Recorded in 1977,
No Agreement follows the Afro-beat template to a masterful level: amazingly catchy guitar lines that replicate a bass guitar in their construction, a second guitarist to add some
JB's funk power, driving horn section proclamations, intricate saxophone, trumpet and organ improv solos, and then
Fela Anikulopo Kuti's wit and message for the people. Even though
Fela had vowed to speak his mind, he turns in a song where he proclaims to keep his mouth shut if it means that he will harm his brothers and sisters in the population (not that he actually does, as some of his most scathing songs have yet to come). "No Agreement" is decidedly some of the most interesting instrumentation that he had turned in. With help from
Art Ensemble of Chicago trumpeter extradordinare
Lester Bowie (
Bowie turned in a tenure of about a year with
Fela), the solos are magically inspired and the rhythm section rolls on with the power of a steamroller. "Dog Days," the instrumental B-side, sounds more like "No Agreement" part two; it does, however, carry its own weight -- again with the help from
Bowie. [In 2000, MCA released
No Agreement with
Shuffering and Shmiling as a two-fer.] ~ Sam Samuelson