Secret Agent

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

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(5 stars) Resistance is futile...the razor-sharp riffing from horns and electric piano create an indomitable united front...thrilling.

(4 stars) The combination of big, bruised horn refrains and soul-flavoured choruses makes for unfailingly compelling listening.

(4 stars) This is a great Afrobeat album, driven by Allen's powerful rhythms...the excellent title track...a joyful celebration of Afrobeat.

Boasts some very tasty guitar licks and especially sublime horn arrangements...Afrobeat's co-creator isn't resting on his laurels.

There is no question that Tony Allen is a genius, one of the greatest percussionists in the history of popular music.

Secret Agent comes from the deep, molten core of Afrobeat. Tony Allen has long been acknowledged as Africa’s finest kit drummer and one of the continent’s most influential musicians. Together with Fela Kuti (with whom he played for 15 years) he 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.

Tony has inspired generations of musicians and is a legendary figure amongst fans of funk, jazz, dance, hip hop and African music. He has collaborated with a range of artists including Randy Weston, Groove Armada, Air, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Manu Dibango and Grace Jones. He has gained a more mainstream audience since he became a founder member of The Good The Bad and The Queen (alongside Damon Albarn, Paul Simenon and Simon Tong) whose self-titled debut album was widely hailed by rock critics as one of the best albums of 2007.