Femi Kuti

When you sing about government corruption, cultural imperialism and corporate irresponsibility, you never run out of things to say. But on No Place for My Dream, Femi Kuti doesn't just reinforce the message; he beefs-up the whole damn medium. Delivering 11 tightly packaged fire starters, the sixth full-length from the prince of Afrobeat comes off as some of the silkiest and most euphonious solo work of his 20-year career. Although his backing band continue to strike hard on tracks like the driving "Na So Wee See Am" and the ska-influenced "Wey Our Money," it's Femi's newfound knack for melody and rhythmic phrasing that makes No Place for My Dream such a gratifying listen. On the blistering "The World is Changing" and the muscular "No Work No Job No Money," Kuti weaves and bobs, adding heaved choruses, smooth verse structures and prickly effects, giving a whole new dimension to his now-trademark delivery. Although some have said that Femi has never matched his father's (Fela) urgency, Femi has instead discovered a sense of spiritual composure on No Place for My Dream. In the past, Femi has sounded just as vital and his playing just as powerful, but he's never done it in such radiant tones.