Manu 76

Manu Dibango is probably one of Cameroon's most famous musicians and possibly the most internationally recognised African musician. A true jack-of-all-trades, he has played and recorded virtually every style of music you could think of - Soul, Reggae, Jazz, Spirituals, Blues, African, Electro. You name it. Initially trained as a classical pianist, his musical career began in Brussels and Paris in the 50s. In the 60s, he flew to the Congo as a member of the African Jazz group led by Joseph Kabasele, Le Grand Kalle. Then came Cameroon in 1963, where he formed his own group before returning to Paris in 1965. For the album Manu 76, we are - obviously - in 1976, still in Paris. Four years after his Breakthrough on the international scene with his hit Soul Makossa, Manu assembled a prestigious cast of musicians including Jo Tongo on bass, Slim Pezin on guitar, Lucien Dobat (from Kassav) on drums, Alex Francfort on piano and 7-year-old Georgia Dibango as guest vocalist. This 6-track album traverses styles with ease, from the Soukouss Beats of Bokilo's Boogie and Qui est fou de qui? - Chouchou, to the Afro Boogie Jazz of the highly effective Mimbo, via the rousing Future-Jazz of Mouvement Ewondo or the melancholy Besoka On Salsa, to end in apotheosis with the Afro-Funk bomb Soul Angola. Unquestionably one of the gems in Manu Dibango's repertoire. You be the judge. All tracks composed & arranged by Manu Dibango. ? 1976 Soul Makossa