the two versions of 'Water No Get Enemy'

2014-02-23

The first version of this song was released in 1975 as part of the album, Expensive Shit. It's among the best works of Fela Kuti, himself the best musician in history. It also has the special significance of being a great favorite of a great friend of mine.

Now what compelled to write this post is the version made by one son of Fela Kuti, Femi Kuti. It was released in his not-so-good 2004 album, Africa Shine. I enjoy it more, perhaps because I've listened to way too much of the original, resulting in it feeling a lot more fresh. It has a faster pace, while being half as long (5 min). I love the lyrical performance, the most distinctive thing about it as compared to the original. I am sometimes tempted to call the whole thing superior, which would not be accurate.