Fela Kuti - London Scene

After finishing school at London’s Trinity College School Of Music, Fela returned to Nigeria and his band Koola Lobitios. He began fusing the sounds of jazz and funk with the traditional African music he had been raised on. EMI, his label at the time, saw the true power of his musical creation, which he termed ‘afro-beat’ and brought Fela and his band back to London. The result was London Scene, Fela’s first release, recorded at Abbey Road.

Cream drummer Ginger Baker plays un-credited on the track Egbe Mio. London Scene from 1971 is the beginning of what would become Fela’s signature Afrobeat style and a great introduction to the man and his music.