Oa Na Mba

Trained at Paris’ Conservatory of Music, guitarist Samuel Mbappe – Sam’M – hails from Douala in Cameroon. He grew up in the mountain town of Foumban in the west of the country. His early influences are from the world of jazz as well as mainstays of African music like his fellow countrymen Manu Dibango and Francis Bebey.

This is an exquisitely performed album of world music, cocktail jazz and makossa (popular urban Cameroonian music) flavourings. It features some of Paris’ ‘usual suspect’ musicians, such as bass player Guy Nsangué, percussionist Valéry Lobe, accordionist Regis Gizavo, and sax and flute player Nicolas Gueret. However, it is Sam’M himself who has composed and arranged most of the session and his attention to detail in the production is commendable. Although he studied jazz, it is primarily as a singer that Sam’M is heard here. He sings in the Douala language and has a pleasant voice, which benefits from a large ensemble of fine musicians and a great set of arrangements.