Dexter Johnson & Superstar De Dakar

𝘼 𝙘𝙧𝙪𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙙𝙤𝙘𝙪𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙡’𝙨 1970𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙗 𝙨𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙚, 𝙇𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝘼 𝙇’𝙀́𝙩𝙤𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝘿𝙚𝙭𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙅𝙤𝙝𝙣𝙨𝙤𝙣 & 𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧 𝙙𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙠𝙖𝙧 𝙖𝙩 𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧.

Recorded in 1970 at the iconic L’Étoile club in Dakar, this session showcases the high-energy fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms, mbalax and jazz that made Dexter Johnson a key figure in the region’s post-independence music explosion. Known for his tenor sax mastery and sharp arrangements, Johnson leads his group through extended, hypnotic performances designed for dancers and long nights.

The tapes were preserved by producer and bandleader Abdoulaye Diagne and restored by Teranga Beat for this release. The sound is raw and direct, giving a rare glimpse into the city’s vibrant nightlife at the time, just before the rise of Orchestra Baobab and Étoile de Dakar.

This is not just a reissue—it’s a window into the roots of Senegal’s dancefloor sound, powered by live horns, percussion, and deep groove. Essential listening for fans of West African big band music and Afro-Latin fusion.