Windy, Rainy Lagos

Tony Allen invented Afrobeat alongside Fela Kuti over 40 years ago.

We'll let that statement stand alone. Today, Tony is still deep in the game, making the music that made him famous and staying relevant (but not corny) with collaborations from all sorts of younger artists. Back in 2001, he worked with French producer Doctor L to create Psycho on Da Bus. I remember buying the disc from Hoodlum's music, where the stoner-owners called it "electronic Miles Davis." Recently, Allen's work received the electronic treatment again, as perennial Polyrhythmiques favorite Honest Jon's Records presented Lagos Shake. It was through this project that Tony encountered Chicago's Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, a nine piece that plays syrupy jazz with a head nod towards the head nodders.
Tony, Hypnotic, great LDN emcee Ty, and the legendary Baaba Maal all got together for a party thrown by Red Bull's Music Academy (your guess is as good as mine). Stream that here, or check out Elewon Po, a single from Tony's upcoming album Secret Agent, over on his myspace.