Description
The forthcoming vinyl release of “Fela Kuti in Dub” marks a significant addition to the discography of Captain Yossarian, the Munich-born producer Manuel da Coll renowned for his adept reimaginings of African and Jamaican musical legacies. Scheduled for release on June 2, 2026, via the independent Agogo Records label, this album channels the vibrancy of disco, boogie, and funk genres through a dub-centric lens that pays homage to the pioneering Nigerian afrobeat icon Fela Kuti. Crafted with a deep respect for analogue production techniques, the record intertwines live dub mixes and analog effects to evoke a sonic space that bridges continents and musical epochs. The project notably follows Captain Yossarian’s earlier acclaimed endeavor “Bob Marley In Dub” (2021), further cementing his role in contemporary explorations of dub-inspired reinterpretations of legendary black music figures.
The album’s four tracks feature collaborations with a diverse array of artists, each bringing unique textures to this experimental homage. “Zombie in Dub” enlists Prince Tempopolice, while “Water No Get Enemy in Dub” includes contributions from Jan Weissenfeldt, adding rhythmic layers reminiscent of afro-funk and disco fusion episodes from the late 1970s and early 1980s. Niko Schabel appears on “Everything Scatter in Dub,” complemented by the ethereal, multi-instrumentalist sensibilities of Jimi Tenor on “Expensive Shit in Dub,” whose background in jazz and electronic music infuses the album with exploratory edge. These performances capture an intersection between the groove-driven immediacy of funk and disco with the spacious, echo-laden atmospheres characteristic of dub music, aligning Captain Yossarian’s work with peers like Mad Professor and Adrian Sherwood who similarly navigate these hybrid soundscapes.
Production-wise, “Fela Kuti in Dub” stands out for its fidelity to analogue warmth and its connection to Fela Kuti’s original recordings. The premastering took place at Munich’s Zarma Studios on the original Decca mixing desk famously used by Fela in Lagos, lending authenticity to the sonic texture and enriching the album’s cultural resonance. The live approach to mixing, dubs, and arrangements introduces a spontaneous dynamic that enriches the album’s listening experience, embodying dub’s tradition of live remixing and improvisation. Such a dedication to craft situates the album within a broader movement of vinyl releases that valorize vintage equipment and production methods, echoing recent reissues and new music releases from related labels that emphasize sound quality and historical continuity.
As part of the independent label Agogo Records’ catalog, this release exemplifies the label’s commitment to presenting forward-thinking music rooted in black musical traditions, particularly those combining electronic textures with organic grooves. Captain Yossarian’s interpretation of Fela Kuti’s oeuvre invites listeners into a reflective yet rhythmically propulsive world where afrobeat’s political and cultural weight is transformed into dub’s meditative ambiance. This balance evokes connections to artists such as Basic Channel and Rhythm & Sound, who also focus on the intersection of dub aesthetics with global rhythmic traditions, as well as deepening the contemporary discourse around afrobeat’s ongoing influence on electronic and dance music scenes.
Listeners with a penchant for jazz-inflected funk or electronic explorations that maintain deep ties to roots music will find this album a compelling addition to their collections. The fusion of disco’s dancefloor sensibility with the experimental possibilities of dub creates a textural richness reminiscent of the work from producers like Theo Parrish or Karriem Riggins, who similarly explore the nexus of groove, tradition, and sonic space in their productions. This vinyl LP is sure to attract collectors and connoisseurs who appreciate nuanced new music releases that embrace both historical lineage and innovative sound design within an electronic-leaning yet authentically analogue framework.
