The re-release of the 1985 album by the same name. This time around, a stray track from Afrobeat Express comes along for the ride in “Olokun.” The album itself is largely a biting criticism and mocking of the Nigerian Electrical Power Authority, rife with corruption and poor service. It starts out with the title track, with a definite Afro-beat punch and a tighter arrangement than would normally be expected from Fela. Electro-claps stand as part of the percussion line, adding to a more modern look at what Afro-beat was becoming. This is followed by an even further modernized piece of Afro-beat, as the title track is given a dub mix. “When One Road Close” has a similar pace, and is similarly followed by a dub remix, complete with the necessary space-effects reverb. The album finishes with “Olokun,” full of ’80s synthesizer work and synth drum hits. Even a synth bass is used in the final product. This is the peak of electronic Afro-beat, before it returned to some degree of its original James Brown-inspired roots. If you didn’t pick the album up the first time around, this is a good time to get it, especially with the bonus track addition. – Adam Greenberg
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