Direct From Dakar

by Omar Pene, Super Diamono

Overview

Senegal's Omar Pene & Super Dianamo might play m'balax, the same style that helped make an international star out of Youssou N'Dour, but their take on it is very different. Instead of a busy, chattering talking drum puncturing the rhythm, they use horns and, especially, the guitar to establish their rhythms, and draw from a number of musical sources, including the sophistication jazz chordings and even reggae, whose influence can be slightly felt on the opener "Aral Sa." And unlike his countryman, Pene doesn't possess the high griot's wail; his voice is deeper and more soulful, more attuned to American music, particularly soul, which seems to have influenced the political "Soweto," with its smoking guitar solo from Doudou Konare. But m'balax is far from their limit. They can happily essay a delicate waltz like "Niane," given an unusual edge by African percussion before roaring back into the edgy "Coumba Xaliss" or the bass-driven "Gainde," with its remarkably complex rhythm that still manages to get the feet tapping. The highlight, however, must be "Xamlene," which is like Earth Wind and Fire gone to West Africa -- driving, funky, and very danceable -- with Pene at his most emotional. Fiery stuff, indeed. But while the band might be Direct From Dakar, the album isn't -- it was recorded at Real World Studios in England. But even the damp climate doesn't diminish the musical heat. ~ Chris Nickson

Product Details

Release Date:	06/24/2022
Label:	Real World Records
UPC:	0884108009000
Rank:	135253

Tracks

1. Aral Sa Doom
2. Mouride
3. Rer
4. Soweto
5. Niane
6. Coumba Xaliss
7. Gainde
8. Xamlene
9. Yaye Boye
10. Banna
11. Diaraf
12. Douweye

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Omar Pene   Primary Artist,Vocals
Super Diamono   Primary Artist
Omar Pene & Super Diamono de Dakar   Primary Artist
Babacar Dieng   Vocals
Maxine Sibley   Saxophone
Doudou Konare   Guitar
Matthew Thurling   Trumpet
Ousmane Sow   Keyboards
Lappa Diagne   Drums
Mada Ba   Vocals
Thio M'Baye   Percussion
Dembel Diop   Guitar (Bass)
Iba Ndiaye   Keyboards

Technical Credits

Ben Findlay   Engineer,Mixing
Omar Pene   Composer
Cheik Mbaye   Sleeve Notes
Jacquie Turner   Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Mike Coulson   Art Direction
Stephen Lovell-Davis   Photography
Super Diamono   Performer
Russell Kearney   Engineer,Producer,Assistant Engineer,Production Assistant
Vince Goodsell   Photography
Thomas Brooman   Series Director
Simon Sleath   Photography
Julie Merrifield   Producer
Peter Walsh   Engineer,Producer
Nick Robertson   Graphic Design
Amanda Jones   Series Director
Tchad Blake   Engineer