Jaded, My Tummy

It's been a long time since I've written anything here. And even a longer period of time that anyone has even paid attention to this blog, i.e. never. #HeyOh.

First of all, let me say, after ignoring it for so long, I'm finally on Twitter. Please follow @LargesseMorlu!

A lot has happened since my last post in 2012, with music and contemporary events. Like a muthafuckin' lot. I won't even begin to try and summarize it all (R.I.P. Prince, Muhammad Ali, and Phife Dawg tho), but two things come to mind: the radicalization of the #BlackLivesMatter movement and what I possibly believe could be the New Black Renaissance. The former reflects both tremendous tragedy and an exciting time. The brutally racist and recorded killings of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling, happening within 24 hours of each other earlier this year, ignited a fire under us, and we are demanding not only justice but permanent change, a thorough reorganization of society and its perpetuation of privilege.

The latter is an acknowledgement on my part that within the past few years we have gotten some of the best black music in years. Highly creative, artistic, forward-thinking, progressive, even political, etc. etc. And often that shit still bangs (see: "Alright"). I think things got started with the return of D'Angelo and his Black Messiah (2014),

To say now that America was right, and England wrong, is exceedingly easy. Everybody can say it; the dastard, not less than the noble brave, can flippantly discant on the tyranny of England towards the American Colonies. It is fashionable to do so; but there was a time when to pronounce against England, and in favor of the cause of the colonies, tried men’s souls. They who did so were accounted in their day, plotters of mischief, agitators and rebels, dangerous men. To side with the right, against the wrong, with the weak against the strong, and with the oppressed against the oppressor! here lies the merit, and the one which, of all others, seems unfashionable in our day. The cause of liberty may be stabbed by the men who glory in the deeds of your fathers.

Let me stay on Africa for a little bit with these Black Music Month posts. This music here, highlife—West African dance/funk/pop medley galore—is what Fela grew up on. As did I. Prince Nico Mbarga was probably the most popular of the genre ("Sweet Mother" was his biggest song and, I believe, highest selling record by an African artist.... don't quote me on that). "Simplicity" is one of my favorites.

Societies never know it, but the war of an artist with his society is a lover’s war, and he does, at his best, what lovers do, which is to reveal the beloved to himself and, with that revelation, to make freedom real.

I'm still behind on my reviews (please forgive me OKP!), so I'm still posting up already published pieces for the time being. This is one of my favorite reviews. For Okayplayer, I reviewed the Fela compilation The Best of the Black President, which was released around the start of the incredible Broadway play Fela!. I would give more info on what Fela's music, Afro-beat, is and whatnot, but I introduce those things in the review. I'll have some more Afro-beat related posts coming too, which will fit in nicely with the whole black music month thing. Enjoy!

Fela Kuti - The Best of the Black President (2009)

There are several labels that have been ascribed to Nigerian Afro-Beat king Fela Kuti: visionary, trailblazer, misogynist, revolutionary, genius, etc. However, "prolific" has to be the most indisputable. Timed with the Broadway debut of the biographical musical Fela!, Knitting Factory Records will remaster and reissue nearly all of Fela’s back catalog...