Released in 1982, the album "Waka Juju" marks a return to Afrosound. We hear titles like "Douala Serenade" or "Ma Marie", a tribute to his wife. "Waka juju" is an ode to juju, the traditional Yoruba music that has become Nigeria's most popular style. For the first time on a crystal clear record!
“Choc ‘n soul” – The title composed by Manu Dibango in 1978 is a veritable manifesto of the good word preached by Manu in his orchestral elucubrations, demonstrating the shock of the fusion between original Africa and musicgenres of Afro-America – soul, jazz, disco – which came between Manu Dibango’s success with his “Soul Makossa”, his journey to Kingston, and
his Parisian recordings at the end of the Eighties. Here Manu Dibango proposes a return to 12 of his best titles released between 1978 and 1989. Soul and shock indeed." Benjamin Goldenstein & Patrick Fremeaux
These titles were recorded between 1971 and 1975 by Manu Dibango for professional sound illustration for the cinema, television or advertising. They have never been released on disc and are therefore exclusive. Unfortunately, information is missing but Manu Dibango remembers that his Parisian band then comprised: Jacques Bolognesi, Ivan Julien, Francois Jeanneau and Slim Pezin. On the sides cut in New York, we can appreciate prestigious guests such as Buster Williams and Cedar Walton (“Lea’s Love Theme”) and even Tony Williams. In 2008, these tunes have not aged at all and have even been upgraded by the gold-diggers. This album, a wonderful return to the future, should satisfy their needs, or at least make their mouths water. And watch out, as there’s more to come.
