Orchestra Baobab - Reunion: 2000s

Reunion: 2000s

After disbanding in 1987 the group came back together in 2001 with persuasion from Youssou N'Dour and their record label, World Circuit. The popularity of Orchestra Baobab began to decrease during the late 1980s due to the popularization of mbalax, the percussive street style popularised by Youssou N'Dour. During that same year Orchestra Baobab re-release their 1989 album Pirates Choice as a double CD with 6 extra rare tracks and completed a world tour including Europe and America. Most of the original line up reunited to play London’s Barbican Centre in May 2001. Since then Orchestra Baobab has released two records.

In 2002 Orchestra Baobab released Specialist in All Styles which was produced by Senegalese superstar Youssou N'dour with guest appearances by Cuban singer Ibrahim Ferrer and N'dour himself. Ibrahim Ferrer was not an accidental choice: not only had Orchestra Baobab written a song lauding this grand figure of Cuban music (Hommage a Tonton Ferrer), but Ferrer's huge burst of international fame with the Buena Vista Social Club in the 1990s mirrors the resurrection of Baobab. In fact, the original plan for what became the Buena Vista Social Club was organized by British world music producer Nick Gold of World Circuit Records, the same man who re-released Pirates Choice.

Orchestra Baobab gained attention from American media in 2003 when musicians Trey Anastasio and Dave Matthews filmed a documentary named Trey and Dave go to Africa which aired on VH1. The two visited Senegal and performed with Orchestra Baobab during the program.

Orchestra Baobab performed at Live 8 in Johannesburg, a series of concerts to end poverty.

In October 2007 Orchestra Baobab released the album Made in Dakar on World Circuit Records, leading commentators to claim that Baobab had reclaimed their place as pioneers of African Pop.

In May 2009 the band released "La Belle Epoque", a double-album of unearthed recordings dating from the 1970s. The package included a biography by Radio France Internationale journalist Pierre René-Worms, focusing on the early years before the group split. Volume 1 comprises recordings made at Club Baobab, Dakar, in 1971, 1973 and 1976; volume 2 includes original recordings made in 1978 for the album Baobab à Paris, their first European recordings. There are also original versions of Sibam and El Son te llama, written by Medoune Diallo, On verra ça by Balla Sidibé.