10 May Manu Dibango at Ronnie Scott's, London | Live Review
Best known for his much-sampled dance floor funk bomb “Soul Makossa" [that Michael Jackson got sued for unauthorized use of in “Wanna Be Starting Something"], Manu Dibango is among a small illustrious group of musicians who’ve managed to sustain their career into a fifth decade. The Cameroonian saxophonist and vibraphone player blends Afrobeat, jazz and funk together for an original sound - which we heard in all its brilliance in London on May 4th; the second of a sold out three night stand at the legendary music institution Ronnie Scott’s.
Live showcases come two a penny in London and are often a hit-and-miss affair. Thus it’s always a relief to stumble across up and coming acts who set such high standards that they leave the rest lagging behind. These discoveries are motivation enough to keep going to such events. Last Wednesday at the Troubadour Club, South-West London was a case in point.
I went with the intention of watching singer-songwriter U’mau perform some new material with her terrific band-and she did not disappoint. I didn’t bargain, however, on the room-silencing talents of composer, pianist and vocalist