With the possible exception of Bob Marley, no international musician rivals the global impact of the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, bandleader, activist and principal figure in the emergence and evolution of the majestic music known as Afrobeat. Kuti’s powerful work merged African rhythms with funk and soul influences, while his fiery lyrics constantly attacked the injustice and hypocrisy he considered endemic among those ruling his homeland (Nigeria).

Fela paid the ultimate price for his views, from imprisonment and beatings to the horrendous death of his mother (whom Nigerian authorities killed while in the process of destroying his home). But he never relented in either his attacks on corruption at home or imperialist control from abroad. Meanwhile he continued to make remarkable, exciting music throughout the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, until his passing in 1997. More than one million people attended his funeral in Lagos.

Fortunately, for those who either weren’t around during his glory years or haven’t heard much or any of his material, Kuti’s entire catalog (more than 50 albums) is being repackaged. The latest in the series, “The Return of the Black President 2 – Deluxe Edition (Knitting Factory)” will be released Feb. 2. The series includes extensive commentaries on various tracks by noted Afrobeat historian Chris May, and the newest release contains a foreword from urban contemporary artist Akon.

Kuti’s tunes were lengthy and sprawling, as pulsating rhythms framed his dynamic chants and vocals, with rhythm keyboard or sax solos carefully interspersed within the musical wave. Written descriptions don’t really do these compositions justice, because when you hear them it’s impossible to not be hooked by the combination of percussive might, instrumental fury and lyrical zeal.

The menu ranges from an early (1975) classic “Everything Scatter,” to gems like “Yellow Fever” (written in protest to early incidences of Nigerian women bleaching their skin) and the spectacular “Sorrow Tears and Blood,” his ode to the vicious crushing of the 1976 Soweto rebellion. There’s also music from his final days, some of which was undeniably affected by illness. But “Underground System (Part 2),” has its good moments, though I wouldn’t favorably compare it to such epics as “Zombie,” “International Thief Thief (I.T.T.),” “Black President,” or even “Expensive Shit,” another cut on this compilation.

Those who purchase the deluxe edition will get another bonus, a DVD of Fela’s 1984 Glastonbury concert, which devotees insist ranks among his greatest. Granted, it is extremely difficult to decide with a performer of this magnitude what should go on any single or double-disc release, but “The Best Of The Black President 2? does a fine job of gathering essentials from his vast catalog.

With the Broadway hit musical “Fela!” now on tour (coming to Nashville later this year), this set should get everyone even more excited about the show’s arrival.