The Source cover

The Source

Released

Tony Allen, the legendary drummer who invented Afrobeat, traveled in many different directions after leaving Fela Kuti’s band. He embraced funk, electronic dance music, and even hip-hop, but in 2017, he made one of his greatest records. The Source features a five-piece horn section, guitar, keyboards, and upright bass, playing funky, polyrhythmic jazz compositions written by Allen and saxophonist Yann Jankielewicz. The drumming is incredible, of course; Allen’s ability to combine rhythmic complexity and skull-thumping power (brought to the fore on “Cruising,” to pick just one example) makes this a ridiculously head-nodding, neck-snapping disc, but the band arrangements are tight and high-energy, too, combining bebop fluidity with the gutsy blare of classic soul.

Phil Freeman

Suggestions
We Are Sent Here by History cover

We Are Sent Here by History

Shabaka & the Ancestors
Venture cover

Venture

Amund Kleppan
RoundAgain cover

RoundAgain

Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, Joshua Redman, Brian Blade
Without Deception cover

Without Deception

Johnathan Blake, Kenny Barron, Dave Holland
No Accommodation for Lagos cover

No Accommodation for Lagos

Africa 70, Tony Allen
Plays Duke Ellington cover

Plays Duke Ellington

World Saxophone Quartet
Where Have I Known You Before cover

Where Have I Known You Before

Return to Forever, Chick Corea