Passionate, legendary and feverishly played music from Senegal's great Etoile De Dakar – an ultra important group previously anthologized by Sterns, but the the label outdoes itself once again – a great selection of material the group recorded between 1979 and 1981! It's the roots of the mbalax genre – a cross cultural blend of African, Latin and Western influences and traditions that's some of the most captivating dance music made in any region these past few decades. Singer Youssou N'Dour would of course go on to be a pivotal figure in the worldwide popularily of African music, and other members of Etoile De Dakar have done great things, but the music here is as exciting to us as just about anything we've heard by all involved. Several tracks have never been officially released outside of Senegal before now. Disc 1 features material from 1979-1980: "Theily", "Dom Sou Nare Bakh", "Esta China", "Jalo", "Dagotte", "Dounya", "Kine Kine" and more. Disc 2 features material from 1980-1981: "Tolou Badou N'Diaye", "Yalaye Dogal", "My Wa Wa", "Diankha Demal", "Titeur", "Maleo" and more. 2 1/2 hours of music in all with the always exceptional Sterns attention to detail and reverence for this excellent and stylistically pioneering music from Senegal – with a 23 page booklet with solid notes and rare photographs. CD

Amazing work from the Senegalese scene of the 70s – easily one of the hippest musical hotspots on the African continent at the time, as you'll hear by the wonderful tracks on this set! Senegalese groups really embrace a wide range of sounds – not just traditional elements, or occasional influences from American blues and soul, but also a good dose of Latin and Cuban music too – all wrapped together in uniquely different ways by each of the different artists in this set. There's a bit more diversity to the music here than on other regional collections, and that's what makes this one so great – a truly wonderful entry in the well-named African Pearls series, supported with full notes in English and French. Titles include "Hombre Misteriosoy" by Etoile De Dakar, "Senegambia" by Star Band De Dakar, "Xarit" by Orchestra Baobab, "Guethe" by Star Band De Dakar, "Faran Tamba" by Star Number One, "Daida" by Xalam, "Rele Te Contan" by Guelawar, "Nijaay" by Orchestra Baobob, "Maaduleen" by Super Diamono De Dakar, "Boubou Ngary" by Etoile 2000, "Xal Dey Mag" by Ifang Bondi, "Xadim" by N'Guewel, and "Kery Goro" by Star Number One. CD

Music from Etoile De Dakar, Thione Seck, Ousmane Kouyate, Youssou N'Dour, Orchestra Baobab, Keletigui Et Ses Tambourinis, 22 Band, Super Diamono, Rail Band, Aminata Fall, Super Mama Djombo, and Balla Et Ses Balladins. CD