Newen Afrobeat & Seun Kuti - Zombie (Fela Kuti)

En 2018, Newen Afrobeat vuelve a Nigeria para compartir con la familia Kuti y participar de Felabration Lagos por segunda vez. Unos meses más tarde, se produce un nuevo encuentro entre Seun y Newen Afrobeat, esta vez en Santiago de Chile con motivo de Lollapalooza 2019, donde en los días posteriores se graba esta sesión en vivo en La Makinita en una sola toma. La canción escogida es Zombie, lanzada por Fela Kuti el año 1977 y que habla de la brutalidad de la policía contra su propio pueblo. Una especie de premonición con lo que sucedería en octubre de ese mismo año en Chile donde tras el estallido social más relevante de las últimas décadas, la policía chilena torturó, mutiló y mató a cientos de personas que se manifestaban por un Chile más justo.

In 2018, Newen Afrobeat returns to Nigeria to share with the Kuti family and participate in Felabration Lagos for the second time. A few months later, there is a new meeting between Seun and Newen Afrobeat, this time in Santiago de Chile on Lollapalooza 2019, and in the following days this session was recorded live at “La Makinita” in a single take. The chosen song is Zombie, released by Fela Kuti in 1977 and which speaks of the brutality of the police against their own people. A kind of premonition with what would happen in October of that same year in Chile where, after the most relevant social outbreak in recent decades, the Chilean police tortured, mutilated and killed hundreds of people who were demonstrating for a more just Chile.

NEWEN AFROBEAT & SEUN KUTI
Seun Kuti - Lead Vocals & Alto Sax
Fran Ri - Lead Vocals
Francisca Castro - Backing vocals
Macarena Rozic - Backing vocals
Enrique Camhi - Trumpet
Maururu SanchezFlores - Trumpet
Diego González - Trumpet
Klaus Brantmayer - Alto sax
Marcelo Morales - Tenor sax
Aldo Gómez - Baritone sax
Diego Alarcón - Keyboard
Martín Concha - Electric guitar
Seba Crooks - Electric guitar
Alvaro Quintas - Bass
Tomás Pavez - Percussions
Alejandro 'El Galita' Orellana - Congas, bongoes, kpalongo and accesories
Roberto Gevert - Drums

Recorded by Cristian Zamora (Pini) on "Estudios La Makinita", April 2019, Santiago de Chile
Audiovisual montage by Camilo Carrasco
Cameras by Camilo Carrasco, Jennifer Maçan, Claudio "Karita" Parra
Video postproduction by Matías Cerón, Vania Soto
Mixed and Mastered by Jorge ‘Pluto’ Abarca
Produced by Tino Canessa / Lichens Family

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[Dcham]

For those who don’t know, this song was written about the Nigerian government and ultimately resulted in the Nigerian government murdering Fela Kuti’s mother.

Blood was shed for this beautiful music to be played.

[enobmah]

I an really impressed by this drummer!! must have perfect time, as Ginger Baker used to say. I do not think I would have learned about Newen Afrobeat, had I not been a lifelong fan of Ginger Baker, and even when he left England for Nigeria and set up his 16 track recording studio in the 1970's in, and his alliance with Fela Kuti began, I then came to know of what a giant Fela Kuti was for Nigerian music, and also African music in general. In looking for Fela Kuti on the internet, I was so happy to have met with the sound and the powerful rhythm of Newen .Afrobeat.


I am very sorry that their popularity is not so much in the United States. What are Newen Afrobeat doing now? I see they are alive and well and all the members are solid and unified year after year, but there are no recordings of their music being played on American radio, they are almost unknown in even New York.

Even Amazon only has ONE album that is a mix of other bands, and Newen Afrobeat is reduced to only selling MP3 format! Maybe they prefer this path. Maybe it's less hassel with record companies who rip artists off, and possibly being forced into dealing with the Mafia, which is deeply involved in the music industry. They are obviously happy making music in their way, and they may just be so de-centralized and democratic that there is no real "BOSS" bean counter, and dealing as a musical entity with a record company is just too much like misery to interfere with the music and spirit of the people who make it work.

This problem of also being a BUSINESS arose for the Beatles after Brian Epstein died, and although it did not wreck their ability to create music, suddenly the real world came crashing in, and they had to balance this thing called a check book!! And they had to make serious decisions....and who was going to get how much money?!?! All the uncomfortable decisions that went along with the beautiful music had been taken care of by Mr. Epstein. When he was no longer there, their world of beautiful thoughts and inspired feelings had to become business meetings and disagreements on directions to go with The Beatles Ltd., and how to pay less than 90% taxes!!


I am sad to say, I have been a fan of theirs for maybe 2 years now, but I still have not known who they are. Their names are not mentioned anywhere in English publications, I never hear of their music being played anywhere despite how enjoyable it make us feel.

The few websites that are supposed to be dedicated to Newen Afrobeat I have sent notes to, asking for information for when they tour America and where a person can get CD's of their music, but there is no responding person on the other end!!

I wish these fine musicians and artists to have a happy and long career making their happy and rhythmic sound together.
I just wish it were possible to get to know them a little better as people in a great band and hear them play live!! Maybe one of the band will read this and answer me?

[michaeludeze]

*Zombie* is a song by Nigerian Afrobeat creator, Fela Kuti. The song was released in 1976 when Nigeria was under idiotic military Government. In the song, Fela mocked soldiers as mindless robots who follow illegal and immoral orders thoughtlessly. In response, soldiers stormed his resident, injured defenseless residents, threw his mom out of a second floor window, and burned the place down. Fela lamented the murder of his mom in a song, titled, *Unknown Soldier.* Fela Kuti remains a folk hero to Nigerians. He is the inspiration of Modern Frobeatz artists.

[johnhrichak]

Infected by Fela more than 35 yrs ago, an Afro-Beat pandemic is what the world needs! Seeing young people get it lets me fade away a happy old person.

[jpzarka]

After watching Opposite People more times than I'd like to admit, you've gone and brought the 🔥 again! Superb!! 👏

[runandrock]

I second jpzarka's comment below:
'After watching Opposite People more times than I'd like to admit . . . ' 🙂 Newen Afrobeat with Seun Kuti is life and joy!

[jeangerard]

J ai vu Féla au Shrine à Lagos en1980, puis Seun dans le sud de la france au côté de Femi....avec son saxophone qui touchait presqu'à terre !
Mais ce que fait Newen Afrobeat de cet héritage musical est une merveille, un miracle !!
Je me rendrai n' importe où en Europe pour les voir, et même à defaut au chili !!!!
Merci mille fois, gardez cette joie de jouer, et cet état d esprit magnifique !!!

[hunterhatfield]

It took me 3 watches to realise this is even the same studio as Opposite People with new lighting. Magic space and magic music!

[robertaccornero]

this is a rare moment in time when it all comes together

[mod]

Amazing! As a Nigerian, I am speechless!

[Millylilli]

Met SEUN in 93 in Kalakuta. He was 8. Was visiting Fela for the first time…. I’m so darn proud of SEUN keeping the legacy and doing its thing.. Ifa and the Orisha pantheon are looking from above and Afro beating all the way………❤❤❤❤❤❤

[karl-friedrichkraus]

Kuti alle Kutis sind die Nigerianischen Topstars .
Mein Respekt vor Ihnen .
Zappa war auch so Einer.
Die Kutis for Afrika und
Zappa for Amerika.
Das sind die Musiker die dèhnen auf die Füsse treten.

[TherealSeriousMoonlight]

A lot of percussion in afrobeat but the drum kit guy is still gettig his licks in and making it weird. Love it.

[clarketheshark]

The singers sound great and are very BEAUTIFUL !!!!

[deleamedu]

Listening to this makes be proud to be Nigerian. May God bless Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Africa’s GOAT of music .

[nzemaina]

I want more Seun Kuti... You for sure have made Papa Fela Kuti damn proud... You've done this one justice oo

[jonstewart]

Omg just came to listen and saw tickets next week at the venue next door to my house! Shows how well I follow culture up here in the sticks...

[TheQJSShow]

Absolutely outstanding. Everyone in one room, vibing and multiples of everything good. 🔥 🔥 this is new for me and I love it.

[josiesbuzz]

This is an excellent cover. Fela would be proud of Newen Afrobeat and what you stand for.

[pedrolavega]

Fran Ri's voice is incredible !
And the whole band is mind blowing !