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

Remastered Double 180 Gram Vinyl housed in Gatefold Sleeve with OBI Strip and 4 Page Booklet.

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2024-02-02

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Warner Music Group

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

Total Cap

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

Artist

Tony Allen

Genre GB

African

Label GB

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.

British label specializing in Cuban & West African music, founded and led by [a356497].

Label Code: LC 2339 / LC 02339

In the mid 1990's World Circuit releases were distributed by [info provided for reference only]:
Australia - Larrikin Entertainment
Austria - Lotus Records
Denmark - Moskito Music
France - Night And Day
Germany - East West / Talent Independant Service
Greece - Libra Music Ltd.
Italy - I.R.D.
The Netherlands - Music Records B.V.
New Zealand - Elite Imports Ltd.
Norway - Musikkdistribusjon AS
Spain - Arpa Folk Distribucion, S.L.
Sweden - MNW I.L.R.
Switzerland - Recrec Genossenschaft
UK - New Note Distribution

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.

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.

Secret Agent

Music GB

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