Finding Fela: Documentary

Finding Fela is a documentary that tells the story of Fela Anikulapo Kuti (October 15, 1938 – August 2, 1997), his political and social impact, and the creator of a new genre he called "Afro-Beat" that helped spark a movement. The film is produced and directed by Academy Award winning director Alex Gibney [Taxi to the Dark Side (2007)], and co-produced by Jack Gulick. The film hits theaters starting August 1st in New York City, and premiere in other cities through September 19th. Go here to view schedule of showtimes.

The soundtrack for the film will include 17 of Fela's classics and a never-before released version of “Colonial Mentality” recorded live at the New Afrika Shine and features his son Femi Kuti on saxophone. You can pre-order the soundtrack from Knitting Factory Records. All orders will ship on July 29th.

Fela Kuti's "Lady" Remake For Charity

BLACK MUSIC MONTH 2012



Released on June 1st via (RED) + Red Hot Organization to fight AIDS.

Today, the first single from the forthcoming album (RED) Hot + FELA debuted exclusively on the iTunes music store. The track - a remake of Fela Kuti's "Lady" - features Angelique Kidjo, tUnE-yArDs, Akua Naru and Ahmir '?uestlove' Thompson and was recorded with producer Paul Heck at Converse Rubber Tracks studios. The album, (RED) Hot + FELA, will be released on Knitting Factory Records and pays homage to the music and spirit of Fela Kuti. It will be the first collaboration between (RED) and the Red Hot Organization, creators of a long running line of musically original compilations that benefit AIDS organizations, ranging from 1990's Red Hot + Blue (which featured U2 on Cole Porter's "Night And Day") to 2009's Dark Was The Night (produced by Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National). (RED) Hot + FELA, to be released this fall, is the follow up to Red Hot's successful 2002 album, Red Hot + Riot, on which artists ranging from D'Angelo to Sade covered songs by Fela Kuti.

(RED)Music is a centerpiece of the inaugural (RED) RUSH TO ZERO campaign (June 1-10) to raise funding and awareness to help deliver an AIDS Free Generation by 2015, a critical milestone in the fight against AIDS. The virtual elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is part of the eight Millennium Development Goals, which range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS by the target date of 2015.

Proceeds from the single will be donated to the charity. Purchase the single here.