Those who've been to Gambia or Senegal will recognize it immediately. It is a kind of music that blends traditional instruments from Western Africa with guitars, trumpets, and electronic music (for a history of the genre, see here). Its main trait is that very busy rythm so hard to get rid of. In Dakar it's everywhere: markets, bars, night clubs, cabs. Many, specially women, dance it wherever they are, moving according to the last fade in mbalax dancing -- even for this there are trends. The music is said to be primarily Wolof, but it seems to me that it is now everyone's music, thanks to, among others, Youssou N'Dour, Titi, Thione Seck, Ismaël Lô, Omar Pene o Coumba Gawlo Seck. Most of these musicians are from minority ethnic groups (= not wolof).
During my brief stay in Senegal, *the* move of the season was a lateral 2-step. You can see a practical example in the video below, made for the song Maana by Fallou Dieng. I have lost track of how many times I have danced this song trying to emulate the women around me (the results were always disapointing). But, together with this elegant and somehow arrogant move, one always finds a more traditional dancing style. A serer friend called it "the ass-breaker dance" for reasons that will become evident after watching that video (pay attention after minute 3).
Yes, this is what a posh nightclub in Dakar looks like a saturday night. However, and from my very humble point of view, what really caught my attention was to see women with their long skirts dancing Mbalax "sabar style" (sabar is, at the same time, an instrument, a kind of music, and a dancing style). Want to see what I am talking about? The video below, made by a Dutch student, explains a bit the whats, whos and whys of sabar.
And, in case someone still wants more music, below you will find a version of No Woman, no Cry by Titi.
More!? Two recommendations: Femme Objet by Coumba Gawlo or a more "western" tune by Yossou Ndour, here. Dancing time!! :o)
PS: If you see any mistakes in this entry, please let me know. I'm trying to learn more about mbalax :o)
