Tag Archives: Tony Allen

Church Of Sound unveil ‘Never (Lagos Never Gonna Be The Same)’ from Tony Allen’s last live performance

06 October 2026

Photo: Joe Hart

Church Of Sound are celebrating their tenth anniversary, and to mark the occasion, they are launching a new record label, and its first compilation, Clapton Hymns, Vol. 1: 10 Years of Church of Sound (2016-2026), featuring twelve of the series’ most iconic live recordings out of an archive of over 130 performances. A community-built event series based out of St. James the Great church in Hackney, London, Church of Sound became a beloved and vital hub for emerging and established artists. Over the past ten years, it has hosted shows from the likes of Makaya McCraven, Jeff Parker, Yussef Dayes, Moses Boyd, Tom Skinner, Nubya Garcia, Moor Mother, Kokoroko, Yazz Ahmed, and many more.

Last month they shared lead single ‘Do What You Gotta Do’ from Kaidi Tatham & The First Word All Stars featuring singer Vanessa Freeman. Now, ahead of the compilation release on November 20th, Church of Sound are giving us another taste of what’s comingt with ‘Never (Lagos Never Gonna Be The Same)’ by the late Tony Allen, lifted from his album Rejoice. The legendary Fela Kuti drummer and Afrobeat founder performed at Church of Sound in March 2020 as part of a two-night residency which turned out to be his final live performances. Addressing Allen directly, Dele Sosimi, who was part of Fela Kuti’s Egypt 80 band in 1979 and collaborated with the him numerous times, shared his thoughts on Allen’s final performance:

“You gave me your phone on concert day one and said, ‘Record the performance, as I have never, ever played in a church,’ to which I remarked, ‘I can imagine Felá and Bra Hugh having a good laugh at the irony!’ As we said our goodbyes on the 13th of March, ìfura [premonition] flashed through my mind for a fleeting moment, too quickly for me to ponder on. Your ascension was 48 days later, to become an Òrìshà [divine spirit]! Memories are brought back to life here in this visual offering, and I remember changing the lyrics backstage to: ‘Afrobeat never gonna be the same, never, without Tony.’ How surreal.”

‘Never (Lagos Never Gonna Be The Same)’ is offered with a video of the live recording and you can watch it below.

Matthew Herbert shares Absence Dub Remix of Tony Allen & Hugh Masekela’s ‘We’ve Landed’

03 August 2020

Photo: Brett Rubin & Bernard Benant

Fela Kuti drummer and Afrobeat founder Tony Allen and South African legendary trumpeter and political activist Hugh Masekela wanted to make an album together for a long time. In 2010 they toured the UK at the same time and producer Nick Gold (Buena Vista Social Club) seized the opportunity to record their original compositions. The recording sessions were unfinished when Masekela passed away in 2018 but intent on bringing this collaboration to life, Allen and Gold finished recording the album last summer with the help of Tom Herbert (Acoustic Ladyland, The Invisible), Joe Armon-Jones (Ezra Collective), Mutale Chashi (Kokoroko) and Steve Williamson. Finally earlier this year year, Allen and Masekela’s collaborative album, Rejoice, was released before Allen’s passing last April. British electronic composer Matthew Herbert, as a tribute to Allen, has given the remix treatment to the closing track ‘We’ve Landed’. He comments:

“It was already a tough brief to remix two such important and wonderful musicians. Before Tony died I was trying my best to make it upbeat and celebratory. But after his sudden passing, all I could hear was his absence. I started on the night I heard the sad news. The mix is in memory of Tony, an inspiring and generous musician.”

Take a listen below.


Rejoice is out now via World Circuit Records

Tony Allen announces new solo album, drops first single featuring Damon Albarn

07 July 2014

Tony Allen - Go Back Featuring Damon Albarn

October will see the release of Tony Allen‘s new solo album entitled Film of Life. The legendary Nigerian drummer has unveiled the first taste of it, ‘Go Back’, a marvellous and warm ballad featuring longtime frequent collaborator Damon Albarn on keyboards and vocals. The song pays tribute to the African refugees who fled to the Italian island of Lampedusa. Listen to it below and straight after check out the teaser video offering a sneak peek at the upcoming Film of Life. Enjoy!

Tony Allen’s Film of Life arrives in October via Jazz Village.