Jazz Hot magazine views about Fela and Afrobeat in 1981

Every year is celebrated a Fela Day (few weeks ago in Paris), proving that Fela Kuti's spirit is still gliding around, despite a very varied comprehension. Good occasion anyway to search in muzzicaltrips archives, and look at how evolves perception of african music along the years. Here's an article about Fela Kuti which reveals part of the perception of a jazz magazine from 1981 (Jazz Hot, first jazz magazine in Europe created in 1935).

Johnny and Orquesta Rodrigues - African Woman / Lady (Fela Kuti cover, 1974)

(negram NR-110).

Here's another Fela Kuti afrobeat cover, from an artist I initially thought was from Suriname, but i finally discovered he was from Cabo Verde. This country being a portuguese colony, Johnny Rodrigues was supposed to serve in portuguese army to fight Angola independence movement, but he could avoid it flying to the US with his family, and then lived in Netherland during the mid 70s. 

Soleya Mama & le Waatoo Sita - vol. 1 (Senegal, 1976)

(SAF 50028).

Waatoo Sita means "it is time" in Mandingo...

Michael White - The Land of Spirit and Light (Fela Kuti afrojazz cover, 1974)

(IMPULSE! - AS-9241).

Lisandro Meza - Shakalao / Shakara (Fela Kuti vibe in Colombia, 1975)

(Limeza).

Muzzicaltrips travels around mutual influences between Africa and Latin America.
Here's a great example, "Shacalao", played by Colombian Lisandro Mesa, cumbia master, known as "Accordion World Champion", joined by his conjunto.

It consists of a roots afro-colombian version of nigerian king of afrobeat Fela Kuti song "Shakara".

Amazing mixed influences version, atlantic ocean seems to have evaporated...