This review concerns mainly this particular issue of this music, and not the music itself. Most people with an interest in Afrobeat would likely agree that the music represents Fela and Afrika 70 in or near top form, during Fela's most admired period of recording. However, this CD issue features abysmal sound with annoying digital clipping, and for this reason I recommend avoiding it in favor of other editions that feature these tracks. It's initially appealing since this cd is very reasonably priced (in the US); you might think you're saving some money by picking it up, but in the long run you'll spend more when you replace it with an edition that presents the recordings respectfully.

This is FUNK with rhythms sharp as a knife and always On point. What amazes me is the sheer joy i get from listening to this Brass heavy Afro Beats. Besides some African Chants we hear mainly the Saxophone + Trumpet of Fela Kuti, who rivals only Miles Davis in perfection. The sounds couldn't be more different, though. While Miles explores the borders of Jazz, Fela stays within the traditional Jazz and Rock vein, but with the many colours of his fantastic Backing Band, with an army of Dancers and Singers he brings that special flavour and innoovation. Til today you won't find any other musician from Africa that has such a vibrant and direct energetic sound. ZOMBIE must be one of his best records.
This tracklisting on this very pressing is very special. Only Tracks 1 + 2 were originally released as the ZOMBIE LP back in 1978.
The additional Tunes couldn't be more different. While "Observation is Not a Crime" fits perfectly with the 2 Original trax Track 4 is a Live Recording from his triumphant Jazz Live Show in Berlin back in 1978. He had such a massive success back then and you hear the audience cheering him (and the exotic Dancers..) up most of the time. He hit a nerve with his revlutionary style.
Here he plays another amazing Solo and you hear lots of Bongos and Congo Drums. Still the music flows free for most of the 15 minutes. This music is so alive - even today ; you wonder how this is possible. Timeless Sounds from a Continent that seems to be further away from Europe & The US than ever before. Thank God for giving his people such a charismatic Messenger. He had about the same effect for his people and his country as Bob Marley had for Jamaica.