Those lucky enough to catch the musical "FELA!" on Broadway know that a transformative scene takes place in Los Angeles in 1969. It's here that the Nigerian bandleader and singer Fela Ransome Kuti, known for the creation of what he dubbed Afrobeat music, becomes politicized after being educated in the ways of the American black power movement. After meeting activist Sandra Smith in L.A., Kuti started focusing his energy not only on his music but also his message, and the combination, filtered through his vision, was incredibly potent.

Last month, Knitting Factory Records released the first batch in a series of Fela reissues that will eventually encompass all 45 of his albums. Among that initial run is the document of Fela's time here, called "The '69 Los Angeles Sessions."