1973s Gentleman is the last of Felas early 1970s transitional albums it was followed by 1974s Alagbon Close, on which he brought all Afrobeats signature ingredients together. On its title track, 1973s Gentleman presents one of Felas most perfect lyrics, sung in call-and-response with the backing vocalists. I no be gentleman at all, Fela sings, Africa hot, I like am so; I know what to wear but my friend dont know; him put him socks him put him shoes; him put him pants him put him singlet; him put him trouser him put him shirt; him put him tie him put him coat; him come cover all with him hat; him be gentleman; him go sweat all over; him go faint right down.I no be gentleman at all-o; I be Africa man original. Theres plenty more. As so often with Felas songs, Gentleman can be interpreted literally or as metaphor concerning a wider issue. In this case, Felas topic is the colonialism-induced inferiority complex which led many in Africas new governing elites to reject African style, concepts of beauty and modes of behaviour in favour of European imports. It was a subject Fela returned to on 1976s Yellow Fever, whose title track attacked the craze for skin whitening creams among African women, and 1977s Johnny Just Drop, whose title track lampooned the social pretensions of Africans returning home after working or studying abroad. Gentlemans other tracks, Fefe Naa Efe and Igbe, have briefer lyrics. On Fefe Naa Efe, an Ashanti motto from Ghana, Fela tells a woman dumped by her boyfriend that she must get over the heartache and move on.

Tracklisting

A1. Gentleman
B1. Fe Fe Ne Eye Fe
B2. Igbe