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Album review
Orchestra Baobab
La Belle Epoque
Paris
15/05/2009 -
If Youssou N’Dour had not exploded onto the Senegalese music scene in the 1980s with his catchy mbalax sound, Orchestra Baobab might never have fallen from the no.1 spot in their compatriots' hearts. The Afro-Cuban fusion pioneers, who got together in 1970, established themselves as one of the hottest bands in Senegal. But then the tide of popularity turned and the Baobabs fell from grace. In 2002, the Senegalese veterans - who had recently reformed - bounced back to prominence on the international 'world music' scene.
La Belle Epoque - a double album accompanied by an in-depth biography by Radio France Internationale journalist Pierre René-Worms - celebrates the heyday of this legendary orchestra's career. Volume I, recorded at Club Baobab, in Dakar, in 1971 (with a few additional recordings made between 1973 and 1976) may leave some listeners a little underwhelmed owing to its mediocre sound quality. But Volume II more than makes up for any technical shortcomings. This second offering revolves around original recordings for the album Baobab à Paris, made in 1978 - the first time Orchestra Baobab came to Europe and set foot in a proper recording studio!
In short, La Belle Epoque is a godsend for those enamoured of Orchestra Baobab's Cuban-African melting-pot sound. Many of the tracks featured on this double album have been re-recorded by the group over the years and included on new albums. But nothing beats listening to the raw, uncut originals of Baobab classics such as Sibam and El Son te llama (written by ex-Africando star Medoune Diallo) and Balla Sidibé's On verra ça.
Patrick Labesse
Translation : Julie Street
08/11/2007 -
29/10/2002 -
