180g Heavyweight 2LP, gatefold sleeve, with 4p insert of lyrics and notes obi strip.Tony Allen (1940 2020) has long been acknowledged as Africas finest drummer and one of the continents 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 Sangar, Jeff Mills and Hugh Masekela.His 2009 World Circuit debut, the raw and uncutSecret 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 (Kutis most frequent targets); deep-soul call and response vocals;and, of course, energising everything around it, Allens majestic drumming. Two years on from Tony Allens passing at the age of 80, 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 youre 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