroads février 2004-african king 4-page france
Zarban no157-art et religion sount ume meme chose 2-page france
Afroriddim 5-page france
Radical 72 2-page france
Elle keziah jones le socierdes sons 3-page france
Rolling Stone jullet 2004-peintre en sentiments france
Rolling Stone avril 2003-africa unite 4-page france
jalouse 2-page france
r&b magazine mars 2004-l'afrique qui brille 4-page france
guitar part#131-master class keziah jones 4-pag france
open mag france
vibrations 1995 france
montpellier I'"orisha"funky france
mondomix 2003 france
wanted 2005 france
vibrations mai 2003
tyler france
musiq france
flyer
frinigro interstellar ep release uk
rhytum is love the single released 15 june 1992 uk
rhytum is love new single released 2 march 1992 uk
subterania 22 june 1992 uk
jazz cafe june 18 1992 uk
koln concert 1995 germany
the velvet underground nov 14 1995 france
ronnie scott's oct 4 1992 uk
live ep release uk
where's life? release uk
black orpheus nouvel album sortie le 22.04.03 10x15cm france
black orpheus nouvel album déjà disponsible 10x15cm france
black orpheus virgin megastore show case feb 6 france
keziah jones en live-music planet 2 nite 22.04.03 france
keziah jones en concert 01 juin zenith paris france
yoruba acoustic soul keziah jones&siji @sob's
la mangrove 8 avril 2003 france
attention to express,satori,keziah jones… us
Starcomms-Jazzhole presents keziah jones
at mason centre lagos nigeria march 11,13 2005 nigeria
elysee montmartre 14 mars 2003 france
olympia 23 octobre france
les nuits secretes 8-10 aout 2003 france
nice jazz festival 2003 france
nice jazz festival 2004 france
rock au max 15-18 juillet 1999 france
le rock états 25-26 juin 2004 france
rock en seine 27 aout 2003 france
live at elysee montmartre dvd flyer france
solidays festival 9-11 juillet 2004 france
jam'sahel 17 juin 2004 france
le triptyque journal du soirjuin 2004 france
japan tour '92
japan tour '99
nagoya club quatro Oct 2 1999 japan
agenda juin 1999 france
les rendez-vous da la frac de lille mai 2003 france
sound world france
digital rock france
poster
festival solid ays 10-11 juillet 1999 france
blufunk is a fact tour
blufunk is a fact promo
african space craft promo
african space craft tour france
african space craft tour 29.4 theater haus germany
african space craft tour 26.4 pc69 germany
liquid sunshine promo france
liquid sunshine tour germany
muson centre lagos nigeria march 11 2005
black orpheus promo france
black orpheus tour germany
black orpheus promo/en concert w/z-star
Keziah Jones: Collection
Keziah Jones: Collection
this is a list of my private collecton i collected to reserch the great works of keziah jones.
(sorry 'Not For Sale')
LIBERATEYOMIND
| | 12" | A1 - Free your soul A2 - Rythm is love B1 - The mind of confused musician/Pleasure is kisses within B2 - The wisdom behind the smile (Cash) |
THE WISDOM BEHIND THE SMILE (CASH) (1991)
| | 7" promo France DE9024 | A - The wisdom behind the smile (Cash) B - Sophie's breasts |
FRINIGRO INTERSTELLAR E.P. (1991)
| | CD France: DE033001 Austria: DLBCD 1 | 1 - Frinigro interstellar |
| | CD France | w/outer jacket |
| | 12" UK DLBT-1 | A1 - Frinigro interstellar A2 - The wisdom behind the smile (Cash) B1 - Free your soul B2 - Sophie's breasts |
RHYTHM IS LOVE (1991)
| | CD France: DE035061 UK: DLBCD2 | 1 - Rythm is love |
| | 12" UK DLBT-2 | A1 - Rythm is love |
| | 7" UK: DE095061 France: DE035061 | A - Rythm is love |
| | Cassette DE055061 | 1 - Rythm is love 2 - Dilute yo' hype |
BLUFUNK IS A FACT! (1992)
| | CD Japan VJCP-28104 | 1 - The wisdom behind the smile (Cash) 2 - Walkin' naked thru a bluebell field 3 - Rhythm is love 4 - Runaway (Slavery days are over) 5 - Where's life? 6 - The funderlying undermentals 7 - Frinigro interstellar 8 - Free your soul 9 - A curious kind of subconcious 10 - The waxing and the waning 11 - The invisible ladder 12 - Pleasure is kisses within 13 - Sophie's Breasts |
| | CD Austria:DLB1 US:HERR005 | 1 - The wisdom behind the smile (Cash) 2 - Walkin' naked thru a bluebell field 3 - Rhythm is love 4 - Runaway (Slavery days are over) 5 - Where's life? 6 - The funderlying undermentals 7 - Frinigro interstellar 8 - Free your soul 9 - A curious kind of subconcious 10 - The waxing and the waning 11 - The invisible ladder 12 - Pleasure is kisses within |
| | LP France DE070907 | 12 tracks |
WHERE'S LIFE? (1992)
| | CD UK DLBCD4 | 1 - Where's life ? 2 - At the end of the lords prayer 3 - What we don't know 4 - Walkin' naked thru a bluebell field (live - "On Air" Tokyo, May 23th, 1992) |
| | CD France DE035143 | 1 - Where's life ? (edit) |
| | 12" DE085143 | A1 - Where's life ? A2 - At the end of the lords prayer B1 - What we don't know B2 - Walkin' naked thru a bluebell field (live - "On Air" Tokyo, May 23th, 1992) |
| | Cassette DE055143 | 1 - Where's life ? |
LIVE AT THE MEGASTORE (1993)
| | CD promo France DE03276 | 1 - Rhythm is love 2 - Free your soul 3 - The invisible ladder 4 - Where's life 5 - There I was |
LIVE E.P. (1993)
| | CD Japan VJCP-20009 | 1 - Scream 2 - Hidetheology 3 - Rainy London streets 4 - Blufunk is alive 5 - Secret thoughts 6 - Rhythm is love 7 - The waxing and the waning 8 - Walkin' naked thru' a bluebell field |
| | CD Holland DE918922 | 1 - Scream 2 - Hidetheology 3 - Rainy London streets 4 - Blufunk is alive! 5 - Secret thoughts 6 - Rhythm is love |
AFRICAN SPACE CRAFT (1995)
| | CD Japan VJCP-25147 | 1 - Million miles from home 2 - Colorful world 3 - Prodigal funk 4 - Splash 5 - Dear Mr. Cooper 6 - African space craft 7 - Speech 8 - Cubic space division 9 - Funk 'n' circumstances 10 - Man with the scar 11 - Never gonna let you go 12 - If you know 13 - stereophobia 14 - sugar coated bombs |
| | CD | 1 - Million miles from home 2 - Colorful world 3 - Prodigal funk 4 - Splash 5 - Dear Mr. Cooper 6 - African space craft 7 - Speech 8 - Cubic space division 9 - Funk 'n' circumstances 10 - Man with the scar 11 - Never gonna let you go 12 - If you know |
| | CD promo France DE 3484 | 12 tracks card sleeve |
| | 2LP | 12 tracks |
| | Cassette Holland DE7243 8 401634 0 | 12 tracks |
MILLION MILES FROM HOME (1995)
| | CD promo Japan PCD-0569 | 1 - Million miles from home |
| | CD 3" Japan VJCP-10238 | 1 - Million miles from home |
| | CD Holland France 7243 8928442 3 | 1 - Million miles from home 2 - 1914 my ass |
| | CD Holland 7243 8928442 6 | 1 - Million miles from home 2 - 1914 my ass 3 - Sugar coated bombs |
| | CD UK 7243 8931722 0 | 1 - Million miles from home 2 - Million miles from home (DJ-SS roller mix) 3 - 1914 my ass |
| | 12" UK DLBT-7 | A - Million miles from home (DJ-SS roller mix) B - Million miles from home (DJ-SS easy roller mix) |
| | 12" promo UK DLBTDJ7 | A - Million miles from home (DJ-SS roller mix) B - Million miles from home (DJ-SS easy roller mix) |
IF YOU KNOW (1995)
| | CD France 7243 8930782 5 | 1 - If you know 2 - Freedom in captivity |
| | CD France 7243 8930782 6 | 1 - If you know |
| | CD promo France DE3564 | 1 - If you know card sleeve |
CUBIC SPACE DIVISION (1995)
| | CD promo Japan PCD-0602 | 1 -Cubic Space Division |
LIQUID SUNSHINE (1999)
| | CD Japan VJCP-68023 | 1 - Hello heavenly 2 - God's glory 3 - Liquid sunshine 4 - New brighter day 5 - Runaway 6 - Don't forget 7 - Phased 8 - I'm known 9 - Sunshineshapedbulletholes 10 - Functional 11 - Stabilah 12 - Wounded lovers son 13 - Teardrops Will Fall 14 - Gangsta Lean |
| | CD EU 724384720926 | 1 - Hello heavenly 2 - God's glory 3 - Liquid sunshine 4 - New brighter day 5 - Runaway 6 - Don't forget 7 - Phased 8 - I'm known 9 - Sunshineshapedbulletholes 10 - Functional 11 - Stabilah 12 - Wounded lovers son 13 - Teardrops Will Fall |
| | CD promo France DE4640 | 13 tracks card sleeve |
| | CD promo France DE4584 | "New Album 13.4.1999" 14 tracks card sleeve |
| | 2CD ltd. edition France | CD1 - Liquid Sunshine CD2 - Bonus CD |
| | 2CD ltd. edition France | CD1 - Liquid Sunshine CD2 - Blufunk Is A Fact! |
| | CD-R promo | 14 tracks |
| | Cassette promo Japan | 14 tracks |
| | CD-R test press | withdrawn title "Uncle Fem's Long Grain Funk" |
| | Cassette promo Japan | withdrawn title "Uncle Fem's Long Grain Funk" |
| | 2LP | 12 tracks |
I'M KNOWN (1999)
| | CD promo EU DE4630 | 1 - I'm known |
NEW BRIGHTER DAY (1999)
| | CD promo Japan PCD-2119 | 1 - New brighter day |
| | CD promo EU DE4843 | 1 - New brighter day |
THE AFRICAN ANARCHIST CORP. E.P. (2000)
| | CD HollandCD Holland 7243 89650723 7243 89650723 | 1 - Suffering and smiling 3 - African space craft (Prince Paul Remix) |
| | 12" EU 8965076 PM214 8965076 PM214 | Phased A1 - Phased B1 - Suffering and smiling B2 - African space craft (Prince Paul Remix)B1 - Suffering and smiling B2 - African space craft (Prince Paul Remix) |
| | CD-R promoo | "African Anarchist Corporation"can Anarchist Corporation" |
BLACK ORPHEUS (2003)
| | CD Japan VJCP-68477 | 1 - Afrosurrealismfortheladies 2 - Kpafuca 3 -Femiliarise 4 - Wet questions 5 - Neptune 6 - 72 Kilos 7 - All praises 8 - Beautiful Emilie 9 - Sadness is... 10 - Autumn moon 11 - Black Orpheus 12 - Orin o'lomi 13 - Guitar in the river |
| | CD promo France DE7213 | card sleeve |
| | CD promo France | 1 - Kpafuca 2 - Femiliarise 3 - Wet questions 4 - All praises 5 - Beautiful Emilie |
| | CD promo France | "Black Orpheus" Acoustic Sampler |
| | 2CD ltd. edition France | CD1 - Black Orpheus CD2 - Bonus CD |
| | 2CD ltd. edition France | CD1 - Black Orpheus CD2 - Blufunk Is A Fact! |
| | 2LP France | 12 tracks |
FEMILIARISE (2003)
| | CD promo DE7225 | 1 - Femiliarise |
BEAUTIFUL EMILIE (2003)
| | CD promo EU DE7317 | 1 - Beautiful Emilie (new mix) |
| | CD 724355334725 | 1 - Beautiful Emilie (Love Remix) 2 - Beautiful Emilie (Russel Elevado mix) 3 - Beautiful Emilie 4 - Devil On The Scene |
| | CD-R promo France | 1 - Beautiful Emilie |
KEZIAH JONES PRESENTS BLACK FUNK'TIONAL
| | Cassette promo | Mixed by KROLL & Water, featuring MULATHU/ICE/MANU BIANGO/ZAKA/PERCUSSION/KEZIAH JONES/FELA KUTI/JIMI HENDRIX/SLY STONE/KELIS/MASTERS AT WORK/MEITZ/ FREDERIC GALLIANO/AFROLOGIC FEAT KEZIAH JONES |
LIVE AT THE ELYSEE MONTMARTRE (2004)
| | DVD France | 1 - Colonial mentality 2 - Kpafuca 3 - Cubic space division 4 - Cash 5 - Million miles from home 6 - Hello heavenly 7 - Where's life? 8 - Neptune 9 - Afrosurrealismfortheladies 10 - Funderlying Undermentals 11 - Beatiful Emilie 12 - Wet questions 13 - What we don't know 14 - Machine gun 15 - Femiliarise 16 - 72 Kilos 17 - Rythm is love 18 - Secret thoughts Backstage, Documentary in Lagos , Video clips: Beautiful Emilie & Rythm is love , Photo gallery |
ALSO APPEARS ON;
SAM SUFFIT (1992)
| | DVD Video | French Cinema by Virginie Thevenet |
D'INFLUENCE - PRAYER 4 UNITY (1995)
| | CD | Credit: Guitar (Acoustic) |
VARIOUS ARTISTS - 1000 9 100 4 20 16 19 90 6 (1996)
| | LP promo France | Delabel promo compilation album includes 16 - Keziah Jones.RZA Niggers Bomb Remix |
AKURE WALL - AFROMORPH TEXT (1997)
| | CD Japan QTCY2115 | 1 - The only way is down 2 - Cold storage 3 - Sticky 4 - Umbrella 5 - Defying the linear 6 - Come see 7 - Someone 8 - Oyindamola 9 - Travelling through 10 - Lullaby ganesh 11 - Superniggasoulsista 12 - Merman 13 - The only way is down (bonus radio edit) |
| | CD promo Japan QTCA-4050 | 1 - The only way is down 2 - Oyindamola 3 - Superniggasoulsista |
THE MEN X PERIENCE - LA MANCHA NEGRA: The Black Stain (1998)
| | CD | 2 - LSD 12 - LSD(revisit) Credit: Main Vocal |
VARIOUS ARTISTS - NIGERIA 70 (2001)
| | 3CD | Credit: Musician |
HAKIM - TALAKIK (2002)
| | CD | 12 - Feeling good Credit: Guitar |
VARIOUS ARTISTS - RED HOT + RIOT: The Music and Spirit of Fela Kuti (2002)
| | CD | Credit: Vocals (Background) |
CANIBALA - J.O. NDO. SPEED (2003)
| | CD | Credit: Quotes Researched & Compiled |
VARIOUS ARTISTS - VIBRATIONS : Le Son Du Golfe De Guinée (2004)
| | 2CD | 4 - Ile Labo Simi (afrospot mix) |
VARIOUS ARTISTS - UNITY: The Official Athens 2004 Olympic Games Album (2004)
| | CD | 11 - Macy Gray & Keziah Jones: Oh yeah |
| | CD promo UK | 1 - Macy Gray & Keziah Jones: Oh yeah 2 - Tiziano Ferro & Jamelia: Universal Prayer |
| | CD promo Spain | 1 - Macy Gray & Keziah Jones: Oh yeah |
ROKIA TRAORE - LIVE (2004)
| | DVD | |
| | CD promo France | 1 - Le Temps... (wati) |
SIJI - GOD GIVEN (2004)
| | CD |
OSUNLADE - OSUNLADE PRESENTS THE YORUBA SOUL REMIXES (2004)
| | CD | 12 - Kpafuca (Yoruba Soul mix) |
VARIOUS ARTISTS - ASAP: The Afrobeat Sudan Aid Project (2004)
| | CD | 4 - Garan Garan |
cd/dvd/video(not listed above)
rhythm is love 2-track cd france
my kinda girl 1-track promo-only cd japan
nigerian wood promo-only cd japan
black orpheus 5-trk sampler+pvc france
african space craft autoportrait promo vhs france
a short film on keziah jones promo vhs japan
femiliarise promo cd france
blufunk/african space craft 2 cd set france
blufunk/black orpheus 2 cd set france
beautiful emily radio edit 1-trk cdr acetate france
black orpheus(2cd new pressing) 9-trk cdr acetate france
rhythm is love single promo vhs
black orpheus 12-trk cdr acetate france
black orpheus epk + music planet 2 nite promo vhs france
black orpheus ediion limitee 9-trk cdr acetate france
nigerian wood 9-trk sampler non definitive artwork france
my kinda girl 1-trk promo france
black orpheus(2cd) france
femiliarize promo cd france
black orpheus promo interview disc 68min france
live ep promo cassette japan
blufunk is a fact! promo cassette japan
making of 'my kinda girl' epk promo dvd
E Dey Happen:A Compilation (Jazzhole Lagos)
my kinda girl promo dvd
memorabilia
blufunk is a fact tour crew jacket
blufunk is a fact withdrawn artwork proof
tour itinerary book-summer tour 1993
tour itinerary book-m people support tour
tour itinerary book-african space craft uk tour
african space craft book
crackfish and mizz book
femiliarise press kit
african space craft unused tickets(may 1,may 3,may 17,may 31 1995)
blufunk is a fact unused ticket oct 16 1992
rhythm is love(best) press kit
black orpheus press kit
african anarchist corp.ep press kit,precommande #687
liquid sunshine press kit,bon de precommande#785
liquid sunshine press kit,bon de precommande#439
liquid sunshine tournee,bon de precommande#160
black orpheus press kit,bon de precommande#1281
black orpheus press kit,precommande#5325
black orpheus press kit,commande spéciale #1523
beautiful emille nouveau maxi press kit,commande spéciale #1482
nigerian wood biography press kit booklet
3 press photo delabel/circa 8x10
press photo delabel/virgin 8x10
blufunk is a fact! 1993 us caroline press kit 8x10+2-page press sheet
press photo virgin 8x10
3 small press photos
set list numero des morceaux
press pass-hamburg 24 april 1995
press pass-after show/photographie 01/06
ticket stub-blufunk is a fact frankfurt 03 11 1992
ticket stub-african space craft may 31 1995
ticket stub-en concert prive oui fm 1 feb 2004
ticket stub-keziah jones x wunmi zenith 1 juin 2004
ticket stub-keziah jones x tony allen place debut 14 mars 2003
ticket stub-placement libre 31 octobre 2003
ticket stubs-japan tour 1992-2009
ticket stub-muson centre lagos nigeria march 11 2005
black orpheus display
black orpheus large display
rhythm is love(best)display
liquid sunshine lp size display france
liquid sunshine large display france
black orpheus t-shirt no sleeve
black orpheus t-shirt
african anarchist corp.ep t-shirt
nigerian wood t-shirt
jones to ground control... t-shirt
african space craft tour t-shirt
liquid sunshine t-shirt
magazine advert
blufunk is a fact! japanese cd release b6
blufunk is a fact! japanese cd release b5 2-page
blufunk is a fact! japanese cd release b5
african space craft japan tour 1995 b6
liquide sunshine japanese cd release b6
nouvel album liquide sunshine -les inrockptibles
attention exclusivite! liquide sunshine
attention événement! keziah jones en show-case liquid sunshine
african space craft novel album
black orpheus sortie le 22/4
le fnac aime le nouvel album de keziah jones black orpheus sorte le 22/4
liquide sunshine nouvel album 11.05.99
our fm la radio rock présente…nouvel album liquide sunshine
black orpheus advert
oui fm la radio rock présente keziah jones acoustique 1 feb
magazine/cuttings
Cut Magazine, January 1992 japan
Bad News Magazine, February 1992 japan
Bad News Magazine, April 1992 japan
Rockin'On Magazine, April 1992 japan
Crossbeat Magazine, April 1992 japan
Crossbeat Magazine, July 1992 japan
Music Magazine, July 1992 japan
Takarajima Magazine, 9 July 1992 japan
iD Japan Magazine, August 1992 japan
Rockin'On Magazine, August 1992 japan
Parade Magazine, Summer 1992 japan
Crossbeat Magazine, September 1993 japan
Player The Guitar6 1993 japan
HMV The Music Master, free magazine, 20 March 1995 japan
Bad News Magazine, April 1995 japan
Crossbeat Magazine, April 1995 japan
Crossbeat Magazine, May 1995 japan
Bad News Magazine, May 1995 japan
Rockin'On Magazine, May 1995 japan
Music Magazine, May 1995 japan
Rockin'On Magazine, June 1995 japan
Guitar Magazine, June 1995 japan
Crossbeat Magazine, September 1995 japan
Player Magazine, June 1995 japan
Playboy Magazine 1995 japan
Guitar Magazine 1995 japan
AERA Magazine, 18 September 1995 japan
Rockin'On Magazine, October 1995 japan
FM Station Magazine, 20 October 1995 japan
Rock Sound mai 95 peule fiction…2-page 1995 japan
bounce, free magazine, April 1999 japan
Guitar Magazine, June1999 japan
Player Magazine, July1999 japan
Tokyo Classified, free magazine, 7 August1999 japan
Player Magazine, December1999 japan
Latina Magazine, March 2000 japan
Campus Mag mai 2003 france on cover-2-page
Presto! 2003 france on cover
Nouvelle vague novembre 2008 france on cover
?? newspaper-la musique identitaire de keziah jones france
?? newspaper-la jones' touch:un groove spirituel 11 oct 2003 france
?? la force tranquille 2-page france
?? 1-page france
?? 1-page l'étrange voyage de keziah jones france
Rock Mag 08 france
RnB entre afrique&europe 4-page france
Soul R&B desracines&des ailes 4-page france
Riff#8 keziah jones reloaded 2-page france
carrefour savoirs mai 2003-keziah jones retour vers le futur france
telerama 16 avril 2003 music planet 2nite france
crossroads février 2004-african king 4-page france
Zarban no157-art et religion sount ume meme chose 2-page france
Afroriddim 5-page france
Radical 72 2-page france
Elle keziah jones le socierdes sons 3-page france
Rolling Stone jullet 2004-peintre en sentiments france
Rolling Stone avril 2003-africa unite 4-page france
jalouse 2-page france
r&b magazine mars 2004-l'afrique qui brille 4-page france
guitar part#131-master class keziah jones 4-pag france
open mag france
vibrations 1995 france
montpellier I'"orisha"funky france
mondomix 2003 france
wanted 2005 france
vibrations mai 2003
tyler france
musiq france
flyer
frinigro interstellar ep release uk
rhytum is love the single released 15 june 1992 uk
rhytum is love new single released 2 march 1992 uk
subterania 22 june 1992 uk
jazz cafe june 18 1992 uk
koln concert 1995 germany
the velvet underground nov 14 1995 france
ronnie scott's oct 4 1992 uk
live ep release uk
where's life? release uk
black orpheus nouvel album sortie le 22.04.03 10x15cm france
black orpheus nouvel album déjà disponsible 10x15cm france
black orpheus virgin megastore show case feb 6 france
keziah jones en live-music planet 2 nite 22.04.03 france
keziah jones en concert 01 juin zenith paris france
yoruba acoustic soul keziah jones&siji @sob's
la mangrove 8 avril 2003 france
attention to express,satori,keziah jones… us
Starcomms-Jazzhole presents keziah jones
at mason centre lagos nigeria march 11,13 2005 nigeria
elysee montmartre 14 mars 2003 france
olympia 23 octobre france
les nuits secretes 8-10 aout 2003 france
nice jazz festival 2003 france
nice jazz festival 2004 france
rock au max 15-18 juillet 1999 france
le rock états 25-26 juin 2004 france
rock en seine 27 aout 2003 france
live at elysee montmartre dvd flyer france
solidays festival 9-11 juillet 2004 france
jam'sahel 17 juin 2004 france
le triptyque journal du soirjuin 2004 france
japan tour '92
japan tour '99
nagoya club quatro Oct 2 1999 japan
agenda juin 1999 france
les rendez-vous da la frac de lille mai 2003 france
sound world france
digital rock france
poster
festival solid ays 10-11 juillet 1999 france
blufunk is a fact tour
blufunk is a fact promo
african space craft promo
african space craft tour france
african space craft tour 29.4 theater haus germany
african space craft tour 26.4 pc69 germany
liquid sunshine promo france
liquid sunshine tour germany
muson centre lagos nigeria march 11 2005
black orpheus promo france
black orpheus tour germany
black orpheus promo/en concert w/z-star
Keziah Jones: Articles(Japanese)
Keziah Jones: Articles
幼少時代
生まれたのもナイジェリアだし、８歳まではそこで育ったんだ。とにかくうちの一族はビジネスで成り上がったんで、何が何でもビジネスっていうのを優先させるのが親父の流儀でね、家族全員が音楽とは縁遠い、家にはピアノ１台ないそんな絶望的な環境で育ったんだ。一流大学に入って法律と経済を勉強させ、卒業後は自分のビジネスを継がせるっていうのが親父の描いていた理想の息子像ってやつだったから、８歳の時に兄貴と一緒にイギリスのパブリック・スクール（名門私立校）に入れって言われて、ナイジェリアの親元を離れて寄宿舎生活を送るようになったんだよ。
入った学校にたまたまピアノが置いてあったことから、僕は音楽に目覚め始めた。ピアノ教師に付いて習ったわけでもないんだけど、独学で結構ラクにピアノが弾けるようになった。それから親父にピアノを買って欲しいってねだったんだけど、『ダメだ』の一点張りでね。親父にとっちゃ音楽やアート、演劇なんか悪いものって固定観念があるんだよ。 将来一人前になるには法律とビジネスの勉強をしていればいいって感じでね。学校のピアノを弾き始めたのは14歳の時だったけど、頑固な親父はどうしてもピアノを買ってくれなかった。だから、僕は自分の小遣いで19ポンド（約4800円）のギターを買うことにしたんだ。（1992年）
聴いていた音楽
主にアメリカの音楽を聴いていたね。ポップ・ミュージックは兄貴たちのレコードをよく借りて聞いてたよ。ブルースやジミ・ヘンドリックスを聴いて夢中になって・・・・。それにインストゥルメンタルものやインド音楽、ダンスもの、R&R、ロックって感じで、幅広くいろんな音楽を聴くようになったのさ。当時は得にレイ・チャールズが大好きだった。今でも尊敬してるけどね。（１９９２年）
ジミ・ヘンドリックス（Jimi Hendrix)
ジミ・ヘンドリックスを聴くようになったのは、僕がまがりなりにもギターが弾けるようになってからなんだ。 それまでは彼に興味すらもってなかった。・・・・・最初の何年かは好きじゃなかったんだ。ところが、ある時を境に好きになった。その頃までにいろんなタイプの音楽を聴いていたから、彼のサウンドがどこから来たのかを理解できるようになったんだと思う。彼のパワー、たった１人の男からでる計り知れないパワーに惹かれたんだ。（１９９２年）
『ジミ・ヘンドリックスみたいにプレイする』ことには意味がないと思う。ジミには、オリジナルなものを生み出し、自由な表現を獲得した人間としての面から、精神的な影響を受けているんだ。彼は生前にはたった４枚のアルバムしか出さなかったけど。ジミと僕とは生き方の面で共通する姿勢を持っていると思うんだ。（1995年）
フェラ・クティ（Fela Kuti)
多分フェラに影響を受けていると思う。彼のグループはクリスマス・イヴや大晦日とかに家に来て、いくつものパーカッションを叩くってような音楽をやるんだけど、それが何のためなのかはずっと知らないで、いつの間にか親しんでいたんだ。彼らは独特なリズムを持っていて特殊な音楽なんだけど、僕はそのリズムに影響されたんだと思う。そう、僕にとってフェラとはリズムなんだ。（1992年 ）
フェラ・クティからの影響はあるよ。でも音楽的っていうより、彼の生き方自体に影響を受けてる。もっと若い頃、彼の人間に対する感じ方に影響を受けたよ。当時、同じように、僕たちの年頃の人達がたくさん影響を受けてた。・・・・とても頑固な、妥協をしない人なんだ。シンフォニック・アフリカン・ミュージックを作っていた。フォーキーな音楽っても言えるよ。踊れるんだ。シンフォニックっていってもクラシックの交響楽っていう事じゃなく、大きな、巨大な音楽ってこと。ホーンをたくさん、ボーカルもたくさん、ギターは３本、そしてヘヴィーなパーカッション、たくさんのリズムがクロスしてる。サウンドは複雑で、とにかく巨大だ。彼はアフリカ音楽をまったく新しいものにしたんだ。彼の影響は大きいね。（1995年）
ギター
僕にとってギターの最大のいい点は、たくさんの不可思議な音の領域、ミステリアスな状況にもスンナリ入り込めることなんだ。だから僕はギターの可能性、深さに感謝している。それに少なくとも僕がプレイできるようになったんだから。でも僕はギターを習ったなんて気はしないんだ。ただやり続けただけさ。・・・・ギターの腕前が上達することで、僕の音楽がもっと優れたものになると信じている。理想の音楽が表現できる、とね。（1992年）
練習はしていないけど、自分でジャムるって感じかな。時間があればやるけど、１ヵ月全然ギターを弾かないこともあるよ。ギターに触れようとしないこともあるけど、そうやってからまた弾き始めると、自分が一歩前進していることがわかるんだ。そうかと思うと一晩中弾いていることもあるし、ま、それが僕にとっての練習だね。（1995年）
故国ナイジェリア
ナイジェリアでは首長といっても1人じゃなく何人かいるんだよ。王様も別にいるし、これはナイジェリアではごく一般的な形態だと考えてもらっていい。部族っていうのも、ナイジェリアじゃ、単なる人間の集まりに過ぎないんだよ。いわゆる部族と聞いて想像する土着的な共同体のようなものよりずっと現代的なんだ。（１９９２年）
ナイジェリアのヨルバ族の社会では、頂点に王があり、その下に何人か酋長がいて、それぞれが様々な文化的側面を担当しているんだ。僕の父は゛バルグン・オブ・バラント″という称号の持ち主で、要するに戦を司る役目を果たしていた。つまり部族間に戦争があった時代には､その称号を持つ者は、王の側で軍事の責任者としての役割を果たす戦士の長だったんだ。だけど戦は１９世紀に行われたのが最後だったから、父の役割は純粋に象徴的なもので、彼の仕事はむしろ地域社会の状況に気を配ったり、建物を建てたりすることだったんだ。それでも彼は確かに戦士のような人だったよ。他の酋長たちも、それぞれの地域の文化的生活を管理しているということなんだ。・・・・・ナイジェリアという国では英語が第一公用語になっていて、新聞でもテレビでも英語が使われている。政府の仕組みは、最初はイギリスに倣って作られたんだけど、80年代にアメリカ的なシステムに変えられた。だから、言語についても、政治の仕組みについても、経済の仕組みについても、非常に西洋化されていると言えると思うね。（1995年）
ブルーファンク
ブルーファンクっていうのは、学校を出てストリートで歌い出したとき、自分の中から自然に湧き起こってきた感覚だったんだ。ジャムや自然発生的な感覚っていうか、ブルースとファンクだけじゃなく、どんな音楽だって飲み込む、どん底で感じた一種特別な感情や感覚さ。ベースとパーカッションとメロディを同時に演奏する僕のギター・スタイルだってそうさ。ボディとマインドのグルーブが同時に放たれる、そんな音楽なんだよ。（1992年）
アフリカン・スペース・クラフト
自分のやっていること、読んでいる本、そして周囲で起きていることを考えると、゛Space（空間/宇宙）″がメタファーになっている、と思ったんだ。ぴったりの比喩じゃないかってね。別にタイトルは他のものでもよかった。・・・・ただ゛アフリカン″と゛スペース″はタイトルに入れようと考えていた。それに゛技術″や゛芸術″といった意味合いを持つ゛Craft″を付けて『アフリカの空間芸術』＝『アフリカン・スペース・クラフト』としたわけさ。それともちろん゛Space Craft″には゛宇宙船″の意味もある。つまり、一種の言葉遊びでもあるんだよ。（1995年）
リキッド・サンシャイン
このアルバムには、僕が聴きたかったもの、僕が表現したかったものがある。リズムで表現できるものもあるし、メロディで表現しないと出せない感情もある。今回、それを探していた。バランスというのもある程度あったと思う。今の僕にはメロディが一番重要なんだ。メロディ・ライン、そしてメロディ・シーケンスの構築など、インストゥルメンタル・サウンドがとても大きな意味を持っているんだよ。言葉を使わずに、単にサウンドをアレンジしていくだけでいかにムードや願望やアイディアを表現することができるかに興味がある。大変な作業だし、成し遂げるには天才的な能力がなければダメかもしれないけど、今の僕はそこに面白さを感じている。 （1999年）
Keziah Jones: Articles(Japanese)
Keziah Jones: Articles
幼少時代
生まれたのもナイジェリアだし、８歳まではそこで育ったんだ。とにかくうちの一族はビジネスで成り上がったんで、何が何でもビジネスっていうのを優先させるのが親父の流儀でね、家族全員が音楽とは縁遠い、家にはピアノ１台ないそんな絶望的な環境で育ったんだ。一流大学に入って法律と経済を勉強させ、卒業後は自分のビジネスを継がせるっていうのが親父の描いていた理想の息子像ってやつだったから、８歳の時に兄貴と一緒にイギリスのパブリック・スクール（名門私立校）に入れって言われて、ナイジェリアの親元を離れて寄宿舎生活を送るようになったんだよ。
入った学校にたまたまピアノが置いてあったことから、僕は音楽に目覚め始めた。ピアノ教師に付いて習ったわけでもないんだけど、独学で結構ラクにピアノが弾けるようになった。それから親父にピアノを買って欲しいってねだったんだけど、『ダメだ』の一点張りでね。親父にとっちゃ音楽やアート、演劇なんか悪いものって固定観念があるんだよ。 将来一人前になるには法律とビジネスの勉強をしていればいいって感じでね。学校のピアノを弾き始めたのは14歳の時だったけど、頑固な親父はどうしてもピアノを買ってくれなかった。だから、僕は自分の小遣いで19ポンド（約4800円）のギターを買うことにしたんだ。（1992年）
聴いていた音楽
主にアメリカの音楽を聴いていたね。ポップ・ミュージックは兄貴たちのレコードをよく借りて聞いてたよ。ブルースやジミ・ヘンドリックスを聴いて夢中になって・・・・。それにインストゥルメンタルものやインド音楽、ダンスもの、R&R、ロックって感じで、幅広くいろんな音楽を聴くようになったのさ。当時は得にレイ・チャールズが大好きだった。今でも尊敬してるけどね。（１９９２年）
ジミ・ヘンドリックス（Jimi Hendrix)
ジミ・ヘンドリックスを聴くようになったのは、僕がまがりなりにもギターが弾けるようになってからなんだ。 それまでは彼に興味すらもってなかった。・・・・・最初の何年かは好きじゃなかったんだ。ところが、ある時を境に好きになった。その頃までにいろんなタイプの音楽を聴いていたから、彼のサウンドがどこから来たのかを理解できるようになったんだと思う。彼のパワー、たった１人の男からでる計り知れないパワーに惹かれたんだ。（１９９２年）
『ジミ・ヘンドリックスみたいにプレイする』ことには意味がないと思う。ジミには、オリジナルなものを生み出し、自由な表現を獲得した人間としての面から、精神的な影響を受けているんだ。彼は生前にはたった４枚のアルバムしか出さなかったけど。ジミと僕とは生き方の面で共通する姿勢を持っていると思うんだ。（1995年）
フェラ・クティ（Fela Kuti)
多分フェラに影響を受けていると思う。彼のグループはクリスマス・イヴや大晦日とかに家に来て、いくつものパーカッションを叩くってような音楽をやるんだけど、それが何のためなのかはずっと知らないで、いつの間にか親しんでいたんだ。彼らは独特なリズムを持っていて特殊な音楽なんだけど、僕はそのリズムに影響されたんだと思う。そう、僕にとってフェラとはリズムなんだ。（1992年 ）
フェラ・クティからの影響はあるよ。でも音楽的っていうより、彼の生き方自体に影響を受けてる。もっと若い頃、彼の人間に対する感じ方に影響を受けたよ。当時、同じように、僕たちの年頃の人達がたくさん影響を受けてた。・・・・とても頑固な、妥協をしない人なんだ。シンフォニック・アフリカン・ミュージックを作っていた。フォーキーな音楽っても言えるよ。踊れるんだ。シンフォニックっていってもクラシックの交響楽っていう事じゃなく、大きな、巨大な音楽ってこと。ホーンをたくさん、ボーカルもたくさん、ギターは３本、そしてヘヴィーなパーカッション、たくさんのリズムがクロスしてる。サウンドは複雑で、とにかく巨大だ。彼はアフリカ音楽をまったく新しいものにしたんだ。彼の影響は大きいね。（1995年）
ギター
僕にとってギターの最大のいい点は、たくさんの不可思議な音の領域、ミステリアスな状況にもスンナリ入り込めることなんだ。だから僕はギターの可能性、深さに感謝している。それに少なくとも僕がプレイできるようになったんだから。でも僕はギターを習ったなんて気はしないんだ。ただやり続けただけさ。・・・・ギターの腕前が上達することで、僕の音楽がもっと優れたものになると信じている。理想の音楽が表現できる、とね。（1992年）
練習はしていないけど、自分でジャムるって感じかな。時間があればやるけど、１ヵ月全然ギターを弾かないこともあるよ。ギターに触れようとしないこともあるけど、そうやってからまた弾き始めると、自分が一歩前進していることがわかるんだ。そうかと思うと一晩中弾いていることもあるし、ま、それが僕にとっての練習だね。（1995年）
故国ナイジェリア
ナイジェリアでは首長といっても1人じゃなく何人かいるんだよ。王様も別にいるし、これはナイジェリアではごく一般的な形態だと考えてもらっていい。部族っていうのも、ナイジェリアじゃ、単なる人間の集まりに過ぎないんだよ。いわゆる部族と聞いて想像する土着的な共同体のようなものよりずっと現代的なんだ。（１９９２年）
ナイジェリアのヨルバ族の社会では、頂点に王があり、その下に何人か酋長がいて、それぞれが様々な文化的側面を担当しているんだ。僕の父は゛バルグン・オブ・バラント″という称号の持ち主で、要するに戦を司る役目を果たしていた。つまり部族間に戦争があった時代には､その称号を持つ者は、王の側で軍事の責任者としての役割を果たす戦士の長だったんだ。だけど戦は１９世紀に行われたのが最後だったから、父の役割は純粋に象徴的なもので、彼の仕事はむしろ地域社会の状況に気を配ったり、建物を建てたりすることだったんだ。それでも彼は確かに戦士のような人だったよ。他の酋長たちも、それぞれの地域の文化的生活を管理しているということなんだ。・・・・・ナイジェリアという国では英語が第一公用語になっていて、新聞でもテレビでも英語が使われている。政府の仕組みは、最初はイギリスに倣って作られたんだけど、80年代にアメリカ的なシステムに変えられた。だから、言語についても、政治の仕組みについても、経済の仕組みについても、非常に西洋化されていると言えると思うね。（1995年）
ブルーファンク
ブルーファンクっていうのは、学校を出てストリートで歌い出したとき、自分の中から自然に湧き起こってきた感覚だったんだ。ジャムや自然発生的な感覚っていうか、ブルースとファンクだけじゃなく、どんな音楽だって飲み込む、どん底で感じた一種特別な感情や感覚さ。ベースとパーカッションとメロディを同時に演奏する僕のギター・スタイルだってそうさ。ボディとマインドのグルーブが同時に放たれる、そんな音楽なんだよ。（1992年）
アフリカン・スペース・クラフト
自分のやっていること、読んでいる本、そして周囲で起きていることを考えると、゛Space（空間/宇宙）″がメタファーになっている、と思ったんだ。ぴったりの比喩じゃないかってね。別にタイトルは他のものでもよかった。・・・・ただ゛アフリカン″と゛スペース″はタイトルに入れようと考えていた。それに゛技術″や゛芸術″といった意味合いを持つ゛Craft″を付けて『アフリカの空間芸術』＝『アフリカン・スペース・クラフト』としたわけさ。それともちろん゛Space Craft″には゛宇宙船″の意味もある。つまり、一種の言葉遊びでもあるんだよ。（1995年）
リキッド・サンシャイン
このアルバムには、僕が聴きたかったもの、僕が表現したかったものがある。リズムで表現できるものもあるし、メロディで表現しないと出せない感情もある。今回、それを探していた。バランスというのもある程度あったと思う。今の僕にはメロディが一番重要なんだ。メロディ・ライン、そしてメロディ・シーケンスの構築など、インストゥルメンタル・サウンドがとても大きな意味を持っているんだよ。言葉を使わずに、単にサウンドをアレンジしていくだけでいかにムードや願望やアイディアを表現することができるかに興味がある。大変な作業だし、成し遂げるには天才的な能力がなければダメかもしれないけど、今の僕はそこに面白さを感じている。 （1999年）
Keziah Jones: Articles(Japanese)
Keziah Jones: Articles
幼少時代
生まれたのもナイジェリアだし、８歳まではそこで育ったんだ。とにかくうちの一族はビジネスで成り上がったんで、何が何でもビジネスっていうのを優先させるのが親父の流儀でね、家族全員が音楽とは縁遠い、家にはピアノ１台ないそんな絶望的な環境で育ったんだ。一流大学に入って法律と経済を勉強させ、卒業後は自分のビジネスを継がせるっていうのが親父の描いていた理想の息子像ってやつだったから、８歳の時に兄貴と一緒にイギリスのパブリック・スクール（名門私立校）に入れって言われて、ナイジェリアの親元を離れて寄宿舎生活を送るようになったんだよ。
入った学校にたまたまピアノが置いてあったことから、僕は音楽に目覚め始めた。ピアノ教師に付いて習ったわけでもないんだけど、独学で結構ラクにピアノが弾けるようになった。それから親父にピアノを買って欲しいってねだったんだけど、『ダメだ』の一点張りでね。親父にとっちゃ音楽やアート、演劇なんか悪いものって固定観念があるんだよ。 将来一人前になるには法律とビジネスの勉強をしていればいいって感じでね。学校のピアノを弾き始めたのは14歳の時だったけど、頑固な親父はどうしてもピアノを買ってくれなかった。だから、僕は自分の小遣いで19ポンド（約4800円）のギターを買うことにしたんだ。（1992年）
聴いていた音楽
主にアメリカの音楽を聴いていたね。ポップ・ミュージックは兄貴たちのレコードをよく借りて聞いてたよ。ブルースやジミ・ヘンドリックスを聴いて夢中になって・・・・。それにインストゥルメンタルものやインド音楽、ダンスもの、R&R、ロックって感じで、幅広くいろんな音楽を聴くようになったのさ。当時は得にレイ・チャールズが大好きだった。今でも尊敬してるけどね。（１９９２年）
ジミ・ヘンドリックス（Jimi Hendrix)
ジミ・ヘンドリックスを聴くようになったのは、僕がまがりなりにもギターが弾けるようになってからなんだ。 それまでは彼に興味すらもってなかった。・・・・・最初の何年かは好きじゃなかったんだ。ところが、ある時を境に好きになった。その頃までにいろんなタイプの音楽を聴いていたから、彼のサウンドがどこから来たのかを理解できるようになったんだと思う。彼のパワー、たった１人の男からでる計り知れないパワーに惹かれたんだ。（１９９２年）
『ジミ・ヘンドリックスみたいにプレイする』ことには意味がないと思う。ジミには、オリジナルなものを生み出し、自由な表現を獲得した人間としての面から、精神的な影響を受けているんだ。彼は生前にはたった４枚のアルバムしか出さなかったけど。ジミと僕とは生き方の面で共通する姿勢を持っていると思うんだ。（1995年）
フェラ・クティ（Fela Kuti)
多分フェラに影響を受けていると思う。彼のグループはクリスマス・イヴや大晦日とかに家に来て、いくつものパーカッションを叩くってような音楽をやるんだけど、それが何のためなのかはずっと知らないで、いつの間にか親しんでいたんだ。彼らは独特なリズムを持っていて特殊な音楽なんだけど、僕はそのリズムに影響されたんだと思う。そう、僕にとってフェラとはリズムなんだ。（1992年 ）
フェラ・クティからの影響はあるよ。でも音楽的っていうより、彼の生き方自体に影響を受けてる。もっと若い頃、彼の人間に対する感じ方に影響を受けたよ。当時、同じように、僕たちの年頃の人達がたくさん影響を受けてた。・・・・とても頑固な、妥協をしない人なんだ。シンフォニック・アフリカン・ミュージックを作っていた。フォーキーな音楽っても言えるよ。踊れるんだ。シンフォニックっていってもクラシックの交響楽っていう事じゃなく、大きな、巨大な音楽ってこと。ホーンをたくさん、ボーカルもたくさん、ギターは３本、そしてヘヴィーなパーカッション、たくさんのリズムがクロスしてる。サウンドは複雑で、とにかく巨大だ。彼はアフリカ音楽をまったく新しいものにしたんだ。彼の影響は大きいね。（1995年）
ギター
僕にとってギターの最大のいい点は、たくさんの不可思議な音の領域、ミステリアスな状況にもスンナリ入り込めることなんだ。だから僕はギターの可能性、深さに感謝している。それに少なくとも僕がプレイできるようになったんだから。でも僕はギターを習ったなんて気はしないんだ。ただやり続けただけさ。・・・・ギターの腕前が上達することで、僕の音楽がもっと優れたものになると信じている。理想の音楽が表現できる、とね。（1992年）
練習はしていないけど、自分でジャムるって感じかな。時間があればやるけど、１ヵ月全然ギターを弾かないこともあるよ。ギターに触れようとしないこともあるけど、そうやってからまた弾き始めると、自分が一歩前進していることがわかるんだ。そうかと思うと一晩中弾いていることもあるし、ま、それが僕にとっての練習だね。（1995年）
故国ナイジェリア
ナイジェリアでは首長といっても1人じゃなく何人かいるんだよ。王様も別にいるし、これはナイジェリアではごく一般的な形態だと考えてもらっていい。部族っていうのも、ナイジェリアじゃ、単なる人間の集まりに過ぎないんだよ。いわゆる部族と聞いて想像する土着的な共同体のようなものよりずっと現代的なんだ。（１９９２年）
ナイジェリアのヨルバ族の社会では、頂点に王があり、その下に何人か酋長がいて、それぞれが様々な文化的側面を担当しているんだ。僕の父は゛バルグン・オブ・バラント″という称号の持ち主で、要するに戦を司る役目を果たしていた。つまり部族間に戦争があった時代には､その称号を持つ者は、王の側で軍事の責任者としての役割を果たす戦士の長だったんだ。だけど戦は１９世紀に行われたのが最後だったから、父の役割は純粋に象徴的なもので、彼の仕事はむしろ地域社会の状況に気を配ったり、建物を建てたりすることだったんだ。それでも彼は確かに戦士のような人だったよ。他の酋長たちも、それぞれの地域の文化的生活を管理しているということなんだ。・・・・・ナイジェリアという国では英語が第一公用語になっていて、新聞でもテレビでも英語が使われている。政府の仕組みは、最初はイギリスに倣って作られたんだけど、80年代にアメリカ的なシステムに変えられた。だから、言語についても、政治の仕組みについても、経済の仕組みについても、非常に西洋化されていると言えると思うね。（1995年）
ブルーファンク
ブルーファンクっていうのは、学校を出てストリートで歌い出したとき、自分の中から自然に湧き起こってきた感覚だったんだ。ジャムや自然発生的な感覚っていうか、ブルースとファンクだけじゃなく、どんな音楽だって飲み込む、どん底で感じた一種特別な感情や感覚さ。ベースとパーカッションとメロディを同時に演奏する僕のギター・スタイルだってそうさ。ボディとマインドのグルーブが同時に放たれる、そんな音楽なんだよ。（1992年）
アフリカン・スペース・クラフト
自分のやっていること、読んでいる本、そして周囲で起きていることを考えると、゛Space（空間/宇宙）″がメタファーになっている、と思ったんだ。ぴったりの比喩じゃないかってね。別にタイトルは他のものでもよかった。・・・・ただ゛アフリカン″と゛スペース″はタイトルに入れようと考えていた。それに゛技術″や゛芸術″といった意味合いを持つ゛Craft″を付けて『アフリカの空間芸術』＝『アフリカン・スペース・クラフト』としたわけさ。それともちろん゛Space Craft″には゛宇宙船″の意味もある。つまり、一種の言葉遊びでもあるんだよ。（1995年）
リキッド・サンシャイン
このアルバムには、僕が聴きたかったもの、僕が表現したかったものがある。リズムで表現できるものもあるし、メロディで表現しないと出せない感情もある。今回、それを探していた。バランスというのもある程度あったと思う。今の僕にはメロディが一番重要なんだ。メロディ・ライン、そしてメロディ・シーケンスの構築など、インストゥルメンタル・サウンドがとても大きな意味を持っているんだよ。言葉を使わずに、単にサウンドをアレンジしていくだけでいかにムードや願望やアイディアを表現することができるかに興味がある。大変な作業だし、成し遂げるには天才的な能力がなければダメかもしれないけど、今の僕はそこに面白さを感じている。 （1999年）
“When You Kill Us, We Rule!” (Some Last Words From Fela Anikulapo Kuti)
by Olufemi Sanyaolu AKA Keziah Jones.
In June 1996, Keziah Jones visited Kalakuta Republic every day for a week to interview the Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. On the fifth day, after waiting six hours, Keziah got to speak with Fela, who he remarked kept you in “constant and direct eye contact” and spoke “in short bursts of baritone.”
He added, “In the three hours or so that we spoke, I eventually submitted to this flow, I realized that my questions interrupted trains of thought so I just chilled, listened and replied with my ideas when necessary”.
Fela passed away in August 1997.
(Chimurenga) I had planned to visit the Shrine the night I arrived in Lagos but never made it. My sister Dupe, who knew some of the band Egypt 80, then took me to the Kalakuta Republic2. But each time we got there, every day for a week, we were told Fela is sleeping. On the fifth day, Sunday June 11, 1996, we decided to wait. We waited six hours. By that time he had stopped giving conventional interviews and was not talking with journalists. I sensed someone who truly loved himself and all peoples, but who has been persecuted for speaking truth, by the very same people it was designed to uplift. In the middle of our conversation there was an electricity failure and the second half of our talk took place in the dark. In Yoruba cosmology, some things happen outside of the logic of time and space. This felt like one of those moments. When I left he came out to greet me from his balcony—an unusually polite gesture from the Chief. It’s under that very balcony that over a million people gathered, around a year later, to wish a safe passage to the Black President.
[ID...
Boto: Fela's assistant
Seun: Fela's youngest son
Dupe: My sister
Femi: Olufemi Sanyaolu aka Keziah Jones representing The African Anarchist Corp.
In Fela's Living Room
Sunday 11/6/1996]
I hang with the various people coming in and out of the main living room—beautiful women, tough area boys, businessmen in smart suits, the curious, — everybody united by His music, N.N.G.3 and the possibility of revolution. Waiting to Exhale4 is on the TV (by satellite). He walks in wearing only a towel, excuses himself, reappears in his underpants, explains that he has just woken up and lights up a large spliff. With eyebrows arched, he slowly surveys the room and dismisses several people. He is a little bit skinny and graying at the temples, keeps you in constant and direct eye contact, speaks in short bursts of baritone. His speech is embedded between long pauses and punctuated with a deep resounding laughter. In the three hours or so that we spoke I eventually submitted to this flow, I realized that my questions interrupted trains of thought so I just chilled, listened and replied with my ideas when necessary.
Femi: Fela, I’m glad to be interviewing you. This is quite an opportunity for those of us outside Nigeria, cuz we don’t really know what’s going on.
Fela: About me?
Femi: Yeah, so I thought it would be a good opportunity cuz many young blacks read Chimurenga and they know about you, so I thought it would be good to come back with some news, you know what I mean, to tell them that things are cool.
Fela: [smiles.]
Femi: After 20 years of essentially political music do you still believe music to still be an effective way to change a political system?
Fela: [long pause] Oh wow! That’s a very good question [laughs] . . . music. Do I still think music is the best way to change a political system? You have to give me time to think about the question. Pause the tape so that I can understand what I want to talk.
[Personal assistant-type character, Boto pauses the DAT while Fela sits still for about twenty minutes in silence. No one in the room moves. Then with a smile he speaks.]
Fela: If one actually believes that he still wants to go into politics... [notices me adjusting the DAT] ah you see? It's not loud enough. Are you sure? Please... it's okay? [asks Boto] Wetin I first say?
Boto: ...if one still believes...
Fela: If one believes that politics is still the best way to enhance a human life then music is a good medium for spreading message. I think it’s only one of the ways and with music it’s not so important who is playing the music. Or is the person who is playing the music going to get involved in politics? Or is he playing it just for people to listen? Those are the two points. If you are playing it just for people to participate its okay but it is best if you yourself are willing to participate within the music itself. But then again I don’t think politics is the best avenue for developing human life. Don’t ask me obvious question. [General laughter.] Continue, you can ask me that later on.
Femi: Okay. I found that—not only me, many many young people, Nigerians lets say—many of the social and political issues that you were talking about since the early 1970’s proved themselves true. The present political crisis in Nigeria and the revealed long term collusion between our military dictators and western powers came true. What next?
Fela: What next? [Long pause.] You see Femi [laughs to himself], for me to talk about “what next” can take days . . . but then I have to answer the question as soon as possible. I will first of all ask people what has the human being gained from all these years of so-called government, so called development of civilization. There has not been little gain anywhere. The black people in England are still having the same experiences, same in America, Africa is worse. The experiences are worse in Africa because of the conspiracy of the white people against the Africans, you see? The American government will shout to us from America that “democracy is the right thing to do!” but they in themselves are not democratic—at all! The UN is not democratic. You have five countries with vetoes there, China, Britain, France, America, Russia. They can just veto anything the passes through there! How can America, Britain or basically “white people” tell us that in Africa about democracy? Without the army behind their governments there cannot be any democracy [laughs], you see? That is why Bill Clinton himself is the commander of the armed forces—so can we say it is a military government? Well, if the president is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces as it is in the U.S., then it is a military government! It’s just that they are covering up with poli-tricks. I call it DEMOCRAZY. Now this democrazy that people are talking about in America and England, in order to participate in it, the population of the country has to be literate to fully understand what they’re voting for. If you come to Nigeria man, only 20% of people are educated—all the people who are supposedly going to vote can’t even write! They don’t even know what they’re reading—so this voting democrazy cannot be the system to develop the human race. Something is wrong somewhere but the whole system keeps going round and round and round. And with all the going round it knocks some people down. Gbam! Like it knocked Africa down you see . . .? There was a war in the gulf and oil prices were going down when they should be going up! Damn! Do you know an American can just walk into Lagos and watch my show for a dollar and fucking fifty cents, man?
Femi: what!?
Fela: An American can walk into Lagos and watch my show for a dollar fifty cents man.
Femi: What?! The dollar equivalent of the same amount in Naira?
Fela: What's he going to do? English man will come in and watch me for one pound! One pound and two pence equals 150 Naira! [Femi laughs.] Ah ha! [Smiling.]
Femi: [laughs]
Fela: Ah ha! [smiling]
Femi: En hen?
Fela: Can I go on?
Femi: Yes go on please
Fela: I was talking to one of my friends today and he said the French government wants me to play at the French cultural centre and they’re going to pay me 45,000 Naira. Do you know that 45,000 is not even up to 500 Dollars, man? Could the French government pay any musician with a 16 piece band in France 500 Dollars? For a whole show? See the whole game, man? And here Africans are rushing for this bread . . . because to us one Naira seems like its equal to one Dollar. Do you know that for a Nigerian to watch my show for 150 Naira then I’ve killed him? Ah ha! You see now. It’s a lot of bread! Yeah this is what is called the Whiteman’s conspiracy—called the devaluation of currency.
Femi: So that westerners can buy our resources cheaper . . .
Fela: Thank you. Then I ask them, I am the one with the oil. They say, no your money is not one Dollar, your money is one eightieth of a Dollar. I say, but my oil has not devalued has it? .You see their fucking cheating man? All the heavy slapping, boxing, kicking, karate, leg kicking . . . My brother anything, they’re just giving it to us here in Africa. They are now telling me that our currency is of low value, but our crude oil is still considered as one of the highest qualities in the world. The validity of the oil remains the same.
Femi: So I mean...
Fela: You see now that’s democrazy. These same people come and tell us that democrazy is the best thing to do. We have our own commander of armed forces here who also happens to be a president. What’s the difference?
Femi: [laughs.]
Fela: It’s just that one is wearing uniform and the other is not because without the soldiers, the guns and the violence they cannot keep it going. It’s no fucking democracy! NOW when you have calculated all these things in your mind and you have been at the forefront of politics something just happens that opens your eyes and says “Look Fela, look at this, it can’t be right.” Then you see the whole picture—all the time I was fighting for the struggle of the people I was only fighting for the Whiteman’s democrazy! [Laughs.] That’s what it all amounts to!
Femi: That’s your conclusion . . .
Fela: No, it’s fact. If it’s MY conclusion then tell me who’s talking revolution in this world today? Tell me, give me one name. Is there a black person in world politics now talking revolution? Give me one name! [Pauses whilst he watches me thinking.] There is no one—don’t waste your fucking time man.
Femi: No, not really
Fela: None, nowhere . . . Africa no! England no! America no! Before, there was Malcolm X.
Femi: En hen, you see, now that was the time! In the 1960s and 1970s that was the last time black people spoke seriously of revolution in any shape or form.
Fela: Oh—so you mean now we must just suffer?
Femi: But since then things are so much more sophisticated. Governments have become so sophisticated in their methods of pacification that people can’t even locate or keep the desire within themselves to revolt. In the 1960s and 1970s the government hadn’t completed the whole thang . . .
Fela: Oh you mean they hadn’t locked us up finish?
Femi: Not completely.
Fela: Oh ho, fair enough, oh they had not finished twisting up the mind?
Femi: Not really . . .
Fela: Ah! So I might have been twisted? So there is no cause to fight?
Femi: It’s harder to fight. It will be more difficult cuz . . .
Fela: Why is it more difficult—tell me why? There is the press . . .
Femi: Yeah, I mean we are talking about global government . . . Whilst I was sitting here waiting we were all watching an American film on satellite.
Fela: En you sef, you can go on television and proclaim the revolution.
Femi: It’s got to be a different tactic.
Fela: No! Whether it’s tactics or not the fact is no one is thinking of doing anything. Who is thinking of doing anything? Who is doing anything?
Everybody in the room: Nobody!
Fela: Thank you. That’s the point. Nobody! So does that mean we have been defeated or what? I don’t believe so. Our world is not an accident, our world is not science either. En hen. We now have to find out for ourselves what is our world otherwise negative and evil forces will dominate the human mind to a standstill. Next question.
Femi: Hmmm, I will go into music generally or we can stay on the political tip.
Fela: Any one you prefer—the one that hurts you the most.
Femi: We were talking about finding out for ourselves what this world was . . . I don't think that things are completely defeated either... in your music I find there's always a pointer towards something else... like you say political is not the only way to human evolution...
Fela: What?
Femi: I mean you were saying that politics is not the only way to human evolution... that if one believe politics to be the only way to human evolution... one will miss all the other ways and avenues... other than democrazy...
Fela: I have not said so
Femi: No you haven't said so but I kind of presumed that that was what you meant... that there are many other ways aside from democrazy.
Fela: Yeah, you could presume that our world is not an ancient... yes go on...
Femi: Okay. I have a question because in your music you also talk about Africa pre the European experience. That we had our own laws, our own organization of life, but how come that grounding that we call African religion, even though it has been spread all over the world by slavery, how come it is so despised by non-Africans and feared by Africans themselves? you know if there is to be a way...
Fela: [starts to look annoyed] . . . because that way is finished. My brother let me tell you something man, this interview sef wey I dey give you sef. I don’t want to because I wonder is it time to say some things, you see? But then our world like I said is not no accident, you see? Whiteman will bring some science and will tell us about the age of the dinosaurs, right? Then they will tell us about the age of some apes they found digging somewhere in Kenya.... or some fucking place... all this science... then we'll tell them... I will now tell them they are all... what do you call them?... no... when they've gone out of the land?...
Seun (Fela's youngest son): Extinct...
Fela: Before the Whiteman’s age there was no fucking zoo in Africa. It’s Whiteman that wanted to see animals so they made a zoo and now it’s they themselves saying that animals don’t like to be locked up. But then, you see, these animals that they are afraid of getting extinct actually have almost the same reproductive pattern as the common cow. But the cow that we eat every fucking day doesn’t go extinct! In Lagos alone, we must eat about 1.500 cows every day! What about Ibadan? Nigeria? Sierra Leone? England? America? Everybody is eating cow every day, and the cows don’t get extinct?
[At this point the whole room erupts into laughter that seems to last for ages.]
[Later on I found that in the West, cows are modified to produce “quality” meat, which creates increased consumer demand, which means to increase production to lower the production cost per cow. I theorize, AFRANARCHISTICALLY, that the reason cows haven’t gone extinct is simply because we eat them. Thus paradoxically animals of the wild would also benefit from being eaten.]
Fela: Something is wrong somewhere, man. . . . you see my point my brother?
Femi: Yeah...
Fela: At different stages animals have been coming and going. No problem... but now they are going around looking for the bones of things that have since gone extinct... I have never seen an African team of archaeologists setting off to find the bones of some dinosaur in the desert... we can't afford that man! ... So our world is not an accident, science forced us to believe that. It is science that is scattering the world from what it’s supposed to be. It’s all the other way round.
[Long pause.]
Fela: Can someone get me an orange? Pause this one first.
[I pause the DAT and Fela proceeds to demonstrate his theory about the reason for the luminescence of the moon.]
Fela: When you show this to somebody it will be round, understand? If you paint one side white and you only show that side it will be a round white disc from a distance. Then let us say something begins to turn the orange slowly. If it turns halfway it will look like half moon, right? How are you to be sure that that isn’t all there is to the moon’s luminescence, that the moon has its own light. But you know what science taught me in school, that it’s the reflected light of the sun that allows us to see the moon from earth etc. But one day I saw the moon in the afternoon.
[The whole room collapses into laughter.]
Fela: My brother... half moon for that matter! you dey hear my point? We see half moon in daylight many times for Lagos don’t we?
Boto: Yes.
Fela: Then I saw it one day in America on a tour, on this white tour bus. I said to the tour manager: “Hey Jack, look at that moon man . . . Science tells us that when the shadow of the earth is over the moon etc. Well, look at the half moon up there. What’s happening there?” He said: “Hey man, I’ll have to think about that.” So what is really true about these “speculative scientific proofs?” Cuz the moon is a speculative proof. They are the ones who say they have gone there. I’m saying that they didn’t go nowhere! Look, if you dominate the TV, the media, and the government wants to impress upon people that they have gone there, they can do it! Look. You’re watching a film right? Then it gets to a point in which you are following the plot intently right? Dig this shit man, this is the heaviest of all, then it gets to a point in the movie where the actor or the actress or the star is thinking about something, and because you have been following the plot, you will now be thinking the same thing as the actors in order to follow the next stage [laughs] of the film, but the time they were acting that film itself, at the time it was being shot, the actors were not “thinking,” they already knew what they were to do next. Do you understand what I’m saying?
Everybody in the room: It’s all been scripted!
Fela: Thank you! So, really, you are the only one who doesn’t know the story. It’s you, it’s the people who are watching the film that are doing any “thinking.” It’s serious because the human mind is energy. So when you are “watching” that film, it means that you are passing your energy into that film—passing it to those who already know the path that your thoughts could take. So films is where I now bring my last point. To be able to now buttress that thing you asked me “what next” . . . so Jesus Christ came and Jesus Christ is a white man . . . Don’t allow people to confuse you into thinking he was a black man, you know all these revolutionary legions [laughs], if white man tells you he’s white, why do you want to argue with him about his god? I believe he’s white! When he was coming to die he went to god and begged him “please don’t let me die, but he already knew that he was coming to die. He said somebody would betray him when the cock crowed three times or so and he was caught. Then they took him to a public platform, and there was Barrabas with him. The soldiers asked the public which one of the condemned men they would like to see spared and the people said: “Barrabas!!!” If you would take me and a thief to Racecourse in Lagos and ask people to pick one of us to be spared, I’m sure they will pick me. I can boast of that, today in Nigeria!
Someone in room: Under a military regime!
Fela: Any regime! In Nigeria, oh! I don’t know about London or America. They would probably pick the thief [laughs]—if he is a white thief. But here, Jesus Christ, as popular as he was, the people picked Barrabas! So one thief said to him: “You have power, you have done many many great things. Look all of us are hanging in this fucking place, make us leave this place man . . .” Jesus did not answer. The other thief said: “Jesus Christ, anywhere you go just take me with you!” Now, the Yoruba have a proverb, “It is thieves that know thieves!” [Room laughter.] So what did Jesus Christ come to steal? They say that he came to take away the sins of all human beings, but see all of us are still suffering, from here to America. Even the white man and his god himself they themselves are still suffering along with the black people. So what did Jesus Christ come to take? Sins or scenes? Human beings have their own scenes, their own films (in their minds). I saw this when I was possessed by a spirit back in January 25, 1981. Truly. But some people can take your film off you when you are being “educated.” So now, the reason why democracy and politics isn’t suffice today is because human beings have lost their S.C.E.N.E.S. [Laughs.] Ha! Look, there is no evening I don’t see a UFO pass this window. No sound at all, just light going past—schwoom!!
Femi: So UFOs come to Africa as well . . .
Fela: [astonished] I say I see them everyday! Every night. [To Boto] I showed you one last time? No sound. Now. So what are we hiding in this world that is making this world so confused? This is why I have the Shrine. You see, if I wasn’t possessed by a spirit 15 years ago I would have been a confused man. But after I had this experience I knew this world was not what it seems to be. Black peoples will begin to have new SCENES. It’s going to cause a lot of people to start questioning, “What’s happening?” “I’m confused!” And that is what people call the “Age of Aquarius,” it’s going to set all those things correct. Now, because Nigeria is, spiritually, one of the most powerful countries in the world, this is where the truth must show first. Some say that Nigeria is the most corrupt, has the most thieves, Nigeria is this, Nigeria is that . . . Ha! If Nigeria is spiritually the most powerful country in the world then it goes to say that corruption and deception by international financial and cultural systems must also be one of the most prevalent things here—seeing as it is their blatant corruption that rules this world. But these things are bound to change. People will start to see a new light, probably when they sleep, or even when they walk along the street. It’s a film. I see a film in my head, man! And that is what I know as “WHAT NEXT.”
[Pause.]
Fela: There is no coincidence in this world. Superstition? Doesn’t exist in my language. It was the Whiteman that brought all these things. Superstition—if human beings believe that trees can talk, then trees can talk! This is a fact that would need no other proof than the belief in it and in its consequences. But then when human beings know that trees can talk and begin to argue amongst themselves about the objective and scientific proof, the tree will be annoyed! It won’t even bother to talk again! It will think, “Look at those useless people!” So you see my brother, that is what I know “What Next” is... That what is ruling this world today is what people call “evil.” Look, Reagan ruled America for eight years. After he retired they said that he’s got a disease, he’s forgetting things. How long has he been forgetting things? I beg, maybe he was forgetting things the time that he said that marijuana was a drug, maybe he was forgetting things when he went and arrested the President of another country in his own palace, in his own country! My brother, that is madness. If the President of that country says he wants drugs in his palace, wetin concern anybody? So America suddenly forgot the sovereignty of a country? And they can just go and arrest the President of Panama now, in his own house, in his country? That is what is called forgetfulness my brother, and yet America and the rest of the world accepted it as doing the right thing because the reason was drugs. Has the drugs stopped? No! He went to attack Libya and they say that man was well? When now he has a disease which makes him unable to remember his wife, so what else has he been forgetting? I cannot say much more to explain myself. You see, I don’t even go out I only come out to play music at the Shrine. I don’t go out because when archaeologists go to Egypt and start to dig up the tombs of ancient gods I believe those were gods for that era. I think that now this particular period of time is different. The gods are now down on earth walking on two or four legs just like everybody else. And these things will start to show in a very funny way. In Europe some time ago they were burning the witches and if you really know what is called mysticism to burn a witch is to give her more power. In Nigeria now, the center of spiritual power, we have people called “BORN AGAIN.” Are you sure it’s not “B.U.R.N. AGAIN?”
[Laughter.]
Fela: Sometimes I look at my son Femi, he’s called Femi like you, and I think of the word they use in the bible to describe when someone speaks against god, what’s that word?
Femi: Blaspheme?
Fela: En?
Femi: Blaspheme? [At this point the laughter and noise in the room seems to indicate that everyone knows the answer apart from me.]
Fela: See he doesn’t want to say it, because his name is Femi, too!
Dupe: Blast-phemy!
Fela: Thank you! Blast-Femi, blast-Femi! Why didn’t they say “blast-Jesus?” What’s Femi got to do with the matter? En hen! That one should make you go and think back small! [Giggles.] Because everybody is in Nigeria, all the gods and goddesses that have ruled the world. I followed Kwame Nkrumah5 all my life in politics, in ideology, and in one of my scenes they showed me who Nkrumah actually was. Do you know who he was? Whilst he was in this world he was Buddha, the god of the orient and he’s in Ghana. That is how this world is made to confuse human beings. He died in Budapest, the military coup caught him in Peking, the coup caught him in China and that is one of the places Buddha visited. Then when he was ill, do you know where he went to die? He didn’t go to London, he went to die in Budapest6! Buddha-pest. When I saw this in my film I thought goodness gracious I've wasted all my life talking about the oriental god... that's very serious... that's Africa...
Femi: I found that there are similarities between Zen and eastern religions and...
Fela: Say again?
Femi: I found that there are similarities between eastern mysticism and the Yoruba religion. In Zen Buddhism there are certain laws... things are like this... truth is dependent upon your position in space. What is true to you in one place will be different to the next person looking at the same thing from a slightly different angle and this is similar to Yoruba proverbs.
Fela: Last European tour when I got to Birmingham the show was not even planned, they did not even know I was coming to play there. Can you imagine that shit man? I came all the way from Nigeria then I started to ask myself what the hill I was doing there . . . Anyway I managed to play to some few people... You know what I said to them that night? I told them what was shown to me in my trance of 1981, that Mungo Park7 came to take the power from Africa in the guise of exploration.
He arrived at Ilé-Ifè through the river Niger in 1470 and one night one of the wives of the king of Ifè showed him the power pot—and he stole it to England. That was the beginning of technology in Europe. That is why they call it Eng-land. “Engine-land,” you see? You know where he took it? To Windsor Castle. So that night in Birmingham I was saying that the pot was in Windsor Castle right now but that it has since dried up. Next morning, man, Windsor Castle was on fire! That was in 1992. 125 fire engines couldn’t put the fire out. I was watching it on CNN whilst waiting for a boat to Paris. When people say “Wind-sor,” it’s actually a Yoruba word: iwin so (the witch is speaking) because that is the headquarters of the witches; that was where Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth belong. And now they have reincarnated in Margaret Thatcher and Elizabeth II. Thatcher seems more like a man to me. And Nigeria is under their control. That’s why Nigeria had to end in “ria” like Victo-ria, just like the other countries controlled by their Empire. You know, my brother, I have to say these things to you because people have to know what this world is really about. But everyone learns at their own pace man! So many things have disrupted, the counting of the date of the beginning of the universe, what we have now is fake.... Julius and Augustus Caesar adding a month each for themselves... my brother this is what I know of what this world is about and it's what the world is going to start to understand...
[Long pause.]
Femi: Yeah.
Fela: I don’t talk to the Nigerian press, I don’t talk to any press at all. I have been instructed not to talk to press by my spirits. I am a very firm man about my spirits and I don’t jive with the fact that that is what really exists, you know, I’m not a speculative religionist. I am a realist—and a realist is somebody who believes in the spirits. The other realist is a fake one. He lives in science.
[Pause.]
Fela: Motown came here some time ago to sign me up. In the first place the deal they were offering me was so ridiculous. These bastards came all the way from America to come and talk this shit? I said to people: “Look at this name ‘Motown.’ That word is Yoruba: mo-ta-ohun, it literally means ‘I sell my voice.’” [Laughter.] I said: “Anybody who goes with these people will be finished.” Then later Motown collapsed or the head was sacked or something like that. They had been found out!
Yoruba is the secret of universal witchcraft. I was born here to understand that language, see? Take another word like “technology.” Exposed, it reveals itself as te-ki-ina-lo-ji (press it so that the fire can go to wake it up). En hen! If you want to start a plane you must press for the engine, ah hah! For fire to, etc. That is Yoruba. Science evolved from the pot they took from Ifè. Those who first created airplanes weren’t taught how to build one at any school or university, but they “invented” it! They no go school, oh! My brother they no go school! So the word “educate” reveals to us its deeper meaning in Yoruba as edu-ki-e-ti (tie everything up and lock it away). When you come from the spirit world with this knowledge and you start to give your own meaning and “film” of life, somebody will take it off you, take you to school starting from your parents for that matter! But you don’t see dem things. Human beings go through what they call “society” revealed as so-si-ayiti (tie it up in such a way that it seems free). You are already locked up within society and you say you are a free man! I can’t sit down now and explain a lot of things to you if you write it down. Europeans won’t understand it because they don’t speak Yoruba. . . . Prince Charles had to come to Nigeria before he could even handle what it means to be a future king... when he came to Nigeria he was staying on the sea... in a boat... you knew that he came to Nigeria for a visit?
Femi: Yeah... around 1980-something?
Fela: 90s something... with Diana. His boat was moored on the lagoon at Marina... he came from the sea to the land to talk and then he went back to the sea... You see a lot of truth will show in this world in time, a very short time. Every year you’ll see America full of water, rainwater, floods. Last year it was all flood in Germany, Cologne was under water, Paris was flooded. And I said to my friend: “Didn’t we learn in geography that the only areas prone to frequent flooding are in Africa and Asia?” Now in Europe they have floods and we don’t even see the rain here. Changes. Inevitably change must come . . . How come England has floods? Abeg cool down! When I was a student there it barely rained throughout the summer sef! But now when it starts to rain you’ll think that you are in the middle of Africa [laughs]. In America alone the number of tornadoes they’ve had. America was trying to fight a war in the gulf and homes were being destroyed in their own backyard by ordinary weather! You know my brother when I started the Shrine it was an experiment and I had not really understood what the spirit world was about. My friend advised me to call it “the Shrine” because you need to have something solid and I liked it, and he was simply the one supposed to pass on the information to me, you know, like you coming here now for this interview. Femi Sanyaolu our world [long pause]—people will see things they don’t expect to see. I don’t know exactly what they are, but you see when there was a war that the people called World War II—Japan and Germany versus the world—the world gave them a thorough beating. Bombed the whole of Germany and Japan, two atomic bombs on Japan alone! But today those countries are the richest countries in the world! How managed? Japan now controls the world with technology and Germany controls Europe with industry. When you write this, help me ask these white people: How come that the countries that were the losers are now the winners? So what exactly is war about? So the Japanese knew that if they themselves died, if they sacrificed themselves they would back to rule? Ah ha! When you kill us we will rule. That’s war man! [Laughs.] Ha ha he
Fela: [notices me smiling], you just saw it! En hen! You see! Femi Sanyaolu, write that for me: “When you kill us, we rule!” Nkon ti a ma fi ju Oyinbo li ni ote yi ni yen . . . nkon ti a ma so fun yin . . . e jo ma ro . . . e ma fi mu won . . . awon wa ija kpa ni . . . won wa ja kpa ... “Germany” . . . ja ma ni . . . se o wa ri Yoruba nisinyin . . . See the endless possibilities of Yoruba? So China now when they come, that “before you make money you have to kill yourselves.” So they killed 7,000 students for the whole world to see. Now today nko? Everybody is getting China cuz if Chinaman copy your article, when they begin to make their own products . . . no be students’ power China man get? The students learn by copying their masters. That is the power of the 7,000 students that they killed in Tiananmen square.
Fela: [To Dupe] I see you are listening to me very intently, Madam, yes its very important . . . when you don’t hear this kind of thing everyday in your life, you turn on the television, someone talking about Jesus Christ, telling you the same old story everyday. And somebody can tell it today and make it sound like new to you because he’s found a new side to it cuz that’s what this world is about . . . [notices the DAT machine clicking off] It don finish?
--
References:
1 Fela Kuti’s nightclub in the Empire Hotel in Lagos, where he performed regularly.
2 Fela Kuti’s house in Lagos, also a commune, recording studio, and home for many people.
3 Abbreviation for Nigerian National Grass.
4 A film by Forest Whitaker (based on a novel by Terry McMillan, USA 1995) about four African-American women acted by Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, Whitney Houston, and Lela Rochon.
5 Kwame Nkrumah (1909–1972) was the founder and first president of modern Ghana and an influential Pan-Africanist.
6 In reality Nkrumah died in Bucharest.
7 Mungo Park (1771–1806) was a Scottish explorer of the African continent.
“When You Kill Us, We Rule!” (Some Last Words From Fela Anikulapo Kuti)
by Olufemi Sanyaolu AKA Keziah Jones.
In June 1996, Keziah Jones visited Kalakuta Republic every day for a week to interview the Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. On the fifth day, after waiting six hours, Keziah got to speak with Fela, who he remarked kept you in “constant and direct eye contact” and spoke “in short bursts of baritone.”
He added, “In the three hours or so that we spoke, I eventually submitted to this flow, I realized that my questions interrupted trains of thought so I just chilled, listened and replied with my ideas when necessary”.
Fela passed away in August 1997.
(Chimurenga) I had planned to visit the Shrine the night I arrived in Lagos but never made it. My sister Dupe, who knew some of the band Egypt 80, then took me to the Kalakuta Republic2. But each time we got there, every day for a week, we were told Fela is sleeping. On the fifth day, Sunday June 11, 1996, we decided to wait. We waited six hours. By that time he had stopped giving conventional interviews and was not talking with journalists. I sensed someone who truly loved himself and all peoples, but who has been persecuted for speaking truth, by the very same people it was designed to uplift. In the middle of our conversation there was an electricity failure and the second half of our talk took place in the dark. In Yoruba cosmology, some things happen outside of the logic of time and space. This felt like one of those moments. When I left he came out to greet me from his balcony—an unusually polite gesture from the Chief. It’s under that very balcony that over a million people gathered, around a year later, to wish a safe passage to the Black President.
[ID...
Boto: Fela's assistant
Seun: Fela's youngest son
Dupe: My sister
Femi: Olufemi Sanyaolu aka Keziah Jones representing The African Anarchist Corp.
In Fela's Living Room
Sunday 11/6/1996]
I hang with the various people coming in and out of the main living room—beautiful women, tough area boys, businessmen in smart suits, the curious, — everybody united by His music, N.N.G.3 and the possibility of revolution. Waiting to Exhale4 is on the TV (by satellite). He walks in wearing only a towel, excuses himself, reappears in his underpants, explains that he has just woken up and lights up a large spliff. With eyebrows arched, he slowly surveys the room and dismisses several people. He is a little bit skinny and graying at the temples, keeps you in constant and direct eye contact, speaks in short bursts of baritone. His speech is embedded between long pauses and punctuated with a deep resounding laughter. In the three hours or so that we spoke I eventually submitted to this flow, I realized that my questions interrupted trains of thought so I just chilled, listened and replied with my ideas when necessary.
Femi: Fela, I’m glad to be interviewing you. This is quite an opportunity for those of us outside Nigeria, cuz we don’t really know what’s going on.
Fela: About me?
Femi: Yeah, so I thought it would be a good opportunity cuz many young blacks read Chimurenga and they know about you, so I thought it would be good to come back with some news, you know what I mean, to tell them that things are cool.
Fela: [smiles.]
Femi: After 20 years of essentially political music do you still believe music to still be an effective way to change a political system?
Fela: [long pause] Oh wow! That’s a very good question [laughs] . . . music. Do I still think music is the best way to change a political system? You have to give me time to think about the question. Pause the tape so that I can understand what I want to talk.
[Personal assistant-type character, Boto pauses the DAT while Fela sits still for about twenty minutes in silence. No one in the room moves. Then with a smile he speaks.]
Fela: If one actually believes that he still wants to go into politics... [notices me adjusting the DAT] ah you see? It's not loud enough. Are you sure? Please... it's okay? [asks Boto] Wetin I first say?
Boto: ...if one still believes...
Fela: If one believes that politics is still the best way to enhance a human life then music is a good medium for spreading message. I think it’s only one of the ways and with music it’s not so important who is playing the music. Or is the person who is playing the music going to get involved in politics? Or is he playing it just for people to listen? Those are the two points. If you are playing it just for people to participate its okay but it is best if you yourself are willing to participate within the music itself. But then again I don’t think politics is the best avenue for developing human life. Don’t ask me obvious question. [General laughter.] Continue, you can ask me that later on.
Femi: Okay. I found that—not only me, many many young people, Nigerians lets say—many of the social and political issues that you were talking about since the early 1970’s proved themselves true. The present political crisis in Nigeria and the revealed long term collusion between our military dictators and western powers came true. What next?
Fela: What next? [Long pause.] You see Femi [laughs to himself], for me to talk about “what next” can take days . . . but then I have to answer the question as soon as possible. I will first of all ask people what has the human being gained from all these years of so-called government, so called development of civilization. There has not been little gain anywhere. The black people in England are still having the same experiences, same in America, Africa is worse. The experiences are worse in Africa because of the conspiracy of the white people against the Africans, you see? The American government will shout to us from America that “democracy is the right thing to do!” but they in themselves are not democratic—at all! The UN is not democratic. You have five countries with vetoes there, China, Britain, France, America, Russia. They can just veto anything the passes through there! How can America, Britain or basically “white people” tell us that in Africa about democracy? Without the army behind their governments there cannot be any democracy [laughs], you see? That is why Bill Clinton himself is the commander of the armed forces—so can we say it is a military government? Well, if the president is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces as it is in the U.S., then it is a military government! It’s just that they are covering up with poli-tricks. I call it DEMOCRAZY. Now this democrazy that people are talking about in America and England, in order to participate in it, the population of the country has to be literate to fully understand what they’re voting for. If you come to Nigeria man, only 20% of people are educated—all the people who are supposedly going to vote can’t even write! They don’t even know what they’re reading—so this voting democrazy cannot be the system to develop the human race. Something is wrong somewhere but the whole system keeps going round and round and round. And with all the going round it knocks some people down. Gbam! Like it knocked Africa down you see . . .? There was a war in the gulf and oil prices were going down when they should be going up! Damn! Do you know an American can just walk into Lagos and watch my show for a dollar and fucking fifty cents, man?
Femi: what!?
Fela: An American can walk into Lagos and watch my show for a dollar fifty cents man.
Femi: What?! The dollar equivalent of the same amount in Naira?
Fela: What's he going to do? English man will come in and watch me for one pound! One pound and two pence equals 150 Naira! [Femi laughs.] Ah ha! [Smiling.]
Femi: [laughs]
Fela: Ah ha! [smiling]
Femi: En hen?
Fela: Can I go on?
Femi: Yes go on please
Fela: I was talking to one of my friends today and he said the French government wants me to play at the French cultural centre and they’re going to pay me 45,000 Naira. Do you know that 45,000 is not even up to 500 Dollars, man? Could the French government pay any musician with a 16 piece band in France 500 Dollars? For a whole show? See the whole game, man? And here Africans are rushing for this bread . . . because to us one Naira seems like its equal to one Dollar. Do you know that for a Nigerian to watch my show for 150 Naira then I’ve killed him? Ah ha! You see now. It’s a lot of bread! Yeah this is what is called the Whiteman’s conspiracy—called the devaluation of currency.
Femi: So that westerners can buy our resources cheaper . . .
Fela: Thank you. Then I ask them, I am the one with the oil. They say, no your money is not one Dollar, your money is one eightieth of a Dollar. I say, but my oil has not devalued has it? .You see their fucking cheating man? All the heavy slapping, boxing, kicking, karate, leg kicking . . . My brother anything, they’re just giving it to us here in Africa. They are now telling me that our currency is of low value, but our crude oil is still considered as one of the highest qualities in the world. The validity of the oil remains the same.
Femi: So I mean...
Fela: You see now that’s democrazy. These same people come and tell us that democrazy is the best thing to do. We have our own commander of armed forces here who also happens to be a president. What’s the difference?
Femi: [laughs.]
Fela: It’s just that one is wearing uniform and the other is not because without the soldiers, the guns and the violence they cannot keep it going. It’s no fucking democracy! NOW when you have calculated all these things in your mind and you have been at the forefront of politics something just happens that opens your eyes and says “Look Fela, look at this, it can’t be right.” Then you see the whole picture—all the time I was fighting for the struggle of the people I was only fighting for the Whiteman’s democrazy! [Laughs.] That’s what it all amounts to!
Femi: That’s your conclusion . . .
Fela: No, it’s fact. If it’s MY conclusion then tell me who’s talking revolution in this world today? Tell me, give me one name. Is there a black person in world politics now talking revolution? Give me one name! [Pauses whilst he watches me thinking.] There is no one—don’t waste your fucking time man.
Femi: No, not really
Fela: None, nowhere . . . Africa no! England no! America no! Before, there was Malcolm X.
Femi: En hen, you see, now that was the time! In the 1960s and 1970s that was the last time black people spoke seriously of revolution in any shape or form.
Fela: Oh—so you mean now we must just suffer?
Femi: But since then things are so much more sophisticated. Governments have become so sophisticated in their methods of pacification that people can’t even locate or keep the desire within themselves to revolt. In the 1960s and 1970s the government hadn’t completed the whole thang . . .
Fela: Oh you mean they hadn’t locked us up finish?
Femi: Not completely.
Fela: Oh ho, fair enough, oh they had not finished twisting up the mind?
Femi: Not really . . .
Fela: Ah! So I might have been twisted? So there is no cause to fight?
Femi: It’s harder to fight. It will be more difficult cuz . . .
Fela: Why is it more difficult—tell me why? There is the press . . .
Femi: Yeah, I mean we are talking about global government . . . Whilst I was sitting here waiting we were all watching an American film on satellite.
Fela: En you sef, you can go on television and proclaim the revolution.
Femi: It’s got to be a different tactic.
Fela: No! Whether it’s tactics or not the fact is no one is thinking of doing anything. Who is thinking of doing anything? Who is doing anything?
Everybody in the room: Nobody!
Fela: Thank you. That’s the point. Nobody! So does that mean we have been defeated or what? I don’t believe so. Our world is not an accident, our world is not science either. En hen. We now have to find out for ourselves what is our world otherwise negative and evil forces will dominate the human mind to a standstill. Next question.
Femi: Hmmm, I will go into music generally or we can stay on the political tip.
Fela: Any one you prefer—the one that hurts you the most.
Femi: We were talking about finding out for ourselves what this world was . . . I don't think that things are completely defeated either... in your music I find there's always a pointer towards something else... like you say political is not the only way to human evolution...
Fela: What?
Femi: I mean you were saying that politics is not the only way to human evolution... that if one believe politics to be the only way to human evolution... one will miss all the other ways and avenues... other than democrazy...
Fela: I have not said so
Femi: No you haven't said so but I kind of presumed that that was what you meant... that there are many other ways aside from democrazy.
Fela: Yeah, you could presume that our world is not an ancient... yes go on...
Femi: Okay. I have a question because in your music you also talk about Africa pre the European experience. That we had our own laws, our own organization of life, but how come that grounding that we call African religion, even though it has been spread all over the world by slavery, how come it is so despised by non-Africans and feared by Africans themselves? you know if there is to be a way...
Fela: [starts to look annoyed] . . . because that way is finished. My brother let me tell you something man, this interview sef wey I dey give you sef. I don’t want to because I wonder is it time to say some things, you see? But then our world like I said is not no accident, you see? Whiteman will bring some science and will tell us about the age of the dinosaurs, right? Then they will tell us about the age of some apes they found digging somewhere in Kenya.... or some fucking place... all this science... then we'll tell them... I will now tell them they are all... what do you call them?... no... when they've gone out of the land?...
Seun (Fela's youngest son): Extinct...
Fela: Before the Whiteman’s age there was no fucking zoo in Africa. It’s Whiteman that wanted to see animals so they made a zoo and now it’s they themselves saying that animals don’t like to be locked up. But then, you see, these animals that they are afraid of getting extinct actually have almost the same reproductive pattern as the common cow. But the cow that we eat every fucking day doesn’t go extinct! In Lagos alone, we must eat about 1.500 cows every day! What about Ibadan? Nigeria? Sierra Leone? England? America? Everybody is eating cow every day, and the cows don’t get extinct?
[At this point the whole room erupts into laughter that seems to last for ages.]
[Later on I found that in the West, cows are modified to produce “quality” meat, which creates increased consumer demand, which means to increase production to lower the production cost per cow. I theorize, AFRANARCHISTICALLY, that the reason cows haven’t gone extinct is simply because we eat them. Thus paradoxically animals of the wild would also benefit from being eaten.]
Fela: Something is wrong somewhere, man. . . . you see my point my brother?
Femi: Yeah...
Fela: At different stages animals have been coming and going. No problem... but now they are going around looking for the bones of things that have since gone extinct... I have never seen an African team of archaeologists setting off to find the bones of some dinosaur in the desert... we can't afford that man! ... So our world is not an accident, science forced us to believe that. It is science that is scattering the world from what it’s supposed to be. It’s all the other way round.
[Long pause.]
Fela: Can someone get me an orange? Pause this one first.
[I pause the DAT and Fela proceeds to demonstrate his theory about the reason for the luminescence of the moon.]
Fela: When you show this to somebody it will be round, understand? If you paint one side white and you only show that side it will be a round white disc from a distance. Then let us say something begins to turn the orange slowly. If it turns halfway it will look like half moon, right? How are you to be sure that that isn’t all there is to the moon’s luminescence, that the moon has its own light. But you know what science taught me in school, that it’s the reflected light of the sun that allows us to see the moon from earth etc. But one day I saw the moon in the afternoon.
[The whole room collapses into laughter.]
Fela: My brother... half moon for that matter! you dey hear my point? We see half moon in daylight many times for Lagos don’t we?
Boto: Yes.
Fela: Then I saw it one day in America on a tour, on this white tour bus. I said to the tour manager: “Hey Jack, look at that moon man . . . Science tells us that when the shadow of the earth is over the moon etc. Well, look at the half moon up there. What’s happening there?” He said: “Hey man, I’ll have to think about that.” So what is really true about these “speculative scientific proofs?” Cuz the moon is a speculative proof. They are the ones who say they have gone there. I’m saying that they didn’t go nowhere! Look, if you dominate the TV, the media, and the government wants to impress upon people that they have gone there, they can do it! Look. You’re watching a film right? Then it gets to a point in which you are following the plot intently right? Dig this shit man, this is the heaviest of all, then it gets to a point in the movie where the actor or the actress or the star is thinking about something, and because you have been following the plot, you will now be thinking the same thing as the actors in order to follow the next stage [laughs] of the film, but the time they were acting that film itself, at the time it was being shot, the actors were not “thinking,” they already knew what they were to do next. Do you understand what I’m saying?
Everybody in the room: It’s all been scripted!
Fela: Thank you! So, really, you are the only one who doesn’t know the story. It’s you, it’s the people who are watching the film that are doing any “thinking.” It’s serious because the human mind is energy. So when you are “watching” that film, it means that you are passing your energy into that film—passing it to those who already know the path that your thoughts could take. So films is where I now bring my last point. To be able to now buttress that thing you asked me “what next” . . . so Jesus Christ came and Jesus Christ is a white man . . . Don’t allow people to confuse you into thinking he was a black man, you know all these revolutionary legions [laughs], if white man tells you he’s white, why do you want to argue with him about his god? I believe he’s white! When he was coming to die he went to god and begged him “please don’t let me die, but he already knew that he was coming to die. He said somebody would betray him when the cock crowed three times or so and he was caught. Then they took him to a public platform, and there was Barrabas with him. The soldiers asked the public which one of the condemned men they would like to see spared and the people said: “Barrabas!!!” If you would take me and a thief to Racecourse in Lagos and ask people to pick one of us to be spared, I’m sure they will pick me. I can boast of that, today in Nigeria!
Someone in room: Under a military regime!
Fela: Any regime! In Nigeria, oh! I don’t know about London or America. They would probably pick the thief [laughs]—if he is a white thief. But here, Jesus Christ, as popular as he was, the people picked Barrabas! So one thief said to him: “You have power, you have done many many great things. Look all of us are hanging in this fucking place, make us leave this place man . . .” Jesus did not answer. The other thief said: “Jesus Christ, anywhere you go just take me with you!” Now, the Yoruba have a proverb, “It is thieves that know thieves!” [Room laughter.] So what did Jesus Christ come to steal? They say that he came to take away the sins of all human beings, but see all of us are still suffering, from here to America. Even the white man and his god himself they themselves are still suffering along with the black people. So what did Jesus Christ come to take? Sins or scenes? Human beings have their own scenes, their own films (in their minds). I saw this when I was possessed by a spirit back in January 25, 1981. Truly. But some people can take your film off you when you are being “educated.” So now, the reason why democracy and politics isn’t suffice today is because human beings have lost their S.C.E.N.E.S. [Laughs.] Ha! Look, there is no evening I don’t see a UFO pass this window. No sound at all, just light going past—schwoom!!
Femi: So UFOs come to Africa as well . . .
Fela: [astonished] I say I see them everyday! Every night. [To Boto] I showed you one last time? No sound. Now. So what are we hiding in this world that is making this world so confused? This is why I have the Shrine. You see, if I wasn’t possessed by a spirit 15 years ago I would have been a confused man. But after I had this experience I knew this world was not what it seems to be. Black peoples will begin to have new SCENES. It’s going to cause a lot of people to start questioning, “What’s happening?” “I’m confused!” And that is what people call the “Age of Aquarius,” it’s going to set all those things correct. Now, because Nigeria is, spiritually, one of the most powerful countries in the world, this is where the truth must show first. Some say that Nigeria is the most corrupt, has the most thieves, Nigeria is this, Nigeria is that . . . Ha! If Nigeria is spiritually the most powerful country in the world then it goes to say that corruption and deception by international financial and cultural systems must also be one of the most prevalent things here—seeing as it is their blatant corruption that rules this world. But these things are bound to change. People will start to see a new light, probably when they sleep, or even when they walk along the street. It’s a film. I see a film in my head, man! And that is what I know as “WHAT NEXT.”
[Pause.]
Fela: There is no coincidence in this world. Superstition? Doesn’t exist in my language. It was the Whiteman that brought all these things. Superstition—if human beings believe that trees can talk, then trees can talk! This is a fact that would need no other proof than the belief in it and in its consequences. But then when human beings know that trees can talk and begin to argue amongst themselves about the objective and scientific proof, the tree will be annoyed! It won’t even bother to talk again! It will think, “Look at those useless people!” So you see my brother, that is what I know “What Next” is... That what is ruling this world today is what people call “evil.” Look, Reagan ruled America for eight years. After he retired they said that he’s got a disease, he’s forgetting things. How long has he been forgetting things? I beg, maybe he was forgetting things the time that he said that marijuana was a drug, maybe he was forgetting things when he went and arrested the President of another country in his own palace, in his own country! My brother, that is madness. If the President of that country says he wants drugs in his palace, wetin concern anybody? So America suddenly forgot the sovereignty of a country? And they can just go and arrest the President of Panama now, in his own house, in his country? That is what is called forgetfulness my brother, and yet America and the rest of the world accepted it as doing the right thing because the reason was drugs. Has the drugs stopped? No! He went to attack Libya and they say that man was well? When now he has a disease which makes him unable to remember his wife, so what else has he been forgetting? I cannot say much more to explain myself. You see, I don’t even go out I only come out to play music at the Shrine. I don’t go out because when archaeologists go to Egypt and start to dig up the tombs of ancient gods I believe those were gods for that era. I think that now this particular period of time is different. The gods are now down on earth walking on two or four legs just like everybody else. And these things will start to show in a very funny way. In Europe some time ago they were burning the witches and if you really know what is called mysticism to burn a witch is to give her more power. In Nigeria now, the center of spiritual power, we have people called “BORN AGAIN.” Are you sure it’s not “B.U.R.N. AGAIN?”
[Laughter.]
Fela: Sometimes I look at my son Femi, he’s called Femi like you, and I think of the word they use in the bible to describe when someone speaks against god, what’s that word?
Femi: Blaspheme?
Fela: En?
Femi: Blaspheme? [At this point the laughter and noise in the room seems to indicate that everyone knows the answer apart from me.]
Fela: See he doesn’t want to say it, because his name is Femi, too!
Dupe: Blast-phemy!
Fela: Thank you! Blast-Femi, blast-Femi! Why didn’t they say “blast-Jesus?” What’s Femi got to do with the matter? En hen! That one should make you go and think back small! [Giggles.] Because everybody is in Nigeria, all the gods and goddesses that have ruled the world. I followed Kwame Nkrumah5 all my life in politics, in ideology, and in one of my scenes they showed me who Nkrumah actually was. Do you know who he was? Whilst he was in this world he was Buddha, the god of the orient and he’s in Ghana. That is how this world is made to confuse human beings. He died in Budapest, the military coup caught him in Peking, the coup caught him in China and that is one of the places Buddha visited. Then when he was ill, do you know where he went to die? He didn’t go to London, he went to die in Budapest6! Buddha-pest. When I saw this in my film I thought goodness gracious I've wasted all my life talking about the oriental god... that's very serious... that's Africa...
Femi: I found that there are similarities between Zen and eastern religions and...
Fela: Say again?
Femi: I found that there are similarities between eastern mysticism and the Yoruba religion. In Zen Buddhism there are certain laws... things are like this... truth is dependent upon your position in space. What is true to you in one place will be different to the next person looking at the same thing from a slightly different angle and this is similar to Yoruba proverbs.
Fela: Last European tour when I got to Birmingham the show was not even planned, they did not even know I was coming to play there. Can you imagine that shit man? I came all the way from Nigeria then I started to ask myself what the hill I was doing there . . . Anyway I managed to play to some few people... You know what I said to them that night? I told them what was shown to me in my trance of 1981, that Mungo Park7 came to take the power from Africa in the guise of exploration.
He arrived at Ilé-Ifè through the river Niger in 1470 and one night one of the wives of the king of Ifè showed him the power pot—and he stole it to England. That was the beginning of technology in Europe. That is why they call it Eng-land. “Engine-land,” you see? You know where he took it? To Windsor Castle. So that night in Birmingham I was saying that the pot was in Windsor Castle right now but that it has since dried up. Next morning, man, Windsor Castle was on fire! That was in 1992. 125 fire engines couldn’t put the fire out. I was watching it on CNN whilst waiting for a boat to Paris. When people say “Wind-sor,” it’s actually a Yoruba word: iwin so (the witch is speaking) because that is the headquarters of the witches; that was where Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth belong. And now they have reincarnated in Margaret Thatcher and Elizabeth II. Thatcher seems more like a man to me. And Nigeria is under their control. That’s why Nigeria had to end in “ria” like Victo-ria, just like the other countries controlled by their Empire. You know, my brother, I have to say these things to you because people have to know what this world is really about. But everyone learns at their own pace man! So many things have disrupted, the counting of the date of the beginning of the universe, what we have now is fake.... Julius and Augustus Caesar adding a month each for themselves... my brother this is what I know of what this world is about and it's what the world is going to start to understand...
[Long pause.]
Femi: Yeah.
Fela: I don’t talk to the Nigerian press, I don’t talk to any press at all. I have been instructed not to talk to press by my spirits. I am a very firm man about my spirits and I don’t jive with the fact that that is what really exists, you know, I’m not a speculative religionist. I am a realist—and a realist is somebody who believes in the spirits. The other realist is a fake one. He lives in science.
[Pause.]
Fela: Motown came here some time ago to sign me up. In the first place the deal they were offering me was so ridiculous. These bastards came all the way from America to come and talk this shit? I said to people: “Look at this name ‘Motown.’ That word is Yoruba: mo-ta-ohun, it literally means ‘I sell my voice.’” [Laughter.] I said: “Anybody who goes with these people will be finished.” Then later Motown collapsed or the head was sacked or something like that. They had been found out!
Yoruba is the secret of universal witchcraft. I was born here to understand that language, see? Take another word like “technology.” Exposed, it reveals itself as te-ki-ina-lo-ji (press it so that the fire can go to wake it up). En hen! If you want to start a plane you must press for the engine, ah hah! For fire to, etc. That is Yoruba. Science evolved from the pot they took from Ifè. Those who first created airplanes weren’t taught how to build one at any school or university, but they “invented” it! They no go school, oh! My brother they no go school! So the word “educate” reveals to us its deeper meaning in Yoruba as edu-ki-e-ti (tie everything up and lock it away). When you come from the spirit world with this knowledge and you start to give your own meaning and “film” of life, somebody will take it off you, take you to school starting from your parents for that matter! But you don’t see dem things. Human beings go through what they call “society” revealed as so-si-ayiti (tie it up in such a way that it seems free). You are already locked up within society and you say you are a free man! I can’t sit down now and explain a lot of things to you if you write it down. Europeans won’t understand it because they don’t speak Yoruba. . . . Prince Charles had to come to Nigeria before he could even handle what it means to be a future king... when he came to Nigeria he was staying on the sea... in a boat... you knew that he came to Nigeria for a visit?
Femi: Yeah... around 1980-something?
Fela: 90s something... with Diana. His boat was moored on the lagoon at Marina... he came from the sea to the land to talk and then he went back to the sea... You see a lot of truth will show in this world in time, a very short time. Every year you’ll see America full of water, rainwater, floods. Last year it was all flood in Germany, Cologne was under water, Paris was flooded. And I said to my friend: “Didn’t we learn in geography that the only areas prone to frequent flooding are in Africa and Asia?” Now in Europe they have floods and we don’t even see the rain here. Changes. Inevitably change must come . . . How come England has floods? Abeg cool down! When I was a student there it barely rained throughout the summer sef! But now when it starts to rain you’ll think that you are in the middle of Africa [laughs]. In America alone the number of tornadoes they’ve had. America was trying to fight a war in the gulf and homes were being destroyed in their own backyard by ordinary weather! You know my brother when I started the Shrine it was an experiment and I had not really understood what the spirit world was about. My friend advised me to call it “the Shrine” because you need to have something solid and I liked it, and he was simply the one supposed to pass on the information to me, you know, like you coming here now for this interview. Femi Sanyaolu our world [long pause]—people will see things they don’t expect to see. I don’t know exactly what they are, but you see when there was a war that the people called World War II—Japan and Germany versus the world—the world gave them a thorough beating. Bombed the whole of Germany and Japan, two atomic bombs on Japan alone! But today those countries are the richest countries in the world! How managed? Japan now controls the world with technology and Germany controls Europe with industry. When you write this, help me ask these white people: How come that the countries that were the losers are now the winners? So what exactly is war about? So the Japanese knew that if they themselves died, if they sacrificed themselves they would back to rule? Ah ha! When you kill us we will rule. That’s war man! [Laughs.] Ha ha he
Fela: [notices me smiling], you just saw it! En hen! You see! Femi Sanyaolu, write that for me: “When you kill us, we rule!” Nkon ti a ma fi ju Oyinbo li ni ote yi ni yen . . . nkon ti a ma so fun yin . . . e jo ma ro . . . e ma fi mu won . . . awon wa ija kpa ni . . . won wa ja kpa ... “Germany” . . . ja ma ni . . . se o wa ri Yoruba nisinyin . . . See the endless possibilities of Yoruba? So China now when they come, that “before you make money you have to kill yourselves.” So they killed 7,000 students for the whole world to see. Now today nko? Everybody is getting China cuz if Chinaman copy your article, when they begin to make their own products . . . no be students’ power China man get? The students learn by copying their masters. That is the power of the 7,000 students that they killed in Tiananmen square.
Fela: [To Dupe] I see you are listening to me very intently, Madam, yes its very important . . . when you don’t hear this kind of thing everyday in your life, you turn on the television, someone talking about Jesus Christ, telling you the same old story everyday. And somebody can tell it today and make it sound like new to you because he’s found a new side to it cuz that’s what this world is about . . . [notices the DAT machine clicking off] It don finish?
--
References:
1 Fela Kuti’s nightclub in the Empire Hotel in Lagos, where he performed regularly.
2 Fela Kuti’s house in Lagos, also a commune, recording studio, and home for many people.
3 Abbreviation for Nigerian National Grass.
4 A film by Forest Whitaker (based on a novel by Terry McMillan, USA 1995) about four African-American women acted by Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, Whitney Houston, and Lela Rochon.
5 Kwame Nkrumah (1909–1972) was the founder and first president of modern Ghana and an influential Pan-Africanist.
6 In reality Nkrumah died in Bucharest.
7 Mungo Park (1771–1806) was a Scottish explorer of the African continent.
“When You Kill Us, We Rule!” (Some Last Words From Fela Anikulapo Kuti)
by Olufemi Sanyaolu AKA Keziah Jones.
In June 1996, Keziah Jones visited Kalakuta Republic every day for a week to interview the Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. On the fifth day, after waiting six hours, Keziah got to speak with Fela, who he remarked kept you in “constant and direct eye contact” and spoke “in short bursts of baritone.”
He added, “In the three hours or so that we spoke, I eventually submitted to this flow, I realized that my questions interrupted trains of thought so I just chilled, listened and replied with my ideas when necessary”.
Fela passed away in August 1997.
(Chimurenga) I had planned to visit the Shrine the night I arrived in Lagos but never made it. My sister Dupe, who knew some of the band Egypt 80, then took me to the Kalakuta Republic2. But each time we got there, every day for a week, we were told Fela is sleeping. On the fifth day, Sunday June 11, 1996, we decided to wait. We waited six hours. By that time he had stopped giving conventional interviews and was not talking with journalists. I sensed someone who truly loved himself and all peoples, but who has been persecuted for speaking truth, by the very same people it was designed to uplift. In the middle of our conversation there was an electricity failure and the second half of our talk took place in the dark. In Yoruba cosmology, some things happen outside of the logic of time and space. This felt like one of those moments. When I left he came out to greet me from his balcony—an unusually polite gesture from the Chief. It’s under that very balcony that over a million people gathered, around a year later, to wish a safe passage to the Black President.
[ID...
Boto: Fela's assistant
Seun: Fela's youngest son
Dupe: My sister
Femi: Olufemi Sanyaolu aka Keziah Jones representing The African Anarchist Corp.
In Fela's Living Room
Sunday 11/6/1996]
I hang with the various people coming in and out of the main living room—beautiful women, tough area boys, businessmen in smart suits, the curious, — everybody united by His music, N.N.G.3 and the possibility of revolution. Waiting to Exhale4 is on the TV (by satellite). He walks in wearing only a towel, excuses himself, reappears in his underpants, explains that he has just woken up and lights up a large spliff. With eyebrows arched, he slowly surveys the room and dismisses several people. He is a little bit skinny and graying at the temples, keeps you in constant and direct eye contact, speaks in short bursts of baritone. His speech is embedded between long pauses and punctuated with a deep resounding laughter. In the three hours or so that we spoke I eventually submitted to this flow, I realized that my questions interrupted trains of thought so I just chilled, listened and replied with my ideas when necessary.
Femi: Fela, I’m glad to be interviewing you. This is quite an opportunity for those of us outside Nigeria, cuz we don’t really know what’s going on.
Fela: About me?
Femi: Yeah, so I thought it would be a good opportunity cuz many young blacks read Chimurenga and they know about you, so I thought it would be good to come back with some news, you know what I mean, to tell them that things are cool.
Fela: [smiles.]
Femi: After 20 years of essentially political music do you still believe music to still be an effective way to change a political system?
Fela: [long pause] Oh wow! That’s a very good question [laughs] . . . music. Do I still think music is the best way to change a political system? You have to give me time to think about the question. Pause the tape so that I can understand what I want to talk.
[Personal assistant-type character, Boto pauses the DAT while Fela sits still for about twenty minutes in silence. No one in the room moves. Then with a smile he speaks.]
Fela: If one actually believes that he still wants to go into politics... [notices me adjusting the DAT] ah you see? It's not loud enough. Are you sure? Please... it's okay? [asks Boto] Wetin I first say?
Boto: ...if one still believes...
Fela: If one believes that politics is still the best way to enhance a human life then music is a good medium for spreading message. I think it’s only one of the ways and with music it’s not so important who is playing the music. Or is the person who is playing the music going to get involved in politics? Or is he playing it just for people to listen? Those are the two points. If you are playing it just for people to participate its okay but it is best if you yourself are willing to participate within the music itself. But then again I don’t think politics is the best avenue for developing human life. Don’t ask me obvious question. [General laughter.] Continue, you can ask me that later on.
Femi: Okay. I found that—not only me, many many young people, Nigerians lets say—many of the social and political issues that you were talking about since the early 1970’s proved themselves true. The present political crisis in Nigeria and the revealed long term collusion between our military dictators and western powers came true. What next?
Fela: What next? [Long pause.] You see Femi [laughs to himself], for me to talk about “what next” can take days . . . but then I have to answer the question as soon as possible. I will first of all ask people what has the human being gained from all these years of so-called government, so called development of civilization. There has not been little gain anywhere. The black people in England are still having the same experiences, same in America, Africa is worse. The experiences are worse in Africa because of the conspiracy of the white people against the Africans, you see? The American government will shout to us from America that “democracy is the right thing to do!” but they in themselves are not democratic—at all! The UN is not democratic. You have five countries with vetoes there, China, Britain, France, America, Russia. They can just veto anything the passes through there! How can America, Britain or basically “white people” tell us that in Africa about democracy? Without the army behind their governments there cannot be any democracy [laughs], you see? That is why Bill Clinton himself is the commander of the armed forces—so can we say it is a military government? Well, if the president is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces as it is in the U.S., then it is a military government! It’s just that they are covering up with poli-tricks. I call it DEMOCRAZY. Now this democrazy that people are talking about in America and England, in order to participate in it, the population of the country has to be literate to fully understand what they’re voting for. If you come to Nigeria man, only 20% of people are educated—all the people who are supposedly going to vote can’t even write! They don’t even know what they’re reading—so this voting democrazy cannot be the system to develop the human race. Something is wrong somewhere but the whole system keeps going round and round and round. And with all the going round it knocks some people down. Gbam! Like it knocked Africa down you see . . .? There was a war in the gulf and oil prices were going down when they should be going up! Damn! Do you know an American can just walk into Lagos and watch my show for a dollar and fucking fifty cents, man?
Femi: what!?
Fela: An American can walk into Lagos and watch my show for a dollar fifty cents man.
Femi: What?! The dollar equivalent of the same amount in Naira?
Fela: What's he going to do? English man will come in and watch me for one pound! One pound and two pence equals 150 Naira! [Femi laughs.] Ah ha! [Smiling.]
Femi: [laughs]
Fela: Ah ha! [smiling]
Femi: En hen?
Fela: Can I go on?
Femi: Yes go on please
Fela: I was talking to one of my friends today and he said the French government wants me to play at the French cultural centre and they’re going to pay me 45,000 Naira. Do you know that 45,000 is not even up to 500 Dollars, man? Could the French government pay any musician with a 16 piece band in France 500 Dollars? For a whole show? See the whole game, man? And here Africans are rushing for this bread . . . because to us one Naira seems like its equal to one Dollar. Do you know that for a Nigerian to watch my show for 150 Naira then I’ve killed him? Ah ha! You see now. It’s a lot of bread! Yeah this is what is called the Whiteman’s conspiracy—called the devaluation of currency.
Femi: So that westerners can buy our resources cheaper . . .
Fela: Thank you. Then I ask them, I am the one with the oil. They say, no your money is not one Dollar, your money is one eightieth of a Dollar. I say, but my oil has not devalued has it? .You see their fucking cheating man? All the heavy slapping, boxing, kicking, karate, leg kicking . . . My brother anything, they’re just giving it to us here in Africa. They are now telling me that our currency is of low value, but our crude oil is still considered as one of the highest qualities in the world. The validity of the oil remains the same.
Femi: So I mean...
Fela: You see now that’s democrazy. These same people come and tell us that democrazy is the best thing to do. We have our own commander of armed forces here who also happens to be a president. What’s the difference?
Femi: [laughs.]
Fela: It’s just that one is wearing uniform and the other is not because without the soldiers, the guns and the violence they cannot keep it going. It’s no fucking democracy! NOW when you have calculated all these things in your mind and you have been at the forefront of politics something just happens that opens your eyes and says “Look Fela, look at this, it can’t be right.” Then you see the whole picture—all the time I was fighting for the struggle of the people I was only fighting for the Whiteman’s democrazy! [Laughs.] That’s what it all amounts to!
Femi: That’s your conclusion . . .
Fela: No, it’s fact. If it’s MY conclusion then tell me who’s talking revolution in this world today? Tell me, give me one name. Is there a black person in world politics now talking revolution? Give me one name! [Pauses whilst he watches me thinking.] There is no one—don’t waste your fucking time man.
Femi: No, not really
Fela: None, nowhere . . . Africa no! England no! America no! Before, there was Malcolm X.
Femi: En hen, you see, now that was the time! In the 1960s and 1970s that was the last time black people spoke seriously of revolution in any shape or form.
Fela: Oh—so you mean now we must just suffer?
Femi: But since then things are so much more sophisticated. Governments have become so sophisticated in their methods of pacification that people can’t even locate or keep the desire within themselves to revolt. In the 1960s and 1970s the government hadn’t completed the whole thang . . .
Fela: Oh you mean they hadn’t locked us up finish?
Femi: Not completely.
Fela: Oh ho, fair enough, oh they had not finished twisting up the mind?
Femi: Not really . . .
Fela: Ah! So I might have been twisted? So there is no cause to fight?
Femi: It’s harder to fight. It will be more difficult cuz . . .
Fela: Why is it more difficult—tell me why? There is the press . . .
Femi: Yeah, I mean we are talking about global government . . . Whilst I was sitting here waiting we were all watching an American film on satellite.
Fela: En you sef, you can go on television and proclaim the revolution.
Femi: It’s got to be a different tactic.
Fela: No! Whether it’s tactics or not the fact is no one is thinking of doing anything. Who is thinking of doing anything? Who is doing anything?
Everybody in the room: Nobody!
Fela: Thank you. That’s the point. Nobody! So does that mean we have been defeated or what? I don’t believe so. Our world is not an accident, our world is not science either. En hen. We now have to find out for ourselves what is our world otherwise negative and evil forces will dominate the human mind to a standstill. Next question.
Femi: Hmmm, I will go into music generally or we can stay on the political tip.
Fela: Any one you prefer—the one that hurts you the most.
Femi: We were talking about finding out for ourselves what this world was . . . I don't think that things are completely defeated either... in your music I find there's always a pointer towards something else... like you say political is not the only way to human evolution...
Fela: What?
Femi: I mean you were saying that politics is not the only way to human evolution... that if one believe politics to be the only way to human evolution... one will miss all the other ways and avenues... other than democrazy...
Fela: I have not said so
Femi: No you haven't said so but I kind of presumed that that was what you meant... that there are many other ways aside from democrazy.
Fela: Yeah, you could presume that our world is not an ancient... yes go on...
Femi: Okay. I have a question because in your music you also talk about Africa pre the European experience. That we had our own laws, our own organization of life, but how come that grounding that we call African religion, even though it has been spread all over the world by slavery, how come it is so despised by non-Africans and feared by Africans themselves? you know if there is to be a way...
Fela: [starts to look annoyed] . . . because that way is finished. My brother let me tell you something man, this interview sef wey I dey give you sef. I don’t want to because I wonder is it time to say some things, you see? But then our world like I said is not no accident, you see? Whiteman will bring some science and will tell us about the age of the dinosaurs, right? Then they will tell us about the age of some apes they found digging somewhere in Kenya.... or some fucking place... all this science... then we'll tell them... I will now tell them they are all... what do you call them?... no... when they've gone out of the land?...
Seun (Fela's youngest son): Extinct...
Fela: Before the Whiteman’s age there was no fucking zoo in Africa. It’s Whiteman that wanted to see animals so they made a zoo and now it’s they themselves saying that animals don’t like to be locked up. But then, you see, these animals that they are afraid of getting extinct actually have almost the same reproductive pattern as the common cow. But the cow that we eat every fucking day doesn’t go extinct! In Lagos alone, we must eat about 1.500 cows every day! What about Ibadan? Nigeria? Sierra Leone? England? America? Everybody is eating cow every day, and the cows don’t get extinct?
[At this point the whole room erupts into laughter that seems to last for ages.]
[Later on I found that in the West, cows are modified to produce “quality” meat, which creates increased consumer demand, which means to increase production to lower the production cost per cow. I theorize, AFRANARCHISTICALLY, that the reason cows haven’t gone extinct is simply because we eat them. Thus paradoxically animals of the wild would also benefit from being eaten.]
Fela: Something is wrong somewhere, man. . . . you see my point my brother?
Femi: Yeah...
Fela: At different stages animals have been coming and going. No problem... but now they are going around looking for the bones of things that have since gone extinct... I have never seen an African team of archaeologists setting off to find the bones of some dinosaur in the desert... we can't afford that man! ... So our world is not an accident, science forced us to believe that. It is science that is scattering the world from what it’s supposed to be. It’s all the other way round.
[Long pause.]
Fela: Can someone get me an orange? Pause this one first.
[I pause the DAT and Fela proceeds to demonstrate his theory about the reason for the luminescence of the moon.]
Fela: When you show this to somebody it will be round, understand? If you paint one side white and you only show that side it will be a round white disc from a distance. Then let us say something begins to turn the orange slowly. If it turns halfway it will look like half moon, right? How are you to be sure that that isn’t all there is to the moon’s luminescence, that the moon has its own light. But you know what science taught me in school, that it’s the reflected light of the sun that allows us to see the moon from earth etc. But one day I saw the moon in the afternoon.
[The whole room collapses into laughter.]
Fela: My brother... half moon for that matter! you dey hear my point? We see half moon in daylight many times for Lagos don’t we?
Boto: Yes.
Fela: Then I saw it one day in America on a tour, on this white tour bus. I said to the tour manager: “Hey Jack, look at that moon man . . . Science tells us that when the shadow of the earth is over the moon etc. Well, look at the half moon up there. What’s happening there?” He said: “Hey man, I’ll have to think about that.” So what is really true about these “speculative scientific proofs?” Cuz the moon is a speculative proof. They are the ones who say they have gone there. I’m saying that they didn’t go nowhere! Look, if you dominate the TV, the media, and the government wants to impress upon people that they have gone there, they can do it! Look. You’re watching a film right? Then it gets to a point in which you are following the plot intently right? Dig this shit man, this is the heaviest of all, then it gets to a point in the movie where the actor or the actress or the star is thinking about something, and because you have been following the plot, you will now be thinking the same thing as the actors in order to follow the next stage [laughs] of the film, but the time they were acting that film itself, at the time it was being shot, the actors were not “thinking,” they already knew what they were to do next. Do you understand what I’m saying?
Everybody in the room: It’s all been scripted!
Fela: Thank you! So, really, you are the only one who doesn’t know the story. It’s you, it’s the people who are watching the film that are doing any “thinking.” It’s serious because the human mind is energy. So when you are “watching” that film, it means that you are passing your energy into that film—passing it to those who already know the path that your thoughts could take. So films is where I now bring my last point. To be able to now buttress that thing you asked me “what next” . . . so Jesus Christ came and Jesus Christ is a white man . . . Don’t allow people to confuse you into thinking he was a black man, you know all these revolutionary legions [laughs], if white man tells you he’s white, why do you want to argue with him about his god? I believe he’s white! When he was coming to die he went to god and begged him “please don’t let me die, but he already knew that he was coming to die. He said somebody would betray him when the cock crowed three times or so and he was caught. Then they took him to a public platform, and there was Barrabas with him. The soldiers asked the public which one of the condemned men they would like to see spared and the people said: “Barrabas!!!” If you would take me and a thief to Racecourse in Lagos and ask people to pick one of us to be spared, I’m sure they will pick me. I can boast of that, today in Nigeria!
Someone in room: Under a military regime!
Fela: Any regime! In Nigeria, oh! I don’t know about London or America. They would probably pick the thief [laughs]—if he is a white thief. But here, Jesus Christ, as popular as he was, the people picked Barrabas! So one thief said to him: “You have power, you have done many many great things. Look all of us are hanging in this fucking place, make us leave this place man . . .” Jesus did not answer. The other thief said: “Jesus Christ, anywhere you go just take me with you!” Now, the Yoruba have a proverb, “It is thieves that know thieves!” [Room laughter.] So what did Jesus Christ come to steal? They say that he came to take away the sins of all human beings, but see all of us are still suffering, from here to America. Even the white man and his god himself they themselves are still suffering along with the black people. So what did Jesus Christ come to take? Sins or scenes? Human beings have their own scenes, their own films (in their minds). I saw this when I was possessed by a spirit back in January 25, 1981. Truly. But some people can take your film off you when you are being “educated.” So now, the reason why democracy and politics isn’t suffice today is because human beings have lost their S.C.E.N.E.S. [Laughs.] Ha! Look, there is no evening I don’t see a UFO pass this window. No sound at all, just light going past—schwoom!!
Femi: So UFOs come to Africa as well . . .
Fela: [astonished] I say I see them everyday! Every night. [To Boto] I showed you one last time? No sound. Now. So what are we hiding in this world that is making this world so confused? This is why I have the Shrine. You see, if I wasn’t possessed by a spirit 15 years ago I would have been a confused man. But after I had this experience I knew this world was not what it seems to be. Black peoples will begin to have new SCENES. It’s going to cause a lot of people to start questioning, “What’s happening?” “I’m confused!” And that is what people call the “Age of Aquarius,” it’s going to set all those things correct. Now, because Nigeria is, spiritually, one of the most powerful countries in the world, this is where the truth must show first. Some say that Nigeria is the most corrupt, has the most thieves, Nigeria is this, Nigeria is that . . . Ha! If Nigeria is spiritually the most powerful country in the world then it goes to say that corruption and deception by international financial and cultural systems must also be one of the most prevalent things here—seeing as it is their blatant corruption that rules this world. But these things are bound to change. People will start to see a new light, probably when they sleep, or even when they walk along the street. It’s a film. I see a film in my head, man! And that is what I know as “WHAT NEXT.”
[Pause.]
Fela: There is no coincidence in this world. Superstition? Doesn’t exist in my language. It was the Whiteman that brought all these things. Superstition—if human beings believe that trees can talk, then trees can talk! This is a fact that would need no other proof than the belief in it and in its consequences. But then when human beings know that trees can talk and begin to argue amongst themselves about the objective and scientific proof, the tree will be annoyed! It won’t even bother to talk again! It will think, “Look at those useless people!” So you see my brother, that is what I know “What Next” is... That what is ruling this world today is what people call “evil.” Look, Reagan ruled America for eight years. After he retired they said that he’s got a disease, he’s forgetting things. How long has he been forgetting things? I beg, maybe he was forgetting things the time that he said that marijuana was a drug, maybe he was forgetting things when he went and arrested the President of another country in his own palace, in his own country! My brother, that is madness. If the President of that country says he wants drugs in his palace, wetin concern anybody? So America suddenly forgot the sovereignty of a country? And they can just go and arrest the President of Panama now, in his own house, in his country? That is what is called forgetfulness my brother, and yet America and the rest of the world accepted it as doing the right thing because the reason was drugs. Has the drugs stopped? No! He went to attack Libya and they say that man was well? When now he has a disease which makes him unable to remember his wife, so what else has he been forgetting? I cannot say much more to explain myself. You see, I don’t even go out I only come out to play music at the Shrine. I don’t go out because when archaeologists go to Egypt and start to dig up the tombs of ancient gods I believe those were gods for that era. I think that now this particular period of time is different. The gods are now down on earth walking on two or four legs just like everybody else. And these things will start to show in a very funny way. In Europe some time ago they were burning the witches and if you really know what is called mysticism to burn a witch is to give her more power. In Nigeria now, the center of spiritual power, we have people called “BORN AGAIN.” Are you sure it’s not “B.U.R.N. AGAIN?”
[Laughter.]
Fela: Sometimes I look at my son Femi, he’s called Femi like you, and I think of the word they use in the bible to describe when someone speaks against god, what’s that word?
Femi: Blaspheme?
Fela: En?
Femi: Blaspheme? [At this point the laughter and noise in the room seems to indicate that everyone knows the answer apart from me.]
Fela: See he doesn’t want to say it, because his name is Femi, too!
Dupe: Blast-phemy!
Fela: Thank you! Blast-Femi, blast-Femi! Why didn’t they say “blast-Jesus?” What’s Femi got to do with the matter? En hen! That one should make you go and think back small! [Giggles.] Because everybody is in Nigeria, all the gods and goddesses that have ruled the world. I followed Kwame Nkrumah5 all my life in politics, in ideology, and in one of my scenes they showed me who Nkrumah actually was. Do you know who he was? Whilst he was in this world he was Buddha, the god of the orient and he’s in Ghana. That is how this world is made to confuse human beings. He died in Budapest, the military coup caught him in Peking, the coup caught him in China and that is one of the places Buddha visited. Then when he was ill, do you know where he went to die? He didn’t go to London, he went to die in Budapest6! Buddha-pest. When I saw this in my film I thought goodness gracious I've wasted all my life talking about the oriental god... that's very serious... that's Africa...
Femi: I found that there are similarities between Zen and eastern religions and...
Fela: Say again?
Femi: I found that there are similarities between eastern mysticism and the Yoruba religion. In Zen Buddhism there are certain laws... things are like this... truth is dependent upon your position in space. What is true to you in one place will be different to the next person looking at the same thing from a slightly different angle and this is similar to Yoruba proverbs.
Fela: Last European tour when I got to Birmingham the show was not even planned, they did not even know I was coming to play there. Can you imagine that shit man? I came all the way from Nigeria then I started to ask myself what the hill I was doing there . . . Anyway I managed to play to some few people... You know what I said to them that night? I told them what was shown to me in my trance of 1981, that Mungo Park7 came to take the power from Africa in the guise of exploration.
He arrived at Ilé-Ifè through the river Niger in 1470 and one night one of the wives of the king of Ifè showed him the power pot—and he stole it to England. That was the beginning of technology in Europe. That is why they call it Eng-land. “Engine-land,” you see? You know where he took it? To Windsor Castle. So that night in Birmingham I was saying that the pot was in Windsor Castle right now but that it has since dried up. Next morning, man, Windsor Castle was on fire! That was in 1992. 125 fire engines couldn’t put the fire out. I was watching it on CNN whilst waiting for a boat to Paris. When people say “Wind-sor,” it’s actually a Yoruba word: iwin so (the witch is speaking) because that is the headquarters of the witches; that was where Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth belong. And now they have reincarnated in Margaret Thatcher and Elizabeth II. Thatcher seems more like a man to me. And Nigeria is under their control. That’s why Nigeria had to end in “ria” like Victo-ria, just like the other countries controlled by their Empire. You know, my brother, I have to say these things to you because people have to know what this world is really about. But everyone learns at their own pace man! So many things have disrupted, the counting of the date of the beginning of the universe, what we have now is fake.... Julius and Augustus Caesar adding a month each for themselves... my brother this is what I know of what this world is about and it's what the world is going to start to understand...
[Long pause.]
Femi: Yeah.
Fela: I don’t talk to the Nigerian press, I don’t talk to any press at all. I have been instructed not to talk to press by my spirits. I am a very firm man about my spirits and I don’t jive with the fact that that is what really exists, you know, I’m not a speculative religionist. I am a realist—and a realist is somebody who believes in the spirits. The other realist is a fake one. He lives in science.
[Pause.]
Fela: Motown came here some time ago to sign me up. In the first place the deal they were offering me was so ridiculous. These bastards came all the way from America to come and talk this shit? I said to people: “Look at this name ‘Motown.’ That word is Yoruba: mo-ta-ohun, it literally means ‘I sell my voice.’” [Laughter.] I said: “Anybody who goes with these people will be finished.” Then later Motown collapsed or the head was sacked or something like that. They had been found out!
Yoruba is the secret of universal witchcraft. I was born here to understand that language, see? Take another word like “technology.” Exposed, it reveals itself as te-ki-ina-lo-ji (press it so that the fire can go to wake it up). En hen! If you want to start a plane you must press for the engine, ah hah! For fire to, etc. That is Yoruba. Science evolved from the pot they took from Ifè. Those who first created airplanes weren’t taught how to build one at any school or university, but they “invented” it! They no go school, oh! My brother they no go school! So the word “educate” reveals to us its deeper meaning in Yoruba as edu-ki-e-ti (tie everything up and lock it away). When you come from the spirit world with this knowledge and you start to give your own meaning and “film” of life, somebody will take it off you, take you to school starting from your parents for that matter! But you don’t see dem things. Human beings go through what they call “society” revealed as so-si-ayiti (tie it up in such a way that it seems free). You are already locked up within society and you say you are a free man! I can’t sit down now and explain a lot of things to you if you write it down. Europeans won’t understand it because they don’t speak Yoruba. . . . Prince Charles had to come to Nigeria before he could even handle what it means to be a future king... when he came to Nigeria he was staying on the sea... in a boat... you knew that he came to Nigeria for a visit?
Femi: Yeah... around 1980-something?
Fela: 90s something... with Diana. His boat was moored on the lagoon at Marina... he came from the sea to the land to talk and then he went back to the sea... You see a lot of truth will show in this world in time, a very short time. Every year you’ll see America full of water, rainwater, floods. Last year it was all flood in Germany, Cologne was under water, Paris was flooded. And I said to my friend: “Didn’t we learn in geography that the only areas prone to frequent flooding are in Africa and Asia?” Now in Europe they have floods and we don’t even see the rain here. Changes. Inevitably change must come . . . How come England has floods? Abeg cool down! When I was a student there it barely rained throughout the summer sef! But now when it starts to rain you’ll think that you are in the middle of Africa [laughs]. In America alone the number of tornadoes they’ve had. America was trying to fight a war in the gulf and homes were being destroyed in their own backyard by ordinary weather! You know my brother when I started the Shrine it was an experiment and I had not really understood what the spirit world was about. My friend advised me to call it “the Shrine” because you need to have something solid and I liked it, and he was simply the one supposed to pass on the information to me, you know, like you coming here now for this interview. Femi Sanyaolu our world [long pause]—people will see things they don’t expect to see. I don’t know exactly what they are, but you see when there was a war that the people called World War II—Japan and Germany versus the world—the world gave them a thorough beating. Bombed the whole of Germany and Japan, two atomic bombs on Japan alone! But today those countries are the richest countries in the world! How managed? Japan now controls the world with technology and Germany controls Europe with industry. When you write this, help me ask these white people: How come that the countries that were the losers are now the winners? So what exactly is war about? So the Japanese knew that if they themselves died, if they sacrificed themselves they would back to rule? Ah ha! When you kill us we will rule. That’s war man! [Laughs.] Ha ha he
Fela: [notices me smiling], you just saw it! En hen! You see! Femi Sanyaolu, write that for me: “When you kill us, we rule!” Nkon ti a ma fi ju Oyinbo li ni ote yi ni yen . . . nkon ti a ma so fun yin . . . e jo ma ro . . . e ma fi mu won . . . awon wa ija kpa ni . . . won wa ja kpa ... “Germany” . . . ja ma ni . . . se o wa ri Yoruba nisinyin . . . See the endless possibilities of Yoruba? So China now when they come, that “before you make money you have to kill yourselves.” So they killed 7,000 students for the whole world to see. Now today nko? Everybody is getting China cuz if Chinaman copy your article, when they begin to make their own products . . . no be students’ power China man get? The students learn by copying their masters. That is the power of the 7,000 students that they killed in Tiananmen square.
Fela: [To Dupe] I see you are listening to me very intently, Madam, yes its very important . . . when you don’t hear this kind of thing everyday in your life, you turn on the television, someone talking about Jesus Christ, telling you the same old story everyday. And somebody can tell it today and make it sound like new to you because he’s found a new side to it cuz that’s what this world is about . . . [notices the DAT machine clicking off] It don finish?
--
References:
1 Fela Kuti’s nightclub in the Empire Hotel in Lagos, where he performed regularly.
2 Fela Kuti’s house in Lagos, also a commune, recording studio, and home for many people.
3 Abbreviation for Nigerian National Grass.
4 A film by Forest Whitaker (based on a novel by Terry McMillan, USA 1995) about four African-American women acted by Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, Whitney Houston, and Lela Rochon.
5 Kwame Nkrumah (1909–1972) was the founder and first president of modern Ghana and an influential Pan-Africanist.
6 In reality Nkrumah died in Bucharest.
7 Mungo Park (1771–1806) was a Scottish explorer of the African continent.
BLUFUNK IS A FACT!
I was standing
On one of the Seine bridges
Saying goodbye to
Lydia Tracy
When the news broke
That we had been used + abused
Since money began
To some its kinda rude
To refuse
The bootleg version
Of an act of love
Blufunk individuals
Can change that phrase to bribery
Change that phrase to bribery
Change that phrase
Chorus
Because the wisdom
Behind the smile
Is called "Cash"
I know that money lies to me
It's freedom on paper
But nobody's free
You know it's gonna kill for me
To see so many people diggin
"The bootleg version"
Money bleeds
Greed is a need
Only to those
Only to those
Only to those you can't afford it
They're diggin the bootleg version
Chorus
WALKIN' NAKED THRU A BLUEBELL FIELD
I've sat in Alleyways
And spoke to buildings
I've worn a womans body
To provoke a male
I've spread emotion lotion
On ma feelings
To clean the river
That's running thru me
I'd like to sail on the ocean of love
But the wind said :
"This boat aint goin nowhere
Without a breeze"
My mind
Has been twisted
Reformed
Conformed
And deformed by someone
I met by complete chance
In a bluebell field
I'd like to hold you tight
Hold you close
Cover your mouth
Burn all your clothes
Chorus
Walkin naked thru a bluebell field
So much laughter
Should intensify the real
Walkin naked thru a bluebell field
I'd like to kiss your hips
Lick your lips
Shed my soul
+ Blind fold ya
Chorus
I'd like to fuck your aura
And when I have the time
I'd like to unscrew your mind
Chorus
I'd like to tell your mama
Tell your pa
Bout the "thangs" we did
In their backyard
RHYTHM IS LOVE
If I try to take you there, would you come with me?
The reason flies, the fear is scare, the ocean loves the sea
If I try to take you there, would you come with me?
The reason flies, the fear is scare, the ocean loves the sea
Rhythm is love
Heaven is just another world
For the feelin called
Musical
Color is lust
Because all of the sexual "thangs"
we do
In my mind
I trust you make em all colorful
Chorus
I'd like to put you
In such a romance
Take you down
To Paris, France
Leave the cafe and the bars
Walk the wintry boulevards
Is that a smile I see ?
Well, maybe your not even
Looking at me
Cuz if you smile for no reason
The season is lost
But if your love is the rhythm
Ma rhythm is love
Chorus
Ma rhythm is love
Coming at you
Just like this!
RUN AWAY (SLAVERY DAYS ARE OVER)
What is beauty ?
To me
To you
What is lonliness ?
A caress ?
A test ?
For who ?
The mind is freakin'...
Peakin'...
For someone...
My color's leakin'
My thinkin' is blue
Chorus
Slavery days are over
I'm free
Free like you
Runaway
With me
Through the trees
Let the leaves hear us!
WHERE'S LIFE?
Chance : Please tell me where life is
I'm feelin scared like this
Destiny : Why do you ask ?
Chance : Sadness"
Destiny : Why should you care ?
Chance : This madness kills
Destiny : You're lookin like one of those reasons
You're lookin like one of those dreams
You're lookin like one of those moments
You can't fool me
Chance : I'd like to see spring
When will you be with me ?
Destiny : Why should you care ?
Chance : Madness
Destiny : Why do you ask ?
Chance : This sadness kills
Destiny : You're lyin !
You're lyin !
You're lyin !
You're lyin !
Narrator : Moments, dreams and reasons
Moments + dreams make love
Come in season
Yeah seasons !
Chance : Where do we go from here ?
These lonely roads
I fear
Destiny : Wipe your tears
Don't you worry
I'll always be here
For you
Chance : You're lyin
You're lyin !
You're lyin !
You're lyin !
Look at your face !
Destiny : You're lookin like one of those reasons
Chance : You're cryin !
Destiny : You're lookin like one of those dreams
Chance : Look at your face !
Destiny : You're lookin like one of those moments
You can't fool me
FUNDERLYING UNDERMENTALS
Thefunderlyingundermentalsof
Blufunk
Hangyoassoutonourbassline
Togetthefunderlyingundermentalsof
Punkfunk
Yougotitakissyourraceup
Hangyourbassup
Onthe'B'side
Theyouknowwhy
Thefunderlyingundermentalsof
Bluefunk
Hangyoassoutonourbassline
Goessomethinlikethis
Repeat the first recipe
Then add
The politics of sex
The politics of the soul
The politics of the spirit
The politics of your mind ! x 2
FRINIGRO INTERSTELLAR
I was born
In a crimson cellar
Just another frinigro interstellar
I'm flying through time
Deflowering the mind
Kissin' white rain
With a black umbrella
Defyin' all the rules of race
Flyin' through outer space
Kissin' underneath for ma baby
Pushing color in your face
The ocean itself
Is not very far away
The problem begins
When we try to take it home with us
Take a lick of this baby
Every single day
And you'll soon realise
Why we always take a bass with us
It's for keepin all the fools at bay
No matter what the preacher say
Religion is the blues in "G" major
But they never let the negro play it
So I'm flying through outer space
Defyin all the rules of race
Kissin underneath
Pushin color in your face
Tell me - How many frinigro's do you know ?
Do they all wear a smile underneath their
Afro's ?
Oh yeah ?
Chorus
FREE YOUR SOUL
We've been conditioned
To believe what we said life
No wonder we don't know
The meaning of "I"
It means the meaning of you
And the things you do
Not the clothes you wear
Or the talk we share
And now pictures that lie
Tell us what to buy
But never what to do
When aall your money's thru
So don't be deceived
By what your T.V. receives
Cuz they'll pasteurize you cold
And they'll advertise you sold
Chorus
Lose all time
Love your mind
And free your soul
Innoncent child turned out wild
No more six, six picking up stix
This kinda blufunk will make you
Trip, dip, shake your hip
And put on the Jones train to freedom
Now, I've been meaning to draw
Some kinda conclusion
About the time, the mind
And the soul intrusion
But the Keziah Jones train of thought
Has had to be "derailed" and "defracked"
Do to this groove found
Lying across the tracks
Chorus x 2
Yeah babe
I've been meaning to draw
I've been meaning to draw
Some kinda conclusion
But we've been derailed
Derailed and defracked
Derailed and defracked
Does anybody know what defracked means ?
If you do
If you do
Get on the train
Get on the train
Get on the train
Get on the train
Chorus x 3
"Don't be deceived by what your T.V. receives"
Lose all time
Love your mind
And free your soul
A CURIOUS KIND OF SUBCONSCIOUS
We're naked
I hope everybody can see our skins
We're naked
Can you see the mind, the soul
The body we're in ?
Chorus 1
There's a curious kind of subconscious
Runnin free runnin free
Inside of me
With a curious speed
It intervenes
In color
We're waiting
For time to pass by and tell the truth
We're waiting
For the lies to filter down to the youth
Chorus 2
Cant they see
Every time they discover
The key to life is not in their hands
I believe what they fear in color
Aint nothin but a curious kind of
subconscious
I'm laughing
When I see the first world
Crying for the third
They're dying
And not even first world tears
Can fade your color
Not even first world tears
Chorus 1
Chorus 2
Not even first world tears
Can fade your color !
THE WAXING AND THE WANING
I'll stay
If you confess today
I'll know
If moonshine
Or sunshine's the name
For this
Crimson colored kisses
I'll die
Let the Hellstones rain down
On my
Head
Crimson in ma head
Head
You're the eye of the storm
Chorus
The waxing + the waning of the moon
Has got me realising why
The motion of the ocean's
Deep inside my mind
My mind
"The waxing and the waning"
I'll go
I just thought you should know
I'll go
Witches don't scare me
I know
Witches don't hear me
We're alive !
We're alive !
We're alive !
We're alive !
You're the eye of the storm
THE INVISIBLE LADDER
The wind is so strong
It'll blow your conscience away
I think ill tie myself up in a neat boat
And quietly ceise to exist
Because the psychological warfare
That's going on in our midst
Will put the ethics police
On your ass
So you better not try to resist
The wind is so strong
It'll blow your conscience away
The wind is so strong
It'll blow your conscience away
Chorus
Taste - Liquid desire
Fate - Destiny's fire
Love - I'll take you higher
Fate - The invisible ladder
PLEASURE IS KISSES WITHIN
When we laugh
Our soul's being tickled
By the past
When we weep
Our smiles "N" giggles
Secrets keep
Chorus
Pleasure is kisses within
Pleasure is kisses
Pleasure is kisses within
Pleasure is kisses
Who's in charge
Of the typhoons and the cyclones ?
Who makes the moon pull at the sea ?
When we cry
The sea becomes the ocean
I stand and grieve for reality
I know
I know
Chorus
SOPHIE'S BREASTS
miss fredricks
miss camble
miss blade's
and an angel
took all ma decisions and left
Keziah's py jamas
gettin' frisky with the slammers
tryin' to grab hold of sophie's breasts
chorus
ooh ooh babe
tell me what you say
ooh ooh sophie
is your picture up for sale?
sophie's breasts
we never remember
any day in september
cuz we can sketch and fetch all the rest
so sarah and I
giggle with sky
but who fantasises about sophie's breasts
chorus
ducane complained
'bout funkin' in the rain
so he put ma theory to the test
he said <they'er the best and I'm impressed>
LIVE E.P.
I want to go
Anywhere you go
Even down to the deepest quarters
When shall we shake off
All of those
Who fabricate our dreams, means
When their make up starts to show
It's time to split the scene
Scream (All Over You)
All the ex-slaves
And the ex-masters
They all know by blood flows
Deeper than water
So why is this vision
(Recurring)
Why is this vision
(Entering)
In my head
Scream (All Over You)
These key ideas with no lock
Have a door with no key
We shouldn't really give a fuck
The soul remains the same
Scream (All Over You)
Watch me
HIDETHEOLOGY
I'd like to think
They all have their sums right
I'd like to believe
'Everything' is alright
I'd like to take everybody
On a boat with me
Dance on the sea
Drinkin moonlight
Why does everybody
Try to hidetheology of life ?
Sadness is madness
I'd like to fish
All the sadness outta your sea
Get your footprints rich
So we can both walk on the sea
Walk on the sea
I'd like to believe
In we
Why does everybody
Try to hidetheology of life ?
Sadness is madness
RAINY LONDON STREETS
Tell me why
You cry just like I do
See my eyes
Screaming rivers for you
Each time we kiss
Stars confuse their shapes and wonder
Though London streets
On any rainy December
If I kissed you every day
Everything should be okay
If I love you in this way
Tell babe what would you say
Tell me why
Our lives is like some chessboard
Where theoretical kings and queens
Are controlling pawns like you and me
BLUFUNK IS ALIVE!
Walkin' down my alley way
People talkin' people sayin'
"It's A Fact"
The positive vibes you give
My body peaks
Your neighbour's freaking
It's A Fact
Blufunk It's A Fact
You can't deny the fact that we're here
You can't deny the fact that we're here
You can't deny the fact that we're here
You can't deny the fact that we're here
It's a cold fact
Blufunk It's A Fact
SECRET THOUGHTS
Some secret thoughts
Came to me this morning
About the secret life
Of an angel fallen
You know where rivers meet
I'll be there behind you
You know how secrets keep
Never keeping ecrets kept
While the planet took shape
I was riding horses
Drinking moonlit wine
Through some lips so fine
And I was riding along
Till the dusk came to dawn
You know how secrets keep
Never keeping secrets kept
RHYTUM IS LOVE
If I try to take you there, would you come with me?
The reason flies, the fear is scare, the ocean loves the sea
If I try to take you there, would you come with me?
The reason flies, the fear is scare, the ocean loves the sea
Rhythm is love
Heaven is just another world
For the feelin called
Musical
Color is lust
Because all of the sexual "thangs" we do
In my mind
I trust you make em all colorful
I'd like to put you
In such a romance
Take you down
To Paris, France
Leave the cafe and the bars
Walk the wintry boulevards
Is that a smile I see ?
Well, maybe your not even looking at me
Cuz if you smile for no reason
The season is lost
But if your love is the rhythm
Ma rhythm is love
Ma rhythm is love
Coming at you
Just like this!
AFRICAN SPACE CRAFT
A million miles from home
I could shoot myself today
Set my soul free to roam
Upon this beach I lie today
Speeking to the sea
Dancing with the waves
Slipping throught your net
And there's nothing you can say
A million miles I know
Yesterdays frowns were just a phase
When my sadness starts to show
Yesterdays nouns are verbs today
Kissing with the moon
Dancing with the sun
Blessed is the one
Who knows where we'r all from
A million miles, a million miles, a million miles
A million miles from home, from home
A million miles to go
In the trees I hear the breeze
And when my madness starts to show
Try the truth you will succeed
If you're fishing out for me
We'll see what's cool today
Cuz if you're afro's obsolete
Then your skin is turning grey
A million miles from home
A million miles, yeah
I hope you find your way, or the way will find you
Hope you find your way, your way.
COLORFUL WORLD
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
We're gonna dance, dance, dance
Show you some rhythm
We'll entrance the mainframe
Who invented the "ism", the "ism"
Like : Racism, Hateism, Blacks in a trap!
Colonialism, Money reasons, Sell them all back!
Cuz they're nigger born
They let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, nigger bred
Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
Head
It's a scene we all have seen in our heads
It's a dream we all have been in our beds
Maybe not nigger born
But nigger bred
I'm being chased, chased, chased!
By members of the underworld
Well connected with members of the afterlife
I'm being chased, chased!
By memories in color, when people loved each other
No matter if you're black or white
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, nigger bred
Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
PRODIGAL FUNK
Ooowee, who to believe?
Father's turned into a child
Oh Lord have mercy on me
Oh please look through my eyes
Look through my eyes, it's no surprise
Oh why do they treat you badly?
When you sleep slaves know they're free
Your pain is killing me
Your shadow weeps in my room
Weeps in my room, you aged too soon
And now? It's the prodigal funk
No-one knows where it's come from
One wish one last fools wish
Please show the blinded road, the blinded road
And then I'll go
Ooowe, who to believe?
Mothers turned into fear
Oh Lord have mercy on me
Tell feeling to pull us near, to pull us near
I promise I won't compare
And now? A strangers at my door
Offering me money to say some more
Should I take the gold and run?
Or should I play the prodigal funk, the prodigal funk
See me gone
Upon your crown of beautiful white hair
I cried on
My tears flowed where flowers don't dare
To lie on or die on
Because they know that
Wherever the thruth is born
The day will come
Some say that black is despair
But you shine on
Some say Africa's going nowhere
You proved them wrong, them wrong
Cos they know wherever the truth is born
The day will come, the day will come, the day will come.
SPLASH
Splash was the day
That you got in my system
Soul was the way
It's a basic fascination
Desire is to move
Between your thighs and this song
I said blind is the fool
That's keeping me from kissing you wrong
I play what you know
You say what I see
Liquid love is a wonderful thing
When you rain
Liquid love is a wonderful thing
When you rain
If we were born today
There'd been no need to hide
Because naked is the way
The way we lie the way we die
If we were born today
There'd been no need to hide
Because naked is the way
The way we lie the way we die
Splash was the game
Between my colourful brothers and sisters
Religious rules in the way
Colonised their imaginations
Liquid love is a wonderful thing
When you rain
Liquid love is a wonderful thing
When you rain
DEAR MR COOPER
Seen a face I don't recognize
Making discord, turning my days sadder
Don't confuse the word ostracise
It'll make it fit more or disorganise matter
It's all in your game, yeah. It's all in your game.
Dear Mr Cooper,
I believe that you're a man of musical taste
You will therefore be aware of the pain
And heartache, that contradictions makes
They say music is a river, yet it flows on
Regardless of the profits that make you quiver
So as we deliver the river your reply we anticipate
Yours, Theo
His response was pure mental Jazz
A sobering vastness where shiny ebony forms
Dance in dark glasses
Such a tragic display of our racial identity
Would make John Coltrane, Kwame Nkrumah
Wail in their graves!
As we stand here waiting to be saved
AFRICAN SPACE CRAFT
(Spoken intro)
Class programme for the
African Anarchist
14 carats he pleaded
Yeah, just let me take the
grain like a criminal should
Burdens? As in work-horse?
God works in mysterious ways
but never as a coolie
Never as a coolie in the sweat
shop of a deranged mind
Her chocolate stain is
The envy of caucasia.
On these empty pages
Lies an ejaculatory speech
Will his letter survive?
Will the words ever reach?
Tell me will his letter survive?
Will the words ever reach their destination?
Well I can hear the call of the Mosque
And the ringing of the bells
Yeah, everlasting peace on earth
And the casting of spells
I can see thin white strips of cotton
And an ol' wide broom
I can see their feelings all wrapped up and muffled
In an emotional room
Now, it's the 10th of January
And a Taxi awaits to bring me to thee
But I'm a son of April
And, the only African container of religious sound. Hey!
Yeah, the only African container of religious sound
So they make love on the 11th, fuck on the 12th
And on the 13th they depart
Back to the world of school uniforms,
Perfects with guns and jackboots with heart
Would a true story of cultural splinters
Ever shred you as a tear?
They were making love on a bed of emotional Rizla
To burn away the fear
They were making love on a bed of emotional Rizla
To burn away the fear
SPEECH
I will speak
With all the force of sunrise
You and me
Beyond the reach of their eyes
Showing you the way their words have always been
Showing you the way they speak of harmony, harmony, harmony
I will speak
Without the false in their lies
You and me
We hold a speech in our eyes
I will teach you where their flowers grow
Where their midnight air will blow
Do the foolish care? no-one knows
Through their midnight air we'll go
If you find
The sea was always calling
Think of time
Even the waves pray
Showing you the ways of war and all her tenses
Showing you the way to see through their defences
Their defences
Their defences
If you find
The words were always calling
Think of time
Even the knaves pray
I will teach you where their flowers grow
Where their midnight air will blow
Do the foolish care? No-one knows
Through their midnight air we'll go
CUBIC SPACE DIVISION
Space and sound
Are jesting with me
Witness the way she agrees
Cubic instantly
Amazing creation
Speaking in crimson
She's a freshly created breeze
Case closed no more pleas
The fabric of surprise
Is dreaming with your eyes
Cool is the breath of the wind
As I fall in a cubic stream
When I speak of love divided
I can feel her deeper sorrow
She tries to teach me memory and all her favorite things
If only I could steal a chance I'd be with her tomorrow
She says
"Tell me, Tell me, Tell me,
Till this life is just a dream"
Midnight is skinlight
October to my right
April done left me
She's gone with the Autumn breeze
Whenever the season
Starts jesting-testing with your vision
Cry for the color blind
The sound is oh so fine
The season has got no reason
To believe in this crimson
Witness the way you'll be
"Cubic instantly"
April done left me
She's gone with the Autumn breeze
FUNK 'N' CIRCUMSTANCE
Oh, check me over
Get this feeling pulling me under
How can a country ask for more?
But I can't refuse
Everybody knows I got this hunger
Everybody goes along with the flake
Nobody knows why there's thunder
Nobody knows the rest of the cake
Oh brother
The skin you're in has got a new friend
Got a new language got a new trend
Oh brother
Now your hero's sitting in vogue
Got a new a language got a new logo
You just got to say :
Funk 'N' Circumstance
When the money talks the skin will dance
Any kind of funk will do
Play your circumstancial blues
Now let me get this straight
Is it the pot calling the kettle black?
Or the black calling the pot a what
A "nigger"? A "nigger"!
Oh check me over
I got to realize another
She got this feeling for y'all to see
She started squeezing my history
Oh brother, sister
If you open your eyes you'll never see her
She took my flag and kissed my woe
She gave birth to all my sorrow
Oh brother
The skin you're in has got a new friend
Got a new language got a new trend
Oh mother
Now your son is sitting in jail
Got a new a language got a new logo
You just got to say :
Funk 'N' Circumstance
When the money talks the skin will dance
Any kind of funk will do
Play your circumstancial blues
"My country 'tis of thee..."
Brother, sister!
MAN WITH THE SCAR
See the man with the scar?
He earns a whole lot'a money
You won't find no trace of gunpowder
On his hands
See this muse in a dress?
She's into guns 'n' honey
He leaves her feelin' used in her own armour
You can guess
Well, under the rain
Thunder is pain
You see her nakedness in her dreams of home
She was lost in love
Is it the painlessness that feeds her so?
See the man with the scar?
He means a whole lot'a money
The cash is soaked in race and a cruel wisdom
He was playing poker with well laid plans
He came from far away to claim his hand
Well color is shame
Under the rain
You see his nakedness in his dreams of hope
He was lost in blood
Is it the shamelessness that bleeds him so?
NEVER GONNA LET YOU GO
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
Till you clean up the sea
The water you left in me
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
You took a piece of history
My own history
You took a piece of history
My own history
Then you came like a tree
You tried to put your roots in me
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
You gotta make a sacrifice
An ancient sacrifice
You gotta make a sacrifice
That everyone is a child of heaven
No single one can rule over all
Does an ancient law have a modern meaning?
Does making love make or break the fall
Of mankind?
Just thought I'd let you know
Just thought I'd let you know
Just thought I'd let you know
Just thought I'd let you know
Cause everyone is a child of heaven
No single one can rule over all
Does an ancient law have a modern meaning?
Does making love, making love
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
IF YOU KNOW
If you know
Please don't make another sound
Time is being cruel
And thieves and lovers drown
Vanity and fear
Make me talk this way
Vanity and fear
Make me talk this way
You are now free
To make another frown
As purity and love
Is pushed and shoved around
Shoved around
You will see irregular beauty
From the ground
Cause the waters cold
The soul's too hot to hold
Make no sound
Let the secret be
Between you and me
From the ground
You will see me there
If you know
Please don't make another sound
Time is being cruel
And thieves and lovers drown
Look around, look around,
Look around, look around
Look around, everyone knows
What's going on
Everyone knows, Everyone knows
Everyone knows, Everyone knows
You will see irregular beauty
From the ground
because the waters cold
The soul's too hot to hold
Make no sound
Let the secret be
Between you and me
From the ground
You will see me there
If you know
Please don't make another sound
Time is being cruel
And thieves and lovers drown
If you know
Please don't make another sound
Time is being cruel
And thieves and lovers drown
Everyone knows, Everyone knows
Everyone knows, Everyone knows
STEREOPHOBIA
The ignorance I face from both sides
They're bidding for hearts
Like they're bidding for markets
It's such a damned disgrace
When shit flies
They start to dig in your soul
Like they dig in your pockets
The bitter man says
You! You! You!
See if I care I really don't care
See! See! See!
Stereophobia's got me
Misbehavin' this way
We're just a different race in disguise
Our prison is school,fools and education
Our colour never fades in their eyes
It stands out strong just as long as your occupation
Stereotype Stereotype
You! You! You!
You never ask why but you try to look right
Why! Why! Why!
Stereophobia's got me misbehavin' this way
If you try to project an illusion
That everything is alright anyway
Your lies only make more confusion
That's the grooviest reason to misbehave
See if I care I really don't care
See! See! See!
Stereophobia will get you too
When you realise that you've been classified
SUGAR COATED BOMBS
What's the name for what is funky?
What's it got to do with money?
Where's the next war you wanna fight?
Would you call it operation black or white?
If I said "ultra dig"
Do you think they'll know the score
Or are the numbers too big?
If you said ultra dug
I'll know exactly what to do
With this anger in my womb
Yes,I think I see
I think I'm gonna groove with it
Just like their sugar coated bombs
The government talk as sweet as honey
But that don't save the money sucking honey bee
If the beehive is built so strong
How come there's still a freedom fight doing on?
Ouch! Something for nothing
It's got no name,got no feeling
Play the game that has no meaning
You know exactly what to do
The next time you hear a boom!
Yes,I think you'll see
I think you're gonna groove with it
Just like their sugar coated bombs
Empty words can never speak
So let the headlines dig
Tomorrows war I believe
Is from the outside in!
What's the name for what is funky?
What's it got to do with you and me?
The deadline will make you strong
Cuz you know there's a riot going on
If your thinking's getting too big
You got to say "ultra dig"
Science got the numbers all wrong
You got to shake it like a sugar coated bomb
Come on,shake it!
LIQUID SUNSHINE
hello heavenly come along with me
i will show it all
show you how to be free in captivity
how to know it all
CHORUS:
will we
ever overcome?
Oh..id like to say yeah
and i think that we should pray
then we shall overcome
if we stay
together move as one
cuz today
the future is begun
if we say that we shall overcome
ill tell you what i see,the captured are the free
those who know it all
hell is heavenly the angels, guns, and me
groove inside a war
ROLL CALL OF THE ILLUSTRIOUS:
Jean michel basquiat:1972-1988 missing in action
ken saro-wiwa:1931-1995 missing in action
dambudzo marechera:1952-1987 missing in action
fela anikulapo kuti:missing in action
GOD'S GLORY
Soothe my mind
with life story
Soothe my kind
with gods glory
gods glory
who?
say amen ra
allah akhbar
lagbara oluwa
we will see
gods glory
who?
LIQUID SUNSHINE
all your zeros are gone
inside my warm embrace
youll dissolve ,succumb
to the real unifying one
CHORUS:
gotta dive in
liquid sunshine
gotta dive in
liquid sunshine
gonna liquefy your mind
you wanna stay?
spumatickcumizajestwhatyoufeelrealisuggestyoupray!
you wanna stay?
NEW BRIGHTER DAY
I like that story throw it my way
god said below me honesty will stay
what is a storm on a new brighter day?
telling the clouds in the sky every day
look to the south for the season i am saying
keziahs coming round on a new brighter day
are we lovers in truth or disbelievers?
are we lovers in truth?
CHORUS:
the day has come for all my people to know whats wrong
yeah yeah
been waiting so long to leave our children with something
stronger
if you need to know why freedom is so hard
keep looking through another machine to get your power
it means a new brighter day
I know that the preachers got far to make you start
do you listen to the wind or the law to make your story?
it means a new brighter day
are we lovers in truth or disbelievers?
are we lovers in truth?
RUNAWAY
Im lookin for thee,to come with me...till january
to rule over july,to rule it twice...like february
i beg you
you beg me
what will we see?
can mine eyes affect thee?
why you laugh at me
when theres nothing funny?
i thought you were the one that wants to come...so why
laugh?
i love you
you love me
what will we see
can mine eyes affect thee?
run away with me
DON'T FORGET
HEADQUARTERS:don't forget the hatred
when they say we love you
don't forget that youre a fighter
when they say we need you
is it true?......over
FIELDNEGRO:...(no reply)
HEADQUARTERS:theyve seen your face
its on the t.v...don't look so bold
they know you
theyve heard your name on the radio
we told you,is it true?....over
FIELDNEGRO:...(no reply)
PHASED
ive been phased
fall over
in ma maze
through your corridor
you're amazed
i slide under
when you call ma name
i fall over
sorry for you to go
i didn't get to know ya
say hello to all the band
.....move over
i know a man
with his head in the clouds
and he believes
in all our doubts
i know a girl
on her head is a crown
now all we need
is a verb and a noun
I'M KNOWN
let them fall
fall on me
ill teach them all
how to be
CHORUS:
im known yeah yeah
oh oh oh
im known yeah yeah
oh oh oh
little miss thang
how ya doin?
make a stand with no fear
who youre screwing?
CHORUS
check ma story
its on the nine oclock
youll see me square in all my glory
ill be sharp as shock
CHORUS
im the man
losers get outta my way
broadcasting pain on the loose
count down today
CHORUS
now youre known
everythings gonna be alright
nothing above you to worry about
only the clear blue sky
CHORUS
CANT YOU SEE THAT HES KNOWN
SUNSHINESHAPEDBULLETHOLES
tell me where a novel idea will play.
in the field of fairer affairs ill sit and wait.
for a smile ill fall in love with the angels there,
ill compose myself with the longest knife i can find,
ill make sunshine shaped bulletholes in ma mind.
tell me why akure my dear has to cry.
is it the way i comb ma hair?
or the way i squeeze your smile?
heh....
FUNCTIONAL
ME:emotion on my kitchen floor
YOU:func-tional
ME:tell me what youre dying for
YOU:func-tional
ME:i heard traffic sounds in ma head
YOU:func-tional
ME:when i made that call and caught you dead
YOU:func-tional
CHORUS:
all you smiling frowns clock me
ME:see you in heaven ma baby
YOU:func-tional
ME:even the angels say yeah
YOU:func-tional
ME:were running out of time babe
you can be yourself as long as youre mine
CHORUS
ME:were running out of time
you can be yourself as long as youre mine
STABILAH
pain is a river
love is a stranger walking around
too many eyes make you shiver
like some nigger-priest in lost and found
heard nelson got a new job
50% for shifting black coal
i hear D.K is an awesome shot
50% for shifting white power
stabilah!
ive been too late
in telling you my story
once upon a time....
but i forgot i wrote it
stabilah!
WOUNDED LOVERS SON
let me see where you belong
ill take the pain in my side as a mother loves a son
feeding me your curious meal
ill be home when i know where you come from
tenderly cuz its a plural case
all our saviours are gone
im a wounded lovers son
are you free in this curious place?
are there any trees is there a river?
or does the water stand alone?
speak to me with your fallen believers on
are there any seasons for the sinners?
TEARDROPS WILL FALL
i know somewhere we can take all our lies and frowns to
go there
in the nightly sorrows
we can place all the mines and all the frowns that know
.....soon
teardrops will fall because god loves us all
BLACK ORPHEUS
This "Nigerian Science Fiction" is what makes
a difference to the "Obo-Delica"
Afrosurrealismfortheladies?
For the ladies who won't come into the world
Who won't come into the world
Who knows what the "Afro Pioneers" took on the
ships of slavery to America?
Afrosurrealismfortheladies?
For the ladies who won't come into the world
Who won't come into the world
Who knows that science fiction is sentimental
like a state in Africa?
Afrosurrealismfortheladies?
For the ladies who won't come into the world
Who won't come into the world
I'm sentimental like a state in africa
And I'll tell you why we are today invisible
It's because the political is so musical
Does anybody know the way to africa?
KPAFUCA
"Kpafuca" is the quality of your sense
of "Kpafucality"
When you've been "Kpafu-Colonised"
"Kpafucality" is the principle of mind
When you've been "Kpafu-Cologizing"
You can even take some Kpafu-Caine to
make it more "Kapafucacious"
You can even take some Kpafu-Caine to
make it more "Kapafucacious"
"Kpafuca" or "Kpafuco" gives you total
"Kpafucation"
"Kpafuca" is your "coun-ti-ree" and your
"Coun-ti-rees-eco-no-mee"
When you've been "Kpafu-organised"
"Kpafucality"
It's so simple to define it
Just find a place (E.G. : Nigeria) and
"kpafucize" it
You can even take some "Kpafu-Caine" to
make it more "Kapafucacious"
Or some Kpafu-Caiamine to make it more
"Kapafucacious
"Kpafuca" or "Kpafuco" gives you total
"Kpafucation"
"Kpafucalistic" is the "Kpafucratic" people
of the world
And are you living in Kpafuca Nation
for survival?
FEMILIARISE
I guess you better femiliarise yourself
with me cuz the weather's all fine
You know there's never no "waiting for the right
kind of breeze" when pleasure all's mine
Always remember to communicate across
memories cuz yesteray's gone
And now it's almost time to go don't say
no more because the tide's come
Femiliarise
Femiliarise yourself
Femiliarise
Femiliarise yourself with me
I guess you know this "familiar" face was
put upon me the night I was born
It was ma destiny that (they said) a star
was above me in a wild storm
I'd like to know how many songs must
an angel sing before an eye's red?
Now it's time to set off don't you know
I wait for you on a saw-see bed?
So...
Femiliarise
Femiliarise yourself
Femiliarise
Femiliarise yourself with me
Communicate across memories cuz
yesterday's gone
When it's time to go don't say no more
because the tide's come
I say the tide's come
The tide's come yeah
WET QUESTIONS
What about the corpses in the Seine?
Do you know the names of any poets?
Can you say a prayer fit for a clone?
Should you say "ofay" if you're not white?
Cuz I found a letter written on the shore
The words in the water tell you what I saw
Who was Genji Monogatari?
Serious beauty is a plague?
In another size would it be yours?
Don't you ever read Bazooka Joey?
Cuz I found a letter written on the shore
The words in the water tell you what I saw
Would it be a crime to sell a tear?
Could you take it a raw with sugar cane?
Je suis venu te dire que je m'en vais
Je suis venu te dire que je m'en vais
Cuz I found a letter written on the shore
The words in the water tell you what I saw
NEPTUNE
If Neptune owns your desire then I will
bring it all "side ways"
I'll ride a seahorse through your water
and we'll braken in wildly
Because there's you in everything known
If only I could see you this dream wouldn't
be so hard
If only I could see you this dream wouldn't
be so hard
Because there's you in everything known
There's you in everything known
If falling stars make you wonder then
I will paint the sky all day
So we can get high and fly together so our
love will be falling all "heavenly"
Because there's you in everything known
If only I could see you this dream wouldn't
be so hard
If only I could see you this dream wouldn't
be so hard
Because there's you in everything known
72 KILOS
From honey to the honey bee,honey bee
to honey
From this "Black Orpheus" and his guitar
to Eurydice
From J'J from good times the dope
to the Black Superhero
72 kilos of nigerian weed
I'm rugged in London/Tokyo, I'm rugged
in "Paree"
From immigration to Mc Donalds with a
false identity
From an university degree to driving a taxi
72 kilos of nigerian weed
I'm there in the place where they do the "419"
I'm Mobutu's tailor I am Mrs Sanni
Abacha's Shrink
From cursed be Canaan in the book to
the "Blacker The Berry" thing
72 kilos of nigerian weed
From Brazil Cuba Yoruba to Afro paradise
From Ra-ra Orisha to Fela and his "wives"
From music war and sexy books to a nuclear
form of "rice"
72 kilos of nigerian weed
Nigerian weed
ALL PRAISES
Like "a poem made from the sea"
Like "a wave" I play for thee
Because even the desert sands know
the feeling of love
So let the praise fall with the dew,
I'll make the mountains weep for you
Because even the desert sands know
the feeling of love
Yeah even the desert sands know your love
Cuz everything is you,
Flowing through my hands is your love...
It's all you
BEAUTIFUL EMILIE
"You got
You got to talk to someone
"You got to talk to someone someday
Cuz when the words are gone it's to late
Communication with "thee" put the antenna
there
I am a function of "thee" speaking loud
and clear
Oh Beautiful Emilie
Beautiful Emilie
I need an explanation right now
Some good communication somehow
I heard a statement from "thee" about an
"L" shaped room
But a "space imaginary" is an abandoned
womb
Oh Beautiful Eilie
Beautiful Emilie
I need an explanation right now
Some good communication somehow
An explanation for "thee" is
"You made an angel cry"
I feel so close to you there's no
"me" I am a three times why?
Why?
why?
Why?
Do ordinary people specialize?
SADNESS IS...
The tears I cry are always set
One for love two for death
The tears I cry are always set to more
The tears I cry are always set to more
Here's two more that I never met
Three for war four is wet
Two more that I never will forget
Two more that I never will forget
Because
Sadness is... infinite bliss
Wherever my kisses exist for your love
I don't know why I have to guess
Where you fit in the set
I don't know why I always will regret
I don't know why I always will regret
Because
Sadness is... infinite bliss
Wherever my kisses exist for your love
AUTUMN MOON
You are the one that said you'd wait for me
You say to follow you
That everyone would sing of "What's to be"
That its "Being with you"
That our minds would play with the autumn leaves
That every flower would bloom
That we'd take a ride between all our memories
Between all our dreams
Autumn Moon
Autumn Moon
I'll follow you
I'll follow you
And now you know how everyone laughed at me
They said I wasn't even cool
Now every song means a lot to me
It's the "Meaning of you"
Now before the sun turns all my night to day
Before the water falls
Before the breezes blow all my cries away
Is "Being with you"
Autumn Moon
Autumn Moon
I'll follow you
I'll follow you
BLACK ORPHEUS
Ma sadness lives down the road in a place they call "the Inside"
A woman's lips told me so between the dawn and midnight
She said every house has a ghost and I will haunt you
With every kiss you were told "this beauty is true"
Because where sadness lives the angels sine
Of all the things a tear
Can bring
Of all your beauty
And your soul
GUITAR IN THE RIVER
She threw my guitar in the river
Pity no one over came to video
Cuz a pretty song is forever
It's more than any "pretty thing" you'll ever know
You maybe think you know better
Well so does every musician I've ever known
Cuz every woman has lover
you'll risk his life to save his best guitar
YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE
If you dig this sound you can tell her
That I made it back without a funeral
But that every song gives me "shivers"
That I never know that love could be so musical
But you maybe think you know better
Well so does every musician I've ever known
Cuz every woman has a lover
Who'll risk his life to save his best guitar
YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE
Well now that my guitar's gone forever
You'll never see me on a T.V show
Cuz the pretty ones almost never
Love you when you're only on the radio
But you maybe think you know better
Well so does every musician I've ever known
Cuz every woman has a lover
Who'll risk his life to save his best guitar
YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE
NIGERIAN WOOD
CAPTAIN RUGGED
BLUFUNK IS A FACT!
I was standing
On one of the Seine bridges
Saying goodbye to
Lydia Tracy
When the news broke
That we had been used + abused
Since money began
To some its kinda rude
To refuse
The bootleg version
Of an act of love
Blufunk individuals
Can change that phrase to bribery
Change that phrase to bribery
Change that phrase
Chorus
Because the wisdom
Behind the smile
Is called "Cash"
I know that money lies to me
It's freedom on paper
But nobody's free
You know it's gonna kill for me
To see so many people diggin
"The bootleg version"
Money bleeds
Greed is a need
Only to those
Only to those
Only to those you can't afford it
They're diggin the bootleg version
Chorus
WALKIN' NAKED THRU A BLUEBELL FIELD
I've sat in Alleyways
And spoke to buildings
I've worn a womans body
To provoke a male
I've spread emotion lotion
On ma feelings
To clean the river
That's running thru me
I'd like to sail on the ocean of love
But the wind said :
"This boat aint goin nowhere
Without a breeze"
My mind
Has been twisted
Reformed
Conformed
And deformed by someone
I met by complete chance
In a bluebell field
I'd like to hold you tight
Hold you close
Cover your mouth
Burn all your clothes
Chorus
Walkin naked thru a bluebell field
So much laughter
Should intensify the real
Walkin naked thru a bluebell field
I'd like to kiss your hips
Lick your lips
Shed my soul
+ Blind fold ya
Chorus
I'd like to fuck your aura
And when I have the time
I'd like to unscrew your mind
Chorus
I'd like to tell your mama
Tell your pa
Bout the "thangs" we did
In their backyard
RHYTHM IS LOVE
If I try to take you there, would you come with me?
The reason flies, the fear is scare, the ocean loves the sea
If I try to take you there, would you come with me?
The reason flies, the fear is scare, the ocean loves the sea
Rhythm is love
Heaven is just another world
For the feelin called
Musical
Color is lust
Because all of the sexual "thangs"
we do
In my mind
I trust you make em all colorful
Chorus
I'd like to put you
In such a romance
Take you down
To Paris, France
Leave the cafe and the bars
Walk the wintry boulevards
Is that a smile I see ?
Well, maybe your not even
Looking at me
Cuz if you smile for no reason
The season is lost
But if your love is the rhythm
Ma rhythm is love
Chorus
Ma rhythm is love
Coming at you
Just like this!
RUN AWAY (SLAVERY DAYS ARE OVER)
What is beauty ?
To me
To you
What is lonliness ?
A caress ?
A test ?
For who ?
The mind is freakin'...
Peakin'...
For someone...
My color's leakin'
My thinkin' is blue
Chorus
Slavery days are over
I'm free
Free like you
Runaway
With me
Through the trees
Let the leaves hear us!
WHERE'S LIFE?
Chance : Please tell me where life is
I'm feelin scared like this
Destiny : Why do you ask ?
Chance : Sadness"
Destiny : Why should you care ?
Chance : This madness kills
Destiny : You're lookin like one of those reasons
You're lookin like one of those dreams
You're lookin like one of those moments
You can't fool me
Chance : I'd like to see spring
When will you be with me ?
Destiny : Why should you care ?
Chance : Madness
Destiny : Why do you ask ?
Chance : This sadness kills
Destiny : You're lyin !
You're lyin !
You're lyin !
You're lyin !
Narrator : Moments, dreams and reasons
Moments + dreams make love
Come in season
Yeah seasons !
Chance : Where do we go from here ?
These lonely roads
I fear
Destiny : Wipe your tears
Don't you worry
I'll always be here
For you
Chance : You're lyin
You're lyin !
You're lyin !
You're lyin !
Look at your face !
Destiny : You're lookin like one of those reasons
Chance : You're cryin !
Destiny : You're lookin like one of those dreams
Chance : Look at your face !
Destiny : You're lookin like one of those moments
You can't fool me
FUNDERLYING UNDERMENTALS
Thefunderlyingundermentalsof
Blufunk
Hangyoassoutonourbassline
Togetthefunderlyingundermentalsof
Punkfunk
Yougotitakissyourraceup
Hangyourbassup
Onthe'B'side
Theyouknowwhy
Thefunderlyingundermentalsof
Bluefunk
Hangyoassoutonourbassline
Goessomethinlikethis
Repeat the first recipe
Then add
The politics of sex
The politics of the soul
The politics of the spirit
The politics of your mind ! x 2
FRINIGRO INTERSTELLAR
I was born
In a crimson cellar
Just another frinigro interstellar
I'm flying through time
Deflowering the mind
Kissin' white rain
With a black umbrella
Defyin' all the rules of race
Flyin' through outer space
Kissin' underneath for ma baby
Pushing color in your face
The ocean itself
Is not very far away
The problem begins
When we try to take it home with us
Take a lick of this baby
Every single day
And you'll soon realise
Why we always take a bass with us
It's for keepin all the fools at bay
No matter what the preacher say
Religion is the blues in "G" major
But they never let the negro play it
So I'm flying through outer space
Defyin all the rules of race
Kissin underneath
Pushin color in your face
Tell me - How many frinigro's do you know ?
Do they all wear a smile underneath their
Afro's ?
Oh yeah ?
Chorus
FREE YOUR SOUL
We've been conditioned
To believe what we said life
No wonder we don't know
The meaning of "I"
It means the meaning of you
And the things you do
Not the clothes you wear
Or the talk we share
And now pictures that lie
Tell us what to buy
But never what to do
When aall your money's thru
So don't be deceived
By what your T.V. receives
Cuz they'll pasteurize you cold
And they'll advertise you sold
Chorus
Lose all time
Love your mind
And free your soul
Innoncent child turned out wild
No more six, six picking up stix
This kinda blufunk will make you
Trip, dip, shake your hip
And put on the Jones train to freedom
Now, I've been meaning to draw
Some kinda conclusion
About the time, the mind
And the soul intrusion
But the Keziah Jones train of thought
Has had to be "derailed" and "defracked"
Do to this groove found
Lying across the tracks
Chorus x 2
Yeah babe
I've been meaning to draw
I've been meaning to draw
Some kinda conclusion
But we've been derailed
Derailed and defracked
Derailed and defracked
Does anybody know what defracked means ?
If you do
If you do
Get on the train
Get on the train
Get on the train
Get on the train
Chorus x 3
"Don't be deceived by what your T.V. receives"
Lose all time
Love your mind
And free your soul
A CURIOUS KIND OF SUBCONSCIOUS
We're naked
I hope everybody can see our skins
We're naked
Can you see the mind, the soul
The body we're in ?
Chorus 1
There's a curious kind of subconscious
Runnin free runnin free
Inside of me
With a curious speed
It intervenes
In color
We're waiting
For time to pass by and tell the truth
We're waiting
For the lies to filter down to the youth
Chorus 2
Cant they see
Every time they discover
The key to life is not in their hands
I believe what they fear in color
Aint nothin but a curious kind of
subconscious
I'm laughing
When I see the first world
Crying for the third
They're dying
And not even first world tears
Can fade your color
Not even first world tears
Chorus 1
Chorus 2
Not even first world tears
Can fade your color !
THE WAXING AND THE WANING
I'll stay
If you confess today
I'll know
If moonshine
Or sunshine's the name
For this
Crimson colored kisses
I'll die
Let the Hellstones rain down
On my
Head
Crimson in ma head
Head
You're the eye of the storm
Chorus
The waxing + the waning of the moon
Has got me realising why
The motion of the ocean's
Deep inside my mind
My mind
"The waxing and the waning"
I'll go
I just thought you should know
I'll go
Witches don't scare me
I know
Witches don't hear me
We're alive !
We're alive !
We're alive !
We're alive !
You're the eye of the storm
THE INVISIBLE LADDER
The wind is so strong
It'll blow your conscience away
I think ill tie myself up in a neat boat
And quietly ceise to exist
Because the psychological warfare
That's going on in our midst
Will put the ethics police
On your ass
So you better not try to resist
The wind is so strong
It'll blow your conscience away
The wind is so strong
It'll blow your conscience away
Chorus
Taste - Liquid desire
Fate - Destiny's fire
Love - I'll take you higher
Fate - The invisible ladder
PLEASURE IS KISSES WITHIN
When we laugh
Our soul's being tickled
By the past
When we weep
Our smiles "N" giggles
Secrets keep
Chorus
Pleasure is kisses within
Pleasure is kisses
Pleasure is kisses within
Pleasure is kisses
Who's in charge
Of the typhoons and the cyclones ?
Who makes the moon pull at the sea ?
When we cry
The sea becomes the ocean
I stand and grieve for reality
I know
I know
Chorus
SOPHIE'S BREASTS
miss fredricks
miss camble
miss blade's
and an angel
took all ma decisions and left
Keziah's py jamas
gettin' frisky with the slammers
tryin' to grab hold of sophie's breasts
chorus
ooh ooh babe
tell me what you say
ooh ooh sophie
is your picture up for sale?
sophie's breasts
we never remember
any day in september
cuz we can sketch and fetch all the rest
so sarah and I
giggle with sky
but who fantasises about sophie's breasts
chorus
ducane complained
'bout funkin' in the rain
so he put ma theory to the test
he said <they'er the best and I'm impressed>
LIVE E.P.
I want to go
Anywhere you go
Even down to the deepest quarters
When shall we shake off
All of those
Who fabricate our dreams, means
When their make up starts to show
It's time to split the scene
Scream (All Over You)
All the ex-slaves
And the ex-masters
They all know by blood flows
Deeper than water
So why is this vision
(Recurring)
Why is this vision
(Entering)
In my head
Scream (All Over You)
These key ideas with no lock
Have a door with no key
We shouldn't really give a fuck
The soul remains the same
Scream (All Over You)
Watch me
HIDETHEOLOGY
I'd like to think
They all have their sums right
I'd like to believe
'Everything' is alright
I'd like to take everybody
On a boat with me
Dance on the sea
Drinkin moonlight
Why does everybody
Try to hidetheology of life ?
Sadness is madness
I'd like to fish
All the sadness outta your sea
Get your footprints rich
So we can both walk on the sea
Walk on the sea
I'd like to believe
In we
Why does everybody
Try to hidetheology of life ?
Sadness is madness
RAINY LONDON STREETS
Tell me why
You cry just like I do
See my eyes
Screaming rivers for you
Each time we kiss
Stars confuse their shapes and wonder
Though London streets
On any rainy December
If I kissed you every day
Everything should be okay
If I love you in this way
Tell babe what would you say
Tell me why
Our lives is like some chessboard
Where theoretical kings and queens
Are controlling pawns like you and me
BLUFUNK IS ALIVE!
Walkin' down my alley way
People talkin' people sayin'
"It's A Fact"
The positive vibes you give
My body peaks
Your neighbour's freaking
It's A Fact
Blufunk It's A Fact
You can't deny the fact that we're here
You can't deny the fact that we're here
You can't deny the fact that we're here
You can't deny the fact that we're here
It's a cold fact
Blufunk It's A Fact
SECRET THOUGHTS
Some secret thoughts
Came to me this morning
About the secret life
Of an angel fallen
You know where rivers meet
I'll be there behind you
You know how secrets keep
Never keeping ecrets kept
While the planet took shape
I was riding horses
Drinking moonlit wine
Through some lips so fine
And I was riding along
Till the dusk came to dawn
You know how secrets keep
Never keeping secrets kept
RHYTUM IS LOVE
If I try to take you there, would you come with me?
The reason flies, the fear is scare, the ocean loves the sea
If I try to take you there, would you come with me?
The reason flies, the fear is scare, the ocean loves the sea
Rhythm is love
Heaven is just another world
For the feelin called
Musical
Color is lust
Because all of the sexual "thangs" we do
In my mind
I trust you make em all colorful
I'd like to put you
In such a romance
Take you down
To Paris, France
Leave the cafe and the bars
Walk the wintry boulevards
Is that a smile I see ?
Well, maybe your not even looking at me
Cuz if you smile for no reason
The season is lost
But if your love is the rhythm
Ma rhythm is love
Ma rhythm is love
Coming at you
Just like this!
AFRICAN SPACE CRAFT
A million miles from home
I could shoot myself today
Set my soul free to roam
Upon this beach I lie today
Speeking to the sea
Dancing with the waves
Slipping throught your net
And there's nothing you can say
A million miles I know
Yesterdays frowns were just a phase
When my sadness starts to show
Yesterdays nouns are verbs today
Kissing with the moon
Dancing with the sun
Blessed is the one
Who knows where we'r all from
A million miles, a million miles, a million miles
A million miles from home, from home
A million miles to go
In the trees I hear the breeze
And when my madness starts to show
Try the truth you will succeed
If you're fishing out for me
We'll see what's cool today
Cuz if you're afro's obsolete
Then your skin is turning grey
A million miles from home
A million miles, yeah
I hope you find your way, or the way will find you
Hope you find your way, your way.
COLORFUL WORLD
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
We're gonna dance, dance, dance
Show you some rhythm
We'll entrance the mainframe
Who invented the "ism", the "ism"
Like : Racism, Hateism, Blacks in a trap!
Colonialism, Money reasons, Sell them all back!
Cuz they're nigger born
They let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, nigger bred
Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
Head
It's a scene we all have seen in our heads
It's a dream we all have been in our beds
Maybe not nigger born
But nigger bred
I'm being chased, chased, chased!
By members of the underworld
Well connected with members of the afterlife
I'm being chased, chased!
By memories in color, when people loved each other
No matter if you're black or white
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, nigger bred
Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
PRODIGAL FUNK
Ooowee, who to believe?
Father's turned into a child
Oh Lord have mercy on me
Oh please look through my eyes
Look through my eyes, it's no surprise
Oh why do they treat you badly?
When you sleep slaves know they're free
Your pain is killing me
Your shadow weeps in my room
Weeps in my room, you aged too soon
And now? It's the prodigal funk
No-one knows where it's come from
One wish one last fools wish
Please show the blinded road, the blinded road
And then I'll go
Ooowe, who to believe?
Mothers turned into fear
Oh Lord have mercy on me
Tell feeling to pull us near, to pull us near
I promise I won't compare
And now? A strangers at my door
Offering me money to say some more
Should I take the gold and run?
Or should I play the prodigal funk, the prodigal funk
See me gone
Upon your crown of beautiful white hair
I cried on
My tears flowed where flowers don't dare
To lie on or die on
Because they know that
Wherever the thruth is born
The day will come
Some say that black is despair
But you shine on
Some say Africa's going nowhere
You proved them wrong, them wrong
Cos they know wherever the truth is born
The day will come, the day will come, the day will come.
SPLASH
Splash was the day
That you got in my system
Soul was the way
It's a basic fascination
Desire is to move
Between your thighs and this song
I said blind is the fool
That's keeping me from kissing you wrong
I play what you know
You say what I see
Liquid love is a wonderful thing
When you rain
Liquid love is a wonderful thing
When you rain
If we were born today
There'd been no need to hide
Because naked is the way
The way we lie the way we die
If we were born today
There'd been no need to hide
Because naked is the way
The way we lie the way we die
Splash was the game
Between my colourful brothers and sisters
Religious rules in the way
Colonised their imaginations
Liquid love is a wonderful thing
When you rain
Liquid love is a wonderful thing
When you rain
DEAR MR COOPER
Seen a face I don't recognize
Making discord, turning my days sadder
Don't confuse the word ostracise
It'll make it fit more or disorganise matter
It's all in your game, yeah. It's all in your game.
Dear Mr Cooper,
I believe that you're a man of musical taste
You will therefore be aware of the pain
And heartache, that contradictions makes
They say music is a river, yet it flows on
Regardless of the profits that make you quiver
So as we deliver the river your reply we anticipate
Yours, Theo
His response was pure mental Jazz
A sobering vastness where shiny ebony forms
Dance in dark glasses
Such a tragic display of our racial identity
Would make John Coltrane, Kwame Nkrumah
Wail in their graves!
As we stand here waiting to be saved
AFRICAN SPACE CRAFT
(Spoken intro)
Class programme for the
African Anarchist
14 carats he pleaded
Yeah, just let me take the
grain like a criminal should
Burdens? As in work-horse?
God works in mysterious ways
but never as a coolie
Never as a coolie in the sweat
shop of a deranged mind
Her chocolate stain is
The envy of caucasia.
On these empty pages
Lies an ejaculatory speech
Will his letter survive?
Will the words ever reach?
Tell me will his letter survive?
Will the words ever reach their destination?
Well I can hear the call of the Mosque
And the ringing of the bells
Yeah, everlasting peace on earth
And the casting of spells
I can see thin white strips of cotton
And an ol' wide broom
I can see their feelings all wrapped up and muffled
In an emotional room
Now, it's the 10th of January
And a Taxi awaits to bring me to thee
But I'm a son of April
And, the only African container of religious sound. Hey!
Yeah, the only African container of religious sound
So they make love on the 11th, fuck on the 12th
And on the 13th they depart
Back to the world of school uniforms,
Perfects with guns and jackboots with heart
Would a true story of cultural splinters
Ever shred you as a tear?
They were making love on a bed of emotional Rizla
To burn away the fear
They were making love on a bed of emotional Rizla
To burn away the fear
SPEECH
I will speak
With all the force of sunrise
You and me
Beyond the reach of their eyes
Showing you the way their words have always been
Showing you the way they speak of harmony, harmony, harmony
I will speak
Without the false in their lies
You and me
We hold a speech in our eyes
I will teach you where their flowers grow
Where their midnight air will blow
Do the foolish care? no-one knows
Through their midnight air we'll go
If you find
The sea was always calling
Think of time
Even the waves pray
Showing you the ways of war and all her tenses
Showing you the way to see through their defences
Their defences
Their defences
If you find
The words were always calling
Think of time
Even the knaves pray
I will teach you where their flowers grow
Where their midnight air will blow
Do the foolish care? No-one knows
Through their midnight air we'll go
CUBIC SPACE DIVISION
Space and sound
Are jesting with me
Witness the way she agrees
Cubic instantly
Amazing creation
Speaking in crimson
She's a freshly created breeze
Case closed no more pleas
The fabric of surprise
Is dreaming with your eyes
Cool is the breath of the wind
As I fall in a cubic stream
When I speak of love divided
I can feel her deeper sorrow
She tries to teach me memory and all her favorite things
If only I could steal a chance I'd be with her tomorrow
She says
"Tell me, Tell me, Tell me,
Till this life is just a dream"
Midnight is skinlight
October to my right
April done left me
She's gone with the Autumn breeze
Whenever the season
Starts jesting-testing with your vision
Cry for the color blind
The sound is oh so fine
The season has got no reason
To believe in this crimson
Witness the way you'll be
"Cubic instantly"
April done left me
She's gone with the Autumn breeze
FUNK 'N' CIRCUMSTANCE
Oh, check me over
Get this feeling pulling me under
How can a country ask for more?
But I can't refuse
Everybody knows I got this hunger
Everybody goes along with the flake
Nobody knows why there's thunder
Nobody knows the rest of the cake
Oh brother
The skin you're in has got a new friend
Got a new language got a new trend
Oh brother
Now your hero's sitting in vogue
Got a new a language got a new logo
You just got to say :
Funk 'N' Circumstance
When the money talks the skin will dance
Any kind of funk will do
Play your circumstancial blues
Now let me get this straight
Is it the pot calling the kettle black?
Or the black calling the pot a what
A "nigger"? A "nigger"!
Oh check me over
I got to realize another
She got this feeling for y'all to see
She started squeezing my history
Oh brother, sister
If you open your eyes you'll never see her
She took my flag and kissed my woe
She gave birth to all my sorrow
Oh brother
The skin you're in has got a new friend
Got a new language got a new trend
Oh mother
Now your son is sitting in jail
Got a new a language got a new logo
You just got to say :
Funk 'N' Circumstance
When the money talks the skin will dance
Any kind of funk will do
Play your circumstancial blues
"My country 'tis of thee..."
Brother, sister!
MAN WITH THE SCAR
See the man with the scar?
He earns a whole lot'a money
You won't find no trace of gunpowder
On his hands
See this muse in a dress?
She's into guns 'n' honey
He leaves her feelin' used in her own armour
You can guess
Well, under the rain
Thunder is pain
You see her nakedness in her dreams of home
She was lost in love
Is it the painlessness that feeds her so?
See the man with the scar?
He means a whole lot'a money
The cash is soaked in race and a cruel wisdom
He was playing poker with well laid plans
He came from far away to claim his hand
Well color is shame
Under the rain
You see his nakedness in his dreams of hope
He was lost in blood
Is it the shamelessness that bleeds him so?
NEVER GONNA LET YOU GO
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
Till you clean up the sea
The water you left in me
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
You took a piece of history
My own history
You took a piece of history
My own history
Then you came like a tree
You tried to put your roots in me
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
You gotta make a sacrifice
An ancient sacrifice
You gotta make a sacrifice
That everyone is a child of heaven
No single one can rule over all
Does an ancient law have a modern meaning?
Does making love make or break the fall
Of mankind?
Just thought I'd let you know
Just thought I'd let you know
Just thought I'd let you know
Just thought I'd let you know
Cause everyone is a child of heaven
No single one can rule over all
Does an ancient law have a modern meaning?
Does making love, making love
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
IF YOU KNOW
If you know
Please don't make another sound
Time is being cruel
And thieves and lovers drown
Vanity and fear
Make me talk this way
Vanity and fear
Make me talk this way
You are now free
To make another frown
As purity and love
Is pushed and shoved around
Shoved around
You will see irregular beauty
From the ground
Cause the waters cold
The soul's too hot to hold
Make no sound
Let the secret be
Between you and me
From the ground
You will see me there
If you know
Please don't make another sound
Time is being cruel
And thieves and lovers drown
Look around, look around,
Look around, look around
Look around, everyone knows
What's going on
Everyone knows, Everyone knows
Everyone knows, Everyone knows
You will see irregular beauty
From the ground
because the waters cold
The soul's too hot to hold
Make no sound
Let the secret be
Between you and me
From the ground
You will see me there
If you know
Please don't make another sound
Time is being cruel
And thieves and lovers drown
If you know
Please don't make another sound
Time is being cruel
And thieves and lovers drown
Everyone knows, Everyone knows
Everyone knows, Everyone knows
STEREOPHOBIA
The ignorance I face from both sides
They're bidding for hearts
Like they're bidding for markets
It's such a damned disgrace
When shit flies
They start to dig in your soul
Like they dig in your pockets
The bitter man says
You! You! You!
See if I care I really don't care
See! See! See!
Stereophobia's got me
Misbehavin' this way
We're just a different race in disguise
Our prison is school,fools and education
Our colour never fades in their eyes
It stands out strong just as long as your occupation
Stereotype Stereotype
You! You! You!
You never ask why but you try to look right
Why! Why! Why!
Stereophobia's got me misbehavin' this way
If you try to project an illusion
That everything is alright anyway
Your lies only make more confusion
That's the grooviest reason to misbehave
See if I care I really don't care
See! See! See!
Stereophobia will get you too
When you realise that you've been classified
SUGAR COATED BOMBS
What's the name for what is funky?
What's it got to do with money?
Where's the next war you wanna fight?
Would you call it operation black or white?
If I said "ultra dig"
Do you think they'll know the score
Or are the numbers too big?
If you said ultra dug
I'll know exactly what to do
With this anger in my womb
Yes,I think I see
I think I'm gonna groove with it
Just like their sugar coated bombs
The government talk as sweet as honey
But that don't save the money sucking honey bee
If the beehive is built so strong
How come there's still a freedom fight doing on?
Ouch! Something for nothing
It's got no name,got no feeling
Play the game that has no meaning
You know exactly what to do
The next time you hear a boom!
Yes,I think you'll see
I think you're gonna groove with it
Just like their sugar coated bombs
Empty words can never speak
So let the headlines dig
Tomorrows war I believe
Is from the outside in!
What's the name for what is funky?
What's it got to do with you and me?
The deadline will make you strong
Cuz you know there's a riot going on
If your thinking's getting too big
You got to say "ultra dig"
Science got the numbers all wrong
You got to shake it like a sugar coated bomb
Come on,shake it!
LIQUID SUNSHINE
hello heavenly come along with me
i will show it all
show you how to be free in captivity
how to know it all
CHORUS:
will we
ever overcome?
Oh..id like to say yeah
and i think that we should pray
then we shall overcome
if we stay
together move as one
cuz today
the future is begun
if we say that we shall overcome
ill tell you what i see,the captured are the free
those who know it all
hell is heavenly the angels, guns, and me
groove inside a war
ROLL CALL OF THE ILLUSTRIOUS:
Jean michel basquiat:1972-1988 missing in action
ken saro-wiwa:1931-1995 missing in action
dambudzo marechera:1952-1987 missing in action
fela anikulapo kuti:missing in action
GOD'S GLORY
Soothe my mind
with life story
Soothe my kind
with gods glory
gods glory
who?
say amen ra
allah akhbar
lagbara oluwa
we will see
gods glory
who?
LIQUID SUNSHINE
all your zeros are gone
inside my warm embrace
youll dissolve ,succumb
to the real unifying one
CHORUS:
gotta dive in
liquid sunshine
gotta dive in
liquid sunshine
gonna liquefy your mind
you wanna stay?
spumatickcumizajestwhatyoufeelrealisuggestyoupray!
you wanna stay?
NEW BRIGHTER DAY
I like that story throw it my way
god said below me honesty will stay
what is a storm on a new brighter day?
telling the clouds in the sky every day
look to the south for the season i am saying
keziahs coming round on a new brighter day
are we lovers in truth or disbelievers?
are we lovers in truth?
CHORUS:
the day has come for all my people to know whats wrong
yeah yeah
been waiting so long to leave our children with something
stronger
if you need to know why freedom is so hard
keep looking through another machine to get your power
it means a new brighter day
I know that the preachers got far to make you start
do you listen to the wind or the law to make your story?
it means a new brighter day
are we lovers in truth or disbelievers?
are we lovers in truth?
RUNAWAY
Im lookin for thee,to come with me...till january
to rule over july,to rule it twice...like february
i beg you
you beg me
what will we see?
can mine eyes affect thee?
why you laugh at me
when theres nothing funny?
i thought you were the one that wants to come...so why
laugh?
i love you
you love me
what will we see
can mine eyes affect thee?
run away with me
DON'T FORGET
HEADQUARTERS:don't forget the hatred
when they say we love you
don't forget that youre a fighter
when they say we need you
is it true?......over
FIELDNEGRO:...(no reply)
HEADQUARTERS:theyve seen your face
its on the t.v...don't look so bold
they know you
theyve heard your name on the radio
we told you,is it true?....over
FIELDNEGRO:...(no reply)
PHASED
ive been phased
fall over
in ma maze
through your corridor
you're amazed
i slide under
when you call ma name
i fall over
sorry for you to go
i didn't get to know ya
say hello to all the band
.....move over
i know a man
with his head in the clouds
and he believes
in all our doubts
i know a girl
on her head is a crown
now all we need
is a verb and a noun
I'M KNOWN
let them fall
fall on me
ill teach them all
how to be
CHORUS:
im known yeah yeah
oh oh oh
im known yeah yeah
oh oh oh
little miss thang
how ya doin?
make a stand with no fear
who youre screwing?
CHORUS
check ma story
its on the nine oclock
youll see me square in all my glory
ill be sharp as shock
CHORUS
im the man
losers get outta my way
broadcasting pain on the loose
count down today
CHORUS
now youre known
everythings gonna be alright
nothing above you to worry about
only the clear blue sky
CHORUS
CANT YOU SEE THAT HES KNOWN
SUNSHINESHAPEDBULLETHOLES
tell me where a novel idea will play.
in the field of fairer affairs ill sit and wait.
for a smile ill fall in love with the angels there,
ill compose myself with the longest knife i can find,
ill make sunshine shaped bulletholes in ma mind.
tell me why akure my dear has to cry.
is it the way i comb ma hair?
or the way i squeeze your smile?
heh....
FUNCTIONAL
ME:emotion on my kitchen floor
YOU:func-tional
ME:tell me what youre dying for
YOU:func-tional
ME:i heard traffic sounds in ma head
YOU:func-tional
ME:when i made that call and caught you dead
YOU:func-tional
CHORUS:
all you smiling frowns clock me
ME:see you in heaven ma baby
YOU:func-tional
ME:even the angels say yeah
YOU:func-tional
ME:were running out of time babe
you can be yourself as long as youre mine
CHORUS
ME:were running out of time
you can be yourself as long as youre mine
STABILAH
pain is a river
love is a stranger walking around
too many eyes make you shiver
like some nigger-priest in lost and found
heard nelson got a new job
50% for shifting black coal
i hear D.K is an awesome shot
50% for shifting white power
stabilah!
ive been too late
in telling you my story
once upon a time....
but i forgot i wrote it
stabilah!
WOUNDED LOVERS SON
let me see where you belong
ill take the pain in my side as a mother loves a son
feeding me your curious meal
ill be home when i know where you come from
tenderly cuz its a plural case
all our saviours are gone
im a wounded lovers son
are you free in this curious place?
are there any trees is there a river?
or does the water stand alone?
speak to me with your fallen believers on
are there any seasons for the sinners?
TEARDROPS WILL FALL
i know somewhere we can take all our lies and frowns to
go there
in the nightly sorrows
we can place all the mines and all the frowns that know
.....soon
teardrops will fall because god loves us all
BLACK ORPHEUS
This "Nigerian Science Fiction" is what makes
a difference to the "Obo-Delica"
Afrosurrealismfortheladies?
For the ladies who won't come into the world
Who won't come into the world
Who knows what the "Afro Pioneers" took on the
ships of slavery to America?
Afrosurrealismfortheladies?
For the ladies who won't come into the world
Who won't come into the world
Who knows that science fiction is sentimental
like a state in Africa?
Afrosurrealismfortheladies?
For the ladies who won't come into the world
Who won't come into the world
I'm sentimental like a state in africa
And I'll tell you why we are today invisible
It's because the political is so musical
Does anybody know the way to africa?
KPAFUCA
"Kpafuca" is the quality of your sense
of "Kpafucality"
When you've been "Kpafu-Colonised"
"Kpafucality" is the principle of mind
When you've been "Kpafu-Cologizing"
You can even take some Kpafu-Caine to
make it more "Kapafucacious"
You can even take some Kpafu-Caine to
make it more "Kapafucacious"
"Kpafuca" or "Kpafuco" gives you total
"Kpafucation"
"Kpafuca" is your "coun-ti-ree" and your
"Coun-ti-rees-eco-no-mee"
When you've been "Kpafu-organised"
"Kpafucality"
It's so simple to define it
Just find a place (E.G. : Nigeria) and
"kpafucize" it
You can even take some "Kpafu-Caine" to
make it more "Kapafucacious"
Or some Kpafu-Caiamine to make it more
"Kapafucacious
"Kpafuca" or "Kpafuco" gives you total
"Kpafucation"
"Kpafucalistic" is the "Kpafucratic" people
of the world
And are you living in Kpafuca Nation
for survival?
FEMILIARISE
I guess you better femiliarise yourself
with me cuz the weather's all fine
You know there's never no "waiting for the right
kind of breeze" when pleasure all's mine
Always remember to communicate across
memories cuz yesteray's gone
And now it's almost time to go don't say
no more because the tide's come
Femiliarise
Femiliarise yourself
Femiliarise
Femiliarise yourself with me
I guess you know this "familiar" face was
put upon me the night I was born
It was ma destiny that (they said) a star
was above me in a wild storm
I'd like to know how many songs must
an angel sing before an eye's red?
Now it's time to set off don't you know
I wait for you on a saw-see bed?
So...
Femiliarise
Femiliarise yourself
Femiliarise
Femiliarise yourself with me
Communicate across memories cuz
yesterday's gone
When it's time to go don't say no more
because the tide's come
I say the tide's come
The tide's come yeah
WET QUESTIONS
What about the corpses in the Seine?
Do you know the names of any poets?
Can you say a prayer fit for a clone?
Should you say "ofay" if you're not white?
Cuz I found a letter written on the shore
The words in the water tell you what I saw
Who was Genji Monogatari?
Serious beauty is a plague?
In another size would it be yours?
Don't you ever read Bazooka Joey?
Cuz I found a letter written on the shore
The words in the water tell you what I saw
Would it be a crime to sell a tear?
Could you take it a raw with sugar cane?
Je suis venu te dire que je m'en vais
Je suis venu te dire que je m'en vais
Cuz I found a letter written on the shore
The words in the water tell you what I saw
NEPTUNE
If Neptune owns your desire then I will
bring it all "side ways"
I'll ride a seahorse through your water
and we'll braken in wildly
Because there's you in everything known
If only I could see you this dream wouldn't
be so hard
If only I could see you this dream wouldn't
be so hard
Because there's you in everything known
There's you in everything known
If falling stars make you wonder then
I will paint the sky all day
So we can get high and fly together so our
love will be falling all "heavenly"
Because there's you in everything known
If only I could see you this dream wouldn't
be so hard
If only I could see you this dream wouldn't
be so hard
Because there's you in everything known
72 KILOS
From honey to the honey bee,honey bee
to honey
From this "Black Orpheus" and his guitar
to Eurydice
From J'J from good times the dope
to the Black Superhero
72 kilos of nigerian weed
I'm rugged in London/Tokyo, I'm rugged
in "Paree"
From immigration to Mc Donalds with a
false identity
From an university degree to driving a taxi
72 kilos of nigerian weed
I'm there in the place where they do the "419"
I'm Mobutu's tailor I am Mrs Sanni
Abacha's Shrink
From cursed be Canaan in the book to
the "Blacker The Berry" thing
72 kilos of nigerian weed
From Brazil Cuba Yoruba to Afro paradise
From Ra-ra Orisha to Fela and his "wives"
From music war and sexy books to a nuclear
form of "rice"
72 kilos of nigerian weed
Nigerian weed
ALL PRAISES
Like "a poem made from the sea"
Like "a wave" I play for thee
Because even the desert sands know
the feeling of love
So let the praise fall with the dew,
I'll make the mountains weep for you
Because even the desert sands know
the feeling of love
Yeah even the desert sands know your love
Cuz everything is you,
Flowing through my hands is your love...
It's all you
BEAUTIFUL EMILIE
"You got
You got to talk to someone
"You got to talk to someone someday
Cuz when the words are gone it's to late
Communication with "thee" put the antenna
there
I am a function of "thee" speaking loud
and clear
Oh Beautiful Emilie
Beautiful Emilie
I need an explanation right now
Some good communication somehow
I heard a statement from "thee" about an
"L" shaped room
But a "space imaginary" is an abandoned
womb
Oh Beautiful Eilie
Beautiful Emilie
I need an explanation right now
Some good communication somehow
An explanation for "thee" is
"You made an angel cry"
I feel so close to you there's no
"me" I am a three times why?
Why?
why?
Why?
Do ordinary people specialize?
SADNESS IS...
The tears I cry are always set
One for love two for death
The tears I cry are always set to more
The tears I cry are always set to more
Here's two more that I never met
Three for war four is wet
Two more that I never will forget
Two more that I never will forget
Because
Sadness is... infinite bliss
Wherever my kisses exist for your love
I don't know why I have to guess
Where you fit in the set
I don't know why I always will regret
I don't know why I always will regret
Because
Sadness is... infinite bliss
Wherever my kisses exist for your love
AUTUMN MOON
You are the one that said you'd wait for me
You say to follow you
That everyone would sing of "What's to be"
That its "Being with you"
That our minds would play with the autumn leaves
That every flower would bloom
That we'd take a ride between all our memories
Between all our dreams
Autumn Moon
Autumn Moon
I'll follow you
I'll follow you
And now you know how everyone laughed at me
They said I wasn't even cool
Now every song means a lot to me
It's the "Meaning of you"
Now before the sun turns all my night to day
Before the water falls
Before the breezes blow all my cries away
Is "Being with you"
Autumn Moon
Autumn Moon
I'll follow you
I'll follow you
BLACK ORPHEUS
Ma sadness lives down the road in a place they call "the Inside"
A woman's lips told me so between the dawn and midnight
She said every house has a ghost and I will haunt you
With every kiss you were told "this beauty is true"
Because where sadness lives the angels sine
Of all the things a tear
Can bring
Of all your beauty
And your soul
GUITAR IN THE RIVER
She threw my guitar in the river
Pity no one over came to video
Cuz a pretty song is forever
It's more than any "pretty thing" you'll ever know
You maybe think you know better
Well so does every musician I've ever known
Cuz every woman has lover
you'll risk his life to save his best guitar
YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE
If you dig this sound you can tell her
That I made it back without a funeral
But that every song gives me "shivers"
That I never know that love could be so musical
But you maybe think you know better
Well so does every musician I've ever known
Cuz every woman has a lover
Who'll risk his life to save his best guitar
YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE
Well now that my guitar's gone forever
You'll never see me on a T.V show
Cuz the pretty ones almost never
Love you when you're only on the radio
But you maybe think you know better
Well so does every musician I've ever known
Cuz every woman has a lover
Who'll risk his life to save his best guitar
YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE
NIGERIAN WOOD
CAPTAIN RUGGED
✕
BLUFUNK IS A FACT!
I was standing
On one of the Seine bridges
Saying goodbye to
Lydia Tracy
When the news broke
That we had been used + abused
Since money began
To some its kinda rude
To refuse
The bootleg version
Of an act of love
Blufunk individuals
Can change that phrase to bribery
Change that phrase to bribery
Change that phrase
Chorus
Because the wisdom
Behind the smile
Is called "Cash"
I know that money lies to me
It's freedom on paper
But nobody's free
You know it's gonna kill for me
To see so many people diggin
"The bootleg version"
Money bleeds
Greed is a need
Only to those
Only to those
Only to those you can't afford it
They're diggin the bootleg version
Chorus
WALKIN' NAKED THRU A BLUEBELL FIELD
I've sat in Alleyways
And spoke to buildings
I've worn a womans body
To provoke a male
I've spread emotion lotion
On ma feelings
To clean the river
That's running thru me
I'd like to sail on the ocean of love
But the wind said :
"This boat aint goin nowhere
Without a breeze"
My mind
Has been twisted
Reformed
Conformed
And deformed by someone
I met by complete chance
In a bluebell field
I'd like to hold you tight
Hold you close
Cover your mouth
Burn all your clothes
Chorus
Walkin naked thru a bluebell field
So much laughter
Should intensify the real
Walkin naked thru a bluebell field
I'd like to kiss your hips
Lick your lips
Shed my soul
+ Blind fold ya
Chorus
I'd like to fuck your aura
And when I have the time
I'd like to unscrew your mind
Chorus
I'd like to tell your mama
Tell your pa
Bout the "thangs" we did
In their backyard
RHYTHM IS LOVE
If I try to take you there, would you come with me?
The reason flies, the fear is scare, the ocean loves the sea
If I try to take you there, would you come with me?
The reason flies, the fear is scare, the ocean loves the sea
Rhythm is love
Heaven is just another world
For the feelin called
Musical
Color is lust
Because all of the sexual "thangs"
we do
In my mind
I trust you make em all colorful
Chorus
I'd like to put you
In such a romance
Take you down
To Paris, France
Leave the cafe and the bars
Walk the wintry boulevards
Is that a smile I see ?
Well, maybe your not even
Looking at me
Cuz if you smile for no reason
The season is lost
But if your love is the rhythm
Ma rhythm is love
Chorus
Ma rhythm is love
Coming at you
Just like this!
RUN AWAY (SLAVERY DAYS ARE OVER)
What is beauty ?
To me
To you
What is lonliness ?
A caress ?
A test ?
For who ?
The mind is freakin'...
Peakin'...
For someone...
My color's leakin'
My thinkin' is blue
Chorus
Slavery days are over
I'm free
Free like you
Runaway
With me
Through the trees
Let the leaves hear us!
WHERE'S LIFE?
Chance : Please tell me where life is
I'm feelin scared like this
Destiny : Why do you ask ?
Chance : Sadness"
Destiny : Why should you care ?
Chance : This madness kills
Destiny : You're lookin like one of those reasons
You're lookin like one of those dreams
You're lookin like one of those moments
You can't fool me
Chance : I'd like to see spring
When will you be with me ?
Destiny : Why should you care ?
Chance : Madness
Destiny : Why do you ask ?
Chance : This sadness kills
Destiny : You're lyin !
You're lyin !
You're lyin !
You're lyin !
Narrator : Moments, dreams and reasons
Moments + dreams make love
Come in season
Yeah seasons !
Chance : Where do we go from here ?
These lonely roads
I fear
Destiny : Wipe your tears
Don't you worry
I'll always be here
For you
Chance : You're lyin
You're lyin !
You're lyin !
You're lyin !
Look at your face !
Destiny : You're lookin like one of those reasons
Chance : You're cryin !
Destiny : You're lookin like one of those dreams
Chance : Look at your face !
Destiny : You're lookin like one of those moments
You can't fool me
FUNDERLYING UNDERMENTALS
Thefunderlyingundermentalsof
Blufunk
Hangyoassoutonourbassline
Togetthefunderlyingundermentalsof
Punkfunk
Yougotitakissyourraceup
Hangyourbassup
Onthe'B'side
Theyouknowwhy
Thefunderlyingundermentalsof
Bluefunk
Hangyoassoutonourbassline
Goessomethinlikethis
Repeat the first recipe
Then add
The politics of sex
The politics of the soul
The politics of the spirit
The politics of your mind ! x 2
FRINIGRO INTERSTELLAR
I was born
In a crimson cellar
Just another frinigro interstellar
I'm flying through time
Deflowering the mind
Kissin' white rain
With a black umbrella
Defyin' all the rules of race
Flyin' through outer space
Kissin' underneath for ma baby
Pushing color in your face
The ocean itself
Is not very far away
The problem begins
When we try to take it home with us
Take a lick of this baby
Every single day
And you'll soon realise
Why we always take a bass with us
It's for keepin all the fools at bay
No matter what the preacher say
Religion is the blues in "G" major
But they never let the negro play it
So I'm flying through outer space
Defyin all the rules of race
Kissin underneath
Pushin color in your face
Tell me - How many frinigro's do you know ?
Do they all wear a smile underneath their
Afro's ?
Oh yeah ?
Chorus
FREE YOUR SOUL
We've been conditioned
To believe what we said life
No wonder we don't know
The meaning of "I"
It means the meaning of you
And the things you do
Not the clothes you wear
Or the talk we share
And now pictures that lie
Tell us what to buy
But never what to do
When aall your money's thru
So don't be deceived
By what your T.V. receives
Cuz they'll pasteurize you cold
And they'll advertise you sold
Chorus
Lose all time
Love your mind
And free your soul
Innoncent child turned out wild
No more six, six picking up stix
This kinda blufunk will make you
Trip, dip, shake your hip
And put on the Jones train to freedom
Now, I've been meaning to draw
Some kinda conclusion
About the time, the mind
And the soul intrusion
But the Keziah Jones train of thought
Has had to be "derailed" and "defracked"
Do to this groove found
Lying across the tracks
Chorus x 2
Yeah babe
I've been meaning to draw
I've been meaning to draw
Some kinda conclusion
But we've been derailed
Derailed and defracked
Derailed and defracked
Does anybody know what defracked means ?
If you do
If you do
Get on the train
Get on the train
Get on the train
Get on the train
Chorus x 3
"Don't be deceived by what your T.V. receives"
Lose all time
Love your mind
And free your soul
A CURIOUS KIND OF SUBCONSCIOUS
We're naked
I hope everybody can see our skins
We're naked
Can you see the mind, the soul
The body we're in ?
Chorus 1
There's a curious kind of subconscious
Runnin free runnin free
Inside of me
With a curious speed
It intervenes
In color
We're waiting
For time to pass by and tell the truth
We're waiting
For the lies to filter down to the youth
Chorus 2
Cant they see
Every time they discover
The key to life is not in their hands
I believe what they fear in color
Aint nothin but a curious kind of
subconscious
I'm laughing
When I see the first world
Crying for the third
They're dying
And not even first world tears
Can fade your color
Not even first world tears
Chorus 1
Chorus 2
Not even first world tears
Can fade your color !
THE WAXING AND THE WANING
I'll stay
If you confess today
I'll know
If moonshine
Or sunshine's the name
For this
Crimson colored kisses
I'll die
Let the Hellstones rain down
On my
Head
Crimson in ma head
Head
You're the eye of the storm
Chorus
The waxing + the waning of the moon
Has got me realising why
The motion of the ocean's
Deep inside my mind
My mind
"The waxing and the waning"
I'll go
I just thought you should know
I'll go
Witches don't scare me
I know
Witches don't hear me
We're alive !
We're alive !
We're alive !
We're alive !
You're the eye of the storm
THE INVISIBLE LADDER
The wind is so strong
It'll blow your conscience away
I think ill tie myself up in a neat boat
And quietly ceise to exist
Because the psychological warfare
That's going on in our midst
Will put the ethics police
On your ass
So you better not try to resist
The wind is so strong
It'll blow your conscience away
The wind is so strong
It'll blow your conscience away
Chorus
Taste - Liquid desire
Fate - Destiny's fire
Love - I'll take you higher
Fate - The invisible ladder
PLEASURE IS KISSES WITHIN
When we laugh
Our soul's being tickled
By the past
When we weep
Our smiles "N" giggles
Secrets keep
Chorus
Pleasure is kisses within
Pleasure is kisses
Pleasure is kisses within
Pleasure is kisses
Who's in charge
Of the typhoons and the cyclones ?
Who makes the moon pull at the sea ?
When we cry
The sea becomes the ocean
I stand and grieve for reality
I know
I know
Chorus
SOPHIE'S BREASTS
miss fredricks
miss camble
miss blade's
and an angel
took all ma decisions and left
Keziah's py jamas
gettin' frisky with the slammers
tryin' to grab hold of sophie's breasts
chorus
ooh ooh babe
tell me what you say
ooh ooh sophie
is your picture up for sale?
sophie's breasts
we never remember
any day in september
cuz we can sketch and fetch all the rest
so sarah and I
giggle with sky
but who fantasises about sophie's breasts
chorus
ducane complained
'bout funkin' in the rain
so he put ma theory to the test
he said <they'er the best and I'm impressed>
LIVE E.P.
I want to go
Anywhere you go
Even down to the deepest quarters
When shall we shake off
All of those
Who fabricate our dreams, means
When their make up starts to show
It's time to split the scene
Scream (All Over You)
All the ex-slaves
And the ex-masters
They all know by blood flows
Deeper than water
So why is this vision
(Recurring)
Why is this vision
(Entering)
In my head
Scream (All Over You)
These key ideas with no lock
Have a door with no key
We shouldn't really give a fuck
The soul remains the same
Scream (All Over You)
Watch me
HIDETHEOLOGY
I'd like to think
They all have their sums right
I'd like to believe
'Everything' is alright
I'd like to take everybody
On a boat with me
Dance on the sea
Drinkin moonlight
Why does everybody
Try to hidetheology of life ?
Sadness is madness
I'd like to fish
All the sadness outta your sea
Get your footprints rich
So we can both walk on the sea
Walk on the sea
I'd like to believe
In we
Why does everybody
Try to hidetheology of life ?
Sadness is madness
RAINY LONDON STREETS
Tell me why
You cry just like I do
See my eyes
Screaming rivers for you
Each time we kiss
Stars confuse their shapes and wonder
Though London streets
On any rainy December
If I kissed you every day
Everything should be okay
If I love you in this way
Tell babe what would you say
Tell me why
Our lives is like some chessboard
Where theoretical kings and queens
Are controlling pawns like you and me
BLUFUNK IS ALIVE!
Walkin' down my alley way
People talkin' people sayin'
"It's A Fact"
The positive vibes you give
My body peaks
Your neighbour's freaking
It's A Fact
Blufunk It's A Fact
You can't deny the fact that we're here
You can't deny the fact that we're here
You can't deny the fact that we're here
You can't deny the fact that we're here
It's a cold fact
Blufunk It's A Fact
SECRET THOUGHTS
Some secret thoughts
Came to me this morning
About the secret life
Of an angel fallen
You know where rivers meet
I'll be there behind you
You know how secrets keep
Never keeping ecrets kept
While the planet took shape
I was riding horses
Drinking moonlit wine
Through some lips so fine
And I was riding along
Till the dusk came to dawn
You know how secrets keep
Never keeping secrets kept
RHYTUM IS LOVE
If I try to take you there, would you come with me?
The reason flies, the fear is scare, the ocean loves the sea
If I try to take you there, would you come with me?
The reason flies, the fear is scare, the ocean loves the sea
Rhythm is love
Heaven is just another world
For the feelin called
Musical
Color is lust
Because all of the sexual "thangs" we do
In my mind
I trust you make em all colorful
I'd like to put you
In such a romance
Take you down
To Paris, France
Leave the cafe and the bars
Walk the wintry boulevards
Is that a smile I see ?
Well, maybe your not even looking at me
Cuz if you smile for no reason
The season is lost
But if your love is the rhythm
Ma rhythm is love
Ma rhythm is love
Coming at you
Just like this!
AFRICAN SPACE CRAFT
A million miles from home
I could shoot myself today
Set my soul free to roam
Upon this beach I lie today
Speeking to the sea
Dancing with the waves
Slipping throught your net
And there's nothing you can say
A million miles I know
Yesterdays frowns were just a phase
When my sadness starts to show
Yesterdays nouns are verbs today
Kissing with the moon
Dancing with the sun
Blessed is the one
Who knows where we'r all from
A million miles, a million miles, a million miles
A million miles from home, from home
A million miles to go
In the trees I hear the breeze
And when my madness starts to show
Try the truth you will succeed
If you're fishing out for me
We'll see what's cool today
Cuz if you're afro's obsolete
Then your skin is turning grey
A million miles from home
A million miles, yeah
I hope you find your way, or the way will find you
Hope you find your way, your way.
COLORFUL WORLD
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
We're gonna dance, dance, dance
Show you some rhythm
We'll entrance the mainframe
Who invented the "ism", the "ism"
Like : Racism, Hateism, Blacks in a trap!
Colonialism, Money reasons, Sell them all back!
Cuz they're nigger born
They let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, nigger bred
Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
Head
It's a scene we all have seen in our heads
It's a dream we all have been in our beds
Maybe not nigger born
But nigger bred
I'm being chased, chased, chased!
By members of the underworld
Well connected with members of the afterlife
I'm being chased, chased!
By memories in color, when people loved each other
No matter if you're black or white
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, nigger bred
Let nigger music go to your head
Nigger born, Let nigger music go to your head
PRODIGAL FUNK
Ooowee, who to believe?
Father's turned into a child
Oh Lord have mercy on me
Oh please look through my eyes
Look through my eyes, it's no surprise
Oh why do they treat you badly?
When you sleep slaves know they're free
Your pain is killing me
Your shadow weeps in my room
Weeps in my room, you aged too soon
And now? It's the prodigal funk
No-one knows where it's come from
One wish one last fools wish
Please show the blinded road, the blinded road
And then I'll go
Ooowe, who to believe?
Mothers turned into fear
Oh Lord have mercy on me
Tell feeling to pull us near, to pull us near
I promise I won't compare
And now? A strangers at my door
Offering me money to say some more
Should I take the gold and run?
Or should I play the prodigal funk, the prodigal funk
See me gone
Upon your crown of beautiful white hair
I cried on
My tears flowed where flowers don't dare
To lie on or die on
Because they know that
Wherever the thruth is born
The day will come
Some say that black is despair
But you shine on
Some say Africa's going nowhere
You proved them wrong, them wrong
Cos they know wherever the truth is born
The day will come, the day will come, the day will come.
SPLASH
Splash was the day
That you got in my system
Soul was the way
It's a basic fascination
Desire is to move
Between your thighs and this song
I said blind is the fool
That's keeping me from kissing you wrong
I play what you know
You say what I see
Liquid love is a wonderful thing
When you rain
Liquid love is a wonderful thing
When you rain
If we were born today
There'd been no need to hide
Because naked is the way
The way we lie the way we die
If we were born today
There'd been no need to hide
Because naked is the way
The way we lie the way we die
Splash was the game
Between my colourful brothers and sisters
Religious rules in the way
Colonised their imaginations
Liquid love is a wonderful thing
When you rain
Liquid love is a wonderful thing
When you rain
DEAR MR COOPER
Seen a face I don't recognize
Making discord, turning my days sadder
Don't confuse the word ostracise
It'll make it fit more or disorganise matter
It's all in your game, yeah. It's all in your game.
Dear Mr Cooper,
I believe that you're a man of musical taste
You will therefore be aware of the pain
And heartache, that contradictions makes
They say music is a river, yet it flows on
Regardless of the profits that make you quiver
So as we deliver the river your reply we anticipate
Yours, Theo
His response was pure mental Jazz
A sobering vastness where shiny ebony forms
Dance in dark glasses
Such a tragic display of our racial identity
Would make John Coltrane, Kwame Nkrumah
Wail in their graves!
As we stand here waiting to be saved
AFRICAN SPACE CRAFT
(Spoken intro)
Class programme for the
African Anarchist
14 carats he pleaded
Yeah, just let me take the
grain like a criminal should
Burdens? As in work-horse?
God works in mysterious ways
but never as a coolie
Never as a coolie in the sweat
shop of a deranged mind
Her chocolate stain is
The envy of caucasia.
On these empty pages
Lies an ejaculatory speech
Will his letter survive?
Will the words ever reach?
Tell me will his letter survive?
Will the words ever reach their destination?
Well I can hear the call of the Mosque
And the ringing of the bells
Yeah, everlasting peace on earth
And the casting of spells
I can see thin white strips of cotton
And an ol' wide broom
I can see their feelings all wrapped up and muffled
In an emotional room
Now, it's the 10th of January
And a Taxi awaits to bring me to thee
But I'm a son of April
And, the only African container of religious sound. Hey!
Yeah, the only African container of religious sound
So they make love on the 11th, fuck on the 12th
And on the 13th they depart
Back to the world of school uniforms,
Perfects with guns and jackboots with heart
Would a true story of cultural splinters
Ever shred you as a tear?
They were making love on a bed of emotional Rizla
To burn away the fear
They were making love on a bed of emotional Rizla
To burn away the fear
SPEECH
I will speak
With all the force of sunrise
You and me
Beyond the reach of their eyes
Showing you the way their words have always been
Showing you the way they speak of harmony, harmony, harmony
I will speak
Without the false in their lies
You and me
We hold a speech in our eyes
I will teach you where their flowers grow
Where their midnight air will blow
Do the foolish care? no-one knows
Through their midnight air we'll go
If you find
The sea was always calling
Think of time
Even the waves pray
Showing you the ways of war and all her tenses
Showing you the way to see through their defences
Their defences
Their defences
If you find
The words were always calling
Think of time
Even the knaves pray
I will teach you where their flowers grow
Where their midnight air will blow
Do the foolish care? No-one knows
Through their midnight air we'll go
CUBIC SPACE DIVISION
Space and sound
Are jesting with me
Witness the way she agrees
Cubic instantly
Amazing creation
Speaking in crimson
She's a freshly created breeze
Case closed no more pleas
The fabric of surprise
Is dreaming with your eyes
Cool is the breath of the wind
As I fall in a cubic stream
When I speak of love divided
I can feel her deeper sorrow
She tries to teach me memory and all her favorite things
If only I could steal a chance I'd be with her tomorrow
She says
"Tell me, Tell me, Tell me,
Till this life is just a dream"
Midnight is skinlight
October to my right
April done left me
She's gone with the Autumn breeze
Whenever the season
Starts jesting-testing with your vision
Cry for the color blind
The sound is oh so fine
The season has got no reason
To believe in this crimson
Witness the way you'll be
"Cubic instantly"
April done left me
She's gone with the Autumn breeze
FUNK 'N' CIRCUMSTANCE
Oh, check me over
Get this feeling pulling me under
How can a country ask for more?
But I can't refuse
Everybody knows I got this hunger
Everybody goes along with the flake
Nobody knows why there's thunder
Nobody knows the rest of the cake
Oh brother
The skin you're in has got a new friend
Got a new language got a new trend
Oh brother
Now your hero's sitting in vogue
Got a new a language got a new logo
You just got to say :
Funk 'N' Circumstance
When the money talks the skin will dance
Any kind of funk will do
Play your circumstancial blues
Now let me get this straight
Is it the pot calling the kettle black?
Or the black calling the pot a what
A "nigger"? A "nigger"!
Oh check me over
I got to realize another
She got this feeling for y'all to see
She started squeezing my history
Oh brother, sister
If you open your eyes you'll never see her
She took my flag and kissed my woe
She gave birth to all my sorrow
Oh brother
The skin you're in has got a new friend
Got a new language got a new trend
Oh mother
Now your son is sitting in jail
Got a new a language got a new logo
You just got to say :
Funk 'N' Circumstance
When the money talks the skin will dance
Any kind of funk will do
Play your circumstancial blues
"My country 'tis of thee..."
Brother, sister!
MAN WITH THE SCAR
See the man with the scar?
He earns a whole lot'a money
You won't find no trace of gunpowder
On his hands
See this muse in a dress?
She's into guns 'n' honey
He leaves her feelin' used in her own armour
You can guess
Well, under the rain
Thunder is pain
You see her nakedness in her dreams of home
She was lost in love
Is it the painlessness that feeds her so?
See the man with the scar?
He means a whole lot'a money
The cash is soaked in race and a cruel wisdom
He was playing poker with well laid plans
He came from far away to claim his hand
Well color is shame
Under the rain
You see his nakedness in his dreams of hope
He was lost in blood
Is it the shamelessness that bleeds him so?
NEVER GONNA LET YOU GO
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
Till you clean up the sea
The water you left in me
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
You took a piece of history
My own history
You took a piece of history
My own history
Then you came like a tree
You tried to put your roots in me
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
You gotta make a sacrifice
An ancient sacrifice
You gotta make a sacrifice
That everyone is a child of heaven
No single one can rule over all
Does an ancient law have a modern meaning?
Does making love make or break the fall
Of mankind?
Just thought I'd let you know
Just thought I'd let you know
Just thought I'd let you know
Just thought I'd let you know
Cause everyone is a child of heaven
No single one can rule over all
Does an ancient law have a modern meaning?
Does making love, making love
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
Never gonna let you go
Ain't gonna let you go
IF YOU KNOW
If you know
Please don't make another sound
Time is being cruel
And thieves and lovers drown
Vanity and fear
Make me talk this way
Vanity and fear
Make me talk this way
You are now free
To make another frown
As purity and love
Is pushed and shoved around
Shoved around
You will see irregular beauty
From the ground
Cause the waters cold
The soul's too hot to hold
Make no sound
Let the secret be
Between you and me
From the ground
You will see me there
If you know
Please don't make another sound
Time is being cruel
And thieves and lovers drown
Look around, look around,
Look around, look around
Look around, everyone knows
What's going on
Everyone knows, Everyone knows
Everyone knows, Everyone knows
You will see irregular beauty
From the ground
because the waters cold
The soul's too hot to hold
Make no sound
Let the secret be
Between you and me
From the ground
You will see me there
If you know
Please don't make another sound
Time is being cruel
And thieves and lovers drown
If you know
Please don't make another sound
Time is being cruel
And thieves and lovers drown
Everyone knows, Everyone knows
Everyone knows, Everyone knows
STEREOPHOBIA
The ignorance I face from both sides
They're bidding for hearts
Like they're bidding for markets
It's such a damned disgrace
When shit flies
They start to dig in your soul
Like they dig in your pockets
The bitter man says
You! You! You!
See if I care I really don't care
See! See! See!
Stereophobia's got me
Misbehavin' this way
We're just a different race in disguise
Our prison is school,fools and education
Our colour never fades in their eyes
It stands out strong just as long as your occupation
Stereotype Stereotype
You! You! You!
You never ask why but you try to look right
Why! Why! Why!
Stereophobia's got me misbehavin' this way
If you try to project an illusion
That everything is alright anyway
Your lies only make more confusion
That's the grooviest reason to misbehave
See if I care I really don't care
See! See! See!
Stereophobia will get you too
When you realise that you've been classified
SUGAR COATED BOMBS
What's the name for what is funky?
What's it got to do with money?
Where's the next war you wanna fight?
Would you call it operation black or white?
If I said "ultra dig"
Do you think they'll know the score
Or are the numbers too big?
If you said ultra dug
I'll know exactly what to do
With this anger in my womb
Yes,I think I see
I think I'm gonna groove with it
Just like their sugar coated bombs
The government talk as sweet as honey
But that don't save the money sucking honey bee
If the beehive is built so strong
How come there's still a freedom fight doing on?
Ouch! Something for nothing
It's got no name,got no feeling
Play the game that has no meaning
You know exactly what to do
The next time you hear a boom!
Yes,I think you'll see
I think you're gonna groove with it
Just like their sugar coated bombs
Empty words can never speak
So let the headlines dig
Tomorrows war I believe
Is from the outside in!
What's the name for what is funky?
What's it got to do with you and me?
The deadline will make you strong
Cuz you know there's a riot going on
If your thinking's getting too big
You got to say "ultra dig"
Science got the numbers all wrong
You got to shake it like a sugar coated bomb
Come on,shake it!
LIQUID SUNSHINE
hello heavenly come along with me
i will show it all
show you how to be free in captivity
how to know it all
CHORUS:
will we
ever overcome?
Oh..id like to say yeah
and i think that we should pray
then we shall overcome
if we stay
together move as one
cuz today
the future is begun
if we say that we shall overcome
ill tell you what i see,the captured are the free
those who know it all
hell is heavenly the angels, guns, and me
groove inside a war
ROLL CALL OF THE ILLUSTRIOUS:
Jean michel basquiat:1972-1988 missing in action
ken saro-wiwa:1931-1995 missing in action
dambudzo marechera:1952-1987 missing in action
fela anikulapo kuti:missing in action
GOD'S GLORY
Soothe my mind
with life story
Soothe my kind
with gods glory
gods glory
who?
say amen ra
allah akhbar
lagbara oluwa
we will see
gods glory
who?
LIQUID SUNSHINE
all your zeros are gone
inside my warm embrace
youll dissolve ,succumb
to the real unifying one
CHORUS:
gotta dive in
liquid sunshine
gotta dive in
liquid sunshine
gonna liquefy your mind
you wanna stay?
spumatickcumizajestwhatyoufeelrealisuggestyoupray!
you wanna stay?
NEW BRIGHTER DAY
I like that story throw it my way
god said below me honesty will stay
what is a storm on a new brighter day?
telling the clouds in the sky every day
look to the south for the season i am saying
keziahs coming round on a new brighter day
are we lovers in truth or disbelievers?
are we lovers in truth?
CHORUS:
the day has come for all my people to know whats wrong
yeah yeah
been waiting so long to leave our children with something
stronger
if you need to know why freedom is so hard
keep looking through another machine to get your power
it means a new brighter day
I know that the preachers got far to make you start
do you listen to the wind or the law to make your story?
it means a new brighter day
are we lovers in truth or disbelievers?
are we lovers in truth?
RUNAWAY
Im lookin for thee,to come with me...till january
to rule over july,to rule it twice...like february
i beg you
you beg me
what will we see?
can mine eyes affect thee?
why you laugh at me
when theres nothing funny?
i thought you were the one that wants to come...so why
laugh?
i love you
you love me
what will we see
can mine eyes affect thee?
run away with me
DON'T FORGET
HEADQUARTERS:don't forget the hatred
when they say we love you
don't forget that youre a fighter
when they say we need you
is it true?......over
FIELDNEGRO:...(no reply)
HEADQUARTERS:theyve seen your face
its on the t.v...don't look so bold
they know you
theyve heard your name on the radio
we told you,is it true?....over
FIELDNEGRO:...(no reply)
PHASED
ive been phased
fall over
in ma maze
through your corridor
you're amazed
i slide under
when you call ma name
i fall over
sorry for you to go
i didn't get to know ya
say hello to all the band
.....move over
i know a man
with his head in the clouds
and he believes
in all our doubts
i know a girl
on her head is a crown
now all we need
is a verb and a noun
I'M KNOWN
let them fall
fall on me
ill teach them all
how to be
CHORUS:
im known yeah yeah
oh oh oh
im known yeah yeah
oh oh oh
little miss thang
how ya doin?
make a stand with no fear
who youre screwing?
CHORUS
check ma story
its on the nine oclock
youll see me square in all my glory
ill be sharp as shock
CHORUS
im the man
losers get outta my way
broadcasting pain on the loose
count down today
CHORUS
now youre known
everythings gonna be alright
nothing above you to worry about
only the clear blue sky
CHORUS
CANT YOU SEE THAT HES KNOWN
SUNSHINESHAPEDBULLETHOLES
tell me where a novel idea will play.
in the field of fairer affairs ill sit and wait.
for a smile ill fall in love with the angels there,
ill compose myself with the longest knife i can find,
ill make sunshine shaped bulletholes in ma mind.
tell me why akure my dear has to cry.
is it the way i comb ma hair?
or the way i squeeze your smile?
heh....
FUNCTIONAL
ME:emotion on my kitchen floor
YOU:func-tional
ME:tell me what youre dying for
YOU:func-tional
ME:i heard traffic sounds in ma head
YOU:func-tional
ME:when i made that call and caught you dead
YOU:func-tional
CHORUS:
all you smiling frowns clock me
ME:see you in heaven ma baby
YOU:func-tional
ME:even the angels say yeah
YOU:func-tional
ME:were running out of time babe
you can be yourself as long as youre mine
CHORUS
ME:were running out of time
you can be yourself as long as youre mine
STABILAH
pain is a river
love is a stranger walking around
too many eyes make you shiver
like some nigger-priest in lost and found
heard nelson got a new job
50% for shifting black coal
i hear D.K is an awesome shot
50% for shifting white power
stabilah!
ive been too late
in telling you my story
once upon a time....
but i forgot i wrote it
stabilah!
WOUNDED LOVERS SON
let me see where you belong
ill take the pain in my side as a mother loves a son
feeding me your curious meal
ill be home when i know where you come from
tenderly cuz its a plural case
all our saviours are gone
im a wounded lovers son
are you free in this curious place?
are there any trees is there a river?
or does the water stand alone?
speak to me with your fallen believers on
are there any seasons for the sinners?
TEARDROPS WILL FALL
i know somewhere we can take all our lies and frowns to
go there
in the nightly sorrows
we can place all the mines and all the frowns that know
.....soon
teardrops will fall because god loves us all
BLACK ORPHEUS
This "Nigerian Science Fiction" is what makes
a difference to the "Obo-Delica"
Afrosurrealismfortheladies?
For the ladies who won't come into the world
Who won't come into the world
Who knows what the "Afro Pioneers" took on the
ships of slavery to America?
Afrosurrealismfortheladies?
For the ladies who won't come into the world
Who won't come into the world
Who knows that science fiction is sentimental
like a state in Africa?
Afrosurrealismfortheladies?
For the ladies who won't come into the world
Who won't come into the world
I'm sentimental like a state in africa
And I'll tell you why we are today invisible
It's because the political is so musical
Does anybody know the way to africa?
KPAFUCA
"Kpafuca" is the quality of your sense
of "Kpafucality"
When you've been "Kpafu-Colonised"
"Kpafucality" is the principle of mind
When you've been "Kpafu-Cologizing"
You can even take some Kpafu-Caine to
make it more "Kapafucacious"
You can even take some Kpafu-Caine to
make it more "Kapafucacious"
"Kpafuca" or "Kpafuco" gives you total
"Kpafucation"
"Kpafuca" is your "coun-ti-ree" and your
"Coun-ti-rees-eco-no-mee"
When you've been "Kpafu-organised"
"Kpafucality"
It's so simple to define it
Just find a place (E.G. : Nigeria) and
"kpafucize" it
You can even take some "Kpafu-Caine" to
make it more "Kapafucacious"
Or some Kpafu-Caiamine to make it more
"Kapafucacious
"Kpafuca" or "Kpafuco" gives you total
"Kpafucation"
"Kpafucalistic" is the "Kpafucratic" people
of the world
And are you living in Kpafuca Nation
for survival?
FEMILIARISE
I guess you better femiliarise yourself
with me cuz the weather's all fine
You know there's never no "waiting for the right
kind of breeze" when pleasure all's mine
Always remember to communicate across
memories cuz yesteray's gone
And now it's almost time to go don't say
no more because the tide's come
Femiliarise
Femiliarise yourself
Femiliarise
Femiliarise yourself with me
I guess you know this "familiar" face was
put upon me the night I was born
It was ma destiny that (they said) a star
was above me in a wild storm
I'd like to know how many songs must
an angel sing before an eye's red?
Now it's time to set off don't you know
I wait for you on a saw-see bed?
So...
Femiliarise
Femiliarise yourself
Femiliarise
Femiliarise yourself with me
Communicate across memories cuz
yesterday's gone
When it's time to go don't say no more
because the tide's come
I say the tide's come
The tide's come yeah
WET QUESTIONS
What about the corpses in the Seine?
Do you know the names of any poets?
Can you say a prayer fit for a clone?
Should you say "ofay" if you're not white?
Cuz I found a letter written on the shore
The words in the water tell you what I saw
Who was Genji Monogatari?
Serious beauty is a plague?
In another size would it be yours?
Don't you ever read Bazooka Joey?
Cuz I found a letter written on the shore
The words in the water tell you what I saw
Would it be a crime to sell a tear?
Could you take it a raw with sugar cane?
Je suis venu te dire que je m'en vais
Je suis venu te dire que je m'en vais
Cuz I found a letter written on the shore
The words in the water tell you what I saw
NEPTUNE
If Neptune owns your desire then I will
bring it all "side ways"
I'll ride a seahorse through your water
and we'll braken in wildly
Because there's you in everything known
If only I could see you this dream wouldn't
be so hard
If only I could see you this dream wouldn't
be so hard
Because there's you in everything known
There's you in everything known
If falling stars make you wonder then
I will paint the sky all day
So we can get high and fly together so our
love will be falling all "heavenly"
Because there's you in everything known
If only I could see you this dream wouldn't
be so hard
If only I could see you this dream wouldn't
be so hard
Because there's you in everything known
72 KILOS
From honey to the honey bee,honey bee
to honey
From this "Black Orpheus" and his guitar
to Eurydice
From J'J from good times the dope
to the Black Superhero
72 kilos of nigerian weed
I'm rugged in London/Tokyo, I'm rugged
in "Paree"
From immigration to Mc Donalds with a
false identity
From an university degree to driving a taxi
72 kilos of nigerian weed
I'm there in the place where they do the "419"
I'm Mobutu's tailor I am Mrs Sanni
Abacha's Shrink
From cursed be Canaan in the book to
the "Blacker The Berry" thing
72 kilos of nigerian weed
From Brazil Cuba Yoruba to Afro paradise
From Ra-ra Orisha to Fela and his "wives"
From music war and sexy books to a nuclear
form of "rice"
72 kilos of nigerian weed
Nigerian weed
ALL PRAISES
Like "a poem made from the sea"
Like "a wave" I play for thee
Because even the desert sands know
the feeling of love
So let the praise fall with the dew,
I'll make the mountains weep for you
Because even the desert sands know
the feeling of love
Yeah even the desert sands know your love
Cuz everything is you,
Flowing through my hands is your love...
It's all you
BEAUTIFUL EMILIE
"You got
You got to talk to someone
"You got to talk to someone someday
Cuz when the words are gone it's to late
Communication with "thee" put the antenna
there
I am a function of "thee" speaking loud
and clear
Oh Beautiful Emilie
Beautiful Emilie
I need an explanation right now
Some good communication somehow
I heard a statement from "thee" about an
"L" shaped room
But a "space imaginary" is an abandoned
womb
Oh Beautiful Eilie
Beautiful Emilie
I need an explanation right now
Some good communication somehow
An explanation for "thee" is
"You made an angel cry"
I feel so close to you there's no
"me" I am a three times why?
Why?
why?
Why?
Do ordinary people specialize?
SADNESS IS...
The tears I cry are always set
One for love two for death
The tears I cry are always set to more
The tears I cry are always set to more
Here's two more that I never met
Three for war four is wet
Two more that I never will forget
Two more that I never will forget
Because
Sadness is... infinite bliss
Wherever my kisses exist for your love
I don't know why I have to guess
Where you fit in the set
I don't know why I always will regret
I don't know why I always will regret
Because
Sadness is... infinite bliss
Wherever my kisses exist for your love
AUTUMN MOON
You are the one that said you'd wait for me
You say to follow you
That everyone would sing of "What's to be"
That its "Being with you"
That our minds would play with the autumn leaves
That every flower would bloom
That we'd take a ride between all our memories
Between all our dreams
Autumn Moon
Autumn Moon
I'll follow you
I'll follow you
And now you know how everyone laughed at me
They said I wasn't even cool
Now every song means a lot to me
It's the "Meaning of you"
Now before the sun turns all my night to day
Before the water falls
Before the breezes blow all my cries away
Is "Being with you"
Autumn Moon
Autumn Moon
I'll follow you
I'll follow you
BLACK ORPHEUS
Ma sadness lives down the road in a place they call "the Inside"
A woman's lips told me so between the dawn and midnight
She said every house has a ghost and I will haunt you
With every kiss you were told "this beauty is true"
Because where sadness lives the angels sine
Of all the things a tear
Can bring
Of all your beauty
And your soul
GUITAR IN THE RIVER
She threw my guitar in the river
Pity no one over came to video
Cuz a pretty song is forever
It's more than any "pretty thing" you'll ever know
You maybe think you know better
Well so does every musician I've ever known
Cuz every woman has lover
you'll risk his life to save his best guitar
YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE
If you dig this sound you can tell her
That I made it back without a funeral
But that every song gives me "shivers"
That I never know that love could be so musical
But you maybe think you know better
Well so does every musician I've ever known
Cuz every woman has a lover
Who'll risk his life to save his best guitar
YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE
Well now that my guitar's gone forever
You'll never see me on a T.V show
Cuz the pretty ones almost never
Love you when you're only on the radio
But you maybe think you know better
Well so does every musician I've ever known
Cuz every woman has a lover
Who'll risk his life to save his best guitar
YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE
NIGERIAN WOOD
CAPTAIN RUGGED
Keziah Jones: Band
Keziah Jones: Band
| Keziah Jones: Lead Vocal,Guitar Soul: Bass Guitar & Harmony Vocals Richie Stevens: Drums All songs written by Keziah Jones Produced by Kevin Armstrong Engineered by Rod Beale Executive Producer: Phil Pickett | Additional musicians Tony(Bony) Maronie: Percussion,Conga Dave Defries: Trumpet Eddie Parker: Flute (Bass) Kevin Armstrong: Fender Rhodes.Keybords Pete Thomas: Saxophone Sarah Ann Webb: Backing Vocals Fayyaz Virji: Trombone Julia Palmer: Cello Phil Sawyer: Piano (Electric) |
| Keziah Jones: Lead Vocal,Guitar Phil 'Soul' Sewell: Bass Guitar & Harmony Vocals Makoto Sakamoto: Drums All songs written by Keziah Jones Recorded & Mixed by Nick Atkins |
| Keziah Jones: Lead Vocal,Guitar Soul: Bass Guitar Richie Stevens: Drums All songs written by Keziah Jones Produced,Engineered & Mixed by Ron Saint Germain | Additional musicians Sammy Figueroa: Percussion Igor Thachenko: Piano,Harpsicord Victor Sobolenko; Cello |
| Keziah Jones: Vocals,Guitar Soul: Bass Guitar Ian Mussington: Drums All tracks written,arranged & produced by Keziah Jones Additinal producer: Gregg Mann, Ian Caple Enginners: Gregg Mann, Paul Motion, Rod Beal, Kevin Armstrong,Ian Caple | Additional musicians Gabriel Nuzzoli: Percussion Pandit Dinesh: Percussion Andy Wallace: Keybords Marque Gilmore: Drums Jocelyn Pook: String Arrangements Jocelyn Pook,Sally Herbert,Sonia Slany & Caroline Laville(Strings) Terry Edwards: String Arrangements Jeff White,Merlyn Sturt,Jennifer Underhill & Wayne Urquhart(Strings) |
| Keziah Jones: Vocal,Guitar Otto Williams: Bass Guitar Neville Malcolm: Bass Guitar Jose Joyette: Drums Joshua McKenzie: Drums All songs written by Keziah Jones Produced by Kevin Armstrong | Additional musicians Jason Yarde: Horn & Flute Arrangement Soprano & Alto Kevin Armstrong:Additional Guitar,Keybords Mike Patto: Keybords Kevin Haynes: Percussion Kwaku Djizornu: Percussion Rowland Sutherland: Flute Sarah Ann Webb: Backing Vocals Julien Siegel: Clarinet,Bariton& Tenor Sean Corby: Trumpet Vincent Segal: Cello |
| Keziah Jones: Vocals,Guitar Otto Williams: Bass,Backing Vocals Richard Cassell: Drums Zoe Rahman:Keybords Kevin Haynes: Percussion,Backing Vocals, Alto Saxophone Tatiana Okou:Backing Vocals | Mixed by Greg Mann Spy Eyes directed by Jean-Yves Fayolle Documentary In Lagos directed by Karim Akidiri Soumayla Rhythm Is Love (Video) directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino Beautiful Emilie (Video) directed by Nathalie Canguilhem |
NIGERIAN WOOD
CAPTAIN RUGGED
Keziah Jones: Vocal,Guitar
Otto Williams: Bass
Michael Desir: Drums
Kevin Armstrong: Extra Guitar,Keys
Fred Dupont: Keys
Joshua Mckenzie: Drums
Gunnar Olsen: Drums
Gbatokai Dakinah:Bass
Extra backing vocals:Sarah Ann Webb
Jason Yarde: Horns Arrangement
All songs written by Keziah Jones
Produced by Keziah Jones and Kevin Armstrong
Exective Producer: Phil Pickett
| BLUFUNK IS A FACT! Japan Tour 1992 | |
| Keziah Jones: Lead Vocal,Guitar Phil 'Soul' Sewell: Bass Guitar & Harmony Vocals Makoto Sakamoto: Drums |
| AFRICAN SPACE CRAFT Japan Tour 1995 | |
| Keziah Jones: Lead Vocal,Guitar Phil 'Soul' Sewell: Bass Guitar & Harmony Vocals Ian Mussington: Drums |
| LIQUID SUNSHINE Japan Tour 1999 | |
| Keziah Jones: Lead Vocal,Guitar Phil 'Soul' Sewell: Bass Guitar & Harmony Vocals Ian Mussington: Drums |
| NIGERIAN WOOD Japan Tour 2009 | |
| Keziah Jones: Lead Vocal,Guitar Stephane Castry: Bass Guitar Michael Desir: Drums |
Keziah Jones: Band
Keziah Jones: Band
| Keziah Jones: Lead Vocal,Guitar Soul: Bass Guitar & Harmony Vocals Richie Stevens: Drums All songs written by Keziah Jones Produced by Kevin Armstrong Engineered by Rod Beale Executive Producer: Phil Pickett | Additional musicians Tony(Bony) Maronie: Percussion,Conga Dave Defries: Trumpet Eddie Parker: Flute (Bass) Kevin Armstrong: Fender Rhodes.Keybords Pete Thomas: Saxophone Sarah Ann Webb: Backing Vocals Fayyaz Virji: Trombone Julia Palmer: Cello Phil Sawyer: Piano (Electric) |
| Keziah Jones: Lead Vocal,Guitar Phil 'Soul' Sewell: Bass Guitar & Harmony Vocals Makoto Sakamoto: Drums All songs written by Keziah Jones Recorded & Mixed by Nick Atkins |
| Keziah Jones: Lead Vocal,Guitar Soul: Bass Guitar Richie Stevens: Drums All songs written by Keziah Jones Produced,Engineered & Mixed by Ron Saint Germain | Additional musicians Sammy Figueroa: Percussion Igor Thachenko: Piano,Harpsicord Victor Sobolenko; Cello |
| Keziah Jones: Vocals,Guitar Soul: Bass Guitar Ian Mussington: Drums All tracks written,arranged & produced by Keziah Jones Additinal producer: Gregg Mann, Ian Caple Enginners: Gregg Mann, Paul Motion, Rod Beal, Kevin Armstrong,Ian Caple | Additional musicians Gabriel Nuzzoli: Percussion Pandit Dinesh: Percussion Andy Wallace: Keybords Marque Gilmore: Drums Jocelyn Pook: String Arrangements Jocelyn Pook,Sally Herbert,Sonia Slany & Caroline Laville(Strings) Terry Edwards: String Arrangements Jeff White,Merlyn Sturt,Jennifer Underhill & Wayne Urquhart(Strings) |
| Keziah Jones: Vocal,Guitar Otto Williams: Bass Guitar Neville Malcolm: Bass Guitar Jose Joyette: Drums Joshua McKenzie: Drums All songs written by Keziah Jones Produced by Kevin Armstrong | Additional musicians Jason Yarde: Horn & Flute Arrangement Soprano & Alto Kevin Armstrong:Additional Guitar,Keybords Mike Patto: Keybords Kevin Haynes: Percussion Kwaku Djizornu: Percussion Rowland Sutherland: Flute Sarah Ann Webb: Backing Vocals Julien Siegel: Clarinet,Bariton& Tenor Sean Corby: Trumpet Vincent Segal: Cello |
| Keziah Jones: Vocals,Guitar Otto Williams: Bass,Backing Vocals Richard Cassell: Drums Zoe Rahman:Keybords Kevin Haynes: Percussion,Backing Vocals, Alto Saxophone Tatiana Okou:Backing Vocals | Mixed by Greg Mann Spy Eyes directed by Jean-Yves Fayolle Documentary In Lagos directed by Karim Akidiri Soumayla Rhythm Is Love (Video) directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino Beautiful Emilie (Video) directed by Nathalie Canguilhem |
NIGERIAN WOOD
CAPTAIN RUGGED
Keziah Jones: Vocal,Guitar
Otto Williams: Bass
Michael Desir: Drums
Kevin Armstrong: Extra Guitar,Keys
Fred Dupont: Keys
Joshua Mckenzie: Drums
Gunnar Olsen: Drums
Gbatokai Dakinah:Bass
Extra backing vocals:Sarah Ann Webb
Jason Yarde: Horns Arrangement
All songs written by Keziah Jones
Produced by Keziah Jones and Kevin Armstrong
Exective Producer: Phil Pickett
| BLUFUNK IS A FACT! Japan Tour 1992 | |
| Keziah Jones: Lead Vocal,Guitar Phil 'Soul' Sewell: Bass Guitar & Harmony Vocals Makoto Sakamoto: Drums |
| AFRICAN SPACE CRAFT Japan Tour 1995 | |
| Keziah Jones: Lead Vocal,Guitar Phil 'Soul' Sewell: Bass Guitar & Harmony Vocals Ian Mussington: Drums |
| LIQUID SUNSHINE Japan Tour 1999 | |
| Keziah Jones: Lead Vocal,Guitar Phil 'Soul' Sewell: Bass Guitar & Harmony Vocals Ian Mussington: Drums |
| NIGERIAN WOOD Japan Tour 2009 | |
| Keziah Jones: Lead Vocal,Guitar Stephane Castry: Bass Guitar Michael Desir: Drums |
Keziah Jones: Band
Keziah Jones: Band
| Keziah Jones: Lead Vocal,Guitar Soul: Bass Guitar & Harmony Vocals Richie Stevens: Drums All songs written by Keziah Jones Produced by Kevin Armstrong Engineered by Rod Beale Executive Producer: Phil Pickett | Additional musicians Tony(Bony) Maronie: Percussion,Conga Dave Defries: Trumpet Eddie Parker: Flute (Bass) Kevin Armstrong: Fender Rhodes.Keybords Pete Thomas: Saxophone Sarah Ann Webb: Backing Vocals Fayyaz Virji: Trombone Julia Palmer: Cello Phil Sawyer: Piano (Electric) |
| Keziah Jones: Lead Vocal,Guitar Phil 'Soul' Sewell: Bass Guitar & Harmony Vocals Makoto Sakamoto: Drums All songs written by Keziah Jones Recorded & Mixed by Nick Atkins |
| Keziah Jones: Lead Vocal,Guitar Soul: Bass Guitar Richie Stevens: Drums All songs written by Keziah Jones Produced,Engineered & Mixed by Ron Saint Germain | Additional musicians Sammy Figueroa: Percussion Igor Thachenko: Piano,Harpsicord Victor Sobolenko; Cello |
| Keziah Jones: Vocals,Guitar Soul: Bass Guitar Ian Mussington: Drums All tracks written,arranged & produced by Keziah Jones Additinal producer: Gregg Mann, Ian Caple Enginners: Gregg Mann, Paul Motion, Rod Beal, Kevin Armstrong,Ian Caple | Additional musicians Gabriel Nuzzoli: Percussion Pandit Dinesh: Percussion Andy Wallace: Keybords Marque Gilmore: Drums Jocelyn Pook: String Arrangements Jocelyn Pook,Sally Herbert,Sonia Slany & Caroline Laville(Strings) Terry Edwards: String Arrangements Jeff White,Merlyn Sturt,Jennifer Underhill & Wayne Urquhart(Strings) |
| Keziah Jones: Vocal,Guitar Otto Williams: Bass Guitar Neville Malcolm: Bass Guitar Jose Joyette: Drums Joshua McKenzie: Drums All songs written by Keziah Jones Produced by Kevin Armstrong | Additional musicians Jason Yarde: Horn & Flute Arrangement Soprano & Alto Kevin Armstrong:Additional Guitar,Keybords Mike Patto: Keybords Kevin Haynes: Percussion Kwaku Djizornu: Percussion Rowland Sutherland: Flute Sarah Ann Webb: Backing Vocals Julien Siegel: Clarinet,Bariton& Tenor Sean Corby: Trumpet Vincent Segal: Cello |
| Keziah Jones: Vocals,Guitar Otto Williams: Bass,Backing Vocals Richard Cassell: Drums Zoe Rahman:Keybords Kevin Haynes: Percussion,Backing Vocals, Alto Saxophone Tatiana Okou:Backing Vocals | Mixed by Greg Mann Spy Eyes directed by Jean-Yves Fayolle Documentary In Lagos directed by Karim Akidiri Soumayla Rhythm Is Love (Video) directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino Beautiful Emilie (Video) directed by Nathalie Canguilhem |
NIGERIAN WOOD
CAPTAIN RUGGED
Keziah Jones: Vocal,Guitar
Otto Williams: Bass
Michael Desir: Drums
Kevin Armstrong: Extra Guitar,Keys
Fred Dupont: Keys
Joshua Mckenzie: Drums
Gunnar Olsen: Drums
Gbatokai Dakinah:Bass
Extra backing vocals:Sarah Ann Webb
Jason Yarde: Horns Arrangement
All songs written by Keziah Jones
Produced by Keziah Jones and Kevin Armstrong
Exective Producer: Phil Pickett
| BLUFUNK IS A FACT! Japan Tour 1992 | |
| Keziah Jones: Lead Vocal,Guitar Phil 'Soul' Sewell: Bass Guitar & Harmony Vocals Makoto Sakamoto: Drums |
| AFRICAN SPACE CRAFT Japan Tour 1995 | |
| Keziah Jones: Lead Vocal,Guitar Phil 'Soul' Sewell: Bass Guitar & Harmony Vocals Ian Mussington: Drums |
| LIQUID SUNSHINE Japan Tour 1999 | |
| Keziah Jones: Lead Vocal,Guitar Phil 'Soul' Sewell: Bass Guitar & Harmony Vocals Ian Mussington: Drums |
| NIGERIAN WOOD Japan Tour 2009 | |
| Keziah Jones: Lead Vocal,Guitar Stephane Castry: Bass Guitar Michael Desir: Drums |
Keziah Jones: Gear
Keziah Jones: Gear
LÂG Keziah Jones Signature Series
Keziah Jones Signature Modell - "The Rugged 1"
Keziah Jones Signature Modell - "Africa"
"What I've done is collaborated with LAG guitars to create 4 preset sounds, that have been condensed from the eras of my evolution, it is also very beautiful which seems to be a rarity in electro/acoustic guitars, and I dont know why." - Keziah Jones
http://www.lagguitars.de/signature/signaturekeziahjones.html
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Keziah Jones: Gear
Keziah Jones: Gear
LÂG Keziah Jones Signature Series
Keziah Jones Signature Modell - "The Rugged 1"
Keziah Jones Signature Modell - "Africa"
"What I've done is collaborated with LAG guitars to create 4 preset sounds, that have been condensed from the eras of my evolution, it is also very beautiful which seems to be a rarity in electro/acoustic guitars, and I dont know why." - Keziah Jones
http://www.lagguitars.de/signature/signaturekeziahjones.html
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Keziah Jones: Gear
Keziah Jones: Gear
LÂG Keziah Jones Signature Series
Keziah Jones Signature Modell - "The Rugged 1"
Keziah Jones Signature Modell - "Africa"
"What I've done is collaborated with LAG guitars to create 4 preset sounds, that have been condensed from the eras of my evolution, it is also very beautiful which seems to be a rarity in electro/acoustic guitars, and I dont know why." - Keziah Jones
http://www.lagguitars.de/signature/signaturekeziahjones.html
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Keziah Jones: News
Keziah Jones Japan Tour 2015
4.08 - 4.10@Bluenote Tokyo
[1st]Open5:30pm Start7:00pm [2nd]Open8:45pm Start9:30pm
4.11@Mothion Blue Yokohama
1st open_3:45pm showtime_5:00pm 2nd open_6:45pm showtime_8:00pm
Daniel Oyewole(b)
Samuel Onwudo(ds)
Abiodun Oke(per)
アーティストから生み出される圧倒的なエネルギーに包まれたライブだった。
今回で6回目の来日公演になる。今でもデビュー当時からのファンも多く、日本人のドラマーを擁していた時期もある程、日本との繋がりも深い。1992年のデビューアルバム以来、アルバムの発表にあわせて来日しているが、今回は昨年のビルボードライブでの公演から1年後の再来日と嬉しいサプライズ。同郷ナイジェリア出身のベース、ドラムにパーカッションを加えたバンドは、キザイアの即興に巧みに合わせながら、ポリリズミックなグルーブを生み出していた。
Fela Kuti、Jimi Hendrix、Bob Marley、Miles Davisを敬愛し、ロック、ファンク、ジャズ、アフロビートと様々な音楽を取り込みながら、ブラックミュージックや、特定のジャンル、スタイルといった型にはまらず、ジャンルを超えて自在に往き来するキザイアの音楽は、彼の作った"ブルーファンク(Blufunk)"と言う呼び名が一番良く表現していると思う。
バスキングで身につけられた観客を魅了する様々なテクニックは、椅子に置かれたギターをパーカッションのように叩きながら ”Blufunk is a Fact!” と叫ぶ姿や、ギターを後ろに回して弾く”Secret Thoughts” に見る事ができるし、ピックを使わず右手を鞭のように上下しながら奏でる独特の正確で鋭いギターカッティングは”Funk 'N' Circumstance” 他、多くの曲で聴く事ができる。
ファーストアルバム「Blufunk is a Fact!」が発売された当時、あの鋭いギターの音がどのように生み出されるのか、眼を皿のようにしてライブ演奏に釘付けになった瞬間が今でも忘れられない。そしてうれしい事に、20年以上経った今でも、観る度に衝撃や感動を与え続けてくれる希有なアーティストだ。
実際にライブを体験しないと伝わらない感覚だが、ギターという楽器に対して持っている認識を遥かに超えて、さらなる可能性を示してくれるのだ。Jimi HendrixがMonterey Pop Festivalにおいて、耳を澄ますようアピールしながら、フィードバックというノイズを操って音楽へと昇華させて見せたパフォーマンスも同じような瞬間だったのではないだろうか。
独学で身につけたギターワークはキザイアジョーンズというアーティストの音楽の独自性を形成する大きな部分を占めてはいるが、超絶ギタリストとか、’変則的’と称される他の個性的なギタリストと異なっているのは、ギター至上主義に終わらず、アーティストとしてのトータルなバランスに優れているからに他ならない。
その事実は、独自の世界観を持ったソングライティングの能力や、卓越したライブパフォーマンスに見る事ができるし、キザイアジョーンズ自身の魅力的な個性に感じる事ができる。ギターで惹きつけながらも、決して自己満足なギタープレイに拘る事はなく、必要な時が過ぎればスパッと終わりにしてしまう。それも、彼の弾き方こそギター本来の弾き方ではないかと錯覚してしまう程、すごく自然に、そしてさらっとやってみせるのだ。ギターは彼の音楽を表現する手段であり、アルバム毎に進化していくギターテクニックの向上が、さらなる豊潤な音楽の表現を可能にしている。
留学のため幼い時に故国ナイジェリアを離れたキザイアも、2005年にラゴスで凱旋ライブを行い、パリ、ロンドン、ニューヨーク、ラゴスと世界中を飛び回って音楽活動をしながら現在に至っている。ブルーノートの彼の楽屋からはFela Kutiの音楽が常に流れていた。
Fela Kutiの意思を受け継ぎながらも独自の視点でメッセージを発信し続けているキザイアジョーンズから、今後も眼が離せない。
(※アーティスト、所属事務所、Blue Noteさんの許可を得て撮影させて頂きました)
-----------------------------------
Meet Nigeria's Captain Rugged - a superhero who can dance
BY JEREMY GAUNT LONDON Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:23pm GMT
急成長するナイジェリアの抱える問題、自分に何ができるだろうか。
Captain Ruggedはそんな現状を外の世界に伝えていく試みなんだ。
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/02/26/uk-nigeria-superhero-idUKBREA1P0EL20140226
（参考）
特集：豊かな原油に蝕まれるナイジェリア（ナショナルジオグラフィック2007年2月）
http://nationalgeographic.jp/nng/magazine/0702/feature05/
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/02/nigerian-oil/oneill-text
Ken Saro-Wiwa
Fela Kuti
-----------------------------------
CAPTAIN RUGGED in JAPAN：Keziah Jones Japan Tour 2014
Billboard Live Osaka
2/4（火） 1stステージ開場17:30 開演18:30/2ndステージ開場20:30 開演21:30
Billboard Live Tokyo
2/6（木） 1stステージ開場17:30 開演19:00/2ndステージ開場20:45 開演21:30
2/7（金） 1stステージ開場17:30 開演19:00/2ndステージ開場20:45 開演21:30
キザイアジョーンズが新作『Captain Rugged』を携えて５年ぶりの来日公演を行った。場所は前回2009年の時と同じビルボードライブで、大阪・東京と計６回の公演。特に最終公演ではほぼ満席で、終始盛り上がったライヴとなった。
Alice Coltraneの名曲『Journey In Satchidananda』が流れる中、ベースのOtto Williams、ドラムのNathan Allenとともに颯爽と登場。１曲目の『Funk 'N' Circumstance』から鋭いギターカッティングは健在だ。ナイロン弦のギターを鞭のように右手で叩き付けるキザイア独自のギタースタイルは、空気を切り裂き、耳に、目に突き刺さってくる。CDやビデオでは伝わらないライヴならではの緊迫感だ。
2弦ギターでの『Dear Mr Cooper』、スラップベースのように弾く『Cash』、ギターを背中に回して弾き語る『Secret Thoughts』や、弾き語りの時もオブリガードを絡ませたコードワークなど、ライヴミュージシャンとして‘魅せる’ テクニックは一流だ。ヘビーなベース、タイトなドラムとの相性も最高でMCも控えめに最後まで疾走していく。途中、マントを羽織り、アフリカンスーパーヒーローCaptain Ruggedへ’変身’し、盛り上がりは最高潮に。アンコールを求める拍手が鳴り止まなかったのが印象的だった。
1991年にデビューし、日本でも超新人として音楽雑誌で紹介されて20年以上経った今でも、彼の音楽スタイルはブレる事がない。絶えず新しいサウンド、曲作りを模索しているように思える。Jimi HendrixもFela Kutiも生で体験する事ができないが、キザイアジョーンズを同時代に体験できる事をうれしく思う。次回は是非、ライヴフェスのようなスタンディングの大会場で、多くの若い音楽ファンにその魅力を伝えて欲しいと願っている。
(※アーティスト、所属事務所、Billboard Liveさんの許可を得て撮影させて頂きました)
Set list: 2/7 2nd @Billboard Live Tokyo
01:Funk 'N' Circumstance
02:Dear Mr Cooper
03:Million Miles From Home
04:Cash
05.Where's Life?
06.Femiliarise(solo)
07.Invisible Ladder(solo)
08.Blufunk Is Alive!
09.Funderlying Undermentals
10.Secret Thoughts
11.Nollywoodoo
12.Beautiful Emilie
13.Pass The Joint(Rick James cover)
14.Rhythm Is Love
Keziah Jones: News
Keziah Jones Japan Tour 2015
4.08 - 4.10@Bluenote Tokyo
[1st]Open5:30pm Start7:00pm [2nd]Open8:45pm Start9:30pm
4.11@Mothion Blue Yokohama
1st open_3:45pm showtime_5:00pm 2nd open_6:45pm showtime_8:00pm
Daniel Oyewole(b)
Samuel Onwudo(ds)
Abiodun Oke(per)
アーティストから生み出される圧倒的なエネルギーに包まれたライブだった。
今回で6回目の来日公演になる。今でもデビュー当時からのファンも多く、日本人のドラマーを擁していた時期もある程、日本との繋がりも深い。1992年のデビューアルバム以来、アルバムの発表にあわせて来日しているが、今回は昨年のビルボードライブでの公演から1年後の再来日と嬉しいサプライズ。同郷ナイジェリア出身のベース、ドラムにパーカッションを加えたバンドは、キザイアの即興に巧みに合わせながら、ポリリズミックなグルーブを生み出していた。
Fela Kuti、Jimi Hendrix、Bob Marley、Miles Davisを敬愛し、ロック、ファンク、ジャズ、アフロビートと様々な音楽を取り込みながら、ブラックミュージックや、特定のジャンル、スタイルといった型にはまらず、ジャンルを超えて自在に往き来するキザイアの音楽は、彼の作った"ブルーファンク(Blufunk)"と言う呼び名が一番良く表現していると思う。
バスキングで身につけられた観客を魅了する様々なテクニックは、椅子に置かれたギターをパーカッションのように叩きながら ”Blufunk is a Fact!” と叫ぶ姿や、ギターを後ろに回して弾く”Secret Thoughts” に見る事ができるし、ピックを使わず右手を鞭のように上下しながら奏でる独特の正確で鋭いギターカッティングは”Funk 'N' Circumstance” 他、多くの曲で聴く事ができる。
ファーストアルバム「Blufunk is a Fact!」が発売された当時、あの鋭いギターの音がどのように生み出されるのか、眼を皿のようにしてライブ演奏に釘付けになった瞬間が今でも忘れられない。そしてうれしい事に、20年以上経った今でも、観る度に衝撃や感動を与え続けてくれる希有なアーティストだ。
実際にライブを体験しないと伝わらない感覚だが、ギターという楽器に対して持っている認識を遥かに超えて、さらなる可能性を示してくれるのだ。Jimi HendrixがMonterey Pop Festivalにおいて、耳を澄ますようアピールしながら、フィードバックというノイズを操って音楽へと昇華させて見せたパフォーマンスも同じような瞬間だったのではないだろうか。
独学で身につけたギターワークはキザイアジョーンズというアーティストの音楽の独自性を形成する大きな部分を占めてはいるが、超絶ギタリストとか、’変則的’と称される他の個性的なギタリストと異なっているのは、ギター至上主義に終わらず、アーティストとしてのトータルなバランスに優れているからに他ならない。
その事実は、独自の世界観を持ったソングライティングの能力や、卓越したライブパフォーマンスに見る事ができるし、キザイアジョーンズ自身の魅力的な個性に感じる事ができる。ギターで惹きつけながらも、決して自己満足なギタープレイに拘る事はなく、必要な時が過ぎればスパッと終わりにしてしまう。それも、彼の弾き方こそギター本来の弾き方ではないかと錯覚してしまう程、すごく自然に、そしてさらっとやってみせるのだ。ギターは彼の音楽を表現する手段であり、アルバム毎に進化していくギターテクニックの向上が、さらなる豊潤な音楽の表現を可能にしている。
留学のため幼い時に故国ナイジェリアを離れたキザイアも、2005年にラゴスで凱旋ライブを行い、パリ、ロンドン、ニューヨーク、ラゴスと世界中を飛び回って音楽活動をしながら現在に至っている。ブルーノートの彼の楽屋からはFela Kutiの音楽が常に流れていた。
Fela Kutiの意思を受け継ぎながらも独自の視点でメッセージを発信し続けているキザイアジョーンズから、今後も眼が離せない。
(※アーティスト、所属事務所、Blue Noteさんの許可を得て撮影させて頂きました)
-----------------------------------
Meet Nigeria's Captain Rugged - a superhero who can dance
BY JEREMY GAUNT LONDON Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:23pm GMT
急成長するナイジェリアの抱える問題、自分に何ができるだろうか。
Captain Ruggedはそんな現状を外の世界に伝えていく試みなんだ。
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/02/26/uk-nigeria-superhero-idUKBREA1P0EL20140226
（参考）
特集：豊かな原油に蝕まれるナイジェリア（ナショナルジオグラフィック2007年2月）
http://nationalgeographic.jp/nng/magazine/0702/feature05/
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/02/nigerian-oil/oneill-text
Ken Saro-Wiwa
Fela Kuti
-----------------------------------
CAPTAIN RUGGED in JAPAN：Keziah Jones Japan Tour 2014
Billboard Live Osaka
2/4（火） 1stステージ開場17:30 開演18:30/2ndステージ開場20:30 開演21:30
Billboard Live Tokyo
2/6（木） 1stステージ開場17:30 開演19:00/2ndステージ開場20:45 開演21:30
2/7（金） 1stステージ開場17:30 開演19:00/2ndステージ開場20:45 開演21:30
キザイアジョーンズが新作『Captain Rugged』を携えて５年ぶりの来日公演を行った。場所は前回2009年の時と同じビルボードライブで、大阪・東京と計６回の公演。特に最終公演ではほぼ満席で、終始盛り上がったライヴとなった。
Alice Coltraneの名曲『Journey In Satchidananda』が流れる中、ベースのOtto Williams、ドラムのNathan Allenとともに颯爽と登場。１曲目の『Funk 'N' Circumstance』から鋭いギターカッティングは健在だ。ナイロン弦のギターを鞭のように右手で叩き付けるキザイア独自のギタースタイルは、空気を切り裂き、耳に、目に突き刺さってくる。CDやビデオでは伝わらないライヴならではの緊迫感だ。
2弦ギターでの『Dear Mr Cooper』、スラップベースのように弾く『Cash』、ギターを背中に回して弾き語る『Secret Thoughts』や、弾き語りの時もオブリガードを絡ませたコードワークなど、ライヴミュージシャンとして‘魅せる’ テクニックは一流だ。ヘビーなベース、タイトなドラムとの相性も最高でMCも控えめに最後まで疾走していく。途中、マントを羽織り、アフリカンスーパーヒーローCaptain Ruggedへ’変身’し、盛り上がりは最高潮に。アンコールを求める拍手が鳴り止まなかったのが印象的だった。
1991年にデビューし、日本でも超新人として音楽雑誌で紹介されて20年以上経った今でも、彼の音楽スタイルはブレる事がない。絶えず新しいサウンド、曲作りを模索しているように思える。Jimi HendrixもFela Kutiも生で体験する事ができないが、キザイアジョーンズを同時代に体験できる事をうれしく思う。次回は是非、ライヴフェスのようなスタンディングの大会場で、多くの若い音楽ファンにその魅力を伝えて欲しいと願っている。
(※アーティスト、所属事務所、Billboard Liveさんの許可を得て撮影させて頂きました)
Set list: 2/7 2nd @Billboard Live Tokyo
01:Funk 'N' Circumstance
02:Dear Mr Cooper
03:Million Miles From Home
04:Cash
05.Where's Life?
06.Femiliarise(solo)
07.Invisible Ladder(solo)
08.Blufunk Is Alive!
09.Funderlying Undermentals
10.Secret Thoughts
11.Nollywoodoo
12.Beautiful Emilie
13.Pass The Joint(Rick James cover)
14.Rhythm Is Love
Keziah Jones: News
Keziah Jones Japan Tour 2015
4.08 - 4.10@Bluenote Tokyo
[1st]Open5:30pm Start7:00pm [2nd]Open8:45pm Start9:30pm
4.11@Mothion Blue Yokohama
1st open_3:45pm showtime_5:00pm 2nd open_6:45pm showtime_8:00pm
Daniel Oyewole(b)
Samuel Onwudo(ds)
Abiodun Oke(per)
アーティストから生み出される圧倒的なエネルギーに包まれたライブだった。
今回で6回目の来日公演になる。今でもデビュー当時からのファンも多く、日本人のドラマーを擁していた時期もある程、日本との繋がりも深い。1992年のデビューアルバム以来、アルバムの発表にあわせて来日しているが、今回は昨年のビルボードライブでの公演から1年後の再来日と嬉しいサプライズ。同郷ナイジェリア出身のベース、ドラムにパーカッションを加えたバンドは、キザイアの即興に巧みに合わせながら、ポリリズミックなグルーブを生み出していた。
Fela Kuti、Jimi Hendrix、Bob Marley、Miles Davisを敬愛し、ロック、ファンク、ジャズ、アフロビートと様々な音楽を取り込みながら、ブラックミュージックや、特定のジャンル、スタイルといった型にはまらず、ジャンルを超えて自在に往き来するキザイアの音楽は、彼の作った"ブルーファンク(Blufunk)"と言う呼び名が一番良く表現していると思う。
バスキングで身につけられた観客を魅了する様々なテクニックは、椅子に置かれたギターをパーカッションのように叩きながら ”Blufunk is a Fact!” と叫ぶ姿や、ギターを後ろに回して弾く”Secret Thoughts” に見る事ができるし、ピックを使わず右手を鞭のように上下しながら奏でる独特の正確で鋭いギターカッティングは”Funk 'N' Circumstance” 他、多くの曲で聴く事ができる。
ファーストアルバム「Blufunk is a Fact!」が発売された当時、あの鋭いギターの音がどのように生み出されるのか、眼を皿のようにしてライブ演奏に釘付けになった瞬間が今でも忘れられない。そしてうれしい事に、20年以上経った今でも、観る度に衝撃や感動を与え続けてくれる希有なアーティストだ。
実際にライブを体験しないと伝わらない感覚だが、ギターという楽器に対して持っている認識を遥かに超えて、さらなる可能性を示してくれるのだ。Jimi HendrixがMonterey Pop Festivalにおいて、耳を澄ますようアピールしながら、フィードバックというノイズを操って音楽へと昇華させて見せたパフォーマンスも同じような瞬間だったのではないだろうか。
独学で身につけたギターワークはキザイアジョーンズというアーティストの音楽の独自性を形成する大きな部分を占めてはいるが、超絶ギタリストとか、’変則的’と称される他の個性的なギタリストと異なっているのは、ギター至上主義に終わらず、アーティストとしてのトータルなバランスに優れているからに他ならない。
その事実は、独自の世界観を持ったソングライティングの能力や、卓越したライブパフォーマンスに見る事ができるし、キザイアジョーンズ自身の魅力的な個性に感じる事ができる。ギターで惹きつけながらも、決して自己満足なギタープレイに拘る事はなく、必要な時が過ぎればスパッと終わりにしてしまう。それも、彼の弾き方こそギター本来の弾き方ではないかと錯覚してしまう程、すごく自然に、そしてさらっとやってみせるのだ。ギターは彼の音楽を表現する手段であり、アルバム毎に進化していくギターテクニックの向上が、さらなる豊潤な音楽の表現を可能にしている。
留学のため幼い時に故国ナイジェリアを離れたキザイアも、2005年にラゴスで凱旋ライブを行い、パリ、ロンドン、ニューヨーク、ラゴスと世界中を飛び回って音楽活動をしながら現在に至っている。ブルーノートの彼の楽屋からはFela Kutiの音楽が常に流れていた。
Fela Kutiの意思を受け継ぎながらも独自の視点でメッセージを発信し続けているキザイアジョーンズから、今後も眼が離せない。
(※アーティスト、所属事務所、Blue Noteさんの許可を得て撮影させて頂きました)
-----------------------------------
Meet Nigeria's Captain Rugged - a superhero who can dance
BY JEREMY GAUNT LONDON Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:23pm GMT
急成長するナイジェリアの抱える問題、自分に何ができるだろうか。
Captain Ruggedはそんな現状を外の世界に伝えていく試みなんだ。
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/02/26/uk-nigeria-superhero-idUKBREA1P0EL20140226
（参考）
特集：豊かな原油に蝕まれるナイジェリア（ナショナルジオグラフィック2007年2月）
http://nationalgeographic.jp/nng/magazine/0702/feature05/
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/02/nigerian-oil/oneill-text
Ken Saro-Wiwa
Fela Kuti
-----------------------------------
CAPTAIN RUGGED in JAPAN：Keziah Jones Japan Tour 2014
Billboard Live Osaka
2/4（火） 1stステージ開場17:30 開演18:30/2ndステージ開場20:30 開演21:30
Billboard Live Tokyo
2/6（木） 1stステージ開場17:30 開演19:00/2ndステージ開場20:45 開演21:30
2/7（金） 1stステージ開場17:30 開演19:00/2ndステージ開場20:45 開演21:30
キザイアジョーンズが新作『Captain Rugged』を携えて５年ぶりの来日公演を行った。場所は前回2009年の時と同じビルボードライブで、大阪・東京と計６回の公演。特に最終公演ではほぼ満席で、終始盛り上がったライヴとなった。
Alice Coltraneの名曲『Journey In Satchidananda』が流れる中、ベースのOtto Williams、ドラムのNathan Allenとともに颯爽と登場。１曲目の『Funk 'N' Circumstance』から鋭いギターカッティングは健在だ。ナイロン弦のギターを鞭のように右手で叩き付けるキザイア独自のギタースタイルは、空気を切り裂き、耳に、目に突き刺さってくる。CDやビデオでは伝わらないライヴならではの緊迫感だ。
2弦ギターでの『Dear Mr Cooper』、スラップベースのように弾く『Cash』、ギターを背中に回して弾き語る『Secret Thoughts』や、弾き語りの時もオブリガードを絡ませたコードワークなど、ライヴミュージシャンとして‘魅せる’ テクニックは一流だ。ヘビーなベース、タイトなドラムとの相性も最高でMCも控えめに最後まで疾走していく。途中、マントを羽織り、アフリカンスーパーヒーローCaptain Ruggedへ’変身’し、盛り上がりは最高潮に。アンコールを求める拍手が鳴り止まなかったのが印象的だった。
1991年にデビューし、日本でも超新人として音楽雑誌で紹介されて20年以上経った今でも、彼の音楽スタイルはブレる事がない。絶えず新しいサウンド、曲作りを模索しているように思える。Jimi HendrixもFela Kutiも生で体験する事ができないが、キザイアジョーンズを同時代に体験できる事をうれしく思う。次回は是非、ライヴフェスのようなスタンディングの大会場で、多くの若い音楽ファンにその魅力を伝えて欲しいと願っている。
(※アーティスト、所属事務所、Billboard Liveさんの許可を得て撮影させて頂きました)
Set list: 2/7 2nd @Billboard Live Tokyo
01:Funk 'N' Circumstance
02:Dear Mr Cooper
03:Million Miles From Home
04:Cash
05.Where's Life?
06.Femiliarise(solo)
07.Invisible Ladder(solo)
08.Blufunk Is Alive!
09.Funderlying Undermentals
10.Secret Thoughts
11.Nollywoodoo
12.Beautiful Emilie
13.Pass The Joint(Rick James cover)
14.Rhythm Is Love
来日公演2014
1stステージ開場17:30 開演19:00
2ndステージ開場20:45 開演21:30
2014/2/6(木) ～ 2/7(金)ビルボードライブ東京
1stステージ開場17:30 開演19:00
2ndステージ開場20:45 開演21:30
来日公演2014
1stステージ開場17:30 開演19:00
2ndステージ開場20:45 開演21:30
2014/2/6(木) ～ 2/7(金)ビルボードライブ東京
1stステージ開場17:30 開演19:00
2ndステージ開場20:45 開演21:30
来日公演2014
1stステージ開場17:30 開演19:00
2ndステージ開場20:45 開演21:30
2014/2/6(木) ～ 2/7(金)ビルボードライブ東京
1stステージ開場17:30 開演19:00
2ndステージ開場20:45 開演21:30
来日公演2015
2015 4.8 wed. - 4.10 fri. @ブルーノート東京
1stステージ Open 5:30pm Start 7:00pm
2ndステージ Open 8:45pm Start 9:30pm
2015 4.11 sat. @モーション・ブルー・ヨコハマ
1stステージ Open 3:45pm Showtime 5:00pm
2ndステージ Open 6:45pm Showtime 8:00pm
来日公演2014
1stステージ開場17:30 開演19:00
2ndステージ開場20:45 開演21:30
2014/2/6(木) ～ 2/7(金)ビルボードライブ東京
1stステージ開場17:30 開演19:00
2ndステージ開場20:45 開演21:30
来日公演2014
1stステージ開場17:30 開演19:00
2ndステージ開場20:45 開演21:30
2014/2/6(木) ～ 2/7(金)ビルボードライブ東京
1stステージ開場17:30 開演19:00
2ndステージ開場20:45 開演21:30
Keziah Jones: Links
Keziah Jones: Links
Keziah Jones-Official Website
Keziah Jones-Official Website(France)
http://www.keziahjones.com/fr/
Keziah Jones-Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/keziahjones?ref=stream
Keziah Jones-twitter
Because Music
http://www.because.tv/artistes/keziah-jones.html
Rugged Management
Marcel Oehler's fan site
http://marcel-oehler.marcellosendos.ch/keziahjones/
Keziah Jones: Links
Keziah Jones: Links
Keziah Jones-Official Website
Keziah Jones-Official Website(France)
http://www.keziahjones.com/fr/
Keziah Jones-Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/keziahjones?ref=stream
Keziah Jones-twitter
Because Music
http://www.because.tv/artistes/keziah-jones.html
Rugged Management
Marcel Oehler's fan site
http://marcel-oehler.marcellosendos.ch/keziahjones/
Keziah Jones: Links
Keziah Jones: Links
Keziah Jones-Official Website
Keziah Jones-Official Website(France)
http://www.keziahjones.com/fr/
Keziah Jones-Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/keziahjones?ref=stream
Keziah Jones-twitter
Because Music
http://www.because.tv/artistes/keziah-jones.html
Rugged Management
Marcel Oehler's fan site
http://marcel-oehler.marcellosendos.ch/keziahjones/
