In early 2017, Foals frontman Yannis Philippakis stepped into a Paris studio with legendary Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen for the first time, igniting the start of a remarkable partnership and friendship of two extraordinary, but opposite, creative minds. This would culminate in an EP almost eight years in the making – Lagos Paris London. The EP aptly takes its name from the capital cities where Allen and Philippakis lived and worked, Lagos and London, adjoined by Paris, where this collaboration was born.
Opener Walk Through Fire immediately sets the tone for this EP, with, perhaps unexpectedly, Allen’s tactfully busy drumming patterns complemented by Philippakis’s vocals unbelievably well. For a vocalist who has built his name as the distinctive front of an indie band, he sounds right at home in this track and throughout the EP. Whether it’s the confidence afforded from being a studio with Tony Allen, or a deep connection with this style of music, his voice is phenomenally strong here. The match is perfect, and the high-energy fusion of Afrobeat with indie-driven guitar and vocals is a refreshing and groovy blend – with a Foals-esque bridge slotting in nicely too.
An atmospheric and rhythmic synth/keys line, lively percussion, and Allen’s maintained energy at the helm of his drum kit continue to deliver Afrobeat vibes throughout the second track on the EP, Rain Can’t Reach Us. Allen is a driving force – his energy brings this track alive, which continues into Night Green, Heavy Love. Despite its bluesy-indie guitar and groovy bass, this brings a slower middle piece to the EP. The energy does rise towards the end, with some nice guitar intertwined along the way, courtesy of Allen’s long-time collaborator Ludovic Bruni.
Distinctively afrobeat vibes launch Under the Strikes, which is very upbeat, and very Allen-inspired. The interplaying, almost call-and-response between Philippakis’s vocals and the funky afrobeat saxophone heard throughout this piece is unique but works incredibly well, and summarises the overall partnership of this laid-back afrobeat-indie EP perfectly.
Clementine brings a different feel to the final track of Lagos Paris London. It is a wistful, nostalgic and a compelling end to an inspiring project. It’s the final of five tracks, and the only piece without Tony Allen listed as a featured artist: a poignant and symbolic reminder that, despite his quintessential role in forming this EP, Allen never got to see it shared with the world before his passing in 2020, at 79 years of age.
It’s a touching reflection of the determination of Philippakis, and how much this record, and friend Tony Allen, means to him. Upon Allen’s passing, Philippakis took it upon himself to ensure the release of this, at the time, only partially completed project. He finished and released the EP, and it’s nice to hear both parties’ contributions so clearly identifiable in the finalised five tracks, whilst also blended so sweetly. For some of the final work of a drummer whose legendary career spanned over five decades and produced one of the greatest legacies of any Afrobeat musician, there was clearly no better person than Philippakis to take on this responsibility, and do it so outstandingly well.
I expect this is just the beginning for the Yannis and the Yaw project, which has birthed a new, globally-inspired direction to Philippakis’s sound. Allen inspired a yearning to expand his reach and work with more global greats, extending his legacy just another step further.
Waxing Lyrical 