Tony Allen as far as I'm concerned he's been a drummer that specialised in keeping the pulse going for Fela Kuti, he never ventured into dominating the band by fleshy hits and bangs. He made Fela Kuti's band sound good by sticking to the rhythm, and by this, I don't mean is wrong to go around the drums from time to time, it's just it was not his style, his drum fills were very brief and unnoticeable. This is a great workshop and I watched it during the COVID-19 lockdown. And it's funny that all the musicians who have died during this time and this year of this pandemic I got to know about their passing through watching youtube music videos at home, and so far Tony Allen is the fourth musician I got to know as dead...RIP Mr Afro-Beat King, Tony Allen.
Anyone notice that the groove when played by Tony has a specific pulse. Never ventures in " funky drummer territory, ala the late Stubblefield. It's like he mentions about African drummers cannot play American Jazz. If you notice even Paco Sery, Manu Katch'e play w a different finesse. This is an incredible gift to drummers everywhere. Wow. The reason I mention the funky drummer thing is the other gentle man tending to 2&4 the groove, even though he's trying to do the ands on hit hat he tends to ghost the snare part. This is why it's such a monumental feel.
That's a spot-on analysis. Thank you for bringing it to our attention. I'll add that for me, it's also a very different feel. Tony's playing feels more rhythmic & less grooving. It's a very subtle difference. For me, a funk groove has more lope that's created by alternating longer & shorter notes as well as more dynamics between bass, snare & hi-hat. Another aspect of African drumming that Tony is doing is playing a complete rhythm on each surface and the interplay between those rhythms. In Africa, drummers play with other drummers. Tony is playing like 3 African drummers.
Mike Connors "Another aspect of African drumming that Tony is doing is playing a complete rhythm on each surface and the interplay between those rhythms" wow fascinating insight - I am not a drummer but I listen to a ton of African music and Tony in particular and I hear exactly what you mean
Mike C. You are spot on. We play intricate rhythms because we are rooted on a system where multiple drummers combine their plays to a troop. It’s a big influence and for endurance, we learn from the onset to relax into the flow.
I'm so glad that I saw this. A lot of my journeys in to funk and jazz led me to this legendry man. It's nice to see him giving support to young jazz musicians. There is something special about African rythms I fell in love with the African rythms in my youth listening to stuff like Manu Dibango's "new bell " and also his big blow track. Then I somehow stumbled into Fela Kuti and my life was never the same afterwards.
I love how he explains that he didn't learn jazz because he's not American. He's a product of his environment. Hands down one of my favourite drummers of all time.
11:20 When I first watched this, I didn't catch him say this so I heard this beat completely differently. It's interesting the different effects you can get out of a pattern when you move the 1 around.
Right?! It's so uncommon in western rock to reverse the beat like that and play the snare on 1 and three and the kick on 2 and 4. The only thing I can think of is one drop reggae doing something similar, though still so different. Or isolated measures Bonham would play, like in "For Your Life"...
That was amazing! As a drummer who is just beginning to venture in West African & Afrobeat drumming this exactly the kind of thing I needed to see ! THANK YOU!
God damn that rhythm is hard to play!!! Seriously, try it. 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & RH| X - x x X - x x X - x x X - x x | LH| - - - X - X X - - - - - X X X - | LF| - - X - - - X - - - X - - - X - | RF| X X - - - - - - X X - - - - - - | I hope this makes any sense
Wow, I was just watching this for my own personal enjoyment and just found out Tony Allen died via comments. RIP TONY ALLEN! Side note, with all due respect, Moses needed to put his sticks down and listen. Smh, Him playing over top of Tony was aggravating to me.
When Tony is asked about what drummers influenced him, I have a hard time understanding. Can someone share a list of the drummers he mentions? He even says to check them out on RUclips so links would be appreciated.
Certainly. Tony is in a class of one. I think in this video Moses clearly shows the respect that Tony Allen is due. He seems to know he is blessed to receive this transmission.
Great to see a get-together between generations with knowledge shared by a master. And, yes, it would be great for Mr. Allen and Clyde Stubblefield to get together. But also Bernard "Pretty" Purdie (check out his "Ghost Notes" video on RUclips). Thanks.
Fascinating. I was quitely hoping someone would bring up Alan's drumpart for La Ritournelle. Sebastien Tellier says he hasn't found a drummer yet that can play that beat correctly, like Tony. Still trying myself.
O God! A master at work. Tony Allen was the best and I wish good luck to this young man and all the others came to learn from a true master. This is so great, thank you Boiler Room for this wonderful share.
13:30 Tony listening and wanting so badly to tell Moses to remove the kick drum on beat 4, to play an open hat in its place. He tried to communicate this a couple of times. Interesting to watch.
Moses is a little over confident here and is focusing more on trying to nail the groove right away for Tony's approval rather than listening and checking back to see he's got it. I would be a little more than nervous playing in front of the guy who invented the genre, but also, I would spend more time asking questions about why it is the way it is. It certainly sounds different when Tony plays it: the notes are clearer and more precise. Afrobeat doesn't swing, it keeps time. I am very glad I found this video.
Bro, I was actually screaming when they played together. The groove stated of so simple, then they built so many subtle grooves. Looking fro inspiration for a lifeless beat I'm working on
wow that demo of how to built an Afro-beat groove starting with bass drum and hi hat at 5:57 is a REVELATION. and the "Colonial Mentality" groove, with the trademark ghost strokes dropping on 3 -- so classic, so inimitably Tony Allen. One of the great drumkit creators of all time! thank you!
It's so weird how you can count that foot hat pattern as 2 and 4, but then confuse it to be 1 and 2 if you don't have the right context, on that first pattern.
Tony Allen as far as I'm concerned he's been a drummer that specialised in keeping the pulse going for Fela Kuti, he never ventured into dominating the band by fleshy hits and bangs. He made Fela Kuti's band sound good by sticking to the rhythm, and by this, I don't mean is wrong to go around the drums from time to time, it's just it was not his style, his drum fills were very brief and unnoticeable. This is a great workshop and I watched it during the COVID-19 lockdown. And it's funny that all the musicians who have died during this time and this year of this pandemic I got to know about their passing through watching youtube music videos at home, and so far Tony Allen is the fourth musician I got to know as dead...RIP Mr Afro-Beat King, Tony Allen.
RIP Tony Allen (1940-2020)
Rest well Legend! 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬
What I would have given to be there
very brave of moses boyd to put himself in the spotlight like that with such a legend as tony; awesome vibe and great masterclass! kudos
This is a masterclass and an important documentation in popular music history at the same time. Thank you Boiler Room!
5:57 1st pattern
7:44 " "
9:26 " " hi hat part
10:33 " " faster
11:30 2nd " , 12:38 slowly
24:56 Colonial Mentality groove
40:41 Highlife
45:24 Ride
You're doing gods work, my man
Thanks you!!!
Thank you!
Thank You Mate. ✌🏾
Tony allen -not was- is one of the most legendary drummers in the history of drumming, rest in peace legend.
This is like watching a Jedi train a Padawan :D
Love the fact that he waited till the end to put his beat to the composition. RIP Sir
40:25 broski mad confused lmfao. he looked DEAD at the camera
Anyone notice that the groove when played by Tony has a specific pulse. Never ventures in " funky drummer territory, ala the late Stubblefield. It's like he mentions about African drummers cannot play American Jazz. If you notice even Paco Sery, Manu Katch'e play w a different finesse.
This is an incredible gift to drummers everywhere. Wow. The reason I mention the funky drummer thing is the other gentle man tending to 2&4 the groove, even though he's trying to do the ands on hit hat he tends to ghost the snare part. This is why it's such a monumental feel.
That's a spot-on analysis. Thank you for bringing it to our attention. I'll add that for me, it's also a very different feel. Tony's playing feels more rhythmic & less grooving. It's a very subtle difference. For me, a funk groove has more lope that's created by alternating longer & shorter notes as well as more dynamics between bass, snare & hi-hat.
Another aspect of African drumming that Tony is doing is playing a complete rhythm on each surface and the interplay between those rhythms. In Africa, drummers play with other drummers. Tony is playing like 3 African drummers.
Mike Connors "Another aspect of African drumming that Tony is doing is playing a complete rhythm on each surface and the interplay between those rhythms" wow fascinating insight - I am not a drummer but I listen to a ton of African music and Tony in particular and I hear exactly what you mean
Mike C. You are spot on. We play intricate rhythms because we are rooted on a system where multiple drummers combine their plays to a troop. It’s a big influence and for endurance, we learn from the onset to relax into the flow.
is that femi koleoso behind tony allen?
Jesus thank you for this
Ditto
It's Tony Allen
I'm so glad that I saw this. A lot of my journeys in to funk and jazz led me to this legendry man. It's nice to see him giving support to young jazz musicians. There is something special about African rythms I fell in love with the African rythms in my youth listening to stuff like Manu Dibango's "new bell " and also his big blow track. Then I somehow stumbled into Fela Kuti and my life was never the same afterwards.
I love how he explains that he didn't learn jazz because he's not American. He's a product of his environment. Hands down one of my favourite drummers of all time.
Tony Allen incredible touch and beat. Moses incredible touch and beat, but different. Moses is searching moving forward , Tony is perfecting.
I keep expecting Felas organ to come in
I can feel you
I understand😂
I’ve seen this before but didn’t know who Moses Boyd. Great records. London seems to be fulll of amazing drummers
Rest in Power Mr Tony Oladipo Allen. Your legend lives forever.!!
11:20 When I first watched this, I didn't catch him say this so I heard this beat completely differently. It's interesting the different effects you can get out of a pattern when you move the 1 around.
Right?! It's so uncommon in western rock to reverse the beat like that and play the snare on 1 and three and the kick on 2 and 4. The only thing I can think of is one drop reggae doing something similar, though still so different. Or isolated measures Bonham would play, like in "For Your Life"...
Reversalz Faded Sunshine Of Your Love...
That was amazing! As a drummer who is just beginning to venture in West African & Afrobeat drumming this exactly the kind of thing I needed to see !
THANK YOU!
Tony Allen is like a monk as close as you can get to enlightenment on this plain while he is playing.
God damn that rhythm is hard to play!!! Seriously, try it.
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
RH| X - x x X - x x X - x x X - x x |
LH| - - - X - X X - - - - - X X X - |
LF| - - X - - - X - - - X - - - X - |
RF| X X - - - - - - X X - - - - - - |
I hope this makes any sense
Lotoreo it is hard
Wow, I was just watching this for my own personal enjoyment and just found out Tony Allen died via comments. RIP TONY ALLEN! Side note, with all due respect, Moses needed to put his sticks down and listen. Smh, Him playing over top of Tony was aggravating to me.
When Tony is asked about what drummers influenced him, I have a hard time understanding. Can someone share a list of the drummers he mentions? He even says to check them out on RUclips so links would be appreciated.
Art Blakey
TONY ALLEN THE LEGEND RIP
Wow... Thank you gorillaz for linking me to this mind blowing video RIP Tony Allen
Tony Allen was a genius, he changed the drumming world forever. he also is one of my inspirations for being a drummer.
all respect to moses boyd but tony allen is in another echelon
Certainly. Tony is in a class of one. I think in this video Moses clearly shows the respect that Tony Allen is due. He seems to know he is blessed to receive this transmission.
56:28 humility/ownership vs recognition. Letting your signature and work speak for yourself
Best Boiler Room I've seen so far. Rest in Music Tony Allen, you are missed but your spirit is still around..
Great to see a get-together between generations with knowledge shared by a master. And, yes, it would be great for Mr. Allen and Clyde Stubblefield to get together. But also Bernard "Pretty" Purdie (check out his "Ghost Notes" video on RUclips). Thanks.
Streamline09
Tony and Purdie just had a drum battle check it out on youtube
I love Tony Allen and admire his work. Thank you Boiler Room for this.
This is seriously incredible. THANK YOU SO MUCH
Holy fuck I can't believe it, perfect.
He needed a bassist or something lol
Wow a drum lesson from the legendary Tony Allen !
Fascinating. I was quitely hoping someone would bring up Alan's drumpart for La Ritournelle. Sebastien Tellier says he hasn't found a drummer yet that can play that beat correctly, like Tony. Still trying myself.
He has such a smooth style to play. Love it!
Love the interaction between him and Moses Boyd...who is a Beast in his own right
51:20 grooving and bending a beat is more rewarding than counting and focusing on sctructure
The "boss" sat on a cheap drum .. and did his job eloquently..Great-Respect !
My 1st time listening purposely to Mr Allen but my initial impression is Max Roach’s part from St. Thomas.❤
anyone know any videos of Tony Allen just breaking it down by himself?
O God! A master at work. Tony Allen was the best and I wish good luck to this young man and all the others came to learn from a true master. This is so great, thank you Boiler Room for this wonderful share.
Fela once said
There will be no afrobeat without Tony Allen
Long live Tony Allen
I love this vid ... RIP Mr.Allen and thank you for pointing the way. Please say hello to BU for us ... I'm sure you'll be hanging out :)
Tony was a very lovely drummer.
When masters do their thing it seems so easy... and the truth is that it's not easy, not at all.
Would have been nice if Tony's voice was raised a bit. A mic would have been cool
Warping Warping He is "wearing" a mic indeed
The fill he does at 47:06 is masterful. Tony Allen is the greatest ! Nice video
13:30 Tony listening and wanting so badly to tell Moses to remove the kick drum on beat 4, to play an open hat in its place. He tried to communicate this a couple of times. Interesting to watch.
Moses is a little over confident here and is focusing more on trying to nail the groove right away for Tony's approval rather than listening and checking back to see he's got it. I would be a little more than nervous playing in front of the guy who invented the genre, but also, I would spend more time asking questions about why it is the way it is. It certainly sounds different when Tony plays it: the notes are clearer and more precise. Afrobeat doesn't swing, it keeps time. I am very glad I found this video.
He’s so efficient. It’s as if he’s hardly moving
42:06
Tony Allen's hi life playing upgrade
Rip Legend💔
Legend
Second that!
A bit too much chat but great beats! Thanks
Bro, I was actually screaming when they played together. The groove stated of so simple, then they built so many subtle grooves. Looking fro inspiration for a lifeless beat I'm working on
Coming back to this video again! He inspired me to finish the song off! Thanks for sharing your wisdom
@@ZacharyAghaizu what song is it 😍
@@yaggayaggaya9918 'Noo One'. Then there is a video call ' Noo One story exposed where I show the early version with a beat inspired by the video
@@ZacharyAghaizu cool cool, I’ll check it out
Tony Allen is my Neil Peart.
Me too!!!
neil peart is dope but he never had feel like tony!
wow that demo of how to built an Afro-beat groove starting with bass drum and hi hat at 5:57 is a REVELATION. and the "Colonial Mentality" groove, with the trademark ghost strokes dropping on 3 -- so classic, so inimitably Tony Allen. One of the great drumkit creators of all time! thank you!
A different drummer , some lovely unique beats , and his touch and dynamics
Mr. Allen played so SMOOTH & relaxed. He used to caress those polyrhythms out of the drum kit. 🙏🏾
Tony Allen’s left foot must be worshipped!
Fr bro
This crosses my mind almost every time
Anyone know where this was shot?
VERY VERY VERY BADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD !!! This is badclass with TONY ALLEN AND MOSES BOYD !!!
Love this especially with his protege femi koleoso quietly sitting behind him. Carrying the torch well ❤
This was a great drum lesson. So many gems.
Hear me out: Tony Allen + Alchemist + Boldy James.
oh lawd. this is gold
exercise of hi hats
8:35
i've smoked some ceremonial peace pipes with nigerian friends
trying to get this, struggling with adding the high hat part around 9 mins. what's he doing exactly?
everybody has such a cool style
It's so weird how you can count that foot hat pattern as 2 and 4, but then confuse it to be 1 and 2 if you don't have the right context, on that first pattern.
You don’t have to say “yea” “okay” “mhmm” after every single sentence he says. It’s almost a form of interruption. Just let him speak.
35:00 " i caress my drums "
Anybody know the second drummer he said to check out after Guy Warren?
One of better threads I've read...responses here have been gracious as well as learned...monster master class
I hear many people say, Tony Allen patterns are so basic. i hate that people
Not as easy as it looks
This Guy doesnt want to learn the crispiness...
r.i.p. :'(
This is the best and most real format, big big congratulations
41:25 using color
Jackson Walters McDonald appreciate these time stamps, thank u brother ✌️
Heavy whiplash vibes! But I love this! A lil gem
Tony allen was allso inspired by max roach.
Thanks for sharing!
handsome grooves - yes indeed!
Producers should sample the shud out of this video
Sort that fucking buzzing noise out
Please enable subtitles for this 🙏 🙏
33:00 drums like playing piano with chords
R.I.P Tony Allen a great talented man
Tony is such a masterful drummer. His touch is so light
Really schooled homes there rip
WOW. His Masters Voice...
did anyone ask him what music excites him? not back then but now?
Does Tony play music with the Kongolese community
Tony Allen, many thanks for a life’s work. 🥁🥁🥁