The Messengers (Episode 1: Fela Kuti) is the first of three EPs by K’naan and J Period designed to pay homage to three cultural icons: Fela Kuti, Bob Dylan, and Bob Marley.

Many of the songs here are blends of K’naan’s Troubadour and assorted Fela instrumentals. K’naan’s first verse on “Got My Dream,” for instance, was extracted from “America.”

If you’re like me and are already acquainted with nearly every recording in Fela’s discography, you may not fully appreciate K’naan’s effort here. To newly converted disciples, however, The Messengers Episode 1 should serve as a competent primer on Fela’s unique Afrobeat sound. Extra cool points for the autobiographical interludes.

Pop the hood for tracklist and download link.

K-Naan and J Period – The Messengers (Episode 1: Fela Kuti) Tracklist

1. Introduction to Fela Kuti
2. Let’s Start (Messengers Remix)
3. Let Me Introduce Me (Messengers Remix)
4. Messengers and Prophets (Interlude)
5. Ololufe Mi (Messengers Remix)
6. Who is Fela? (Interlude)
7. Got My Dream (Messengers Remix)
8. The Story of Fela (Open & Close)
9. Gentleman feat. Bajah (Messengers Remix)
10. Perceptions of Africa (Interlude)
11. Africa (Messengers Remix)
12. Africa Unite (Outro)

• DOWNLOAD – K-Naan x J Period – The Messengers Episode 1 (Fela Kuti)

[Spotted at: Broken Cool]