Polyrhythmic
One of the world's greatest drummers passed away Thursday.
Tony Allen – A Tribute To Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers
Blue Note – 574439 4
Vinyl, 10", 45 RPM, Europe, 2017
Tributes to Tony Allen will understandably focus on his years leading Fela Kuti's Afrika 70 band, where the two Nigerian legends led the creation of afrobeat. They broke new ground in the 1970's and their influence has continued to grow far beyond Africa, funk and jazz, the last few decades bringing them deeply into hip hop, dub, electronic and more.
Allen was 79 years old and remained active until the end. A new album was released just a month before he died this week. He avoided becoming a nostalgia act in his later years. His career revitalized in his highly visible 60s and 70s, he released a slew of new albums (both as a solo artist and in various bands), was signed to Blue Note, put out some important dance records and joined a band with a member of the Clash. If you're not gonna retire, that's the way to do it I guess.
Before afrobeat, Tony Allen was playing jazz. He returned to those modes for a 2017 album called "The Source" that he recorded for the iconic Blue Note label. A tribute to Art Blakey, a major influence and musical hero from his jazz days, was also released as this excellent companion EP that same year. It's a straight ahead hard bop record that Blue Note strangely only officially issued as a 10" record as far as I know.
I wanted to share something special by Allen and was happy that I was able to find my copy of this in the chaos of the record bins. It was a joy listening to the record again as I recorded the vinyl and prepped these tracks. Allen's playing is remarkable and his band is solid. I was struck by the quality of the recording itself (cut on analog tape, according to the liner notes). It has some of the best recorded drums I can think of on a recent album and a mix that highlights great play between the bass and piano. If you get a chance, listen on some good headphones.
A1 Moanin' (Bobby Timmons)
A2 Night In Tunisia (Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Paparelli)
B1 Politely (Bill Hardman)
B2 The Drum Thunder Suite (Art Blakey)
Tony Allen – A Tribute To Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers
Blue Note – 574439 4
Vinyl, 10", 45 RPM, Europe, 2017
Tributes to Tony Allen will understandably focus on his years leading Fela Kuti's Afrika 70 band, where the two Nigerian legends led the creation of afrobeat. They broke new ground in the 1970's and their influence has continued to grow far beyond Africa, funk and jazz, the last few decades bringing them deeply into hip hop, dub, electronic and more.
Allen was 79 years old and remained active until the end. A new album was released just a month before he died this week. He avoided becoming a nostalgia act in his later years. His career revitalized in his highly visible 60s and 70s, he released a slew of new albums (both as a solo artist and in various bands), was signed to Blue Note, put out some important dance records and joined a band with a member of the Clash. If you're not gonna retire, that's the way to do it I guess.
Before afrobeat, Tony Allen was playing jazz. He returned to those modes for a 2017 album called "The Source" that he recorded for the iconic Blue Note label. A tribute to Art Blakey, a major influence and musical hero from his jazz days, was also released as this excellent companion EP that same year. It's a straight ahead hard bop record that Blue Note strangely only officially issued as a 10" record as far as I know.
I wanted to share something special by Allen and was happy that I was able to find my copy of this in the chaos of the record bins. It was a joy listening to the record again as I recorded the vinyl and prepped these tracks. Allen's playing is remarkable and his band is solid. I was struck by the quality of the recording itself (cut on analog tape, according to the liner notes). It has some of the best recorded drums I can think of on a recent album and a mix that highlights great play between the bass and piano. If you get a chance, listen on some good headphones.
A1 Moanin' (Bobby Timmons)
A2 Night In Tunisia (Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Paparelli)
B1 Politely (Bill Hardman)
B2 The Drum Thunder Suite (Art Blakey)
In FLAC: https://mega.nz/folder/kfBGFIwJ#GOHSiCtLT1khN0XUZSx2VQ
ReplyDeleteMP3: https://mega.nz/folder/wHAiSKLI#cAXrZASNpG4DrXl91XRecg
Spinning this now
ReplyDeleteIt sounds amazing mate
Cheers