Two of the most influential musicians in African Music have joined forces on a collaborative album. Rejoice is the synergetic offering from drummer and Afrobeat pioneer Tony Allen and the late legendary trumpet player Hugh Masekela.
Allen and Masekala first crossed paths in the 70s, with their association with FelaKuti. The pair toyed with the idea of a collaborative album for decades. In 2010, their touring schedules serendipitously coincided in the UK and the pair linked up with producer Nick Gold for a recording session.
That session lay in archive until after Masekala passed away in 2018. After the death of Masekala, Allen and Gold decided —with the blessing of Hugh’s estate— to unearth the recording sessions and finish the album. In 2019, the pair headed to the same London studio that the initial sessions took place, enlisted the help of a new generation of well-respected jazz musicians including Tom Herbert, Joe Armon-Jones, Mutale Chashi, and Steve Williamson, and finished the album.
“Ten years is a long time from beginning to end of [making] an album,” shares Allen. But my own philosophy is that everything eventually appears at the right time, for a reason…”
Rejoice is a triumphant marriage of two musicians that have contributed richly to the DNA of African music. Allen has described the record as “a kind of South African-Nigerian swing-jazz stew”. The record draws from a unique and far-reaching palette. From the jazz-meets-Afrobeat-hued tribute to Fela Kuti on ‘Never (Lagos Never Gonna Be The Same)’, to the swing and brass-inflected glory of ‘Coconut Jam’. Rejoice is a richly textured sonic journey and a completely revelatory listening experience.
The album is set for release on March 20th. You can pre-order the record here. Find the tracklist below.
Rejoice Track Listing:
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1. Robbers, Thugs and Muggers (O’Galajani)
2. Agbada Bougou
3. Coconut Jam
4. Never (Lagos Never Gonna Be The Same)
5. Slow Bones
6. Jabulani (Rejoice, Here Comes Tony)
7. Obama Shuffle Strut Blues
8. We’ve Landed
