Orchestra Baobab

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In the 1970s the style that permeated Senegal’s airwaves was a fusion of Afro-Cuban elements with various local sounds rooted in Senegal’s diverse cultural traditions. And the undisputed master of this fusion were the legendary Orchestre Baobab.

Baobab exploded onto the Dakar scene in 1970 and immediately became the top local band, famous for their uplifting and sophisticated arrangements, lyrical vocals and dazzling guitar solos. For a decade they were the leading act, recruiting some of the finest musicians from around the country, especially the south, as well as from other parts of West Africa, making them one of Senegal’s most cosmopolitan and versatile bands.

There were two qualities that set Orchestre Baobab apart from most other groups of the era. One was their approach to the Cuban sound, which went far beyond mere imitation. They actually created their own Cuban-style rhythms in a uniquely Baobab way. Second, while other bands were fusing the Latin sound with Wolof melodies, this was only one of the regional styles that Baobab drew upon. More important for them were the rolling harmonies and intensely melodic drumming traditions of Casamance (in southern Senegal), where several of the band members had grown up. The combination of Casamance plus Cuba created something completely new and enthralling that was to become Baobab’s trademark.

Their beautiful and rocking songs such as ‘Utrus horas,’ ‘On verra ca,’ ‘Autorail,’ ‘Sutukum’ and ‘Coumba’ became all-time great hits in West Africa. Orchestra Baobab recorded more than 20 albums (on LP format) between 1970 and 1985, several of which re-appeared from time to time on bootleg LPs and cassette. Luckily for Baobab, however, the UK label World Circuit Records released (in 1989) a much acclaimed album, appropriately titled Pirates Choice, with some tracks the group had first recorded in 1982, opening with the sultry piece ‘Utrus horas.’ With this, Orchestre Baobab were launched around the world. DJs snapped up the album. Among West African music experts, it achieved almost cult status. But it was too late, the band had already split up.

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