Specialist in All Styles

Amazon.com
It's ironic that Youssou N'Dour coproduced Specialist in All Styles. After all, it was the emergence of N'Dour's upbeat mbalax music in the early '80s that hurried the passing of Orchestra Baobab, which had been the most popular band in Senegal for 10 years. Baobab's Afro-Latin blend was unique, but it sounded like fond memory next to the in-your-face mbalax. Following up the reissue in 2002 of the legendary 1982 album Pirates Choice, Baobab has returned to active duty after a 15-year hiatus. Specialist features many of the original members and recaptures the classic sound. The band revives great older Baobab songs like "On Verra Ça" and "Ndongoy Daara," brings in a few folk tunes, and rounds out the album with strong new material. "Homage A Tonton Ferrer" is a rollicking vocal tour de force featuring Cuba's Ibrahim Ferrer and N'Dour. Moreover, the band is tight throughout, with fantastic solos coming from guitarist Barthelemy Attisso and saxophonist Issa Cissoko. --Tad Hendrickson

Product Description
The reissue of Dakar band's 1982 world music classic Pirates Choice (early 2002), was a breakout success in the UK, Europe and the US. So much so, in fact, that the response sparked a reunion, a tour and a return to the studio to record Specialist In All Styles, the group's first new album in 15 years. 9 tracks. Slipcase. World Circuit. 2002.

Specialist in All Styles,Orchestra Baobab,Nonesuch,Africa,Afro-Cuban,Afro-Pop,Int'l & World Music,Pop,Sahel,Senegal,South African,World Music

Average customer rating:

Majestic music!!

Cuban music with African vocal overtones

Slightly Overrated

A legendary (if unknown) Senagalese band

You Need This

Specialist in All Styles
Orchestra Baobab
Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music
Senegal & Gambia | Africa | International | Styles | Music
General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Africa | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B00006JIAP
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Tracks:

Bul Ma Miin
Sutukun
Dee Moo Woor
Jiin Ma Jiin Ma
Ndongoy Daara
On Verra Ga
Hommage A Tonton Ferrer (featuring Ibrahim Ferrer & Youssou N'Dour)
El Son Te Lama
Gnawoe

Amazon.com

It's ironic that Youssou N'Dour coproduced Specialist in All Styles. After all, it was the emergence of N'Dour's upbeat mbalax music in the early '80s that hurried the passing of Orchestra Baobab, which had been the most popular band in Senegal for 10 years. Baobab's Afro-Latin blend was unique, but it sounded like fond memory next to the in-your-face mbalax. Following up the reissue in 2002 of the legendary 1982 album Pirates Choice, Baobab has returned to active duty after a 15-year hiatus. Specialist features many of the original members and recaptures the classic sound. The band revives great older Baobab songs like "On Verra Ça" and "Ndongoy Daara," brings in a few folk tunes, and rounds out the album with strong new material. "Homage A Tonton Ferrer" is a rollicking vocal tour de force featuring Cuba's Ibrahim Ferrer and N'Dour. Moreover, the band is tight throughout, with fantastic solos coming from guitarist Barthelemy Attisso and saxophonist Issa Cissoko. --Tad Hendrickson

Album Description

The reissue of Dakar band's 1982 world music classic Pirates Choice (early 2002), was a breakout success in the UK, Europe and the US. So much so, in fact, that the response sparked a reunion, a tour and a return to the studio to record Specialist In All Styles, the group's first new album in 15 years. 9 tracks. Slipcase. World Circuit. 2002.

Customer Reviews:

Majestic music!!.......2006-07-20

I was only recently introduced to the music of Orchestra Baobab and what a fantastic discovery their music is!

Formed in Senegal in 1970, the group took its name from a nightclub they performed at, named after the Baobab tree found in the African savannah, and renowned for its majesty and endurance, qualities the band shares.

Their musical style sounds to me like a fusion of Cuban, and African Highlife music; loads of prominent melodic guitars, horns (especially explosive sax), and rich percussion. The lyrics (on this CD) are largely in Wolof and French, dealing with themes including anti corruption messages, a dying parent, and the importance of having integrity. However, music, especially this beautiful, is a universal language.

`Specialist In All Styles' is their first CD in 20 years, co produced by Youssou N'Dour, the album comprises 9 tracks - mostly reworked versions of their classics with a few new songs thrown in - with a rich, live (it was recorded live over 10 days) party feel to the sound. The CD comes in either a yellow cover (shown here) or blue.

Tunes range from the very rhythmic upbeat guitar driven opening cut `Bul Ma Miin', the downtempo `Sutukun' with lovely guitar licks, the very Latin sounding `Jiin Ma Jiin Ma', the gently shuffling `Hommage À Tonton Ferrer' features Ibrahim Ferrer & Youssou N'Dour, and the more upbeat Cuban sounding horn filled `El Son Te Llama'.

A beautiful CD, and a worthy addition to any music collection.

Cuban music with African vocal overtones .......2004-09-02

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.

Slightly Overrated.......2003-12-02

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.

A legendary (if unknown) Senagalese band.......2003-07-20

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.

You Need This.......2003-07-07

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.

Tracks:

Bul Ma Miin
Sutukun
DMoo W
Jiin Ma Jiin Ma
Ndongoy Daara
On Verra
Hommage Tonton Ferrer
Son Te Llama
Gnawoe

Customer Reviews:

Real Music!!.......2005-05-14

Oh my God! This album sizzles. This is the true sound of music.
These guys have basicly encapsulated the true soul of Africa in an album. Be prepared to feel your heart dance around and soar with the vocals whilst the Guitar licks tell the hairs on the back of your neck to stand ERECT!! This music is a seamless fusion of Afro-Cuban Jazz and A West African music form called High-Life. The honesty of the music is distinct. This is a timeless album you will enjoy for life. I got mine! get yours!!!

Baobabs a blast.......2005-03-29

What is so appealing about this music cannot be pinpointed. Although I can't understand any of their lyrics I feel this band is somehow made up of freinds of mine who like to sing and play. I tag along to listen.They have somehow derived a sound and style that does what art should do- it enters you soul and gives you pleasure and reflection.
I first heard them on NPR and a few years later I remembered them and bought 'Pirates Choice' which lead me to 'Specialist In All Styles'. Well done lads.

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