Yannis Philippakis was one of the last musicians to record with the late drummer and Afrobeat pioneer Tony Allen. Their collaboration was released as the five-song EP Lagos Paris London under Yannis & the Yaw, a side project for the leader of English indie rock group Foals.
Yannis was exposed to African music by his South African mother. He calls Sounds of Soweto “simple childhood wallpaper of music.”
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Dave Sitek, who produced Foals’ 2008 debut album, Antidotes, mandated the group only listen to Afrobeat records leading up to the recording, Fela Kuti and Tony Allen specifically. But Tony wasn’t all that interested in Yannis until he heard him sing in the studio. Says Yannis, “Sometimes it’s better to not know each other as people first and just play.”
Yannis’ top tracks by Fela Kuti and Tony Allen
Fela “Water No Get Enemy”
A brash and bracing first taste of Afrobeat for anyone coming to it. Even if you’re well-versed in music, it holds up. It’s instantaneous, but remains powerful no matter how many times you listen.
Tony Allen Plays with Afrika 70 and the Afro Messengers “Afro Disco Beat”
The groove is visceral and physical and it’s the clearest distillation of the dancy-ness of Afrobeat.
Tony Allen Plays with Afrika 70 “Progress”
“Progress” is similarly sultry and danceable, and highlights how Fela and Tony had this deep social mission with their music. Afrobeat was used as a political tool. Fela became a big political force and was persecuted for it.
Fela “Unknown Soldier”
A huge, sprawling piece of music, kind of an Afrobeat saga. It recounts when the Nigerian army broke into Fela’s compound, where the music was made. It’s a dark listen in many ways, but it’s incredible. The therapeutic power of music, but also a tableau for protest.
Tony Allen “NEPA (Never Expect Power Always)”
A concise track where you hear the modernity coming into Afrobeat. The rhythmic signifiers are still there but you can almost see Tony’s head pivoting towards the future.
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