Specialist in All Styles CD

Adored both at home in Senegal and across the world, Baobab occupy a special place in the history of African music. Their unique and uplifting AfroLatin hybrid, tinged with reggae and an eclectic mix of influences owes everything to the cosmopolitan nature of the band, which includes influences from all around Senegal as well as Mali, Nigeria, Togo, Guinea and Guinea Bissau. lsquoSpecialistrsquo was the first album by the full group since 1982s legendary Pirates Choice, a holy grail for African music fans. In the intervening years, the group had scattered some taking day jobs, others playing in different bands or, in the case of their brilliant guitarist Barthemely Attisso, abandoning music. World Circuitrsquos Nick Gold had long dreamed of seeing the band that ignited his passion for both West African and Cuban music and with the help of Youssou NrsquoDour convinced the mighty Baobab to reassemble. Recorded at Londonrsquos Livingston Studios over just ten days and produced by Gold with Youssou NDour, lsquoSpecialist In All Stylesrsquo is a milestone in African music an inspired, diverse and entirely contemporary take on Baobabrsquos original AfroLatin magic, introducing new material and reinventing some of the old tunes that made them legends. Guests on the record include Buena Vista Social Club star Ibrahim Ferrer who adds his own inimitable voice to lsquoUtras Horasrsquo now renamed lsquoHommage agrave Tonton Ferrerrsquo and Youssou NrsquoDour himself. ldquoOne of Africarsquos great bandsrdquo New York Times A truly tremendous album, by a group making a truly tremendous comeback. Songlines No Flash, No artifice. Just spellbinding rhythms and relaxed latenight grooves to make you feel good all over. A sparkling African gem of a record.rdquo UNCUT ldquo..Baobab have produced one of the best albums of recent years, with all the old magic intactrdquo NEWSWEEK