Pioneering drummer Tony Allen, who was called “perhaps the greatest drummer who has ever lived" by Brian Eno, passed away in 2020, at the age of 79. Allen was the longtime drummer and musical director for the Nigerian bandleader Fela Kuti where his unique, propulsive, funky, and innovative drum patterns helped to define the style known as Afrobeat. A self-taught player, he said that he created that signature sound through listening to recordings of Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers and Max Roach – along with funk of James Brown, and western rockenroll.
A legend among drummers -and musicians of all styles from all over the world- Tony Allen was also a prolific collaborator, across several styles and multiple generations. For this New Sounds, listen to Tony Allen with Fela Kuti on “Zombie,” and from a solo record with the band Africa 70, “Jealousy,” as well as “A Night in Tunisia,” from Tony’s tribute record to one of his jazz heroes, Art Blakey. Then, hear some of Allen’s collaborative records, one with the late South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela, the supergroup project Keleketla!, and music with the great Malian singer Oumou Sangaré.
From a record that came out in 2020, hear ‘Freedom Groove’ by jazz supergroup Keleketla! featuring Afrobeat-powered groove by the late pioneer Tony Allen and Dele Sosimi, legendary L.A. spoken word pioneers The Watts Prophets, and West Papuan activist Benny Wenda, along with brass by the Antibalas horns. There’s also music from Rejoice!, a record that Tony Allen made from sessions with the late South African giant Hugh Masekela (1939-2018), which took ten years to complete. (According to Downbeat Magazine, “with the blessing of Masekela’s estate, Allen recruited dynamic young jazz players to finish the album” and fill out the somewhat skeletal arrangements laid down in 2010.) Hear a cut that grooves with understated swagger from Allen and Masekela called “Obama Shuffle Strut Blues.” (Ed. Note: And it is all that.)
Then, listen to music from Angola-born, Paris-based Lulendo, which features super-cool drum parts provided by Tony Allen alongside the thumb piano, likembe, on a track called “Mwinda” (Lingala for "light"). Allen also worked with the great Malian singer Oumou Sangaré on “Yere Faga,” with the French production group called A.L.B.E.R.T. providing the song’s hypnotic bassline and Tony Allen offering one of his distinctive grooves. Also, hear “Benko” from the supergroup called Rocket Juice & the Moon, who are Tony Allen, Damon Albarn (Gorillaz, Blur), and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea. The track features Malian singer and guitarist Fatoumata Diawara as well. - Caryn Havlik
Here's a New Sounds Guide to Tony Allen:
Program #4491, A Tony Allen Tribute (First Aired 5/3/2021)
ARTIST: Fela Kuti and Africa 70
WORK: Zombie [12:26]
RECORDING: The Best Best Of Fela Kuti / reissued as The Best of the Black President
SOURCE: MCA Records / Knitting Factory Records
INFO: Try felakuti.bandcamp.com, or Amazon.com, Youtube, AppleMusic, Spotify
ARTIST: Tony Allen
WORK: A Night in Tunisia [6:06]
RECORDING: A Tribute To Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers
SOURCE: Blue Note Records
INFO: https://tonyallen.lnk.to/TributeToArtBlakey
ARTIST: Tony Allen and Hugh Masekela
WORK: Obama Shuffle Strut Blues [4:41]
RECORDING: Rejoice!
SOURCE: World Circuit
INFO: https://worldcircuit.lnk.to/Rejoice
ARTIST: Keleketla!
WORK: Freedom Groove [7:08]
RECORDING: Keleketla!
SOURCE: Ahead Of Our Time
INFO: keleketla.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Rocket Juice & the Moon, feat. Fatoumata Diawara
WORK: Benko [2:35]
RECORDING: Rocket Juice & The Moon
SOURCE: Honest Jon's
INFO: honestjonsrecords.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Lulendo
WORK: Mwinda [3:38]
RECORDING: Mwinda
SOURCE: Buda Musique
INFO: budamusique.com
ARTIST: Oumou Sangare ft. Tony Allen
WORK: Yere Faga [5:11]
RECORDING: Mogoya
SOURCE: No Format!
INFO: https://idol.lnk.to/Mogoya
ARTIST: Tony Allen and Africa 70
WORK: Jealousy [5:51]
RECORDING: Tony Allen With Africa 70
SOURCE: Soundworkshop Records
INFO: tonyallenafrica70.bandcamp.com/album/jealousy
