Track Listing

1. Expensive Shit
2. Water No Get Enemy
3. He Miss Road
4. Monday Morning In Lagos
5. It's No Possible

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13298 in Music
• Released on: 2002-09-30
• Number of discs: 1

CD Description
Newcomers to the music of Fela Kuti are faced with some difficult choices since the late-1990s/early-2000s reissues of his string of classic '70s albums (the reissues put two records back-to-back). In truth, they're all good, so it is hardto go wrong picking one at random. Still, EXPENSIVE SHIT/HEMISS ROAD is arguably one of his best. In addition to its burbling percussive groove, infectious horn melodies, and Fela's inspired vocal performance, the anecdote behind the title cut is an amusing tale involving the Nigerian authorities'raid of Fela's home compound, during which he was framed for the possession of marijuana. (Fela ultimately escaped charges.)
The rest of the disc--the keyboard-and horn-dominated instrumental "Water No Get Enemy", HE MISS ROAD's subtly grooving title track, the loping "Monday Morning in Lagos" and the staccato "It's No Possible"--continues in classic Afrobeat style. Even decades later, this collection plays like revolutionary music--free, defiant, pleasure-giving, and full of passion and conviction.

Customer Reviews

That mind-blowing moment
It happens so rarely: you get an album by an artist you've vaguely heard of, with no expectations of any kind. But as you listen to each track you start to become more and more excited, thinking, "How could I not know about this man? How could I not have heard this music before? And where can I get hold of more of this stuff?"

ES/HMR is an amazing collection of songs that I've since found out are classified as "Afro-beat" but which are really very difficult to classify. Funky, rhythmical, but also quite jazzy in places. Talking Heads' Remain In Light album is an obvious comparison. Lyrics often don't arrive until 5 minutes into a song, and while the songs can run to 10 minutes or more there's more than enough to justify it, with building keyboard and rhythmic guitar the main attraction. The two title tracks are the best but overall this is a hypnotising collection of songs that deserve the widest audience.

Absolutely Incredible!
These albums really are the dogs kahunas! Thrilling, intoxicating rythms intertwined with our man's infectious vocals results in one bloody phenomenal two album package! My absolute favourite is, "Water, He No Get Enemy" with it's powerful uplifting vocals and frankly moving, groove.

The only minor thing is, that the tracklist is exceedingly short with only two on Expensive Shit and three on He Miss Road. I don't suppose it really matters though, as each song lasts around ten minutes each!

If you appreciate tasteful, well crafted music or something a little bit different, then get this! You'll be hooked!!!