Shakara (1972)

• Vinyl, 1×LP

  Black vinyl
• WAV / FLAC
• MP3

By the time Shakara was recorded, Fela had put two of mature Afrobeat's signature characteristics in place. Crucially, Africa 70 now included two guitarists: rhythm guitarist Tutu Shoronmu is partnered by tenor guitarist Segun Edo and the pair’s naggingly repetitive interplay, equal parts melody and rhythm, plays a similar role to the rhythm and mi-solo guitars in contemporary Congolese rumba. Second, Fela's use of Broken English lyrics – which were authentic and of the people and to which he added a poetic mojo – took Afrobeat’s potential audience beyond Yoruba speakers, making his songs understandable throughout English-speaking Africa and vastly extending his potential audience. Originally released by EMI.

Standard black vinyl LP, released in 2014 as part of the Knitting Factory Records re-issues, comes with a download card. The first re-issue pressing of Shakara was included in Box Set #3 curated by Brian Eno.