Audio Feature A song from Fatteliku - Live in Athens, 1987 From the 2015 release by Youssou N'Dour et le Super Etoile de Dakar Published by Real World Records "Ndobine" By the 1980s, Youssou N'Dour had moved from being a big star in Senegal and other parts of Africa, to having his first breakthrough in Europe as a 'world music' performer and potential international icon. He had shifted from fronting local big bands like The Star Band, who were primarily devoted to a popular blend of African and Latin music, to performing mbalax, a revolutionary mixture of western pop and Senegalese roots, with his own group, Étoile de Dakar. It was a heady time for African musicians in Europe, and N'Dour and company were playing there often. It was during the band's time in Paris that Peter Gabriel, himself in a period of musical reinvention, heard N'Dour. A few years later, Étoile de Dakar found themselves on a world tour with the pop superstar, and this recording, from 1987 in Athens, finds the band at what many, myself included, see as the pinnacle of Youssou N'Dour's sound. It was tight, funk-laden and sharp-edged; based on the talking drum in conversation with the guitars and synths. It was unique, not watered down, and provided a potent backing for a powerful voice. In hindsight, it was no less than modern Africa standing up for a turn in the spotlight. - CF Listen to a few samples of other tracks on the CD: "Kocc Barina" "Nelson Mandela" "Sama Dom/My Daughter" "In Your Eyes" (w/ Peter Gabriel) All audio ©2015 Real World Records. Used by permission.   Fatteliku is the RootsWorld Music of the Month selection for November 2015. Looking for More Information? © 2015 RootsWorld. No reproduction of any part of this page or its associated files is permitted without express written permission.

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