Fela Kuti has been rediscovered all around the globe in the last 20 years in ever changing inspirational ways. Probably there is no major city in Europe or the US today without an ensemble that heavily references Fela Kuti. For some it is the power and impact of his political message, the uncompromising life in Kalakutta republic fighting Nigeria’s military government, or the legendary shrine where he used to perform. In the early 70ies Fela Kuti (along with his longtime drummer Tony Allen (RIP)) created an infectious sound called Afrobeat. A sound that only recently has been rediscovered as an alternative narrative to afroamerican Jazz in the new British Jazz explosion by bands like Sons of Kemet, Kokoroko or Ezra Collective.
Fela Kuti in Dub takes us to one of Germanys hubs of Fela Kuti admiration: a small studio in the bluecollar district Untergiesing in Munich. This is the workspace of drummer, producer, dub fanatic, music nerd, DJ and connector: Captain Yossarian. The studio complex is home to an illustrious group of musicians: Krautrock pioneers Embryo, Poets of Rhythm mastermind Jan Weissenfeldt, Franz Ferdinands guitar player Nick Mc Carthy or local (also Fela Kuti loving) Express Brassband who all work here. Occasionally bands visiting Munich stop by, to play a hidden gig or spend a few nights here to avoid depleting hotel costs and maybe – who knows – ending up on Fela Kuti in Dub.
Fela Kuti in Dub is Captain Yossarian’s dream come true project: It contains four essential songs by Fela Kuti and treats them in a style of a Jamaican Discomix. Think of a collaboration between Fela Kuti and King Tubby and you are close to what Captain Yossarian had in mind. The four tracks take us on a journey from Afrobeat deep into Dub. Starting out as instrumental covers the tracks evolve into full on dub versions, celebrating the musical heritage of Nigeria and Jamaica likewise.
Recorded 2024-2025 by Captain Yossarian/Manuel da Coll, Studio Katzlbaum/Munich
Mix and live dub by Seb-I/Sebastian Kellig and Captain Yossarian/Manuel da Coll, Sausage Studio/London
Premaster by Sodi Marciszewer, Zarma Studio/Paris
Master by Frederic Stader; Music Matters/Berlin
Zombie In Dub 7:55min
Prince Tempopolice (Santrofi/Ghana) – drums
Sebastian Höglauer (Kapelle So&So/Germany) – trumpet
Stefan Huber (Kapelle So&So/Germany) – horn
Niko Schabel (Radio Citizen/Germany) – alto and tenor saxophone
Jakob Lakner (YXALAG/Germany) – bariton saxophone
Steffen Müller (Connexion Balkon, Germany) – bass, rhythm guitar
Manuel da Coll (Cpt. Yossarian, Germany) – tenor guitar, drums, percussion, dubs, effects
Water No Get Enemy In Dub 8:36min
Jan Weissenfeldt (Poets Of Rhythm/Germany) – rhythm guitar, tenor guitar
Sebastian Höglauer (Kapelle So&So/Germany) – trumpet
Stefan Huber (Kapelle So&So/Germany) – horn
Niko Schabel (Radio Citizen/Germany) – alto and tenor saxophone
Jakob Lakner (YXALAG/Germany) – bariton saxophone
Steffen Müller (Connexion Balkon, Germany) – bass
Manuel da Coll (Cpt. Yossarian, Germany) – keys, drums, percussion, dubs, effects
Everything Scatter In Dub 8:37min
Sebastian Höglauer (Kapelle So&So/Germany) – trumpet
Stefan Huber (Kapelle So&So/Germany) – horn
Niko Schabel (Radio Citizen/Germany) – alto and tenor saxophone
Jakob Lakner (YXALAG/Germany) – bariton saxophone
Steffen Müller (Connexion Balkon, Germany) – bass, rhythm guitar, tenor guitar
Manuel da Coll (Cpt. Yossarian, Germany) – drums, percussion, dubs, effects
Expensive Shit In Dub 8:26min
Jimi Tenor (Solo Artist/Finland) – alto saxophone
Chris Smithson (Caravana Sun/Australia) – keys
Sebastian Höglauer (Kapelle So&So/Germany) – trumpet
Stefan Huber (Kapelle So&So/Germany) – horn
Niko Schabel (Radio Citizen/Germany) – tenor saxophone
Jakob Lakner (YXALAG/Germany) – bariton saxophone
Steffen Müller (Connexion Balkon, Germany) – bass, rhythm guitar, tenor guitar
Manuel da Coll (Cpt. Yossarian, Germany) – drums, percussion, dubs, effects