King Makossa captures World Music & Jazz Saxophonist Manu Dibango live, showcasing the blend of African rhythms, jazz improvisation, funk grooves, and soulful saxophone that made him an international icon. Recorded live in Belgium in 1981, the album captures the excitement, spontaneity, and rhythmic energy that defined Dibango’s live performances.
Best known for his worldwide hit “Soul Makossa,” with the iconic refrain “ma-ma-ko, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-sa,” Dibango helped introduce African popular music to audiences around the globe. Drawing from the traditions of his native Cameroon, while embracing jazz, funk, and R&B, he created a musical language that was entirely his own.
Throughout King Makossa, layered percussion, infectious grooves, expressive saxophone lines, and dynamic ensemble playing drive the music forward. Tracks unfold with a natural momentum, balancing danceable energy with the spontaneity of live performance and improvisation.
More than four decades later, King Makossa remains a vibrant portrait of Manu Dibango as performer, innovator, and one of the most influential voices in African music.
Song Selection:
- Soul Makossa – 02:55
- Marabout – 06:22
- Bokilo Boogie, Part 1 – 04:06
- Bokilo Boogie, Part 2 – 03:20
- Ma Marie – 08:21
- Waku Juju – 07:06
- Mangabolo – 10:20
English 