Manu Dibango's record cover to Soul Makossa

Manu Dibango - Soul Makossa (Weekly Music Roundup)

Gig Alerts | Mar 31, 2020

Manu Dibango - Soul Makossa (Weekly Music Roundup) 

Last week the music world lost a fascinating figure when the Cameroonian sax player Manu Dibango died at 86 after contracting COVID-19. Michael Jackson and Rihanna both quoted from this Manu Dibango song, called "Soul Makossa." And it was responsible for a singular moment in music history back in the summer of 1973, when Dibango’s 1972 song suddenly caught fire on American radio. But because he was so unknown, dozens of bands rushed out cover versions of the song, and two different versions were in the top 10 at once. "Soul Makossa," by the late Manu Dibango was one of the 70s' most unlikely hits, and it's part of the Weekly Music Roundup.

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