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
-
Pro-Ject Phono Box DC Pre-Amp
Compact, high-performance phono preamplifier for both MM and MC cartridges, delivering a clean, detailed signal with minimal noise.
-
Vevor Ultrasonic Cleaner
Thoroughly clean and restore your vinyl records, removing dust, dirt, and grime from every groove without damaging the surface
-
Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge
Features an elliptical stylus that accurately tracks the grooves of vinyl records, delivering a rich, detailed sound with an output voltage of 5.5 mV
-
Nobsound Little Bear T7 Tube Preamp
Delivers rich, warm audio through its high-quality vacuum tubes, featuring multiple inputs and adjustable gain
-
HumminGuru: Ultrasonic Vinyl Record Cleaner
Advanced ultrasonic technology with customizable cleaning cycles and a large tank capacity to thoroughly remove dust, dirt, and contaminants
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Ludovico Einaudi & Leo Einaudi Einaudi V Einaudi
Decca UK
October 24, 2025 -
Ruel Kicking My Feet (Red)
Giant Music
October 17, 2025 -
Soulwax All Systems Are Lying [2xLP]
Because Music
October 17, 2025 -
Modern Nature The Heat Warps
Bella Union
September 26, 2025 -
Greywind Severed Heart City
Frontiers New Recordings Physical Only
September 19, 2025 -
Original Broadway Cast of Just In Time Jonathan Groff Just In Time
Atlantic
November 28, 2025 -
Cut Copy Moments
Cut Copy Touring Pty Ltd
October 3, 2025 -
Bon Jovi Forever (Legendary Edition) [2xLP]
Island
October 24, 2025 -
Elton John Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy (50th Anniversary Multicolor) [2xLP]
Mercury
October 24, 2025 -
KAROL G Tropicoqueta (Tropical Blue) [2xLP]
Bichota Records/Interscope
September 26, 2025 -
Carter Faith Cherry Valley [2xLP]
Mca Nashville
October 3, 2025 -
Tame Impala Deadbeat [2xLP]
Columbia Records Group
October 17, 2025 -
Sabaton Legends (Amazon Exclusive Edition)
Better Noise Music
October 17, 2025 -
Olivia Rodrigo Live From Glastonbury _ A BBC Recording (Light Blue/Cobalt) [2xLP]
Geffen
December 5, 2025