Fela Kuti - Expensive Shit

Expensive Shit is arguably one of Fela Kuti's best releases. In addition to its burbling percussive groove, infectious horn melodies, and Fela's inspired vocal performance, the anecdote behind the title cut is an amusing tale involving the Nigerian authorities' raid of Fela's home compound, during which he was framed for the possession of marijuana. On the flipside we get the equally classic keyboard-and horn-dominated instrumental "Water No Get Enemy".

'Expensive Sh*t' Nigerian police, seeking to frame Fela Kuti, tried to plant a joint of marijuana on him during a gathering at his home. Wise to their plan, he quickly swallowed the joint. However, the police threw him in jail to wait for the evidence to make its way through his system. With some wily plotting Fela escaped charges and subsequently produced this opus mocking the police for wasting resources on hassling him instead of furthering justice in Nigeria. Opening brass sounds give way to interplay between Fela's narration about the episode and responses from his group of femail singers.