When it comes to bringing Africana beats and jazz to the masses, the Kuti family has a monopoly on the genre. The tradition began with the Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, whose music pioneered the way for other Afrobeat artists. Now, Fela’s son, the multi-instrumentalist Femi Kuti, continues the tradition with yet another album in his extensive discography, Day By Day. Aided by his own son on alto saxophone, Day By Day continues providing cool jazz beats to listeners. 
The steel drum beats of the album and intricate brass melodies tie each track together unifying them, but keeping them as unique entities as well. Some of my favorite tracks are the ones that remain mostly instrumental like “Do You Know” whose only lyrics ask if you know the jazz greats like, “Do you know Miles Davis? John Coltrane? Dizzie Gillepsie?” “Tension Grip Africa” has some more vocals, but mostly uses them as just another instrument.
On songs that are more lyric heavy, Kuti’s social and economic awareness is apparent as he talks about healthcare, education policies and food like on “Tell Me”, “One Two” and “Let’s Make History.”
I found myself in a love-hate relationship with the lyrics. “Eh Oh” got a little mushy when the title got repeated, but “Day By Day” plays like a hymn with its female backing vocals. Also, there is a danger on an album like this and on some of the tracks, the lyrics were almost a necessity to keep the instrumentals from fading together into little more than elevator music, like on “You Better Run”.
If you’re into jazz, then check this album out, otherwise, you might not be able to appreciate some of the effects of these songs.
Femi Kuti’s Day By Day will released November 18, 2008 in the US.
Tracklisting:
01. Oyimbo
02. Eh Oh
03. Day By Day
04. Demo Crazy
05. Do You Know
06. You Better Ask Yourself
07. One Two
08. Tell Me
09. You Better Run
10. Tension Grip Africa
11. Dem Funny
12. Let’s Make History
Femi Kuti: myspace
Written by: Bethany
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