The Guardian have got an exclusive stream of Fela Kuti’s debut recording. It appears on the latest compilation from Soundway Records, the forthcoming Highlife on the Move: Selected Nigerian and Ghanaian Recordings from London and Lagos – 1954-66. Titled Fela’s Special, from 1960, it’s in the highlife style, the first modern popular music of Ghana and Nigeria. The track had been recorded in London for the Caribbean and African-focused Melodisc label, but was lost until archivists recently rediscovered it.
As Markus Coester remarks, “Even though [the recordings] had been discographically tracked and people interested in Fela’s musical life knew of them, they kept hiding for more than 50 years. Before I came across them, I was even in doubt whether they had been released at all. These are amazing first recordings, however.”
The compilation will be released on double CD & triple 180g gatefold vinyl, with a bonus 7″. Head over to the Guardian to hear the track.
