There can be few musicians on the planet from a more storied musical dynasty than Mádé Kuti. He is the son of Femi, the grandson of Fela. He grew up in and around Femi’s New Afrika Shrine in Lagos, international hub of all things Afrobeat. A multi-instrumentalist from an early age, and a member of his father’s band, he now cuts loose on his own. His second solo album showcases a mighty compositional talent.
Mádé released an initial solo effort in 2020 but it was part of his father’s Legacy+ double package. So, in some ways, as per its title, Chapter 1: Where Does Happiness Come From? is his debut. What it has in spades is gorgeous, multi-layered instrumentation. Sunshine brass riffs interact with rolling percussion, all interspersed with unfussy, bright solo-ing. Mádé’s large ensemble works spectacularly together. With so much going on they could sound dense or heavy. Instead, it’s just euphoric.
However, the lyrics often feel shoe-horned into proceedings, as if Mádé would be more comfortable purely instrumental. And those lyrics are sometimes semi-audible, as well as clunky and trite. “Easy does it for me/Don’t drink my energy/ I am trying to be happy with me,” runs one. At other times they take a loose pop at societal ills (“Honesty is key if you want to be free/You lie to yourself and everybody else”).
Such words might work, delivered with raw urgency and passion, especially with this energised music, but the vocal idiom is light, unforceful. It lacks punch, where the accompanying music is so passionately felt.
Despite these quibbles, much of the time Mádé Kuti gets it just right, from the ebullient pop of “Find My Way” to instrumental-led pieces such as the seven-minute “I Won’t Run Away” or magnificent opener “Take It All Before the Lights Go Out”. Seeing this outfit live would likely be mind-blowing but, for the moment, Chapter 1 is a taster of their potential.
Below: Watch the lyric visualiser for "Wait and See" by Mádé Kuti
