Guardian Music — The singer, one of the driving forces behind Africa Express, on his hopes for the tour, which features 80 musicians on one train as it makes a string of stops across the UKDamon Albarn's creative period didn't end when Blur pressed pause in 2003: it ... more info

Guardian Music — Artists will cross the UK by train in September for a concert series featuring music from Europe, America and AfricaTony Allen, Rizzle Kicks, Carl Barât and electronic wunderkind Nicolas Jaar are among the acts to have now climbed aboard the Africa ... more info

L.A. Times - Pop & Hiss — Damon Albarn seems about as busy as a pop star can be. In March the frontman of both Blur and Gorillaz released “Rocket Juice & the Moon,” a trippy Afro-funk disc he made with drummer Tony Allen and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers; next month w... more info

Guardian Music — (Parlophone)It starts with birdsong and a church bell, and turns into a quirky blend of early English pastoral styles, opera and songs that might have been influenced by the weirdlore and psych-folk movements – but with African percussion and kora ... more info

Core News — “Gilles Peterson continues to join the dots on his new 6 Music show, playing tracks from the worlds of jazz, funk, soul, hip hop, and house. This week, he’s joined by Nigerian drummer extraordinaire, Tony Allen, for an hour of words and Afrobeat ... more info

L.A. Times - Pop & Hiss — In Rotation: Times pop music critic Randall Roberts recommends "Rocket Juice & the Moon," the new project by Damon Albarn, Tony Allen and Flea. more info

Guardian Music — Honest Jon's RecordsDamon Albarn does supergroups as regularly as other people do the washing up. This year's ensemble includes Tony Allen, Flea, Erykah Badu, Fatoumata Diawara and the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. Allen is the centre of the group: from t... more info

Guardian Music — She might work with Flea and Damon Albarn, but Fatoumata Diawara is still singing to her countrywomen in MaliIt would be easy for someone as in demand as Fatoumata Diawara to forget exactly who she is at times. The 30-year-old singer, who now lives i... more info

Stereogum — Earlier this month, we learned that Rocket Juice And The Moon — the unlikely and awkwardly monikered supergroup of Damon Albarn, Flea, and great Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen — were planning on releasing their self-titled album next month and that ... more info

Guardian Music — Impromptu collaboration with poet Michael Horovitz was shelved when officials allowed London carnival to go aheadBlur have shelved a new single, recorded this summer with poet Michael Horovitz. The unnamed spoken-word track, intended as part of a cam... more info