• Fela Kuti – Up Side Down
    • Fela Kuti – Go Slow
    • 1. Up Side Down
    • 2. Go Slow

    Upside Down’ and ‘Zombie’, both released in 1976, were made at the midpoint of an extraordinary three-year purple period during which Fela recorded 24 albums of new material. ‘Upside Down’ was written by Fela to portray a worldly travelled African who searches the dictionary and finds the definition of upside down - a perfect description of the African situation. ‘Upside Down’ is unusual in that it includes a second lead vocalist, Fela’s American friend Sandra Izsadore. Izsadore was a black rights activist and introduced him to the writings of revolutionary thinkers such as Malcolm X, Angela Davis, Rap Brown, Stokely Carmichael, Huey Newton and more who inspired Fela’s philosophy of Blackism.

    Other Releases by Fela Kuti

    Fela KutiIkoyi BlindnessKnitting Factory Records
    Fela used the cover of ‘Ikoyi Blindness’ to announce his change of middle name from Ransome, which he now considered a slave name, to Anikulapo, which...
    • – Ikoyi Blindness
    • – Gba Mi Leti Ki N'Dolowo (Slap Me Make I Get Money)
    Fela KutiOriginal SufferheadKnitting Factory Records
    This edition of ‘Original Sufferhead’ is a major event. With the release of ‘Box Set #5’, and now on this reissue, the title track of this magnificent...
    • – Original Sufferhead
    • – Power Show
    Fela KutiOriginal SufferheadKnitting Factory Records
    This edition of ‘Original Sufferhead’ is a major event. With the release of ‘Box Set #5’, and now on this reissue, the title track of this magnificent...
    • – Original Sufferhead
    • – Power Show
    Fela KutiO.D.O.O. (Overtake Don Overtake Overtake)Knitting Factory Records
    ‘Overtake Don Overtake Overtake’ was the penultimate album of newly recorded studio material released by Fela before he passed in 1997.Like its immediate...
      Fela KutiKalakuta ShowKnitting Factory Records
      The ‘Kalakuta Show’ album was Fela Kuti’s undaunted manner of extracting revenge on the military regime that attacked and brutalized him in 1974....
      • – Kalakuta Show
      • – Don't Make Garan Garan
      • New LP (Coloured Vinyl) KFR2020-3£20.99
        In stockAdd to Bag
      Fela KutiNoise For Vendor MouthKnitting Factory Records
      The Nigerian establishment labelled Kalakuta Republic inhabitants as ‘hooligans’, ‘hemp smokers’, etc. ‘Noise For Vendor Mouth’ is Fela’s...
      • – Noise For Vendor Mouth
      • – Mattress
      • New LP (Coloured Vinyl) KFR2019-3£20.99
        In stockAdd to Bag
      Fela KutiWhy Black Man They SufferKnitting Factory Records
      ‘Why Black Man Dey Suffer’, recorded in 1971, was originally deemed too controversial for release by EMI, his label at the time. Having recently been...
      • – Why Black Man Dey Suffer
      • – Ikoyi Mentality vs Mushin Mentality
      • New LP (Coloured Vinyl) KFR2012-3£20.99
        In stockAdd to Bag
      Fela KutiOpen & CloseKnitting Factory Records
      Reissue of Fela's highly sought-after 1971 album, 'Open & Close'! Super-funky Afrobeat featuring the incredible title track!
      • – Open And Close
      • – Suegbe And Pako
      • – Gbagada Gbogodo
      Fela KutiArmy ArrangementKnitting Factory Records
      Fela Kuti stories Nigeria’s attempt at ‘democracy’ in 1979 after more than a decade ofmilitary rule told through this album, originally released...
      • – Army arrangement (vocal)
      Fela KutiJ.J.D (Johnny Just Drop!!) Live!! At Kalakuta RepublikKnitting Factory Records
      Originally released in 1977, ‘Johnny Just Drop (J.J.D.)’ features Fela lampooning Nigeria’s ‘been-tos’, people who had been to Europe or America...
        • LP + Download Code KFR2026-1£20.99
          In stockAdd to Bag
        Fela KutiNo AgreementKnitting Factory Records
        ‘No Agreement’ is sometimes overlooked among Fela’s 1977 releases, eclipsed by albums such as ‘Johnny Just Drop (J.J.D.)’ and ‘Sorrow Tears...
        • – No Agreement
        • – Dog Eat Dog
          Fela KutiUnderground SystemKnitting Factory Records
          Reissue of one of Fela's later recordings, comprised of two extended tracks, the title cut and the classic, 'Pansa Pansa'.
          • – Underground System
          • – Pansa Pansa
          Fela KutiAfrodisiacKnitting Factory Records
          1973 Nigerian afro beat funk at it's best from the master - Fela Kuti 
          • – Alu Jon Jonki Jon
          • – Eko Ile
          • LP + Download Code KFR2008-1£20.99
            In stockAdd to Bag
          Fela KutiI.T.T.Knitting Factory Records
          'International Thief Thief' classic Fela from 1979
            Fela KutiZombieKnitting Factory Records
            On the title track Fela and the backup singers ridicule the mindset of men in uniform over an urgent, quick-march accompaniment from Afrika 70. The album...
            • – Zombie
            • – Mr. Follow Follow (Mister Follow Follow)
            Fela KutiAlagbon Close Knitting Factory
            Unmissable classic afro-beat! Alagbon Close represents one of the first times anyone had directly taken on the Nigerian authorities in such a brash manner!   
            • – alagbon close
            Fela KutiRoforofo Fight (2015 Reissue)Knitting Factory
            Essential afro beat! A dancefloor bomb! You need this!! KILLER REISSUE of Fela Kuti's 1972 album Roforofo Fight! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
            • – Roforofo Fight
            • – Go Slow
            Fela KutiNa PoiKnitting Factory Records
            Hypnotic afrobeat bullet from 1972 - recorded in Lagos. Sprited percussion, tight horns, and pure funk! As with most of the great man's albums, this is...
            • – na poi (part 1)
            • – na poi (part 2)
            • – you no go die...unless
            • LP + Download Code KFR2021-1£20.99
              In stockAdd to Bag
            Fela KutiExpensive ShitKnitting Factory Records
            'Expensive Shit' is one of Fela's most notorious albums! This killer afro-beat LP was originally release in 1975 and now gets a reissue on Brooklyn-based...
            • – Expensive Shit
            • – Water No Get Enemy
            • LP + Download Code KFR2015-1£20.99
              In stockAdd to Bag
            Fela KutiSorrow Tears & Blood (2014 Vinyl Reissue)Knitting Factory Records
            Originally released in 1977, Fela and Afrika 70 rise to their peak with rowsing, radical stuff as espoused by 'Colonial Mentality'.
              Fela KutiHe Miss Road (2014 Vinyl Reissue)Knitting Factory Records
              He Miss Road', also 1975, was produced by Ginger Baker. A deep and darker shade of afro-beat that is one of Fela's best.
              • – He Miss Road
              • – Monday Morning In Lagos
              • – It's No Possible
              Fela KutiBeasts Of No Nation / O.D.O.OKnitting Factory Records
              After helping Fela Anikulapo Kuti with Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense, Wally Badarou then produced Beasts of No Nation. Another album that has been combined...
              • – Beasts Of No Nation
              Fela KutiAlagbon Close / Why Black Man Dey SufferKnitting Factory
              Alagbon Close represents one of the first times anyone had directly taken on the Nigerian authorities in such a brash manner. Why Black Man Dey Suffer:...
              • – Alagbon Close
              Fela KutiStalemate / Fear Not For ManKnitting Factory Records
              The two titles from these 1977 albums are fiercely anti-authoritarian blasts at the Nigerian governmental regime while on 'Don't Worry About My Mouth O',...
                Fela KutiExpensive Shit / He Miss RoadKnitting Factory Records
                'Expensive Shit', from 1975, is one of Fela's most notorious albums. The title track recounts being framed by the police and his comical escape from certain...
                • – Expensive Shit
                Fela KutiOriginal Suffer Head And I.T.TKnitting Factory Records
                Yet more essential afrobeat from the African equivalent of James Brown! All his albums are great!
                • – I T T
                Fela KutiEverything Scatter / Noise For Vendor MouthKnitting Factory Records
                The king of afro beat does it again! Two essential classic albums on one budget CD!
                  Fela KutiYellow FeverKnitting Factory Records
                  Yellow Fever’ was originally released in 1976, during Fela’s extraordinarily prolific 1975-77 purple period, when he released 24 albums in Nigeria...
                  • – Yellow Fever
                  • – Na Poi ‘75

                  Other Releases on Knitting Factory Records

                  Fela KutiIkoyi BlindnessKnitting Factory Records
                  Fela used the cover of ‘Ikoyi Blindness’ to announce his change of middle name from Ransome, which he now considered a slave name, to Anikulapo, which...
                  • – Ikoyi Blindness
                  • – Gba Mi Leti Ki N'Dolowo (Slap Me Make I Get Money)
                  Fela KutiOriginal SufferheadKnitting Factory Records
                  This edition of ‘Original Sufferhead’ is a major event. With the release of ‘Box Set #5’, and now on this reissue, the title track of this magnificent...
                  • – Original Sufferhead
                  • – Power Show
                  Fela KutiOriginal SufferheadKnitting Factory Records
                  This edition of ‘Original Sufferhead’ is a major event. With the release of ‘Box Set #5’, and now on this reissue, the title track of this magnificent...
                  • – Original Sufferhead
                  • – Power Show
                  Fela KutiO.D.O.O. (Overtake Don Overtake Overtake)Knitting Factory Records
                  ‘Overtake Don Overtake Overtake’ was the penultimate album of newly recorded studio material released by Fela before he passed in 1997.Like its immediate...
                    Fela KutiKalakuta ShowKnitting Factory Records
                    The ‘Kalakuta Show’ album was Fela Kuti’s undaunted manner of extracting revenge on the military regime that attacked and brutalized him in 1974....
                    • – Kalakuta Show
                    • – Don't Make Garan Garan
                    • New LP (Coloured Vinyl) KFR2020-3£20.99
                      In stockAdd to Bag
                    Fela KutiNoise For Vendor MouthKnitting Factory Records
                    The Nigerian establishment labelled Kalakuta Republic inhabitants as ‘hooligans’, ‘hemp smokers’, etc. ‘Noise For Vendor Mouth’ is Fela’s...
                    • – Noise For Vendor Mouth
                    • – Mattress
                    • New LP (Coloured Vinyl) KFR2019-3£20.99
                      In stockAdd to Bag
                    Fela KutiWhy Black Man They SufferKnitting Factory Records
                    ‘Why Black Man Dey Suffer’, recorded in 1971, was originally deemed too controversial for release by EMI, his label at the time. Having recently been...
                    • – Why Black Man Dey Suffer
                    • – Ikoyi Mentality vs Mushin Mentality
                    • New LP (Coloured Vinyl) KFR2012-3£20.99
                      In stockAdd to Bag
                    Fela KutiOpen & CloseKnitting Factory Records
                    Reissue of Fela's highly sought-after 1971 album, 'Open & Close'! Super-funky Afrobeat featuring the incredible title track!
                    • – Open And Close
                    • – Suegbe And Pako
                    • – Gbagada Gbogodo
                    Fela KutiArmy ArrangementKnitting Factory Records
                    Fela Kuti stories Nigeria’s attempt at ‘democracy’ in 1979 after more than a decade ofmilitary rule told through this album, originally released...
                    • – Army arrangement (vocal)
                    Fela KutiJ.J.D (Johnny Just Drop!!) Live!! At Kalakuta RepublikKnitting Factory Records
                    Originally released in 1977, ‘Johnny Just Drop (J.J.D.)’ features Fela lampooning Nigeria’s ‘been-tos’, people who had been to Europe or America...
                      • LP + Download Code KFR2026-1£20.99
                        In stockAdd to Bag
                      Fela Kuti & Roy AyersMusic Of Many ColoursKnitting Factory Records
                      Reissue of the classic ‘Music Of Many Colours’, the joint album between Roy Ayers and Fela Kuti, recorded after a three week tour of Nigeria’s major...
                      • – 2000 Blacks Got To Be Free
                      • – Africa-Center Of The World
                      Fela KutiNo AgreementKnitting Factory Records
                      ‘No Agreement’ is sometimes overlooked among Fela’s 1977 releases, eclipsed by albums such as ‘Johnny Just Drop (J.J.D.)’ and ‘Sorrow Tears...
                      • – No Agreement
                      • – Dog Eat Dog
                        Fela KutiUnderground SystemKnitting Factory Records
                        Reissue of one of Fela's later recordings, comprised of two extended tracks, the title cut and the classic, 'Pansa Pansa'.
                        • – Underground System
                        • – Pansa Pansa
                        Fela KutiAfrodisiacKnitting Factory Records
                        1973 Nigerian afro beat funk at it's best from the master - Fela Kuti 
                        • – Alu Jon Jonki Jon
                        • – Eko Ile
                        • LP + Download Code KFR2008-1£20.99
                          In stockAdd to Bag
                        Fela KutiI.T.T.Knitting Factory Records
                        'International Thief Thief' classic Fela from 1979
                          Fela KutiZombieKnitting Factory Records
                          On the title track Fela and the backup singers ridicule the mindset of men in uniform over an urgent, quick-march accompaniment from Afrika 70. The album...
                          • – Zombie
                          • – Mr. Follow Follow (Mister Follow Follow)
                          Fela KutiNa PoiKnitting Factory Records
                          Hypnotic afrobeat bullet from 1972 - recorded in Lagos. Sprited percussion, tight horns, and pure funk! As with most of the great man's albums, this is...
                          • – na poi (part 1)
                          • – na poi (part 2)
                          • – you no go die...unless
                          • LP + Download Code KFR2021-1£20.99
                            In stockAdd to Bag
                          Fela KutiExpensive ShitKnitting Factory Records
                          'Expensive Shit' is one of Fela's most notorious albums! This killer afro-beat LP was originally release in 1975 and now gets a reissue on Brooklyn-based...
                          • – Expensive Shit
                          • – Water No Get Enemy
                          • LP + Download Code KFR2015-1£20.99
                            In stockAdd to Bag
                          Fela KutiSorrow Tears & Blood (2014 Vinyl Reissue)Knitting Factory Records
                          Originally released in 1977, Fela and Afrika 70 rise to their peak with rowsing, radical stuff as espoused by 'Colonial Mentality'.
                            Fela KutiHe Miss Road (2014 Vinyl Reissue)Knitting Factory Records
                            He Miss Road', also 1975, was produced by Ginger Baker. A deep and darker shade of afro-beat that is one of Fela's best.
                            • – He Miss Road
                            • – Monday Morning In Lagos
                            • – It's No Possible
                            Fela KutiBeasts Of No Nation / O.D.O.OKnitting Factory Records
                            After helping Fela Anikulapo Kuti with Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense, Wally Badarou then produced Beasts of No Nation. Another album that has been combined...
                            • – Beasts Of No Nation
                            Fela KutiStalemate / Fear Not For ManKnitting Factory Records
                            The two titles from these 1977 albums are fiercely anti-authoritarian blasts at the Nigerian governmental regime while on 'Don't Worry About My Mouth O',...
                              Fela KutiExpensive Shit / He Miss RoadKnitting Factory Records
                              'Expensive Shit', from 1975, is one of Fela's most notorious albums. The title track recounts being framed by the police and his comical escape from certain...
                              • – Expensive Shit
                              Fela KutiOriginal Suffer Head And I.T.TKnitting Factory Records
                              Yet more essential afrobeat from the African equivalent of James Brown! All his albums are great!
                              • – I T T
                              Fela KutiEverything Scatter / Noise For Vendor MouthKnitting Factory Records
                              The king of afro beat does it again! Two essential classic albums on one budget CD!
                                Fela KutiYellow FeverKnitting Factory Records
                                Yellow Fever’ was originally released in 1976, during Fela’s extraordinarily prolific 1975-77 purple period, when he released 24 albums in Nigeria...
                                • – Yellow Fever
                                • – Na Poi ‘75

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                                'International Thief Thief' classic Fela from 1979
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                                  1973 Nigerian afro beat funk at it's best from the master - Fela Kuti 
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                                  • LP + Download Code KFR2008-1£20.99
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