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!