Tony Allen and Hugh Masekela release collaborative album, Rejoice

“A kind of South African-Nigerian swing-jazz stew.”

Legendary afrobeat drummer Tony Allen and late South African trumpet player Hugh Masekela’s collaborative album, Rejoice, will be released this March, via World Circuit.

Listen next: VF Mix 152 – Hugh Masekela by Esa

Alongside original compositions from Allen and Masekela, Rejoice features contributions from Joe Armon-Jones, Tom Herbert, Mutale Chashi, and more.

Allen and Masekela first met in the ’70s, through their shared association with Afrobeat originator Fela Kuti. Determined to record an album together, they took the opportunity when their touring schedules coincided in 2010.

These recordings remained in the archive until Allen and producer Nick Gold, spurred on by Masekela’s passing in 2018, unearthed the original tapes and finished the album in 2019.

Head here for more info in advance of Rejoice’s 20th March release, check out the artwork and tracklist below.

Tracklist:

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