Orchestra Baobab, EIF music review: 'exuberantly charged'
This kinetic Sengalese dance band delivered an irresistible flow of shifting grooves and snappy horns, writes Jim Gilchrist.
Orchestra Baobab ★★★★
The Hub
Formed in Dakar in 1970, Orchestra Baobab have since more or less conquered the world, despite a 14-year hiatus. This latest generation of the supercharged dance band, with their potent blend of Afro-Cuban styles, seem likely to continue to do so, going by this exuberantly charged Hub concert.
With a front line of alto and tenor saxophones, electric guitar plus two vocalists - “Papino” Koité and the regal presence of their first female lead singer, Korka Dieng, backed by a formidable battery of drums, percussion and electric bass, they took the stage with loudly reciprocated yells of “Bonsoir!” and straight away, with a rattle of timbales, laid down the unhurried yet inexorable measure of Utrus Horas.
From then on the music flowed unremittingly and joyously, Dieng’s velvety vocals mingling with Koité’s, while founder member Thierno Koité and Wilfrid Zinzou on alto and tenor saxes respectively delivered deft solos or snappy horn choruses, virtually stepping into the audience to serenade the front rows. And all the while René Sowatche’s ringing West African guitar laced keenly through each number.
Such irresistible grooves are not for sitting still and by the time the shifting rhythms and snappy horns of Ndéleng Ndéleng led to a spirited encore medley, the entire hall at times seemed in motion. Jim Gilchrist
The Scotsman’s arts newsletter is now sent twice a week - subscribe today
Enjoying the Arts & Culture journalism on scotsman.com? Make it easier to find by selecting us as a preferred Google source
Want the latest Scottish headlines sent directly to your phone? Sign up to our new WhatsApp channel here
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.