Specialist in All Styles

Comeback albums can be disastrous, but Specialist in All Styles proves a happy exception to that unfortunate music-industry rule. In the 20 years since the uniquely multi-ethnic Orchestra Baobab made their last album, their members have been scattered throughout Senegal and other parts of West Africa. Their inimitable guitarist Barthélemy Attisso was making a living as a lawyer in Togo. Talk about a waste of talent! Back in his rightful profession, he has lost none of his trademark fluid elegance. The other great instrumentalist who gave such a distinctive flavour to their languid Afro-Latin grooves was tenor saxophonist Issa Cissokho. Both are back in the fold along with most of the original regular members, including five vocalists. Over half the songs have appeared on the band's previous international releases. Some, such as "Bul Ma Mine", "Gnawe" and "On Verra Ça", are fairly faithful, lovingly crafted updates. In contrast, the classic "Utru Horas" reappears as "Hommage à Tonton Ferrer", featuring guest vocals from Ibrahim Ferrer and Youssou N'Dour and the coda from Africando's fabulous bolero "Gouye Gui", presumably a nod to singer Medoune Diallo's membership of both bands. There are also old hits, such as "Sutukun" and "Dee Moo Wor", which will only be familiar to their Senegalese fan base, and only a little new material, but wallowing in nostalgia has seldom sounded sweeter.