One For The Weekend: (The New) Orchestra Baobab

The new version of Orchestra Baobab (below) – entirely different from the legendary ensemble you knew – has a new single "Togne Bakhoul" and a UK/EU 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. 

R.I.P. Orchestra Baobab's Rudy Gomis, 1946-2022

Sadly, Rudy Gomis – longtime singer for Senegal's legendary Orchestra Baobab – has passed away. He'll be greatly missed. 

R.I.P. Orchestra Baobab's Barthélémy Attisso

Remembering the guitar great and lawyer Barthélémy Attisso who passed away on Sunday at the age of 76. He'll be greatly missed.

LINKS 

pan-african-music.com Attisso, légendaire guitariste de l’Orchestra Baobab, n’est plus

R.I.P. Thione Seck, 1955-2021

Sadly, Senegalese singer Thione Seck, who launched his career with Orchestra Baobab, has died in Dakar at the age of 66.  

World Circuit celebrates Orchestra Baobab's 50th with Specialist In All Styles vinyl release

Here's the scoop...

This year marks the 50th anniversary of one of Africa's greatest bands, Senegal's Orchestra Baobab. Adored both at home in Senegal and across the world, Baobab occupy a special place in the history of African music. Their epic story begins in the heart of Dakar's Medina in the 1960s and extends across the world and into the 21st century, featuring a brilliant assembly of diverse musical personalities and encompassing a unique blend of Afro-Latin styles, international pop, West African griot music, and an after-dark nightclub ambience of lifting, mellifluous rhythms.

To celebrate this remarkable milestone, the band has announced the issue of their landmark 2002 reunion album 'Specialist In All Styles' for the first time ever on vinyl, on September 25th. The first 50 preorders through World Circuit's webstore will also receive a limited edition 12x12" print.

'Specialist' was the first album by the full group since 1982's legendary 'Pirates Choice', a holy grail for African music fans. Recorded at London's Livingston Studios in just ten days and produced by World Circuit's Nick Gold with Youssou N'Dour, 'Specialist In All Styles' is a definitive illustration of Baobab's Afro-Latin magic, introducing new material and reinventing some of the old tunes that made them famous. The record features Baobab's sublime rhythm section and two of the most distinctive sounds in African music - Barthélemy Attisso's extraordinary guitar and Issa Cissokho's atmospheric sax. The band's five unique lead singers, each with their own contrasting but complementary styles, are joined on the song 'Hommage à Tonton Ferrer' by special guests Buena Vista Social Club star Ibrahim Ferrer and Youssou N'Dour. 

Watch a clip of Orchestra Baobab performing "Jiin Ma, Jiin Ma" live at Jazz à Vienne Festival in  2015 followed by the original 2002 promo video for "Dée Moo Wóor which you may have missed. 

 

Watch the Orchestra Baobab documentary Specialist In All Styles

After a lengthy hiatus, Senegal's Orchestra Baobab returned in 2002 with the amazing Specialist In All Styles album which this short film documents.