Live Paris-Ziguinchor – Touré Kunda, 1984

🇸🇳 🎸 🌍 🎶 🏆 In 1984, Live Paris – Ziguinchor introduced Touré Kunda to the wider public. Already their fourth album, released by Celluloid—the label that had supported them from the start—it features their greatest hits, from Sambala to E’mma, including Salya and Baouane. On bass, the Martinican Roger Dru stands out. This album also marks the Touré brothers’ return to Africa, having already achieved success touring in Paris for several years. Travelling in their mobile stage truck, they crossed Senegal from north to south, culminating in a triumphant homecoming in Ziguinchor, their native village. The album was certified Gold and left an indelible memory for all the musicians involved. Touré Kunda opened the floodgates to what would later be called « world music » (what an unfortunate term!), sweeping across Europe in the following years. I don’t know about you, but I wore that record out at parties when it came out—the brothers’ afro-reggae, the discovery of Senegalese percussion… a whole new world unfolding.