Yannis & The Yaw Create Catchy, Breezy Rock on Debut “Stroll By Hearth” ft. Tony Allen

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A venture began in Paris earlier than Tony Allen’s passing, Yannis and the Yaw’s debut single “Stroll By Hearth” reveals an entire new facet – however the identical expertise – from a superb group of musicians.

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“Stroll By Hearth” – Yannis & The Yaw ft. Tony Allen

Sometimes greatness walks proper into your path.

It breezes right into a ’70s period studio in Paris, sits behind a drum package, and blows your thoughts. And because the recipient of this greatness, you’ve two duties: Maintain on tight, and make it possible for this second is shared with the world. Tony Allen is that this greatness. And the fortunate recipient? Foals’ Yannis Philippakis, who has pulled collectively top-of-the-line songs of the 12 months.

Lagos Paris London - Yannis & The Yaw ft. Tony Allen — Lagos Paris London – Yannis & The Yaw ft. Tony Allen

For these unfamiliar with Tony Allen’s work, he’s largely thought-about to be one of many eminent creators of afrobeats music. He was the drummer and musical director for legend Fela Kuti’s band Africa ‘70 for over a decade, culminating in over 30 albums collectively (Kuti as soon as stated “with out Tony Allen, there could be no Afrobeat”).

Disputes over royalties led Allen to strike out on his personal, the place his solo work spanned from afrobeats into afrofunk, alongside the way in which working with everybody from Flea to Damon Albarn to Erykah Badu and anybody else fortunate sufficient to step into his orbit. He was a musician whose creativity and curiosity knew no bounds.

Yannis Philippakis © Kit Monteith — Yannis Philippakis © Package Monteith

Snap again to that Paris studio in 2016, when Philippakis met Allen – together with Allen’s standard collaborators Vincent Taeger (percussion, marimba), Vincent Taurelle (keys) and Ludovic Bruni (bass, guitar) – anticipating to be writing some traditional afrobeats music with a legend. As an alternative, it’s traditional rock that evokes everybody from the Black Keys to Queens of the Stone Age.

From the opening guitar riff, it’s clear that one thing particular is about to occur. By the point Allen is available in together with his traditional complex-drums-that-sound-easy patter, the thrill is palpable. Philippakis takes his catchy Foals power and ear for a hook and provides an edge not normally discovered within the British bands’ work.

Oh, properly, I stroll by fireplace, I stroll by flame
Town burns whereas it says my title
I really feel like warfare now, really feel the warmth
The time has come to reclaim the streets
I stroll by fireplace
Oh, I stroll by flame

Yannis Philippakis and Tony Allen © Kit Monteith — Yannis Philippakis and Tony Allen © Package Monteith

“Stroll By Hearth” begins out merely, constructing and evolving as pianos come out and in and Philippakis’ stretches voice to a gravelly rasp. The guitar riff stays fixed all through, unfazed by the funky bass line that dances round it. Distortion pedals arrive after which develop grungier, the entire track feeling like a protracted trudge by inferno-laden streets.

And all of the whereas there’s Allen’s drums, a beat that’s someway concurrently understated and breathtaking. It’s a relentless rhythm holding every little thing collectively, enjoying on one other plain however by no means leaving his bandmates behind. He’s a drummer who understands instinctively what a track wants and delivers, who can draw your ear away from every little thing else with a easy fill. He’s undoubtedly the star, even tucked away behind his package.

“Stroll By Hearth” is one other thrilling entrance within the legendary profession of Tony Allen, demonstrating much more versatility from a musician with nothing left to show. Philippakis has taken this brush with greatness and peaked his profession.

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