Manu Dibango: King Makossa

A crowd of 40,000 at Yankee Stadium, and 35,000 more in Madison Square Garden joined with Manu Dibango on a unique soul trip, as he united Africa, Europe and the U.S.A. with his monumental hit “Soul Makossa.” 

Rising from his humble beginnings to become one of Africa’s most celebrated musicians, World Music & Jazz saxophonist Manu Dibango became celebrated for his distinct amalgamation of Jazz and Funk with the tradition music of his native Cameroon and the rhythms of Africa.  

“If African superstar Manu Dibango is anything like his music, he must be a very happy man… his compositions and arranging present a colourful patchwork of influences, from Stax-derived guitar riffs to cantering calypso shuffles, classic R&B horn lines to bebop rhythms and sassy American funk.”                                                                                                                                                                              –The Guardian, U.K.

While studying in Paris, Dibango become exposed to a wealth of music and art not accessible in Cameroon. His heart became enthralled with Jazz, and he soon began playing music that combined sounds of his homeland with the Western styles of American Jazz artists such as Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker. Categorized as everything from Afro-Jazz to World Music to Afro-beat to Makossa to Reggae, Dibango created his unique sound by embracing the musical spectrum.

 “(Dibango) in parallel with contemporary greats like Hugh Masekela and Fela Kuti, created something that wasn't there before- a modern African pop that reflected not just the continent’s blossoming into urban areas but its increasing conjunction with machinery that distributes popular culture around the globe.”                                                                                                         -  Gene Santoro, From his essay “Afropop Avatar”

V.I.E.W. brings you this exclusive concert DVD, recorded live at the height of his musical prowess in 1981 from Belgium. Manu Dibango is the godfather of the African adaptation of Jazz and R & B music, as well as an inspiration to his continent, and the purveyor of a truly original sound admired the world over.

Song Selection: 
- Soul Makossa
- Marabout
- Bokilo Boogie
- Ma Marie
- Manu’s Rhythm
- Waka Juju
- Mangabolo

DVD Bonus Features:
- Manu Dibango Biography
- Digitally Remastered Audio & Video
- Digital Dolby Stereo Audio
- Instant Access to Songs