Fela Kuti Double Feature: Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense / Berliner Jazztage '78

This double feature kicks off with Dennis Marks' 1984 BBC Arena-aired documentary Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense, which offers a rough but effective sketch of Nigerian superstar Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who explains the meaning behind his full moniker: "he who emanates greatness," "one who has death in his pouch," and "one who never dies" (Kuti changed his middle name from the Anglo-Saxon Ransome). By the mid-‘80s, Kuti had released dozens of records, faced numerous arrests for speaking out against governmental corruption, and married his female backing singers. Concerning his childhood, Kuti notes that his father was a pastor and that English was the family language. Later, Kuti studied in England and lived in America, where black leaders such as Malcolm X raised his consciousness, after which he returned to Lagos to pursue his music career—choosing to sing in English, so that everyone could understand him. Along with interviews, Marks incorporates clips from Fela's 1984 appearance at Glastonbury. The companion piece, Berliner Jazztage '78, serves up a vintage set broadcast on German and Nigerian television, which begins with Quincy Joppes' introduction of the gold-suited Africa 70 ensemble (including drummer/band leader Tony Allen), followed by Kuti's emergence in a boldly-printed pantsuit to say a few words before launching into the jazz-funk number "V.I.P.," his term for "vagabonds in power." As Kuti alternates on organ and saxophone, six purple-clad ladies arrive to dance and respond to his calls. In the third track, “Pansa Pansa,” Kuti encourages the audience to join in. He rounds out the night with “Power Show” and "Cross Examination of the African Colonial Soldier." Even though Kuti is in a talkative mood throughout, the performances make it all worthwhile. Recommended. (K. Fennessy)