One For The Weekend: (The New) Orchestra Baobab

The new version of Orchestra Baobab – entirely different from the group you knew – has a new single "Togne Bakhoul" and tour.

Orchestra Baobab – Made In Senegal

‘Togne Bakhoul’ is the first new release in almost a decade from the legendary Senegalese group Orchestra Baobab, heralding a new collaboration between the Orchestra & Strut Records. 

Formed over 50 years ago as the resident band of the Baobab Club in Dakar, their timeless fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms, Wolof griot traditions, mbalax, Congolese rumba and jazz continues to resonate across generations and continents. Now, the celebrated big band marks a new chapter in their illustrious history

"Made In Senegal," to be released by Strut Records UK in conjunction with Madoky Music in October 2026, is Orchestra Baobab's first new studio album since "Tribute To Ndiouga Dieng" in 2017 — celebrating home, heritage, love and resilience, recorded entirely in Dakar.

With the sad passing of Baobab's founding guitarist Barthélémy Atisso (in 2021) and saxophonist/percussionist Rudy Gomis (in 2022) – who together helped create the group's signature sound –  the new version of Orchestra Baobab has very little real connection to the group that began in Dakar back in 1970. Today's line-up – led by 77 year old saxophonist Seydou Norou “Thierno” Koité (who was a member of Baobab's contemporaries in Senegal: Le Sahel and Super Etoile de Dakar), with Zacharia "Papino" Koité (lead vocals), Korka Dieng (lead vocals), Taga Koité (drums), Moussa Cissokho (percussion), Yahya Fall (rhythm guitar), Malick Sy (bass), René "Bolero" Sowatche (guitar), Wilfrid Zinzou (saxophone/trombone) blends veteran musicians with a younger generation determined to preserve Baobab's enduring sound. Made In Senegal is another modern Baobab classic — the perfect time for a new generation to discover one of Africa's greatest ever big bands.

More to come, but for now, check out their beautifully composed new track ‘Togne Bakhoul’ (with lyrics by Rudy Gomis) along with a 30-minute performance from 2025. You can catch the new version of Orchestra Baobab on tour in Europe and UK – see dates below.