Africa gets real funky - Manu Dibango - Soul Makossa,1973
The Continent of Africa doesn't seem to get its fair share of the Music Media when it comes to playing of Pop/Dance/Black music.
However, that was to change when this song came out in 1972, which changed everything. The song in question was/is known as "Soul Makossa"
In (March 2015) time I was busy spring cleaning the house down and had the radio on. I was getting through my household chores when the Dj on the radio put on the track in question which generated a smile on my face.
I raced upstairs to my attic, as that's where I still keep all my vinyl records.
This was to see if I had purchased the song.
I had done it, but it was on one of those compilation albums. Not an actual single release.
The song really captivated me and put a spring in my step. As I was cleaning down the House and hearing the track on that radio show. So I have decided to write an article about it.
The music of Funk was being championed by the World's Number One, Soul Brother which was (James Brown); who at that time was conquering the world with this brand of music.
However, the continent of Africa returns the complement itself with this funky groove of its own.
The person in question that created such a single was no other than Emmanuel "Manu" N'Djoké Dibango. (Born 12th December 1933).
He is a Cameroonian saxophonist and vibraphone player, who developed a musical style of fusing jazz, funk, and traditional Cameroonian music.
His father was a member of the Yabassi ethnic group, though his mother was a Duala.
Emmanuel "Manu" N'Djoké Dibangois best known for his 1972 single "Soul Makossa".
The song was composed for the occasion of the 1972 African Nation Cup and become an anthem during the rest of the competition.
However, the Cameroon team got knocked out of the competition, and they become lost for some time.
The song managed to gain mass appeal. This time on a worldwide basis during the year 1972, when the New York legendary Dj, who was David Mancuso.
He found a copy of the track in a West Indian record store based in Brooklyn, New York, USA.
Hearing it himself and falling in love with it. David played it as often as he could during his parties (Loft Parties - in New York City, USA).
The response to the song led to people searching feverously for it, and the few copies that were found were purchased immediately.
Whenever it was dropped on Dance floors in New York, it leads to "dance battles" on dance floors within that city.
Blacks, Italians, Latins, and Whites couldn't get enough of this groove, and all of the wanted to strut their stuff when this monster tune came on.
The song that is "Soul Makossa" eventually got heard by New York's premier Black Radio DJ at the time which was Frankie Crocker.
He was the top Radio/Dj at the time on the station that was WBLS (New York City).
Once Frankie started playing this on his show the song was on everyone's lips.
It is one of the records that has been labeled as one of the first Disco Records ever made.
But for me, it isn't a Disco record itself. For me, it is pure Funk.
However, at the time this type of record could only be heard playing out in a public place within Discos.
In fact, many music critics state that either Barry White or Issac Hayes are probably the ones that made the 1st ever Disco records.
Since its original release was so obscure so many versions came out on a number of different record labels.
Apparently, around 23 different record labels could be found that had their own version of the song!
Such was the demand for the tune.
In 1972, the label called Atlantic Records eventually licensed the original pressing of the song on the French label called Fiesta,
Atlantic Records released the single as a two-song single with the single called "Lily" on the B-side.
The single would peak at #35 on the US BILLBOARD HOT 100chart in 1973; at one point, nine different versions of the song were on the USBillboardHot 100 chart at the same time.
The song would also become an international hit leading to even more cover versions by various groups around the world. (Broughton, Simon; Ellingham, Mark (2000).World Music: The Rough Guide. p. 441.)
Manu Dibango was alsoinvited to join the group known as the Fania All-Stars at a sold-out 1973 concert at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York, USA.
This concert was then recorded into a best-selling album and carried the myth of “Makossa” into Caribbean corners. (A thank you to - JUAN PENA -
Here is a little clip of the concert which features - Manu Dibango and his band at a concert (1973). Please see below.
Excerpt from the 1973 film "Salsa", directed by León Gast and Jerry Masucci. Recorded at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Composition by Manu Dibango and arrangements by Bobby Valentín.
Here below is the poster of the film called "Salsa" - which also featured Manu Dibango, as well a number of other musicians - made in 1973 (supplied to me via the help of - JUAN PENA -
The song gained even more populace in modern times, as the "hook" was used in two songs by two major artists.
These artists are Michael Jackson in his song called "Wanna be starting something" 1993 and Rihanna's "Don't Stop the Music".
The vocal sample or chanted vocal "ma-mako, ma-ma-sa, mako-mako ssa", that is present in Soul Makossa was used within Michael Jackson's -"Wanna be starting something"1993, and Rihanna's "Don't Stop the Music".
Rihanna's use of the Soul Makossa track within her own track sampled the same part of the Michael Jackson song which he used for his own "Wanna be starting something" track.
In 2009, Manu Dibango filed a lawsuit against Rihanna and Michael Jackson claiming that both of them had used the "Hook" - "ma-mako, ma-ma-sa, mako-mako ssa" - without his permission.
Michael Jackson admitted that he borrowed the line and settled the case with Dibango out of Court.
However, when Rihanna asked Michael Jackson if she could use the same hook from his track that is "Wanna be starting something",he approved stating that she could use it without remembering to contact Manu Dibango.
Dibango lawyers took the case to court (Paris Court), demanding 500,000 Euros in damages that should have been paid by Sony BMI, EMI, and Warner until the issue was resolved - http://www.theguardian.com-RihannaandMichael-jackson
As you have been reading there is a lot of history within the song.
But one thing is for sure. It will never die. It's just too funky.
PLEASE READ ABOUT THE DEATH OF MANU DIBANGO DURING THE YEAR OF 2020. PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW.
Well, that's all folks for me now anyway.
Please
Dj Mistri and the Electric Soul Show © www.electricsoulshow.com
