Many African cities were hopping with superb music during the late 60s and 70s. Like Addis Ababa and Lagos, Dakar was a hothouse with a magnetic appeal for musicians thanks to an abundance of venues, clubs and like-minded souls and especially the exuberant optimism of a country aglow with post-colonial independence.
The previously unreleased tracks on Senegal 70 capture the heady spirit of those days (and nights – the material comes from the owner of Dakar's Sangomar club), with a mesmerising, bracing and exciting spread of sounds.
It’s a compilation that takes off in all kinds of directions as the musicians put their own stamp on the dominant jazz, salsa, soul and funk grooves of the time.
In the midst of sweet takes from the mighty Orchestra Baobab, the chaotic pull and push of Gestu de Dakar and feverish dance rubs from Orchestre Laye Thiam, a new and colourful Afro-Cuban mood begins to take hold.
It’s the sound of a very special time when anything seemed possible in West Africa.
