Tony Allen - Secret Agent
List Price:
Our Price: $17.85
You Save: $10.64 (37%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $17.84 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Music CD Cover
Artist: Tony AllenEdition: Music CD
Format: Import
CD Release Date: 2009-06-09
Music Label: wo.ci
Secret Agent Poster
'There is no question that Tony Allen is a genius, one of the greatest percussionists in the history of popular music' - The Guardian'Secret Agent,' the first World Circuit/Nonesuch release for Nigerian Afrobeat legend, drummer Tony Allen, has already received ecstatic reviews from critics in Europe where it was released in early June of this year. Metro UK declared that 'the latest album from Lagos born drumming ace reasserts his status as keeper of the Afrobeat key' while Observer Music Monthly said, 'If you're wondering why Afrobeat is hip, start here.'
Tony Allen has long been acknowledged as Africa's finest kit drummer and one of the continent's most influential musicians. His playing draws on four different styles - Highlife, soul/funk, jazz and traditional Nigerian drumming - a unique
and mighty sound. Together with Fela Kuti (with whom he played for 15 years) Allen co-created Afrobeat - the hard driving, horn rich, funk-infused, politically insurrectionary style, which became a dominant force in African music and such, and an influence worldwide. Afrobeat is currently enjoying an upsurge of interest around the world and for fans of hip-hop, funk
and jazz, Tony Allen, holder of the Afrobeat flame, is today revered as its seminal living figure.
'Secret Agent,' produced by Allen himself, was recorded with his hard-schooled touring band, which comprises musicians from Nigeria, Cameroon, Martinique and France. The music is squarely in the Afrobeat tradition - combining rhythmic tenor
guitar, funky keyboards, soulful call and response vocals, and fat, full-throated hard-riffing horns - with a few twists (including keyboard player and arranger Fixi's accordion on some tracks). At its heart of course, is the beat itself, even more prominent now than it was in Fela Kuti's legendary band Afrika 70. Allen drives the music on, straight as an arrow, in a loose-limbed ragged shuffle, fusing the cross rhythms into one irresistible forward motion. The songs on Secret Agent stay true to Afrobeat's original, trademark embrace of protest lyrics. 'Pariwo' (shout, make
some noise) and 'Elewon Po' (too many prisoners) urge resistance to oppression. Others like 'Nina Lowo' (money is to be spent) and 'Atuwaba' (no matter if things are bad, they'll get better), are based on traditional folk proverbs. Some are irresistible exhortations to party - 'Ijo' (dance) and 'Alutere' (the message the drums transmit) celebrate Afrobeat in
general and Allen's genius in particular. 'Fela had a different way of writing,' says Allen. 'He wrote like a singer. I write like a drummer.'
Tony Allen will tour North America early this summer. In the meantime, 'Secret Agent' is an invitation from this extraordinary drumming force to look for the familiar in the seemingly exotic. As Q Magazine (UK) put it, 'At nearly 70, the man Brian Eno reckons is perhaps the greatest drummer that ever lived is reveling in his heritage, and it's contagious.'
International Music CDs
Music Genres
Top music charts in International Music CDs
Hopscotch - Wishful WayRelease date: 2003-11-03; Music CD
Price in other shops:
![Coral Sea Dreaming [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
David Hannan - Coral Sea Dreaming [VHS]Compass Records; Release date: 1998-11-17; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.70
Price in other shops:
![20th Anniversary Celebration [VHS] Image](/images/20th-Anniversary-Celebration-VHS-6302274060-X.jpg){kind=small}
Steeleye Span - 20th Anniversary Celebration [VHS]Shanachie; Release date: 1995-04-16; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $5.94
Price in other shops:
Chris Rea - Return of the Fabulous Hofner BluenotesRelease date: 2008-03-11; Music CD
Best price: $37.97
Price in other shops:
A Concert Of Angels mini: Music From J.S. Bach To Gustav Mahlerby edel Classics GmbH
Edel Classica Gmbh; Published: 2006-11-06; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $9.48
Price in other shops:
Artist Not Provided - Tanzkurs Vol 4Release date: 2007-06-26; DVD
Price in other shops:
Sascha Hehn & The New Symphonic Orchestra - Peter Und Der Wolf/ Karneval Der TiereRelease date: 2010-04-27; Music CD
Best price: $7.83
Jurgen Fritsche, Sven Gortz - Edgar Allan Poe: Das Grauen IIRelease date: 2009-12-08; Music CD
Best price: $6.57
Price in other shops:
Sorene. CD. Kinderlieder aus Äthiopien - Children's Songs from Ethiopiaby Peter Pannke
Sunnymoon Distribution; Published: 2000-03-01; Audio CD; Book
Tibetan Meditation Music: For Quiet Mind and Peaceful Heartby Nawang Khechog
Sounds True 2007-04-01; Published: 2007; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $10.21
Top Rated Albums
![Undun / [Explicit] Image](/images/Undun-Explicit-B005VR9328-X.jpg)
The Roots - Undun / [Explicit]Release date: 2011-12-06; Music CD
Best price: $10.83
Price in other shops:
Seun Kuti - From Africa With Fury: RiseRelease date: 2011-06-21; Music CD
Best price: $8.49
Price in other shops:
Ali Farka Toure, Toumani Diabate - Ali & ToumaniRelease date: 2010-02-23; Music CD
Best price: $12.99
Price in other shops:
Fela Kuti - Best of the Black President (Dig)Release date: 2009-10-26; Music CD
Best price: $13.91
Price in other shops:
Femi Kuti - Africa for AfricaRelease date: 2011-04-12; Music CD
Best price: $5.99
Price in other shops:
Tony Allen - Home CookingRelease date: 2003-03-25; Music CD
Best price: $23.82
AfroCubism - AfroCubismRelease date: 2010-11-02; Music CD
Best price: $12.16
Price in other shops:
Tony Allen - Afro Disco BeatRelease date: 2007-09-25; Music CD
Best price: $17.13
Price in other shops:
Tony Allen - Lagos No ShakingRelease date: 2009-11-10; Music CD
Best price: $9.11
Price in other shops:
Jimi Tenor, Tony Allen - Inspiration Information, Vol. 4Release date: 2009-10-26; Music CD
Best price: $8.88
Price in other shops: