Netflix is currently streaming Ginger Baker In Africa, an incredibly loose documentary surrounding the British percussion wizard’s trip from Algeria to Lagos, Nigeria in November of 1971. And by ‘loose’ I mean 53 minutes of (ostensibly) amateur footage that oscillates between off the cuff jam sessions and animated beat-poetry narration to scattered on-the-road vignettes. If you’re into this sort of trip (we are) it’s great – if not, don’t bother. A heady travelogue, indeed.
One of the first Western rock musicians to seriously take an active interest the region’s music, the basis for Baker’s visit was to scout locations for a recording studio. As such, Baker of course hooked up with Fela, an old friend from Kuti’s London days, filming him and his band in action one evening at Kuti’s nightclub, The Afro Spot. Baker’s intimate, rain soaked footage, below.
gonna have to queu this one up. loving Kuti’s backwards and forwards strut, here.
1 | Mick June 25th, 2012 at 10:35 amWow. Feeling great.
2 | Eric R. Schiller June 25th, 2012 at 4:40 pmyeah, this, this is the shit…expensive SHIT
3 | tthompson June 25th, 2012 at 6:11 pmFELA 4EVA
4 | Mark June 25th, 2012 at 6:56 pmDope…
5 | Jeff June 25th, 2012 at 11:40 pmFela had the foxiest dancers/wives.
6 | acetone June 26th, 2012 at 2:06 pmSaw “Beware of Mr. Baker’ at the International Film Festival here in Boston – after hearing so much about it (and missing it) at SxSW 2012. It was just unbelievable. It’s left a lasting impression on me. I believe it actually used some footage of “Ginger Baker in Africa.” The footage and editing are sensational. Rare Fela Kuti and Cream clips made it my favorite documentary of the last year.
7 | Ryan June 28th, 2012 at 8:18 amThis footage is pretty riveting – reading/watching this after having just heard how great this doc is from my drummer brother, I will definitely be putting it at the top of my watch list (along with his other high recommend of the Ronnie Lane documentary) – very excited for upcoming netflixes.
8 | david bronson July 3rd, 2012 at 10:27 pmFela Kuti is the man.He had such a strong sense of self and he’s just cool as hell.
9 | Richard Reyes July 12th, 2012 at 12:42 pmPure and Raw. This is no blog-band bullshit. Get familiar with this.
10 | Mal March 23rd, 2013 at 5:51 pmDoesn’t the dancing remind you of being a teenager and having the house to yourself? That feeling.
11 | Shamone March 23rd, 2013 at 6:09 pmDope indeed
12 | Stephe March 24th, 2013 at 3:12 am