Tony Allen sees the release of his archived collaborative album with Hugh Masekela

Rejoice lands on March 20th with a string of supporting tour dates to unfold throughout the year.

March 20th will see the release of an archived collaborative album by longtime Fela Kuti drummer Tony Allen and the late, lauded South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela.

Two pioneers of their respective fields in afrobeat and jazz, their collaborative efforts are sure to be a dexterous celebration of the African continent’s rich and cross-pollinating musical history.

Entitled Rejoice, talks of a collaborative project between the two musicians began in the late 1970s however schedules didn’t align for sessions to take place until over three decades later. Recorded in London by producer Nick Gold, Allen and Masekela’s 2010 compositions are embellished by the support of accomplished UK players Joe-Armon Jones, Mutale Chashi of KOKOROKO, Steve Williamson and Tom Herbert.

Hear the limber, shuffling groove of ‘We’ve Landed’ ahead of the Rejoice’s full release below.

Rejoice

01 Robbers, Thugs and Muggers (O’Galajani)
02 Agbada Bougou
03 Coconut Jam
04 Never (Lagos Never Gonna Be The Same)
05 Slow Bones
06 Jabulani (Rejoice, Here Comes Tony)
07 Obama Shuffle Strut Blues
08 We’ve Landed

Rejoice releases on March 20th via World Circuit Records.

In support of the project’s release Allen will perform songs from Rejoice at a number of scheduled live dates throughout 2020, including two appearances at London’s Church Of Sound on March 12th and 13th.

Words by Sam Wilkinson.

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