J.J.D./Unnecessary Begging

by Fela Kuti

Overview

A two-LP set, J.J.D. consists solely of one 22-minute song, "J.J.D. (Johnny Just Drop)." It actually isn't much different in length than most of Fela Kuti's releases from this era (which usually contained two songs adding up to half-an-hour), but still made for rather short value. The song is decent enough, making extensive use of a live crowd and busy hand-drummed rhythm at the beginning, then gliding into a typical (if very long) Afro-funk-jazz vamp. The title track of the two-song, half-hour Unnecessary Begging has an uncommonly (for Kuti) slow-burning tempo that effectively maintains its slow, moody pace as instruments drop in and out. Philosophically, Kuti takes his usual stance here -- not that it's a bad one -- deploring poverty and government inadequacy. His trademark weird electric keyboards are heard near the conclusion, sounding like a warped record that's out of sync with the rest of the track. The other song, "No Buredi (No Bread)," is a bit more uptempo and, in its favor, makes greater use of those indefinably strange keyboards, which have an extraterrestrial quality when heard at length. ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	07/24/2001
Label:	Mca / Universal
UPC:	0731454924528
Rank:	115793

Tracks

1. J.J.D. (Johnny Just Drop)
2. Unnecessary Begging
3. No Buredi (No Bread)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Fela Kuti   Primary Artist,Piano,Vocals,Sax (Alto),Sax (Tenor)
Afrika 70   Guest Artist
Christopher Uwaifor   Sax (Tenor)
Shade Shehindemi   Vocals,Choir/Chorus
Isaac Olaleye   Maracas
Regina Osuhor   Vocals,Choir/Chorus
James Abayomi   Stick
Tony Allen   Drums
Lekan Animashaun   Sax (Baritone)
Tejumade Adebiyi   Vocals,Choir/Chorus
Felicia Idonije   Vocals,Choir/Chorus
Bernadettle Oghomienor   Vocals,Choir/Chorus
Leke Benson   Guitar (Rhythm)
Suru Eriomla   Vocals,Choir/Chorus
Ogene Kologba   Guitar (Tenor)
Tunde Williams   Trumpet
Stephen Ukem   Trumpet

Technical Credits

Fela Kuti   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Demola Odebiyi   Engineer,Mixing Engineer
Tony Allen   Leader
Bernadettle Oghomienor   Leader
R. Francis   Photography,Executive Production Coordinator
Mabinuori Kayode Idowu   Liner Notes
Churchmouse   Cover Design