Royal Pageant Hall, London
At virtually three hours, Damon Albarn, Femi Koleoso, Ben Okri and co still struggled to encapsulate the complete gamut of Allen’s creativity
In the 18 months since pioneering Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen died, the extent of his legacy has turn out to be more and more apparent. Posthumous releases of outstanding new material continue to pour forth – from the audio-stitched hip-hop options of There Is No End, to the The Answer Is Stressed with Joan As Police Lady and Dave Okumu.
Nowhere is the vary of Allen’s influence more apparent than in Tony Allen: A Retrospective, his musical tribute happening as part of the 2021 EFG London Jazz Festival. Curated by longtime collaborator Damon Albarn, drummer Femi Koleoso, writer Ben Okri and Gorillaz bandmember Remi Kabaka, the lineup is likely one of the most in depth on the pageant’s roster, that includes everyone from Finnish multi-instrumentalist Jimi Tenor to composer Nitin Sawhney, vocalist Wayne Snow, and Fela Kuti collaborator Dele Sosimi.
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