Choosing the perfect soundtrack to wash the aural background while painting abstract expressionism is a tricky thing. But I've narrowed it down to three as of today: Brian Eno, The Ex (and Tom Cora), and Nigerian Afro-beat pioneer Fela Kuti. Though today is a day for Kuti, as his energy and rhythm match what I'm trying to accomplish through my painting. Plus it's just so easy to dance to.
I'm enjoying this renewed interest that Fela Kuti has been generating as of late. The off-Broadway production Fela!, which is set to go on tour of the U.S. later this year, and a film based on his life is also set to go into production this year. A Fela Kuti vinyl box set that was just released is calling my name....and I might add a bit louder than a new mp3 player that I so desperately need. And all of this newfound interest is rightfully deserved. He was a pioneer and innovator of the Afrobeat sound, whose outlandish stage performance and political views saw him through incredible persecution from the Nigerian government. Even his mother was thrown from a window to her death by Nigerian soldiers for crying out loud. But despite brutal beatings and eventual imprisonment, Fela Kuti still retains his musical genius to this day. And with songs ranging from the 10 to 20 minute range, I don't have to get up constantly and change the album with oil paint-covered hands. That's a pain...
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