Donald Dogbo - Ségui Sô (2025) [Official Digital Download 24/48]

We start by saying “Wow, this is very good,” then we listen again, and we come to the conclusion that Ségui sô (“Return to the Roots”) is an exceptional release. This is great, very great organic fusion between jazz, prog, and West Africa (Dogbo the Montrealer is originally from the Ivory Coast). I put Coubli, the previous album (2021), back in my ears to compare. In this one, Dogbo manifests the West African elements of his musical heritage with more presence. Which results in a relatively more typical blend of Afro-pop and jazz. Ségui sô is of a completely different mould. The fusion of the various roots is deeper and more intrinsic, allowing a completely different tree to emerge, and to bear quite unique fruit. Coubli looked more like a very successful grafting exercise, while Ségui sô is a testament to genetic-level coalescence.

An ontologically jazz soul unfolds there, but it is interspersed with streaks of old prog synth, inhabited by groovy and invigorating percussions, which express the immense richness of West African culture, with its polyrhythm and polyphony. Dogbo is omnipresent in the fabric of the twelve-piece program, but he is never overwhelming. It’s just that the power of his expressiveness, based on intimate mastery of jazz, of course, but also of traditional West African expressions or even mbalax, is impossible to ignore. He is the mastermind behind the entire album, the great thinker and leader of the creative discourse.

A discourse that, fortunately, seems intimately approved, integrated by exceptional musicians, including, first and foremost, the protean Housefly on piano, who brings the refined colours that elevate the stylistic narrative beyond stereotypes. Rémi Cormier draws lyrical, often poignant, contours on the trumpet, while the great Djely Tapa takes a few welcome turns on vocals. And even though Dogbo himself would theoretically be enough to ensure the success of any performance, the exciting Elli Miller-Maboungou has been added to the ngomas and bongos. That’s just part of the line-up. The sonic canvas is large, but not Big Band-ish. More atmospheric, sometimes ethereal, and always with rhythmic energy.

In the end, this is one of the most successful and intelligent fusion proposals (jazz, rock, prog, world) of the year.

Tracklist:
01 Adamah (Intro)
02 Adamah
03 Bakulu
04 Atomes
05 Yako #2
06 Ségui Sô
07 Zîrî
08 Fulani
09 Siguî
10 Médina
11 Yélé
12 Bois sacré


Thanks to the Original customer!