The Source – Tony Allen

The Source is the Nigerian-born Paris-based drummer's first full-length album for Blue Note,

Following the tantalizing 4-track EP release A Tribute to Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, The Source fully reflects Tony Allen's inner, musical and spiritual journey between Africa and America.

Surrounding Tony Allen are some of the best musicians on a Paris scene that is difficult to call “jazz” due to its highly changeable nature: Yann Jankielewicz alongside saxophonists Rémi Sciuto and Jean-Jacques Elangue, trumpeter Nicolas Giraud, trombonist Daniel Zimmermann, bassist Mathias Allamane, pianist Jean-Philippe Dary, and keyboardist Vincent Taurelle, who produced the album with Bertrand Fresel… a French cast to begin with, but with the addition of guitarist Indy Dibongue from Cameroon who, like Tony, contributes an indispensable African pigment to this palette.

11 excellent players in total would finally deliver The Source, along with one notable guest: Damon Albarn, who adds an ethereal piano part to “Cool Cats.”

Tracklist