Lekan Animashaun 'Low Profile (Not For The Blacks)' (Strut Records) - a review
We don’t often cover reissues but we felt compelled to look at this superb album from Fela’s second and final bandleader Lekan Animashaun that is getting a new lease of life via Strut. In the time-honoured Fela Kuti album format of two extended compositions that span either side of the record, this is heavyweight Nigerian Afrobeat featuring key members of Africa 70 (latterly Egypt 80) and was produced by Fela himself who also contributed on keys. Read / Listen.
Black News 
Words by Justin Turford
We don’t often cover reissues but I felt compelled to mention this superb album from Lekan Animashaun that is getting a new lease of life via the ace UK imprint, Strut Records. In the time-honoured Fela Kuti album format of two extended compositions that span either side of the record, this is heavyweight Nigerian Afrobeat featuring key members of Africa 70 (latterly Egypt 80) and was produced by Fela himself who also contributed on keys.
Fela’s long-serving baritone saxophone player Animashaun became bandleader of Africa 70 in 1979 after Afrobeat co-pioneer and rhythm genius Tony Allen left the band for various reasons (including being fed up with his friend’s excesses and his own lack of royalties). Lekan took the mantle as the band’s sound was forced to adapt due to Tony Allen’s drums being impossible to replicate. He remained bandleader until Fela’s sad death in 1997.
The tracks on this album took a looong time to see the light of day. Initial ideas began in 1977 but didn’t really get put down to tape until 1979 when the regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo was coming to a close. Still, it took until 1986 before the tracks were finally completed in Paris, Fela back in the studio after another prison term in Nigeria. Delays continued until the record was finally released on Fela’s Kalakuta Records (crazy prices online!) in 1995. Honest Jon’s gave it its first and only reissue back in 2004 but this new version comes with the complete original artwork, a new remaster by The Carvery, and includes brand new liner notes by Lekan himself.
“It was inspired by a speech by Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s military Head of State, when he urged black people to keep a low profile about their wealth and not to behave in a vulgar, arrogant way, ” explains Lekan. “I argued that low profile is not just for the blacks, as everyone is human, regardless of race.”
The title track is heavy, spacious and classic Afrobeat in sound. The horns are beautifully arranged, the trumpets especially loose, vamping bright and sweetly over the tougher ensemble harmonies. Freed up from front man duties, Fela’s keys are superb throughout, and the intertwining guitars link and loop with a slow patient funk. As always it takes time before the vocals kick in, Lekan’s voice a different beast to his boss’s angry teacher’s bark, his call responded to by an urgent female chorus that raises the roof. Minus Tony Allen, the drums are layers and layers of percussion, the kit drummer holding down a simplified midtempo groove that never explodes out of its box.
‘Se Rere’ (‘Do Right’) on the flip sees Lekan’s charmingly untrained voice and his male/female backing singers driving a cooking, dancier groove that became the opening number for Fela’s ‘80s and ‘90s shows. Again, the unnamed trumpeter shines through as does a succession of brilliant solo turns from the horn section, Lekan’s baritone unfurling like a coiling snake, Fela’s keyboard lines lending a jazzier warmth as the super-funky guitars refuse to give way.
All in all, if you love Afrobeat then you’re going to have to buy it. I am! 9/10.
