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Product Description
Product Description
Bamba is a selection of the best tracks from two albums - Mohamadou Bamba & Sibou Odia - originally released in Senegal in 1980. As such they predate the 1982 recordings, later re-released by World Circuit in 1989 as 'Pirates Choice', and catch a poignant moment in the band's career. Formed in 1970, Orchestra Baobab championed the languid and mature Afro-Cuban sound that was so influential in Senegal then, and so popular around the world now. By 1980 they were at the peak of their powers, but the public's taste was already moving on to the more frenetic sounds of Youssou N'Dour and others. The tracks on Bamba were the first ever studio recordings produced by the now legendary Ibrahim Sylla, later to produce the monumental Soro by Salif Keita. Moreover they include the original versions of tracks - "Gnawou" & "Boulmamine" - which World Circuit re-recorded for their 2002 album, 'Specialist In All Styles'. As their name suggests, Orchestra Baobab, is a real band: a unit, the sum of whose parts are greater than the contributions of any one individual. Reformed today they continue to record and play around the world, gathering critical claim wherever they go. On 'Bamba' you have the chance to hear them at their peak.
Product Description
The legendary 1980 recordings from the famous Baobab Orchestra whose Afro-Cuban fusion predated even Etoile de Dakar. "Eighty minutes of highly dignified and beautiful music" The Wire "One of Africa's greatest dance bands" The Independent Also for sale as digital download atemusic amazon uk amazon us itunes uk itunes us
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Paul
Format:Audio CD
Before I bought this, I already owned "Pirates' Choice" and "Specialist in All Styles", both of which I loved. So I eagerly awaited Amazon's delivery of this CD and I haven't been at all disappointed - it seems that this band have never released a weak song in their entire repertoire.
This CD is a combination of the two albums, "Mouhamadou Bamba" (1980) and "Sibou Odia" (1981), so you get a full 72 minutes of Artisso, Cissokho, Seck et al doing their magical stuff.
For those unfamiliar with the band, they are a joyous blend of the kind of Cuban sound found on Buena Vista Social Club and West African Wolof music and the resultant mix is a delight to the ear.
Barthelemy Artisso has to be one of the finest guitarists in all of Africa - his delicate feathery tones are magical - and Issa Cissokho provides an equally accomplished foil to him on the sax. Thione Seck and Balla Sidibe's warm, melodic vocals fit neatly into a mix held together by a solid, danceable rhythm section.
Two of these songs, "Boulmamine" and "Gnawou", are reworked on "Specialist in All Styles" as "Bul Ma Miin" and "Gnawoe", but their original workings are just as compelling as their (to me) more familiar covers. Apart from these two, "Doomou Baaye" and "Sibou Odia" are perhaps my favourite tracks, but they're all good.
Although perhaps not their finest album (I think I'd give "Pirates' Choice" that honour), this album comes highly recommended.
This CD is a combination of the two albums, "Mouhamadou Bamba" (1980) and "Sibou Odia" (1981), so you get a full 72 minutes of Artisso, Cissokho, Seck et al doing their magical stuff.
For those unfamiliar with the band, they are a joyous blend of the kind of Cuban sound found on Buena Vista Social Club and West African Wolof music and the resultant mix is a delight to the ear.
Barthelemy Artisso has to be one of the finest guitarists in all of Africa - his delicate feathery tones are magical - and Issa Cissokho provides an equally accomplished foil to him on the sax. Thione Seck and Balla Sidibe's warm, melodic vocals fit neatly into a mix held together by a solid, danceable rhythm section.
Two of these songs, "Boulmamine" and "Gnawou", are reworked on "Specialist in All Styles" as "Bul Ma Miin" and "Gnawoe", but their original workings are just as compelling as their (to me) more familiar covers. Apart from these two, "Doomou Baaye" and "Sibou Odia" are perhaps my favourite tracks, but they're all good.
Although perhaps not their finest album (I think I'd give "Pirates' Choice" that honour), this album comes highly recommended.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Don't bother with this unless you are a completist.
Specialist in all styles is A1
Made in Dakar is nearly as good as specialist in all styles
This is mediocre
Mike
Specialist in all styles is A1
Made in Dakar is nearly as good as specialist in all styles
This is mediocre
Mike
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.8 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sumptuous Melodies
6 May 2000
By "thewritingbuddha"
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Audio CD
I stumbled onto this band years ago and was blown away by their sound. It's an upbeat blend of the Cuban "son" rhythm with the traditional Wolof and Mandinka melodies. I honestly don't think I have ever heard anything so incredible.
It's one of my Top Ten CD's - of all time. I have to disagree with the reviewer who thought this CD was an inferior Baobob album. Yeah, it's true that the "Pirate's Choice" CD is their best, but it's hard to find (that's why I chose to review this one; you can find it at ANY. . . store). That said, this CD is STILL an epiphany!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic African pop album
11 Nov 2002
By DJ Joe Sixpack
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Audio CD
This single CD edition collects two Baobab albums from 1980-81, and the music is simply quite lovely. Classic hypnotic grooves that creep up on you and bring a sense of wonder and elation. Why get into a "this disc is better than that one" argument? Orchestra Baobab is a great band, and all of their records are highly recommended.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
An all-time great
21 Sep 2001
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Audio CD
How a Baobab fan could give this CD less than a 5 is completely beyond me. Indeed, Pirates Choice is a once in a lifetime gem, eerie in its floating beauty, but Bamba is different and to me just as incredibly wonderful in its own way: lively, joyous, maybe ecstatic is the best way to put it. Get it while you still can, you won't be sorry.
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Go to Amazon.com to see all 6 reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
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