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The late, great Nigerian drummer Babatunde Olatunji was one of the heroes of “world music” before the genre even had a name (or a dedicated bin at your local record store). From the early 1960s until his death in 2003, Baba preached African pride and the brotherhood of all races with a brand of intelligence, dignity and humility that touched anyone who had the good fortune to meet him. As a musician, performer and teacher he spread the word about Yoruba drumming (he was a master), and his legendary 1960s release Drums Of Passion, was many Stateside fans’ first introduction to African music. But Baba had one last trick up his sleeve before his passing: he wanted to record his life’s lessons for posterity. The result is an absorbing read that highlights his sometimes-forgotten role in the Civil Rights movement, as well as his groundbreaking musical career.
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