Fela Kuti once said that without this man, he'd need four percussionists. Of course, the style we know today as Afrobeat wouldn't sound anything like it without the innovative genius of drummer Tony Allen.
A true pioneer Tony Allen, 70, managed to mix the brevity and snap of jazz drumming by the likes of Art Blakey, Max Roach and Guy Warren with the extended forms of African rhythms from Highlife and Yoruba.
Tony was the drummer and musical director of Fela Kuti’s band Africa 70 in Lagos, Nigeria, from 1968 to 1979. The musical conversation between Clyde Stubblefield, Jabo Starks and Tony Allen is still being heard today, having influenced practically every new genre of dance music from the '70s onwards.
Tony recounts how he and Fela wrote in 1970: “Fela used to write out the parts for all the musicians in the band. I was the only one who originated the music I played. Fela would ask what type of rhythm I wanted to play. You can tell a good drummer because we have four limbs and they are playing different things. The patterns don’t just come from Yoruba but also from other parts of West Africa.” (Graeme Ewens, “Africa O-Ye!”, 1991)
Described by Brian Eno as the best drummer who ever lived, and still flipping poly-rhythms today, Tony works with artists like TY, Air, Zap Mama and Charlotte Gainsbourg, as well as inspiring remixes of his music from producers like Carl Craig, Waajeed and Basic Channel's Moritz von Oswald. In 2009, he released his 14th (!) solo album, Secret Agent:
Ever the original Mr Up Side Down, Tony is currently involved in a new project with bass virtuoso Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz) who claimed after their bonding with Paul Simonon and Simon Tong for the supergroup The Good, The Bad And The Queen: “Tony Allen got me dancing.”
Find out the lowdown on Tony’s afrobeat in this video and listen to this Red Bull Music Academy Radio Show:
Playlist:
Fela Kuti - Highlife Time - Wrasse
Fela Kuti - My Lady Frustration - UMI
Fela Kuti - Black Man's Cry - Shanachie
Fela Kuti - Expensive Shit - Wrasse
Fela Kuti & Roy Ayers - Africa Center Of The World - M.I.L.
Tony Allen - Don't Fight - Nocturne
Tony Allen, Damon Albarn & Ty - Every Season - Nocturne
Tony Allen & Friends - One Tree - Honest Jon's
Tony Allen & Friends - Ole - Honest Jon's
Want more?
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