Knitting Factory Records

Last updated
Knitting Factory Records
Knitting Factory Records Logo.png
Founded1998 (1998) [1]
Genre Alternative rock
Folk
Experimental
Afrobeat [2]
Country of originU.S.
Official website store.partisanrecords.com/knitting-factory-records

Knitting Factory Records is an independent American music label that is notable for promoting a variety of artists, including the music of deceased Nigerian political activist Fela Kuti. [2] [3] The label promotes a variety of music artists including Ages and Ages, [4] Ash Black Bufflo, Cuong Vu, [5] Graham Haynes, [6] Femi Kuti, Gary Lucas, [7] Lumerians, Thomas Chapin, [1] Patrolled By Radar, Joe Morris, [8] Rachid Taha, Seun Kuti, and Shilpa Ray and her Happy Hookers. [9]

Contents

The label was begun in 1998 as a spinoff of the music venues called Knitting Factory and signed artist Thomas Chapin as the first artist, according to the New York Times . [1] Since then, it has promoted a variety of independent artists and groups such as Hasidic New Wave, which featured Jewish musicians combining with Senegalese Muslim musicians in 2002. [10] In 2008, while working as the Night Manager for The Knitting Factory venue at their Leonard St. location in Manhattan, Tim Putnam was approached by Knitting Factory Entertainment CEO Morgan Margolis to form a strategic partnership with Partisan Records. Together they've reissued the Fela Kuti catalogue and revived the Knitting Factory Records label. [11]

With the Partisan Records team behind it, [12] KFR has released six albums from Nigerian musician and activist Fela Kuti in January 2011. [3] The label released the entire catalogue of Kuti's Universal-controlled music in North America from 2009 to 2011. [13] The late Fela Kuti has fascinated millions, according to the Boston Globe. [14] A decade after his death in 1997, Kuti's music is becoming mainstream, [2] and a Broadway musical titled Fela! was created, which chronicled his life as a political agitator with more than two dozen wives through use of his music. [14] Kuti was jailed over 200 times, and his mother was murdered after being thrown out of a window. [14] His sons Seun Kuti and Femi Kuti [15] have become prominent musicians [16] as well and are promoted by Knitting Factory Records. In addition to releasing music by Fela Kuti and his sons, the label also released the original Broadway cast recording of the musical adaptation Fela! Knitting Factory reached a licensing deal with Universal Music to reissue Fela Kuti's music in the United States during 2010. [17]

Artists

A list of past and current artists include the following:

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Afrobeat</span> West African music genre, distinct from Afrobeats

Afrobeat is a West African music genre, fusing influences from Nigerian with American funk, jazz, and soul influences. With a focus on chanted vocals, complex intersecting rhythms, and percussion, the style was pioneered in the 1960s by Nigerian multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Fela Kuti, who popularised it both within and outside Nigeria. At the height of his popularity, he was referred to as one of Africa's most "challenging and charismatic music performers."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fela Kuti</span> Nigerian musician and activist (1938–1997)

Fela Aníkúlápó Kútì was a Nigerian musician and political activist. He is regarded as the principal innovator of Afrobeat, a Nigerian music genre that combines West African music with American funk and jazz. At the height of his popularity, he was referred to as one of Africa's most "challenging and charismatic music performers". AllMusic described him as "a musical and sociopolitical voice" of international significance.

Oren Bloedow is an American singer, guitarist and bassist. He founded the band Elysian Fields in 1995 with Jennifer Charles. His father, Jerry Bloedow, was a playwright, poet, and film editor whose theater, the Hardware Poet's Playhouse, participated in the New York avant-garde scene in the 1950s and 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Femi Kuti</span> Nigerian musician and singer-songwriter

Olufela Olufemi Anikulapo Kuti, popularly known as Femi Kuti, is a Nigerian musician born in London and raised in Lagos. He is the eldest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti and a grandchild of political campaigner, women's rights activist and traditional aristocrat Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.

<i>Expensive Shit</i> 1975 studio album by Fela Ransome Kuti & Africa 70

Expensive Shit is the twelfth full-length album by pioneering Afrobeat artist Fela Kuti and his Africa '70 band, released in 1975. It was reissued in 2000 by MCA Records, packaged with Kuti's He Miss Road (1975) on the same CD.

<i>The Best Best of Fela Kuti</i> 1999 compilation album by Fela Kuti

The Best Best of Fela Kuti is a 2-CD compilation album by Nigerian Afrobeat artist Fela Kuti, released in 1999 by MCA Records. It was issued in the United States in 2000 as part of a reissue series of Kuti's albums. The album was reissued as The Best of the Black President in 2009 by Knitting Factory Records and received universal acclaim from music critics. A companion 2-CD compilation, also released in 1999, was reissued in the U.S. in 2013 by Knitting Factory as The Best of the Black President 2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seun Kuti</span> Nigerian Afrobeat saxophonist and singer (born 1983)

Oluseun Anikulapo Kuti, popularly known Seun Kuti, is a Nigerian musician, singer and the youngest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. Seun leads his father's former band Egypt 80.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ransome-Kuti family</span> Nigerian political family

The Ransome-Kuti family is a Nigerian Yoruba political family noted for its simultaneous contributions to art, religion, education and medicine. It belongs to the Nigerian bourgeoisie, and also has historic links to the Nigerian chieftaincy system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Partisan Records</span> American independent record label

Partisan Records is an independent record label with offices in London, Berlin, and Los Angeles, as well as in New York City, where the company was co-founded in 2007 by Tim Putnam and Ian Wheeler. The label, initially run out of Putnam's South Brooklyn apartment, relocated in 2009 to Williamsburg.

<i>Femi Kuti</i> (album) 1995 studio album by Femi Kuti

Femi Kuti is the third album by Nigerian musician Femi Kuti released in 1995. It was released on Motown's Tabu Records label. The album introduced Femi Kuti and afrobeat to an international audience.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dele Sosimi</span> Nigerian-British musician (born 1963)

Bamidele Olatunbosun Sosimi known as Dele Sosimi, is a Nigerian-British musician.

<i>Confusion</i> (album) 1975 studio album by Fela Ransome-Kuti and the Africa 70

Confusion is a 1975 album by Nigerian Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti and his Africa 70 band. It was arranged, composed, and produced by Kuti, who recorded the album after choosing to emphasize his African heritage and nationalism in his music. Confusion is a commentary on the confused state of post-colonial Lagos and its lack of infrastructure and proper leadership at the time. Kuti's pidgin English lyrics depict difficult conditions in the city, including a frenetic, multilingual trading market and inextricable traffic jams in Lagos' major intersections.

<i>Gentleman</i> (Fela Kuti album) 1973 studio album by Fela Ransome-Kuti and the Afrika 70

Gentleman is a 1973 studio album by Nigerian Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti. It was written and produced by Kuti and recorded with his Afrika 70 band. The cover artwork's depiction of a monkey's head superimposed on a suited body is a reference to the album's title track, which Kuti composed as a commentary on the colonial mentality of Africans who adhered to European customs and clothing.

<i>Shuffering and Shmiling</i> 1978 studio album by Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti and Africa 70

Shuffering and Shmiling is an album by Nigerian Afrobeat composer, bandleader, and multi-instrumentalist Fela Kuti. It was recorded in 1977 and released on the Nigerian Coconut label.

<i>Unknown Soldier</i> (Fela Kuti album) 1979 studio album by Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti and his Africa 70

Unknown Soldier is an album by Nigerian Afrobeat composer, bandleader and multi-instrumentalist Fela Kuti, recorded in 1979 and originally released on the Nigerian Skylark label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Afrika Shrine</span> Entertainment centre in Lagos, Nigeria

The New Afrika Shrine is an open air entertainment centre located in Ikeja, Lagos State. It serves as the host location of the annual Felabration music festival. Currently managed by Femi Kuti and Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti, it is the replacement of the old Afrika Shrine created in 1970 by Fela Kuti until it was burnt down in 1977. The New Afrika Shrine showcases photo galleries of Fela and music performances by Femi Kuti and Seun Kuti thus making it a tourist attraction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Felabration</span> Music festival

Felabration is an annual music festival conceived in 1998 by Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti in memory and celebration of her father Fela Kuti, a Nigerian musician and human rights activist known for pioneering the Afrobeat genre of music. The one-week-long event which is held annually at the New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja, attracts visitors from different countries and has thus been considered as an official tourist destination by the Lagos State Government.

Ọmọ́yẹni "Yeni" Aníkúlápó Kútì is a British-born Nigerian dancer and singer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Made Kuti</span> Nigerian singer and songwriter

Ọmọ́rìnmádé Kútì known professionally as Made Kuti, is a Nigerian afrobeat singer, songwriter and instrumentalist. He released his debut album titled For(e)ward in 2021.

<i>Legacy+</i> 2021 studio album by Femi Kuti and Made Kuti

Legacy+ is a 2021 double album by Femi Kuti and Made Kuti. The album is made up of Femi Kuti's Stop the Hate and Made Kuti's For(e)ward. It was released on 5 February 2021.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 PETER WATROUS (February 15, 1998). "Thomas Chapin, 40, Raucous Jazz Musician". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-05-13. ... Mr. Chapin was the first artist signed by the club's record label, Knitting Factory Records.
  2. 1 2 3 Korina Lopez (March 5, 2010). "Afrobeat icon Fela finally gets his due in music mainstream". USA Today. Retrieved 2011-05-13. ... Knitting Factory Records put out Fela's...
  3. 1 2 3 Mark Kennedy, AP Drama Writer (January 11, 2011). "'Fela!' is being readied for the big screen". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2011-05-15. The frenetic musical biography of Nigerian musician and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti ... vinyl box set of six albums that is available next month from Knitting Factory Records.
  4. 1 2 Gordon Gano (2011-04-28). "My Morning Download 4/28/11 – AgesandAges". USA Today. Retrieved 2011-05-15. AgesandAges ... the Portland band's debut album All Right, You Restless on Knitting Factory Records ...
  5. 1 2 Don Heckman (December 24, 2000). "Don't Overlook These Unfamiliar Names". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved 2011-05-13. ... Cuong Vu ... (Knitting Factory Records)...
  6. 1 2 Don Heckman (May 4, 2000). "Four From the Wide Spectrum That Is Jazz". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved 2011-05-13. Graham Haynes, ... Knitting Factory Records ...
  7. 1 2 "Jeff Buckley". NPR. December 2002. Retrieved 2011-05-15. ... Songs To No One 1991 - 1992 by Jeff Buckley and Gary Lucas is from Knitting Factory Records.
  8. 1 2 Howard Reich (January 23, 2000). "New Facets: Joe Morris Offers A Radical Yet Seductive Approach To Avant-garde Jazz". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2011-05-15. Every time guitarist Joe Morris ... alluring "Many Rings" CD (on Knitting Factory Records) ...
  9. 1 2 "Artists". Knitting Factory Records. 2011-05-15. Retrieved 2011-05-15.
  10. ↑ "From the Belly of Abraham". NPR. March 2002. Retrieved 2011-05-15. ... The Jewish musicians of the band Hasidic New Wave are now playing music with a troupe of Muslim drummers from Senegal. ... The CD is on Knitting Factory Records.
  11. ↑ WMG News: Renowned Indie Labels Partisan and Knitting Factory Records Partner With ADA
  12. ↑ Music Business Worldwide: Zena White Named MD of Partisan Records and Knitting Factory Records
  13. ↑ Marc Gabriel Amigone (November 6, 2009). "FELA! Pumps New Life Into the Legacy of Fela Anikulapo Kuti". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2011-05-15. Fela Anikulapo Kuti ... Knitting Factory Records is reissuing his entire [Universal Music] catalogue in North America over the next eighteen months....
  14. 1 2 3 Mesfin Fekadu, Associated Press (April 14, 2010). "Years after death, Fela nears mainstream appeal". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2011-05-13. Fela, the late Nigerian musician and political agitator, fascinated millions....
  15. ↑ "Continuing the Afrobeat Tradition". NPR. July 30, 2007. Retrieved 2011-05-13. As son of Nigeria's legendary Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti, Femi Kuti has some big shoes to fill...
  16. ↑ NPR Staff (April 27, 2011). "Nigerian Star Femi Kuti Talks Politics And Music". NPR. Retrieved 2011-05-13. ... Fela Kuti. What you may not know is that his son Femi Kuti...is in some ways a bigger star, with a following far beyond the borders of his country. [...] Femi Kuti has created innovative, memorable and invigorating music....
  17. ↑ Siddhartha Mitter (June 6, 2010). "In afterlife, Fela Kuti is having a moment". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2011-05-13. ... Knitting Factory Records has bought rights to the Fela catalog and is reissuing 45 titles, in batches, with the original artwork....[ dead link ]
  18. ↑ "Director's Cuts: Minimalism". NPR: Music. February 3, 2002. Retrieved 2011-05-13. Bill Ware: This groovy vibraphonist can wail with big jazz groups (including his own, Groove Collective), but he can also play crisply in a pared-down setting. Sir Duke is a collection of Ellingon duets with guitarist Marc Ribot on Knitting Factory Records.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.