VARIATIONS

TRACKLISTING


A. Robert Hood & Femi Kuti - Variations ( Side A - 18min 54sec)
B. Robert Hood & Femi Kuti - Variations (Side B - 15min 43sec)





INFO


Robert Hood's techno and F emi Kuti's Afrobeat intertwine in a new form where jazz-grooves reign supreme. For the fourth season of La Compagnie des Indes & Sourdoreille "Variations" live series of creations for France TV, the duo were united around the singer and pr oducer James Brown, performing a tribute to the legendary Godfather of Soul who passed away in 2006. This "Variations" album is the live recording of this uniq ue collaboration and performance, capturing a very special moment in time.


The evening witnessed a meeting of two icons in their own genres: on e with synths and drum machines, the other on saxophone: Robert Hood and Femi Ku ti embody excellence in their respective fields and the pair combined to make so mething truly unique, soulful, funky and spontaneous. Recorded in one 30+ minut e take, "Variations" is embellished by Femi's exquisitely free-flowing yet restr ained saxophone, whilst Hood anchors the groove with layers of pads and kicks wi th the long-time mastery of a true DJ.

Alongside Jeff Mills and Mad Mike, Hood is one of the original members of Detroit techno group Underground R esistance. His style is characterised by minimalist and experimental tones with an assertive groove. Throughout the '90s, he helped pave the way for techno to flourish - giving birth to minimal techno with his seminal album "Minimal Natio n". Since then, he has been consistently forwarding electronic music culture wi th ground-breaking productions, sensational performances and his M-Plant label.

Alongside him, Femi Kuti takes on every musical style with his saxo phone, which he plays with a virtuoso touch: pop, soul, electronic music and Afr obeat, of which he is one of the leading exponents. The son of Afrobeat singer and political activist Fela Kuti, he has inherited his father's zeal for both mu sic and activism, where he continues to highlight the plight of most Nigerians l iving conditions in the oil rich state.

With "Variations" the duo cap ture an explosive combination on a special night in Paris 4 years ago, 27 Novemb er 2019, filmed at the ADP Group headquarters (Paris Aéroport - Charles de Gaull e (CDG) - Roissy).

"It is so amazing when a vision comes to fruition. I enjoyed collaborating with the legendary Femi Kuti for this special project. [Robert Hood]


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