Together again, Tony Allen teams with Damon Albarn on new song

Outside of Fela Kuti, no one has been more instrumental to the development of afrobeat than Tony Allen. If Fela is the father of the beat, then Allen is the godfather; responsible for raising the rhythm. Since Fela's passing, Allen has been holding it down and is set to soar again on his first album since 2009's Secret Agent, with the forthcoming Film Of Life. On the lead single "Go Home," the one that debuted on Sound Travels this Tuesday morning, he reunites with frequent collaborator Damon Albarn (of Blur) for a song that hits the heart over Allen's trademark shifty, shuffling rhythms. The song sung in English by Albarn (also playing keys here) is apparently an "homage to the African refugees who've ended up in limbo on the Italian island of Lampedusa. The story of their plight more than enough reason to listen to this one...