Le Sahel Revival in Dakar!!! (ephemeral 70's band from Senegal)

This is a very special post as something big is happening in Dakar right now... The mythic band Le Sahel will play live again next this week.

Le Sahel, named from the club they were playing during the mid 70s, was composed by master musicians and mixed latin rhythms and sabar, giving birth to a unique senegalese style.

After more than 30 years, Dakar based label Teranga Beat, released some of 70s recordings from Idrissa Diop and Cheikh Tidiane Tall (including some never edited tracks!), and is now bringing this band back to life.

Original band musicians playing this week:

Idrissa Diop: vocals
Chekh Tall: keyboard
Thierno Koite: sax
Additional musicians:

Wilfried Zinsou: trombone 

Augustin N'Dione (Cheikh M'Backe): tumba

Serigne Mattar Dieng: drums

Abdoul Aziz N'Diaye: guitar

Ousman Diaw: bass

Marieme Fall: chorist

Le Sahel - Caridad:


From the album Bamba (MUSICLUB, 1975)

Cheikh Tidiane Tall: guitar, keyboard
Seydina Ihsa Wade: guitar
Willy Sakho: bass
Djiguy Diabate: drums
Alassane N'doye: conga
Thierno Koite: sax, flute
Emmanuel Batta: trombone
Jean N'Diaye: trumpet
Papa Djiby Ba: vocals, guiro
Rene Cabral: vocals

Number One du Senegal - lii numuy nuru (1980)

"Objectif 2000" corresponds to a session providing 2 albums, both excellent. Recording took place at Club Sahel in Dakar, assured by Papa Sene and Yakhya Fall. This may be one of the most accomplished recordings in Senegalese discography, Number One and his master musicians being at the top of their art. 

Number One - Lii Numuy Nuru:


Number One's musicians for this recording session:

Vocals: Papa Seck, Doudou Sow, Mar Seck, Magatte N'diaye, Malick Hann

Horns: Aly Penda (tr), Paja Diop (a sx), Paja Seck (t sx)

Drums: Alioune Diallo (dr), Amadou Madani Tall (tumba), Mamane Fall (tama)

Guitars: yakhya Fall (solo), Babacar Fall (acc), Moustapha Ndiaye (b)

Recording took place at Club Sahel, assured by Papa Sene and Yakhya Fall.