Daptone Records returns for another innovative release.
In the 1970′s, Nicholas Addo-Nettey, aka Pax Nicholas, was a member of Fela Kuti’s reknowned band Africa 70, playing percussion and singing backup. He can be heard on some of Fela’s most famous records such as Shakara and Expensive Shit (the latter is a personal favorite). As the legend tells it, Pax Nicholas recorded several albums on the side, the best of which was called Na Teef Know De Road of Teef. Recorded in Ginger Baker’s Lagos Studios with help from many Africa 70 musicians and singers (called “The Nettey Family” on the album), Na Teef is a fiery hybrid of afrobeat and funk that never lets up. Apparently, Fela Kuti was not so keen on his musicians creating such strong work of their own, and was furious when he heard this amazing record and saw how well parties responded when the music was played. Allegedly, Fela Kuti forbade Nicholas to play the music, saying, “Don’t you ever, EVER play it again!” Thus the album remained largely unknown and unheard for close to 30 years.
Nicholas himself was one of the members who left Africa 70 in 1978 to escape the violence and political turmoil in Nigeria that had personally affected Fela and many of his compatriots. Settling in Berlin, he started a family and continued to play music. In the mid 90′s, Frank Gossner (aka DJ Soulpusher) was cratedigging in Philly and found a stray copy of Na Teef. He eventually tracked down Nicholas Addo-Nettey in Berlin and brought the album to the attention of Daptone Records, independent bastion of authentic soul and funk, who released it in September.
A bright and brassy album full of funky organs and soulful horns all set to dynamic afrobeat rhythms, Na Teef is seriously tight. As if this story wasn’t badass enough already, the album title means something close to “the thief knows the way other thieves work.” Featuring great call and response vocals, flowing percussion and the energy of a hungry young musician playing the music he loves, Pax Nicholas and the Nettey Family’s rediscovered gem is definitely an album to check out. Here’s the 12 minute title track:
Pax Nicholas and the Nettey Family – Na Teef Know De Road of Teef
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