Tony Allen-Secret Agent-2009-JUST

It's been a good six months for Afrobeat, the turbulent jazz meets funk meets West African roots music associated with the Nigerian singer Fela Anikulapo Kuti (1938 - 1997) and his bands Afrika 70 and Egypt 80. There have been cracking albums from, first, Fela's son Seun, and now Afrika 70 founder member Tony Allen
When Kuti died, it seemed for a while as though Afrobeat might have died with him, so dominant had his presence been since the style's creation in the late 1960s/early 1970s. His son Femi was quick to pick up the reins, but, 12 years on, has yet to evince the concentrated fire and passion his father made such a defining feature of the music. Then, in late 2008, Seun released the blistering Many Things (Tot ou Tard), made with members of Egypt 80, and all bets were on again. And now Allen, Fela's longtime drummer and collaborator, pitches in with Secret Agent, another sterling set.

01. Secret Agent 05:21
02. Ijo 05:14
03. Switch 04:49
04. Celebrate 07:54
05. Ayenlo 04:57
06. Busybody 04:34
07. Pariwo 05:53
08. Nina Lowo 05:44
09. Atuwaba 00:50
10. Alutere 03:44
11. Elewon Po 05:44
Runtime 54:44 min