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Orchestre Baobab
(Senegal)
Biography
Orchestre Baobab is one of the oldest and most famous Senegalese bands.
Created in 1970 to inaugurate the Baobab nightclub, several members were recruited from
the Star Band, the oldest band in Senegal, established in 1960 during the independence days.
The principal members from the start were from various ethnic descent and nationality: Balla Sidibé,
a peul from Senegal, Laye M'Boup (a wolof griot, who died in 1974 after a car accident),
Issa Cissako (mandinka), Rudy Gomis (from Guinee-Bissau) and
guitar player Attisso who came from Togo. They all brought their heritage and style
and created the distinct Baobab sound.
Laye M'Boup was replaced by Thione Seck who was responsible of one of Baobab's biggest hits ever, « Mohamadou Bamba » (1980). Thione left and established his own band, and his younger brother, Mapenda Seck, took his place.
Their biggest hits were in the 1970s, the LP « Ken Dou Werente », reissued on CD as « Pirates Choice » was the last album of Baobab in its original composition. Balla Sidibé continued with Baobab Nouvelle Formation but with limited success. Due to the success of the CD re-issues, nearly all original members came together again and performed on Womex 2001 in Rotterdam. Those fans who were there, know that they sounded as in the old days!
An all-new album, has been released in September 2002, and has been well received with remarkable press coverage. Since then, Baobab are touring extensively all over the world. In October 2007, a new album « Made in Dakar », comes out, with new versions of old hits such as « Ndeleng Ndeleng » and « Cabral ».
Laye M'Boup was replaced by Thione Seck who was responsible of one of Baobab's biggest hits ever, « Mohamadou Bamba » (1980). Thione left and established his own band, and his younger brother, Mapenda Seck, took his place.
Their biggest hits were in the 1970s, the LP « Ken Dou Werente », reissued on CD as « Pirates Choice » was the last album of Baobab in its original composition. Balla Sidibé continued with Baobab Nouvelle Formation but with limited success. Due to the success of the CD re-issues, nearly all original members came together again and performed on Womex 2001 in Rotterdam. Those fans who were there, know that they sounded as in the old days!
An all-new album, has been released in September 2002, and has been well received with remarkable press coverage. Since then, Baobab are touring extensively all over the world. In October 2007, a new album « Made in Dakar », comes out, with new versions of old hits such as « Ndeleng Ndeleng » and « Cabral ».
Left to right: Charly N'Diaye, Balla Sidibé, Mountaga Kouyaté, Barthelemy Atisso, Ndiouga Dieng (1977)
Left to right: Barthelemy Attisso, Thione Seck, Balla Sidibé (1982)
• Orchestre Baobab (1982):
Balla Sidibé: vocals
Rudolphe Gomis: vocals
N'Diouga Dieng (*6 June 1944 - †10 November 2016): vocals
Medoune Diallo (*11 February 1949 - †10 February 2018): vocals
Mapenda Seck: vocals;
Barthelemy Attisso: solo guitar;
Papa Ba, Adama Sarr: guitar;
Charles Antoine N'Diaye: bass;
Mountaga Kouyaté: percussion;
Issa Cissokho: tenor sax
• Previous members:
Laye M'Boup († 1974): vocals
Thione Seck (left Baobab in 1980): vocals
Formed: 1970, in Dakar
Style: Latin, afro-cuban, rumba, mandingo
Discography
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
| Si Bou Odja | 2020 | Syllart Records SYLLREC0420 (LP) | Reissue; digital release by Stern's |
| Mouhamadou Bamba | 2020 | Syllart Records SYLLREC0220 (LP) | Reissue; digital release by Stern's |
| Tribute to Ndiouga Dieng | 2017 | World Circuit WCD 092 | New recordings |
| La Belle Epoque Vol. 2: 1973-1976 | 2012 | Syllart Productions 000990 | 2 CD |
| La Belle Epoque: 1971-1977 | 2009 | Syllart Productions 000361 | 2 CD |
| Made in Dakar | 2007 | World Circuit WCD 078 | New recordings |
| A night at Club Baobab | 2006 | Oriki Music | 1972-78 recordings |
| Classic titles | 2006 | Cantos | Compilation |
| Specialist in all Styles | 2002 | World Circuit WCD 064 | New recordings |
| Pirates Choice (2CD) | 2001 | World Circuit WCD 063 | 2CD, re-issue of LP Ken Dou Werente plus 6 tracks |
| Roots and Fruit | 1999 | PAM ADC 304 | Re-issue of older songs from various LPs |
| N'Wolof | 1998 | Dakar Sound DKS 014 | Re-issue of older songs with Laye M'Boup |
| Bamba | 1993 | Stern's STCD 3003 | Re-issue of Mohammadou Bamba and Sibou Odia |
| On verra ça | 1992 | World Circuit WCD 027 | Re-issue of Baobab à Paris Vol. 1 & 2 |
| Pirates Choice | 1989 | World Circuit WCD 014 | Re-issue of LP Ken Dou Werente |
| "African" releases: | |||
| Nouvelle Formation | 1988 | Syllart SYL 83105 | Cassette |
| Yamdoulene | 1987 | Ndoye | Cassette |
| Coumba Ndiaye | 1986? | Ndoye | Cassette |
| Mame Diarra Bousso | 1986 | Studio 2000 | Cassette |
| Ken Dou Werente | 1982 | MCA 307 | LP |
| Gouye Guy de Dakar: vol.4 | 197? | Bellot C 3809 | Compilation cassette |
| Gouye Guy de Dakar: vol.3: hommage a Laye M'Boup | 197? | Bellot C 3806 | Compilation cassette |
| Gouye Guy de Dakar: vol.2 | 197? | Bellot C 3805 | Compilation cassette |
| Gouye Guy de Dakar: vol.1 | 197? | Bellot C 3804 | Compilation cassette |
| Vol. 2: Ngalam | 1982 | M'Baye Gueye | Cassette |
| Vol. 1: Senegambie | 1982 | M'Baye Gueye | Cassette |
| Sibou Odia | 1980 | Jambaar JM 5004 | LP |
| Mohammadou Bamba | 1980 | Jambaar JM 5000 | LP |
| Gouyegui Dou Daanou | 1979 | Disc Afrique DARL 001 | LP |
| Baobab à Paris vol.2: Africa 78 | 1978 | Ledoux ASL 7002 | LP |
| Baobab à Paris vol.1: On verra ça | 1978 | Ledoux ASL 7001 | LP |
| Une nuit au Jandeer | 1978 | Musicafrique MSCLP 002 | LP |
| N'Deleng N'Deleng | 1977 | Musicafrique MSCLP 001 | LP |
| Hommage à Lay M'Boop | 1975? | LP | |
| Aduna Jarul Naawoo | 1975 | Disques Buur BRLP 005 | LP |
| Visage du Sénégal | 1975 | Disques Buur BRLP 004 | LP |
| Senegaal Sunugaal | 1975 | Disques Buur BRLP 003 | LP |
| Guy Gu Rey Gi | 1975 | Disques Buur BRLP 002 | LP |
| '75' | 1975 | Disques Buur BRLP 001 | LP |
| Volume 2 | 1972? | Baobab BAO 2 | LP |
| M'Beugene | 1972? | Baobab BAO 1 | LP |
Sources
Toshiya Endo's African music discography, a detailed listing (incl. track titles, local cassette productions, solo albums of individual band members, 12' releases and remixes)
Toshiya Endo's African music discography, a detailed listing (incl. track titles, local cassette productions, solo albums of individual band members, 12' releases and remixes)
Page added November 2001