While working on their second album, Total Life Forever, Yannis Philippakis and his bandmates from Foals would often immerse themselves in the works of Fela Kuti, particularly the albums Gentleman and Afrodisiac. Late into the night, their shared home vibrated with the highlife vibes, frenetic rhythms, and infectious funk that filled the air. Inspired by these sounds, Philippakis dug deeper into Kuti's discography, developing a deep admiration for Kuti's legendary drummer, Tony Allen. As Yannis explored more, he discovered Allen's eclectic talent, from the cinematic flair of Sebastien Tellier's La Ritournelle to the techno beats of Carl Craig's remix of Kilode.

In 2016, a mutual friend introduced Philippakis to the idea of collaborating with Allen. After months of touring, Yannis, though exhausted and a bit nervous, traveled to Paris for the session. The studio was a throwback to the '70s, filled with African percussion instruments and analog equipment, with walls covered in mirrors and the air thick with cigarette smoke. When Philippakis arrived, Allen was in his own world, seemingly detached but not unfriendly.

However, once the session began, joined by Allen’s regular collaborators - Vincent Taeger on percussion and marimba, Vincent Taurelle on keys, and Ludovic Bruni on bass and guitar - the atmosphere transformed. They soon locked into a groove that led to the creation of Walk Through Fire, setting the tone for the rest of the two-day session.

Reflecting on that experience, Yannis recalls the powerful connection that transcended generations, cultures, and experiences. Hearing Allen’s iconic drumming live was mesmerizing, far more intricate and delicate than he had anticipated. The first days of recording yielded enough material for an EP, with Philippakis and Allen's friendship deepening alongside their musical collaboration. Despite scheduling conflicts and the challenges of the pandemic, they continued to work together..

When Tony Allen passed away in April 2020, it seemed like the project might end there. But Philippakis felt a deep sense of duty to complete the work they had started. He was determined to honor the drummer by finishing the recordings, which included some of the last music Allen ever worked on. To Philippakis, these drum tracks had an eternal quality, a continuity of Allen’s life and energy that deserved to be shared with the world.

Now, that vision is realized with the release of Lagos Paris London, credited to Yannis & the Yaw featuring Tony Allen. Originally envisioned as a traditional Afrobeat record, the project evolved into a bridge between cultures, blending old and new pan-African influences with echoes of Foals’ signature sound. At the heart of it all is Tony Allen, guiding the music with his percussive mastery.

The EP opens with "Walk Through Fire," a track that captures the project’s essence with its irresistible funk grooves, Yannis’s booming baritone, and powerful keys. The lyrics, inspired by Fela Kuti’s protest songs, reflect the revolutionary strife of a metropolis, drawing on the Parisian refuse strike of 2016 as a backdrop. The tracks that follow, including "Rain Can’t Reach Us" and "Night Green, Heavy Love," showcase the spontaneity and intensity of the recording sessions, while "Under The Strikes" offers a vibrant explosion of highlife rhythm and brass, evolving into a dreamlike coda.

Lagos Paris London was about 60% complete before Allen’s passing, and Philippakis was careful to preserve the original spirit of the sessions in the final work. Following the EP's release, Philippakis plans to bring its exuberance to select live shows and hopes to return to the Yannis & Yaw project for future collaborations with other inspiring musicians.

For now, Lagos Paris London stands as a tribute to Tony Allen, a celebration of the man who inspired it. “This is an unexpected but fruitful addition to his incredibly impressive catalogue,” Yannis Philippakis says with pride, acknowledging the completion of a worthy tribute. Even in his seventies, Tony Allen was still pushing boundaries, and Philippakis hopes to carry that same spirit with him as he continues his musical journey.