SPECIALIST IN ALL STYLES

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

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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Two decades after they disbanded, one of the greatest African bands of all time is back in business with its original line-up and a new landmark album. After a 20-year gap, during which time their recordings have attained legendary status, Senegalese masters Orchestra Baobab release the long-awaited Specialist in All Styles on World Circuit. Their unique and uplifting Afro-Latin hybrid, tinged with reggae and an eclectic mix of influences owes everything to the cosmopolitan nature of the band, which includes musicians from all around Senegal and beyond.

This is the first album by the full group since 1982, and is a realisation of a long-term ambition for World Circuit. The group's Pirates Choice was one of the first African albums that inspired Nick Gold to set up the label and ignited his lifelong passion for both West African and Cuban music. He has been attempting to reunite the group ever since World Circuit first rereleased Pirates Choice in 1989.

Recorded live in the studio over just 10 days, Specialist In All Styles was produced by Nick Gold with World Circuit's engineer Jerry Boys and Youssou N'Dour completing the production team. The involvement of Youssou was particularly poignant, for it was the explosion of mbalax--the new Senegalese dance sound he pioneered with Super Etoile de Dakar in the early-80s--that created the change in musical fashion that led indirectly to Baobab's break-up. The band played as if they had never been apart, generating an edge, energy and exuberance that derived from old friends coming together and enjoying the experience of playing again. The resulting album is a milestone in African music--an inspired, diverse and entirely contemporary take on Baobab's original Afro-Latin magic, introducing new material and reinventing some of the old tunes that made them a legend. The album is randomly supplied in either yellow or blue, depending on stock.