Orchestra Baobab Returns With Made in Senegal

A major chapter in Senegalese music has opened again. Orchestra Baobab have released Made in Senegal, their first studio album in nine years. The Orchestra Baobab Made in Senegal project brings the veteran group back with 12 tracks recorded in Dakar.

A new album after nine years

The album follows the group’s 2017 release, Tribute to Ndiouga Dieng. Made in Senegal, it was recorded at La Boutique studio in Dakar. It arrives through Madoky Music, with Strut Records handling international licensing.

The project combines new compositions with reworked material from the band’s catalogue. Its themes include heritage, love, resilience, and cultural identity. That mix gives the album a strong connection to the group’s history and its home country.

One of the featured songs, “Togne Bakhoul,” was composed by the late vocalist Rudy Gomis as a tribute to his wife. “Tioro Bye Samba” revisits a song first recorded by Senegalese singer Thione Seck. Meanwhile, “Casamance” honors the southern region connected to several orchestra members.

The sound and history of Orchestra Baobab

Orchestra Baobab formed more than five decades ago as the resident band at Dakar’s Baobab Club. Over time, the group developed a sound shaped by Afro-Cuban rhythms, Wolof griot traditions, mbalax, Congolese rumba, and jazz.

That blend helped make the band one of Senegal’s best-known musical exports. Its sound carries a strong sense of place while remaining open to influences from across the Atlantic. The new album continues that musical conversation.

The group has also faced the loss of founding members over the years. Its current line-up brings together veteran musicians, younger performers, and relatives of former members. Their work helps keep the orchestra’s musical identity active for a new generation.

Why “Made in Senegal” matters

View this post on Instagram

The album is more than a return to recording. It is a statement about continuity. By recording in Dakar and drawing on its own catalogue, the band keeps its roots close while presenting its music to international listeners.

The project is also a reminder that African music history stretches far beyond current chart trends. Groups such as Orchestra Baobab helped shape sounds that continue to influence artists today. Their return gives listeners a chance to connect with that legacy.

Made in Senegal is available digitally and in physical formats, including vinyl and CD. AfrobeatsGlobal will continue highlighting African releases that connect musical heritage with the present.

Have you listened to Made in Senegal? Tell us which track caught your attention and follow AfrobeatsGlobal for more stories from across African music.