Now Open and Close appears together with the enormously funky album Afrodisiac (I don't remember what it formerly appeared with), and the pairing combines to make what is probably my favorite Fela disc. The horns are bright and fiery, the grooves are tight, and they range from super fast funk to molasses-slow grinds. When Amazon finally gets around to making an "Essential Fela" list (it's about time!), I recommend they include this.


Kicks Out Some Serious Jams   August 8, 2005
Scott McFarland (Manassas, VA United States)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

The tunes on "Afrodisiac" are the older ones on here, they date back to just before 1971 when both of these albums were apparently recorded. The two on Side 1 are probably (I won't pretend I'm any type of authority on Fela - I'm just a beginner at this point) fairly typical of his early "Afrobeat" sound. They stay on the same chords and generate a boatload of tribal rhythmic intensity. Well-recorded, nothing wrong with them at all, good but not great music. But then the two tracks on Side 2 - holy cow! James Brown in space on amphetamine or something like that. Absolutely great, intense, imaginitive stuff.

"Open and Close"'s 3 tracks are of a similar level of quality and imagination (and intensity). Track 2 is the most amazing of the three; when Fela got those horns going on creative lines, there's nothing quite like his band. This probably is a good place to start investigating Fela's music. It's an extremly fine collection of music, and the sound on this reissue is clear and strong and beautiful.



Fela Kuti lets the good times roll   February 26, 2003
8 out of 10 found this review helpful

Open & Close/ Afrodisiac comes very close to shaking your butt for you! The instrumentation is tight, and the sub-tempos, which are noticable in most of the songs, create a very "busy" sound without being washed out or hyper. Percussion throughout is very African influenced, and the horns add a swinging latin/big band sound. While the bass riffs and muted guitar can get a bit repetitious, the overall music keeps the listener quite interested for the duration of the often 12 minute-plus songs. A must for anyone that appreciates great "get together" music. Take it to your next one; your friends will be happy you put it on, and you'll have the pleasure of taking the real party home at the end of the night! Go, Fela! GO!


I heard this music in the movie "The Visitor" and fell in love   May 31, 2008
R. Kyle (USA)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Unfortunately, there was only one drum number from this CD, Je'nwi Teni (Don't Gag Me) on the movie soundtrack. Since this recording was described as seminal, I grabbed the CD. The performances are from the 1970's and much of the music protests the conditions in Nigeria. The sound's very good

I don't pretend to be an expert on Fela Kuti, but I will say his music is inspiring, both joyous and powerful. You've got strong horns, organ, and drum rhythm with some singing in both Nigerian and English (Open and Close, specifically for the latter). Mr. Kuti lays down a fine groove whether it's sweet and slow or fast and hot.

If you love African music, drums, just plain good stuff, this CD is one you should listen to.

Rebecca Kyle, May 2008


The Sound of Revolt   November 15, 2001
J. Reynolds (Los Angeles, CA USA)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

Nigerian Genius fleshing out his extravegance. Bass-laden soul music, flaring horns, a wild Jimmie Smith-like organ, and protest lyrics satirizing Nigerian oppression, militarism, and the ignorance of the 'civilized.' A must for all.