As announced late last year in the Nonesuch Journal, Tony Allen—best known for his work as drummer and musical director for Fela Anikulapo Kuti, one of Africa’s most influential artists—makes his World Circuit / Nonesuch debut with Secret Agent, which releases in North America next week, April 13.

Following its European release in 2009, Secret Agent received generous critical praise. The Guardian proclaimed, “There is no question that Tony Allen is a genius, one of the greatest percussionists in the history of popular music,” while Observer Music Monthly said, “If you’re wondering why Afrobeat is hip, start here.” According to The Wire, “Secret Agent is cause for celebration,” and for the Independent, the album is “a superb return to form.”

Now comes confirmation of Allen's eight-day North American tour this summer, which kicks off with a free concert for the Luminato Festival in Toronto on June 12 and includes stops along the way in Madison, Chicago, Boston, New York, Brooklyn, Seattle, and, finally, Boonville, California, for the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival on June 20.

Below are the scheduled tour dates. For more information and venue links, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour. To learn more about Secret Agent and pre-order it now to receive the complete album as high-quality MP3s on release day, visit the Nonesuch Store. For a video of the title track, head to nonesuch.com/media.

JUNE 2010 NORTH AMERICAN PERFORMANCES