Feeling Whole Again: Orchestra Baobab

ORCHESTRA BAOBAB IS the embodiment of pan-African ideology. The 11-piece Senegalese group of mixed ethnic heritage formed in Dakar in 1970, combining Cuban grooves with African guitar lines, jazzy saxophone and Wolof-language vocals.

The band was popular in Senegal throughout the '70s, but when the funkier mbalax sound swept through Dakar in the '80s, Baobab suddenly sounded old hat. It broke up in 1987. But World Circuit's 2001 re-release of the group's 1982 album, "Pirates Choice," introduced the band to a whole new audience, which clamored for a Baobab reunion. The entire classic lineup — minus vocalist Laye Mboup, who died in a 1974 car crash — joined forces again and received wide acclaim.

After extensive touring, Baobab went into the studio and made 2002's "Specialist in All Styles," which was produced by Youssou N'dour — and sounds just like the Baobab of old. It's no surprise, according to guitarist Latfi Benjeloum.

"The style is the style of Baobab; it's something we've worked on for a long, long time," he said.

Baobab's latest CD, "Made in Dakar," continues the group's hip-swaying mastery of sultry Afro-Cuban dance-pop — with one specific difference.

"[With 'Dakar'], we tried to make it [sound] live, exactly like we used to play it in clubs," Latfi said. "'Made in Dakar' is something special to us. We wanted to show all the fans that we're deep down in our roots."

Some fans seem to think the members of Baobab were in some way "rescued" when the band re-formed, but Benjeloum disputes this romantic notion.

"I had my own band in Dakar," he said. "We were not suffering; we were playing and enjoying ourselves."

But there's no denying that Benjeloum and Baobab are taking much pleasure from the reunion.

"It was a dream. When you're young, when you listen to other musicians, when you see the concerts they do in big towns, when you're young [and not doing it], you feel like you're losing [out on] something," he said.

"We're actually now 50, 60 years [old], and the Lord has given us the grace to do this thing."

» Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Thu., 7:30 p.m., $37.50; 800-551-7328.

Photo courtesy World Circuit