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Review
Mr Afrobeat' returns, this time on the world's leading world music label. Like his last album Lagos No Shaking, this was recorded in Allen's old stomping ground, Lagos, the sprawling Nigerian megacity he refers to as 'a complete mother****** of a place'. And, just as on that record, Allen is joined by several local guest vocalists. It's business as usual and business, as usual, is pretty damn good.
The title may well refer to Allen's famously spectral presence on his own albums, so ubiquitous but unobtrusive that he's almost invisible when he's right there in front of you. Although he is Africa's most famous drummer, you won't hear any drum solos on Secret Agent. But his kit is a constant presence driving the vibe, the trademark double-kick drum motif of Afrobeat criss-crossing with ting-tinging ride cymbals, gasping hi-hats, shuffling snares and those deceptively simple rolls on the toms that conclude a typical Tony Allen bar.
Gratifyingly, he book-ends the album with two of his own casually murmured lead vocals - partly a by-product of having to sing and play at the same time for much of his solo career. There are five other lead singers, most obviously Oribiyi Adunni a.k.a. AYO, whose sometimes strident vocals bring a contemporary R&B/soul diva flavour to Ijo, Nina Lowo, Ayenlo and Atuwaba.
The other most notable vocal presence is King Odudu, sounding as if he could easily be a member of Fela Kuti's family on the slinky Celebrate and Pariwo. Despite the relaxed vibe of the latter, its militant Broken English lyrics ('culture, not torture') continue Kuti's Afrobeat tradition of speaking out against injustice. And the same is true of the 'blaxploitation'-flavoured Elewon Po, which finds Allen protesting that there are 'Too many prisoners'.
Secret Agent boasts some very tasty licks from Cameroonian guitarist Claude Dibongue, and especially sublime horn arrangements by co-producer Fixi, who also tinkers with Rhodes, keyboards, synths, trombone and accordion in a couple of places. Although Tony Allen is approaching his 70th birthday, Afrobeat's co-creator isn't resting on his laurels. --Jon Lusk
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Songlines (Top of the World Album), (Nige Tassell), July 2009
(5 stars) Resistance is futile...the razor-sharp riffing from horns and electric piano create an indomitable united front...thrilling.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Greatness personified,
This review is from: Secret Agent (Audio CD)
This man is a genius (so quite what he was doing wasting his time and talent behind Damian Albarn on the distinctly sub-par 'The Good, The Bad & The Queen' is beyond me). Allen can quite justifiably lay claim to having invented a whole genre of music by laying down the polyrythmic funk/jazz/traditional West African fusion that underpinned and defined Fela Anikulapo Kuti's Afro Beat from the late '60's /early '70's onwards. The man really is a world master of his instrument and, despite his advancing years, he continues to demonstrate his forward-thinking genius on this new album. Maybe he lacks some of the more militant energies of old, but he more than makes up for that here with a set of warm, organic, joyful songs while still keeping social justice themes in there. Able to call on some of West Africa's finest as guests, this album shows a top musician continuing at the top of his game and still innovating; I wouldn't expect to hear French-flavoured accordian on an afro beat record, but it's here and it works. The man and his music are to be treasured, big-style!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Leader of the Pack,
By
This review is from: Secret Agent (Audio CD)
For years Fela Kuti's drummer in Africa 70, Tony Allen is as original today as The Black King (Fela) was in the 70's and 80's. This is not rehashed Fela nor "in the style of", but something that takes the Sound of the Shrine - Fela's nightclub in Nigeria - and brings it bang up to date with polyrhythms, electronics and the all important feelgood factor that many imitators lack. If you liked Lafayette Afrorock or Alan Skidmore's Ubizo, you will love Tony Allen. Secret Agent is great music; go out and get it now.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Afrobeat heaven!,
By mac&cheese (UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Secret Agent (Audio CD)
I went to the Tony Allen 70/Nigeria 50 show (which was wonderful!) at the Barbican on Wednesday night & picked up this album after the show. I have to say that I disagree with one of the previous reviewers (AndrewSouthLondon) on the production values of this album. Tony Allen is a percussion genius, and this always shines through - 'Secret Agent' is a balanced album - it shows off Allen's skill, whilst also bringing other aspects of the music to the fore. Almost every review of an album released by the World Circuit label mentions the superior sound, high production values and sympathetic treatment of the material in question.......I don't feel that 'Secret Agent' is any different. It's a wonderful Afrobeat record. Buy it & enjoy the rhythms!
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