Overview: Celebrating their 50th Anniversary in 2020, the legendary Orchestra Baobab issue their landmark 2002 reunion album for the first time on vinyl. Adored both at home in Senegal and across the world, Baobab occupy a special place in the history of African music. Their unique and uplifting Afro-Latin hybrid owes everything to the cosmopolitan nature of the band who take influences from all around Senegal as well as Mali, Nigeria, Togo, Guinea, Guinea Bissau and beyond. ‘Specialist’ was the first album by the full group since 1982’s legendary ‘Pirates Choice’, a holy grail for African music fans. Recorded live at London’s Livingston Studios in just ten days and produced by Nick Gold with Youssou N’Dour, ‘Specialist In All Styles’ is a milestone in African music - an inspired, diverse and entirely contemporary take on Baobab’s original Afro-Latin magic, introducing new material and reinventing some of the old tunes that made them legends. Baobab are blessed with a sublime rhythm section and two of the most distinctive sounds in African music, Barthélemy Attisso’s extraordinary guitar and Issa Cissokho’s atmospheric sax. But what also makes the band unique is its five lead singers, all with their own contrasting but complementary styles. The vocal team is expanded on ‘Hommage à Tonton Ferrer’ by special guests Buena Vista Social Club star Ibrahim Ferrer and by Youssou N’Dour himself.
Release date:
September 25, 2020
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Technics SL-1500C Turntable
Features a direct-drive motor, a high-precision tonearm, and a premium MM cartridge, delivering exceptional sound quality
-
Vinyl Care - Top Picks
A selection of accesories to keep your turntable equipment & vinyl records in the best shape
-
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO
Featuring a one-piece carbon fiber tonearm, precision-tuned motor, and a heavy steel platter with TPE damping, it ensures superior stability and sound quality.
-
Phono Preamps - Top Picks
A selection of the best phono preamps for your turntable setup
-
Vevor Ultrasonic Cleaner
Thoroughly clean and restore your vinyl records, removing dust, dirt, and grime from every groove without damaging the surface
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Florence + The Machine How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful (Blue Marble) [2xLP]
Republic Records
August 29, 2025 -
Rhys Fulber Memory Impulse Autonomy
Artoffact Records
September 12, 2025 -
Borracho Ouroboros
Ripple Music
August 8, 2025 -
Gatlin The Eldest Daughter
Dualtone Music Group
October 3, 2025 -
Eli Young Band Strange Hours
UnLevel Records
August 1, 2025 -
The Warriors Burn Yourself Alive
Pure Noise Records
September 26, 2025 -
Manegarm Edsvuren
Napalm Records
August 29, 2025 -
Wayne Shorter The Soothsayer (Blue Note Classic Edition)
Blue Note
August 15, 2025 -
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard King Gizzard (Live In Las Vegas '24; Triple Splatter) [3xLP]
Reverberation Appreciation Soc
August 22, 2025 -
Superchunk Songs In The Key Of Yikes
Merge Records
August 22, 2025 -
Real Estate THe Wee Small Hours: B-Sides And Other Detritus 2011-2025
Domino Record Co
September 19, 2025 -
John Fogerty Legacy: the Creedence Clearwater Revival years [2xLP]
Concord Records
August 22, 2025 -
Laufey A Matter of Time
Laufey LLC
August 22, 2025 -
THROATCUT. RESILIENCE. (Red/Black Marbled)
Arising Empire
August 8, 2025