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If we gather correctly, Orchestra Baobab is a vintage Senegalese musical group who, prior to this cd, last recorded in the early 80s. On the heels of the success of their 1982 album, 'Pirate's Choice', issued in the U.S. only last year, Orchestra Baobab have, for the most part, reunited to record this wonderful cd. Although this is music generally indigenous to or stemming from their various tribal cultures, it is rich with colors from other cultures as well. As a result, this album should appeal not only t those familiar with African music, but to lovers of reggae, Latin music, and American r&b, too. Singers like the marvelous Assane Mboup, apparently a new, younger member of the group, not only follow in the tradition of countryman Youssou N'Dour, who co-produced the album, but in the footsteps of Frankie Lymon and Jackie Wilson. All the musicians are truly spectacular, but we must single out three in particular. Barthelemy Attiso unleashes a string of guitar solos equal in excitement and expressiveness to any we have heard in any genre, including in his arsenal of sounds some bell-toned notes that bring to mind the late, Grate Jerry Garcia. And nearly as thrilling are the rhythmic and sensuous saxophones of Issa Cissokho and Thierno Koite, taking turns or in tandem. The album's highlight, aside from the aforementioned, is the magnificent vocal and instrumental jam session inspired by, dedicated to, and spearheaded by the venerable Ibrahim Ferrer of the Buena Vista Social Club. The song epitomizes the deep connection between Latin and African music. And, like the rest of the album, one need not have the slightest understanding of the words to appreciate its power, beauty and funkiness.
This is excellent, quality, "different" (most people won't own any other African music) for your collection. Pop it on and amaze your friends with your eclectic taste. At points this cd sounds very similar to BVSC, the lead singer sounds like he could front the group - heck, I think they do one of their songs on track 8 El Son Te Llama. I wonder why this cd hasn't gotten the publicity that the Buena Vista Social Club received a few years ago - or maybe it just hasn't happened YET because it really should. Try it, you'll probably like it....
Orchestra Baobob is an old band - they've been around well over 20 years, and the Latin tinge is both unusual and powerful, here, setting their music apart from competitors and creating a niche all their own.
Unless this is your only O.B. album, there's some filler here. Hommage A Tonton Ferrer is essentially a shorter version (with different lyrics) of Utrus Horas, the first track on Pirates Choice, and the longer version is better played and more hypnotic. El Son Te Llama is a faster, shorter cover of the better-played version from On Verra Ca. (The original version, by the way, is also available on Putumayo Presents Afro-Latino, an excellent compilation.) The remaining seven songs are quite good and offer plenty of variety. One only wishes O.B. could have re-entered the studio, after so many years, with totally original material.
I was visiting Quebec City in mid-July and Orchestra Baobab happened to be playing live at the Quebec City Music Festival. It was an extraordinary electric guitar/saxophone sound with soaring vocals. Although the crowd was French, the music was universal. Orchestra Baobab absolutely blew the doors off the joint. A great live experience based on material from "Specialist In All Styles." You won't go wrong listening to this music.
I was exposed to the Orchestra a few months back, and I was blown away by the funky rhythms of this group. I recently saw them at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, and they gae such an amazing show -the music was basically from this latest album, but hearing them live let me know just how great a group like this is. The audience was the widest cross-section of people I've ever seen at a concert. From young black kids to middle aged French people to Senegalese and Nigerian, to Columbian and German!African music is the root of all musical styles, and the Orchestra Baobab demonstrate that music is truly universal.Tracks like Om Verra Ca sport some of the funkiest bass-lines this side of George Clinton, and even though you won't necessarily be able to understand the lyrics (in French or Waloof) the magical voices of the various singers transcend the listener to a state of pure joy.If you listen to this and don't like, then I don't know what to say. I've been expanding my listening to West African music, mainly through Black President Fela Kuti, but this is a welcome difference that we'll get you groove at the house party, the car or the club.
Universal Appeal, February 15, 2003
Sublime music, May 21, 2003
