Five years after the successful immersion in electro-Afro-jazz of Electric Africa, Manu Dibango continues to explore mixes with « current » music. The formidable Polysonik, released in 1990, oscillated between acid jazz, rap, Afro-funk and roots. Senga Abélé (Listen to the Cameroon Roar!) accompanied the Indomitable Lions’ fine run at the World Cup – they reached the quarter-finals – and was regularly included in the acid jazz selections of the then burgeoning new wave. But there’s a whole album of deep afro groove, vocal harmonies, afro-jazz, makossa and historical messages on the poignant Negriers. As usual, the line-up on the album is exceptional, from Félix Sabal-Lecco, André Manga and Jerry Malekani to Lokua Kanza, Jean-Claude Naimro and Valery Lobé, and of course M.C. Mell’O. The joy is extended the following year with the excellent Live ’91, which covers part of this repertoire – but that’s another story, and we’ll talk about it again later.
Polysonik – Manu Dibango, 1990
