Tony Allen Jid018

Description

With each new release, Jazz Is Dead continues to exalt the legacy of iconic musicians who have shaped jazz across generations, genres, and continents. For its latest opus, the label teamed up with the late Tony Allen, best known for his foundational work as the drummer for Fela Kuti's Africa 70, and then Egypt 80. Throughout his career, he defined the Afrobeat sound, blending funk and jazz influences with Nigerian highlife to create a cross-cultural dialogue that spread worldwide. It was no small honor to host Mr. Allen for a very special recording session at Linear Labs studio, and the Jazz Is Dead label is honored to have played a role in Tony Allen's legacy and invites you to discover the unparalleled genius who revolutionized music, a magician who influenced countless listeners. On "Ebun," which opens the album, guitars and horns lean on Allen's immediately recognizable drum rhythms. It instantly recalls the Africa 70 recordings, where Allen played a driving role. Psychedelic keyboards and percussion clash on "Steady Tremble," a track custom-made for dance floors around the world. Equally funky, the kinetic and expressive "Oladipo" builds between a tense call and response between the horns; the track is filled with drama, and Allen constantly keeps every element in balance. - All music was composed by Tony Allen and Adrian Younge in 2018 - Produced and mixed by Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad at Linear Labs Studios, Los Angeles, California.