Friday, 29 August 2014

GINGER BAKER: Why?


Why?

Motema Music

There might not have been a more shocking moment in a rock documentary upon recent recollection than seeing Ginger Baker straight up punch music journalist Jay Bulger in the face during a pivotal moment of the award-winning 2012 doc Beware of Mr. Baker.

Yet for as mean as the British rock icon is in private at 70 years young, he is a master of channeling that internal viscera behind the drum kit to craft some of the most adventurous rhythms of the last half-century, be it as a member of the Graham Bond Organisation, Cream, Air Force or Masters of Reality.

But if you were to take one recording that truly defines the heart of this English icon’s love for his craft, look no further than his essential 1970 collaboration with African funk legend Fela Kuti,Fela Ransome Kuti and Africa 70 with Ginger Baker Live. If you haven’t heard it, you need to hunt it down straightaway. This is the album that will serve as the primary reference point to help you appreciate his excellent new LP with his current ensemble Jazz Confusion.

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