Orchestra Baobab - Specialist in All Styles
Originally released in 2002, this reissue of Specialist in All Styles represents the first time this album has been released on vinyl. Part of the ongoing effort of World Circuit Records to bring quality and often hard to find global music to appreciative fans, this release also coincides with Orchestra Baobab's 50th anniversary celebration.

Orchestra Baobab is based in Dakar, Senegal, but as this album's title suggests, their performance style varies and reflects a knowledge of music native to many West African nations. "Sutukun," for example, is a joyously bouncy cut that's sung in Mandinka and that is well known throughout West Africa; saxophones not otherwise heard during the song make a surprise appearance at song's end, adding earthiness to the already sensual groove. "Dee Moo Woor" is a lamentation for a dead parent; slow and contemplative, the cut is enhanced with psychedelic guitar, representing perhaps the internalized misery of those left mourning. "Jiin Ma Jiin Ma" flawlessly melds an African melody and a samba groove while more Afro-Latin music comes in the form of "El Son Te Llama," a Cuban song sung in Spanish (complete with the rolling r sound) by Medoune Diallo, who passed away a few years ago.

While Orchestra Baobab are still together, obviously with their 50-year history they have suffered other losses, including Balla Sidibe, a band founding member appearing here who died in July. Among the many other singers are guests Ibrahim Ferrer of the Buena Vista Social Club, also deceased now, and famed Senegalese singer-turned-politician (and Peter Gabriel collaborator) Youssou N'Dour. Specialist in All Styles is presented in a gatefold jacket with a credits insert and pressed on two discs of heavyweight 180-gram vinyl. A listen to this cherished recording will have fans seeking out more music from Orchestra Baobab; those can also be found in the World Circuit Records catalog.