Photos: Seun Kuti at Grand Performances

Fearing Carmageddon, I skipped out on Seun Kuti’s appearance at Grand Performance last Friday, hosted by KCRW’s own Garth Trinidad.

I regret it SO much. Especially after reading glowing reviews, including this one from the LA Times’ newly anointed pop music critic Randall Roberts.

I went to an expert I could trust to explain why you should be picking up Seun Kuti’s new album immediately. I turn it over to music writer Jeff Weiss (the man behind the Passion of the Weiss blog):

“Seun Kuti’s “From Africa With Fury – Rise” is the best album of the year that no one is talking about, even though it’s co-produced by Brian Eno.

I caught Seun last Friday and you can have your Animal Collectives and Gang Gangs, but there was nothing at the Pitchfork Festival that was f*cking with this man and Egypt ’80. No offense. But not even Curren$y could match Seun’s loose-limbed groove and pro-marijuana sloganeering.

Seun is on tour at a few spot festival dates for the rest of the year. It is the closest you will ever come to seeing his dad (Fela Kuti) in his prime, complete with his pops’ old band in tow, but with yet a completely singular performer and individual. There is no excuse to miss him.

It was the most amazing show I’ve been to in a long time.”

– Jeff Weiss

Editor’s Note: Don’t miss THIS Friday’s show with Joe Clausell, hosted by Raul Campos! find out more here

by Neftalie Williams