Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad "Tony Allen (Jazz Is Dead 018)" CD

★With obi/Japanese commentary
★Imported version for domestic distribution

JAZZ IS DEAD, which has become one of the most prominent figures in the LA underground and jazz scenes thanks to the 10 albums of its first series, which were successfully completed despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the inability to hold live events, the label's origins, is now releasing the eighth and final installment of its second series. This eighth and final installment of the second series features Tony Allen, the right-hand man of Fela Kuti and the founder of Afrobeat, who unfortunately passed away in April 2020.

As Fela Kuti said, "Afrobeat would not have existed without Tony Allen," Tony Allen is the legendary drummer and musical director of Fela's band Africa 70. Tony is also the greatest contributor to Afrobeat, supporting Fela's songs in his heyday, such as "Water No Get Enemy" and "Zombie." Tony, who led Africa 70 and released leader albums such as "Progress" and "No Accommodation For Lagos," has a wide influence on the younger generation. For example, in hip-hop, J Dilla sampled "Asiko" from "Black Voices," released in 1999, in Common's "Heat," and in the rock field, Blur's Damon Albarn is a big fan of Tony and has often collaborated with him in projects such as Gorillaz and The Good, the Bad & the Queen. Tony previously produced a collaborative album with Jimi Tenor for Strut's Inspiration Information series, which thrilled drummers and beat makers around the world, and now this is a dream collaboration between him and JAZZ IS DEAD.

In the first series, The Midnight Hour (Adrian Younge & Ali Shahid Muhammad) performed with many Brazilian music legends, proving that their musical tastes are not limited to "jazz". Just as "Ebun", which was recorded in advance on the debut compilation "JAZZ IS DEAD 011", was a sound reminiscent of Africa 70's, this time the band boldly develops Afrobeat in their own style throughout the entire series. "Steady Tremble" features rampaging psychedelic keyboards and is tailored for dance floors around the world; "Makoko" is a moody mid-tempo jam that is reminiscent of Fela Kuti's classic "Gentlemen"; "No Beginning" features a horn section full of jazz essence showing off its freewheeling against Tony's hard-hitting beats; and the album closer "No End" continues seamlessly from there. This is a highly recommended album that packages the ideal fusion of the jazz sensibilities of the hip-hop generation and Afrobeat that has transcended time and continents.

■Track list