La Légende de Dakar

One thing that can never be faked or replicated is the easy, yet super-tight swing of a band that has a history of working together that goes back decades. This 13-piece supergroup, consisting of the best Dakar musicians of their day, made only one album – Bamba – in 1975. Its most noteworthy element was the title-track, which was apparently the first ever mbalax song. However, after this memorable debut, the band's star players including founder members, vocalist and percussionist Idrissa Diop, organist and guitarist Cheikh Tidiane Tall and saxophonist Thierno Koite went their separate ways.

But now here they are reunited and sounding absolutely magnificent. If anyone's been waiting for a potential new Buena Vista Social Club-style global phenomenon then these are your guys. Diop's vocals are the star ingredient, thanks to a compelling combination of a smoothness and natural gravel. The man has also done an excellent production job too; catching a vibrant live vibe without recourse to any distracting studio embellishments. But actually there's not a step, or beat, or note misplaced by anyone here. Let's hope that this long-overdue renaissance for Senegal's finest is sustained for years to come.