Wakafrika cover

Wakafrika

Released

Despite the fact that Manu Dibango refused to be pigeonholed as “just” an African musician, in a time when world music was often dismissed as something “exotic,” doesn’t mean he wasn’t proud of his roots and culture. Throughout his life he often returned to Cameroon and traveled across the continent on tours and to collaborate with other artists, as well as being an integral part of the lively African music scene in Paris. On Wakafrika he embraces his pan-african ethos by collaborating with some of Africa’s biggest musicians, from Senegal’s Youssou N’Dour, who lends his unmistakable rootsy voice to yet another version of “Soul Makossa,” to Malian super star Salif Keita, Congolese artists Ray Lema and Papa Wemba, Beninese Angelique Kidjo, South African legends Ladysmith Black Mambazo, juju King Sunny Ade… the list goes on. Dibango is happy to let his guests take the spotlight, but his powerful sax doesn’t go unnoticed when he does step in. 

Megan Iacobini de Fazio

Suggestions
Juju Music cover

Juju Music

King Sunny Adé
Mraya cover

Mraya

Abdel Ali Slimani
Ethiopia Super Krar cover

Ethiopia Super Krar

Krar Collective
From Nubia to Cairo cover

From Nubia to Cairo

Ali Hassan Kuban
Changanya cover

Changanya

Nabalayo
Targ cover

Targ

Bargou 08
Ishumar cover

Ishumar

Toumast
Beyanga cover

Beyanga

M'Bilia Bel, L'Afrisa International
Francophonic, Vol. 2: 1980-1989 cover

Francophonic, Vol. 2: 1980-1989

Franco, Orchestre T.P.O.K. Jazz
Mutuashi cover

Mutuashi

Tshala Muana