Camden New Journal - Music: Manu Dibango

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The Review - MUSIC - grooves with CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
Published: 3 April 2008

The Lion of Africa is still roaring after 50 years

PREVIEW: MANU DIBANGO
Jazz Café

STILL bursting with creativity at the ripe old age of 73, Manu Dibango’s music covers everything from disco to reggae, hip hop and funk.
His trademark Fats Waller grin and colourful African shirts complement intoxicating performances of tunes such as the 1972 offering Soul Makossa, widely regarded as one of the first disco records and sampled in recent years by artists Jay-Z and Rihanna.
He looks remarkably youthful for his age, and his sax playing, far from mellowing, has become more experimental in recent times – though last year’s gig at the Barbican was admittedly described by some as soporific.
The innovative fusion of styles evident in Dibango’s work no doubt stems partly from the early life of this world music pioneer. Growing up in Cameroon with parents from different tribes, he encountered choral music at the church where his mother worshipped. He once said: “Born of two antagonistic ethnic groups in Cameroon, where the custom is dictated by the father’s origin, I have never been able to identify completely with my parents. Thus I have felt pushed towards others as I made my own path.”
At school Dibango learned French and he was later sent to France, where he discovered a talent for the mandolin and the piano.
It was the start of a musical odyssey that has seen him tour the world and receive accolades that have included being named Unesco’s Peace Artist of the Year. His latest album, Lions of Africa, was released last year to celebrate 50 years of his genre-defying music.
At Friday’s Jazz Café gig expect plenty of playful improvisation, contemplative sax playing and experimental fusions of African and European sounds. And plenty of smiles.
JOSH LOEB

* Manu Dibango plays the Jazz Café on April 11.

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