Name: Secret Agent
Brand: Tony Allen

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

4050538752601

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Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

2022-05-20

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

WEA /­ ADA

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

Total Cap

2 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

Artist

Tony Allen

Genre US

Jazz

Label US

World Circuit

Tony Allen was a Nigerian drummer, composer, and songwriter who lived and worked in Courbevoie, France. He was born on 20 July 1940 in Lagos, Nigeria and sadly passed away on 30 April 2020 in Paris, France at the age of 79.

Allen began his career as a studio engineer before becoming known for his drumming skills. He played drums for Fela Kuti's Africa 70 and Egypt 80 organizations, where he helped pioneer the unique beat and vibe of Afrobeat music. This genre combines the polyrhythmic influences of Africa with the breakbeats and extended jams of American funk and R&B that reached Nigeria during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

In addition to his work with Fela Kuti, Allen released solo albums showcasing afrobeat and psychedelic funk. He also made notable contributions to supergroups such as The Good, The Bad &amp; The Queen. With his distinct style and musical talent, Tony Allen has left an indelible mark on the world of music.

Tony Allen (1940 – 2020) has long been acknowledged as Africa's finest drummer and one of the continent's most influential musicians. Together with Fela Kuti (with whom he played for 15 years) Allen co-created Afrobeat - the hard-driving, horns-rich, funk-infused, politically insurrectionary style which became such a dominant force in African music and such an influence worldwide. His iconic drumming has since underpinned an extensive catalogue of solo works as well as collaborations with the likes of Damon Albarn (as part of The Good, The Bad and The Queen), Charlotte Gainsbourg, Sebastien Tellier, Grace Jones, Malian superstar Oumou Sangaré, Jeff Mills and Hugh Masekela. 

His 2009 World Circuit debut, the raw and uncut Secret Agent, has all the ingredients that combine to make Afrobeat so special - fat, full-throated, hard riffing horns; nagging tenor guitars; jazz- and funk-informed saxophone and trumpet work outs; effervescent chicken-shack keyboards; lyrics rich in folk metaphors and proverbs, some of which confront state corruption and oppression (Kuti’s most frequent targets); deep-soul call and response vocals; and, of course, energising everything around it, Allen’s majestic drumming.

In 2022 World Circuit will re-release this classic album on 2 x 180g heavyweight vinyl. The audio has been remastered and the package features the original 2009 sleeve notes in a 4p 12” booklet. “if you’re wondering why Afrobeat is hip, start here.” Observer Music Monthly “There is no question that Tony Allen is a genius, one of the greatest percussionists in the history of popular music” The Guardian “While seeking to revive Afrobeat from the roots, Tony Allen imposes here a modernist vision and achieves the best possible synthesis between Yoruba foundations, Blue Note jazz arrangements and electro sound resolution.” – Les Inrockuptibles

Secret Agent

Music US

Buy Tony Allen - Secret Agent (Vinyl, CD) now from Rough Trade - independent purveyors of great music, since 1976.