The Strides Play Fela Kuti – The Spirit of Afro-Beat!

Sydney just cannot get enough of legendary musician and African political activist Fela Kuti. From a visit from his son Seun and the Egypt 80 earlier in the year, to the Sydney Film Festival documentary Finding Fela and beyond, Kuti’s legacy will be further acknowledged by Sydney roots ruckus, The Strides.

“Using music as a weapon for political activism is such a powerful tool and it really resonates with our consciousness,” explains tenor sax player Jeremy Rose.

“[Drummer] Carlos Adura had been living in West Africa for a few months and had been studying traditional drumming as well as learning the highlights of Afro-drum beat rhythms. When he came back we started playing some of those grooves with the band. Fela Kuti was the pioneer of that music and made the most important contribution to that music.”

Being joined by a host of MCs as well as talented vocalist Afro Moses from Ghana, expect to hear some of those classic Kuti creations with a pinch of originality.

“We like to bring a flavour of The Strides and mix hip-hop into Afro-Beat and Fela’s music,” Rose says. “He was such a strong political activist and standing up for civil rights throughout Africa are stories that everyone should hear.” (CD)

Jul 12, The Basement, 7 Macquarie St, Circular Quay, $20+bf, thebasement.com.au, (02) 9251 2797