N.E.P.A.

The re-release of the 1985 album by the same name. This time around, a stray track from Afrobeat Express comes along for the ride in "Olokun." The album itself is largely a biting criticism and mocking of the Nigerian Electrical Power Authority, rife with corruption and poor service. It starts out with the title track, with a definite Afro-beat punch and a tighter arrangement than would normally be expected from Fela. Electro-claps stand as part of the percussion line, adding to a more modern look at what Afro-beat was becoming. This is followed by an even further modernized piece of Afro-beat, as the title track is given a dub mix. "When One Road Close" has a similar pace, and is similarly followed by a dub remix, complete with the necessary space-effects reverb. The album finishes with "Olokun," full of '80s synthesizer work and synth drum hits. Even a synth bass is used in the final product. This is the peak of electronic Afro-beat, before it returned to some degree of its original James Brown-inspired roots. If you didn't pick the album up the first time around, this is a good time to get it, especially with the bonus track addition. ~ Adam Greenberg|

先ごろ新作も発表したアフリカン・レジェンド、トニー・アレン。彼がヨーロッパ移住直後の84年に録音していた作品がリイシューされました。かつてはフェラ・クティとも活動をともにしていた彼が叩きだすタイトなビートを軸に、明らかにダブに影響を受けたと思われるサウンド・エフェクトが煌めくトニー流アフロビートを展開。初期デトロイト・テクノまでの距離も相当に近い、創造性&実験性に溢れた驚きの一枚。
bounce (C)大石ハジメ