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Amazon.co.uk Review
Comeback albums are usually disastrous, but Specialist in All Styles proves a happy exception to that unfortunate music-industry rule. In the 20 years since the uniquely multi-ethnic Orchestra Baobab made their last album, their members have been scattered throughout Senegal and other parts of West Africa. Their inimitable guitarist Barthélemy Attisso was making a living as a lawyer in Togo. Talk about a waste of talent! Back in his rightful profession, he has lost none of his trademark fluid elegance. The other great instrumentalist who gave such a distinctive flavour to their languid Afro-Latin grooves was tenor saxophonist Issa Cissokho. Both are back in the fold along with most of the original regular members, including five vocalists. Over half the songs have appeared on the band's previous international releases. Some, such as "Bul Ma Mine", "Gnawe" and "On Verra Ça", are fairly faithful, lovingly crafted updates. In contrast, the classic "Utru Horas" reappears as "Hommage à Tonton Ferrer", featuring guest vocals from Ibrahim Ferrer and Youssou N'Dour and the coda from Africando's fabulous bolero "Gouye Gui", presumably a nod to singer Medoune Diallo's membership of both bands. There are also old hits, such as "Sutukun" and "Dee Moo Wor", which will only be familiar to their Senegalese fan base, and only a little new material, but wallowing in nostalgia has seldom sounded sweeter. --Jon Lusk
Review
Even those with just a passing acquaintance with African music will have heard of Orchestra Baobab. They were superstars in Senegal in the seventies with their sophisticated, cosmopolitan blend of homegrown styles and Cuban influences. Their album "Pirates' Choice" was one of the first "world music" albums to have an impact in the West. Ironically, by the time of this international breakthrough, the group had already split up, victims of changes in musical taste and dispirited by civil war in Senegal.
Now after a gap of 17 years they return, their reformation a labour of love instigated by record label boss Nick Gold. And endorsed by Youssou Ndour and Ibrahim Ferrer, both of whom sang backing vocals on these sessions.
When any group reappears after a long period away the discerning listener is wise to approach the results with caution. Will it be as good as it used to be?
With Orchestra Baobab, there's no problem. It really does sound like they've never been away. This is a cunningly arranged, charming, swinging record which lives up to its title; the range of different styles attempted, all of them successfully, gives the album real variety and breath. There's excellent self-penned new material like the ska tinged "Bul Ma Min", alongside some old favourites including the classic "Hommage A Tonton Ferrer" and the Latin swing of "On Verra Ca".
The star of the show is lead guitarist Barthelemy Atisso. One minute he's delivering clean, fast, twangy lines, the next is using the Wah Wah pedal to great effect or experimenting with just a touch of scratchy noise, all done in impeccable taste. It's amazing to think that he didn't even own a guitar for thirteen years when he became a lawyer in Togo.
A delightful return from a group who seem to enjoy playing as much as ever. Music to put a smile on your face. --Nick Reynolds
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sexy, jazzy, smile-making musicianship,
By A Customer
This review is from: SPECIALIST IN ALL STYLES (Audio CD)
From the very first few bars of Bul Ma Miin you can't help but close your eyes and sway to the beat.The consummate musicianship of vocalists Deing, Mbouf and others are matched and surpassed by the guitar of Attisso and the sax of Koite. But, to single out certain band members is unfair, because it's the totality, the assuredness of the ensemble which makes you smile and dance. So, what sort of music is it? Well, it's jazz, it's Cuban, it's African, it's everything which describes sunshine at a party with your favourite friends. I think I'll be playing this and only this for the next month!
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hot African Music,
By A Customer
This review is from: SPECIALIST IN ALL STYLES (Audio CD)
I chose this CD as album of the month for an online music club after I saw them on the Jools Holland show on BBC2. To picture their music, just imagine that Paul Simon and Youssou N'Dour were asked to play the music for Fidel Castro's birthday party. Their music is definitely African but has serous echoes of the Cuban style, like an Afro-Buena Vista Social Club.A lot of the lyrics are in French, probably due to the Senegalese cononial history. The music is full of life and conjours images of sitting on a beach among the palm trees siping cocktails. Their music is distinctly African in origin, give or take the odd trumpet or sax. There are also modern influences too, half way through the first track "Bulmamiin" (my favourite) the brilliant guitar style is heavily influenced by western music - listen to track 1 and tell me that you never thought of The Shdaows 3-step walk. The african percussion is bordering on the hypnotic and is a joy to listen to. Yet the sleeve notes hint at a higher cause for their music making - the song are written along important social themes that are missed by those of us who can't understand the language of the lyrics; themes including a dying parent, anti-corruption messages and the importance of having "good character".
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Music to make you smile and dance.,
By A Customer
This review is from: SPECIALIST IN ALL STYLES (Audio CD)
Sorry i stole the title from the "music fan from London"'s review. Have to say i think you're review is spot on. Saw them at the Cambridge folk-festival this year whilst drinking a bottle of red wine smiling an swaying with hundreds of others. Bought the cd of course but was a bit worried that the happy memory was mainly due to the effect of the red wine...but oh boy, was i wrong !! This album never fails to make me smile and want to get up and start dancing...even on a miserable December morning in Cambridge...and even if i haven't got a clue what the French lyrics really mean!
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