Brixton pound

The fontanelles version of the Fela classic 'my lady frustration' recorded live at the fish factory london.

My Lady Frustration

The fontanelles version of 'Musikawi Slit' from the wallace band recorded live at 'The Fish Factory' London

Muziqawi Slit

PINPRICK

CRIMINALITY

In 2011 the groundbreaking Broadway production, FELA! arrived at London’s
National Theatre. Telling the life story of the Nigerian icon Fela Kuti, the
show was embraced by London crowds and completed a sell out run with rave
reviews. At the heart of the story was an onstage band that pumped out Fela’s
music with an authenticity and class that was essential to the show’s success.

This was the birth of The Fontanelles. The natural step was to keep the flame
burning once the curtain fell for the last time at The National as the band were
asked to perform countless shows in their own right.

Fela’s music was a musical launch pad and common for a group of players
whose experience and influences spread far and wide. In the spirit of Fela , the
band have forged their own identity with original music that takes in influences
from the Nigerian master to dub , Ethio funk , jazz , film scores and beyond

Collectively the band have played with the likes of Tony Allen , Africa Express,
Plan B , Soothsayers, Johnny Clarke, Courtney Pine and Adele, John Legend,
Tom Jones, Keziah Jones, Soothsayers, Jazz Jamaica, McCoy Tyner, Barry
White, Jerry Dammers Spatial AKA, Massive Attack , Keziah Jones, Grace
Jones, The Mighty Diamonds, Bob Andy, Joss Stone to name but a few.

'a terrific 12 piece band who intensify the music's seductively
repetitive rhythms'
The Independent

'the on stage band works up a storm as they pound through Fela
Kuti's hits to electrifying effect'
The Metro

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