'There is no question that Tony Allen is a genius, one of the greatest percussionists in the history of popular music' - The Guardian
'Secret Agent,' the first World Circuit/Nonesuch release for Nigerian Afrobeat legend, drummer Tony Allen, has already received ecstatic reviews from critics in Europe where it was released in early June of this year. Metro UK declared that 'the latest album from Lagos born drumming ace reasserts his status as keeper of the Afrobeat key' while Observer Music Monthly said, 'If you're wondering why Afrobeat is hip, start here.'
Tony Allen has long been acknowledged as Africa's finest kit drummer and one of the continent's most influential musicians. His playing draws on four different styles - Highlife, soul/funk, jazz and traditional Nigerian drumming - a unique
and mighty sound. Together with Fela Kuti (with whom he played for 15 years) Allen co-created Afrobeat - the hard driving, horn rich, funk-infused, politically insurrectionary style, which became a dominant force in African music and such, and an influence worldwide. Afrobeat is currently enjoying an upsurge of interest around the world and for fans of hip-hop, funk
and jazz, Tony Allen, holder of the Afrobeat flame, is today revered as its seminal living figure.
'Secret Agent,' produced by Allen himself, was recorded with his hard-schooled touring band, which comprises musicians from Nigeria, Cameroon, Martinique and France. The music is squarely in the Afrobeat tradition - combining rhythmic tenor
guitar, funky keyboards, soulful call and response vocals, and fat, full-throated hard-riffing horns - with a few twists (including keyboard player and arranger Fixi's accordion on some tracks). At its heart of course, is the beat itself, even more prominent now than it was in Fela Kuti's legendary band Afrika 70. Allen drives the music on, straight as an arrow, in a loose-limbed ragged shuffle, fusing the cross rhythms into one irresistible forward motion. The songs on Secret Agent stay true to Afrobeat's original, trademark embrace of protest lyrics. 'Pariwo' (shout, make
some noise) and 'Elewon Po' (too many prisoners) urge resistance to oppression. Others like 'Nina Lowo' (money is to be spent) and 'Atuwaba' (no matter if things are bad, they'll get better), are based on traditional folk proverbs. Some are irresistible exhortations to party - 'Ijo' (dance) and 'Alutere' (the message the drums transmit) celebrate Afrobeat in
general and Allen's genius in particular. 'Fela had a different way of writing,' says Allen. 'He wrote like a singer. I write like a drummer.'
Tony Allen will tour North America early this summer. In the meantime, 'Secret Agent' is an invitation from this extraordinary drumming force to look for the familiar in the seemingly exotic. As Q Magazine (UK) put it, 'At nearly 70, the man Brian Eno reckons is perhaps the greatest drummer that ever lived is reveling in his heritage, and it's contagious.'
--This text refers to an alternate
Audio CD
edition.
