Library Rock's Backpages

Manu Dibango: Soul Makossa (Atlantic)

Dan Nooger, Phonograph Record, September 1973

THIS IS the best soul dance record in years. It cuts directly against the grain of most black music today, which strives for that sophisticated, orchestral feel, opting instead for a combination of basic, spare instrumentation and archly slick production. It's the culmination of the Motown Moderne wah-wah move, with all the artsy self-consciousness stripped away from the grits and gravy.

Total word count of piece: 294

Subscribe

Becoming a member is easy. Membership gives you access to all the thousands of articles in the library.

Click here to go to Subscribe page.

Click here for academic and other group subscriptions.