UPR!SE is a blog dedicated to The Shrine's Patron Saint and inspiration, Fela Anikulpo Kuti.

The blog focuses on music, fashion, art, design, politics and culture. It is a celebration of trailblazing souls who rise up without compromise.

THE SHRINE, CHICAGO

Saturday, January 30, 2010

AFRO (STEREO) TYPES - DJ CLARK QUENTE

Mostly West African tunes with some Reggae thrown in the mix. McRad, an obscure Michael Jackson cover, lots of Tony Allen (including a Ron Trent edit) and more...! Enjoy.



LISTEN: DJ CLARK QUENTE - AFRO (STEREO) TYPES

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

LAGOS DISCO INFERNO!

After reissuing killer 70s Afro/Psych/Funk From Ofege, SJOB Movement and The Mebusas, NYC's Academy Records joins forces with Frank from Voodoo Funk to release the double LP (CD) compilation, LAGOS DISCO INFERNO. Grittier and rawer than American or European disco, with distinctive African influences, the compilation is a fascinating and FUNKY look at the disco scene of 1970s Lagos, Nigeria. Check the promo video below.


Thursday, January 7, 2010

Wax Poetics - AFRICA issue!


Wax Poetics just released its first ever edition dedicated soley to African Music! Serendipitously, it's the first time The Shrine has advertised in the magazine. Yeah, this is a bit of a shameless plug, but we don't care, as Wax Poetics is easily the coolest music magazine going.

In the Tony Allen piece, a mention is made of a song by Chris Ajilo, a Nigerian musician who recorded Highlife in the 40s and 50s. Seems lots of folks took liberties lifting melodies from the older generation of musicians, retro-fit the songs with new lyrics and claimed it as their own, or claimed it was "traditional African music". Sound familiar?

Of course I was curious about the song, so I went looking for it on the internet. I found it on a great blog called World Service. It's on a Highlife compilation called 'Catchy Nigerian Rhythms' from 1956. (There is also a volume 2.) You can download both, awesome stuff! The article says Osibisa lifted the cut, but to me it sounds like Fela's "Water No Get Enemy". You be the judge...

LISTEN: CHRIS AJILO - ARIWO