Dieuf-Dieul de Thiès was formed in 1979 in Thiès, Senegal, by members of Ouza et Ses Ouzettes. However, the band officially launched in 1980.
Quickly gaining a substantial following in Thiès, they performed at venues like the Gorom and the Gandiol club. During this period, the group expanded and refined their performance standards. The band consisted of Pape Seck (guitar), Cheikh Ndiaye (drums), Ibou Diallo (bass), Doudou Leo (rhythm guitar), El Hadji Diouf (percussion), El Hadji Ngom (percussion), Gora Mbaye (vocals), and Bassirou Sarr (vocals), the youngest member who was still in school.
As their popularity grew, the band decided to tour outside their hometown, traveling to the Gambia and surrounding areas. They spent time in Kolda, where they met Assane Camara (vocals), who joined the group. After completing the tour, they returned to Thiès and resumed their activities.
The three vocalists, Assane Camara, Gora Mbaye, and Bassirou Sarr, along with musical director and guitarist Pape Seck, composed music that combined traditional Senegalese rhythms with fuzz guitars, horn sections, and intricate percussion. This fusion resulted in a distinctive electric psychedelic sound that combined Afro-Manding and Afro-Jazz influences, reflecting their diverse cultural backgrounds. They quickly achieved significant success in Thiès and Dakar but disbanded after four years without releasing their recordings.
In 2013, Teranga Beat label discovered these recordings and released a first volume, re-forming the group with three original members and six new musicians. Despite a 32-year gap, their sound remained innovative.
In 2017, WAX organized the band’s first European tours. In 2019, WAX traveled to Senegal to record the band’s first studio album, using 160 kg of analog equipment to capture the essence of their golden era. This album was released in 2024 by Buda Musique.
Dieuf-Dieul de Thiès is one of the last active groups from the late 1970s’ African amplified orchestras. Both in recordings and live performances, their music features a dynamic mix of fuzz guitars, brass, and percussion, creating a powerful psychedelic experience.
The lineup in 2024 included Bass Sarr on Co-founder, Lead Vocal, maracas; Alassane Cisse on bass guitar (Cheick Lo, Orchestre National du Sénégal); Matar Dieng on timpani, cow bell, percussion; Pape M’ Baye on conga, sabar, tamani, percussion; Wilfried Zinsou on trombone, saxophone (Orchestra Baobab, Youssou N’Dour, Cheikh Lo, Xalam); Raymond Mendy on guitar; Magaye Gueye on lead guitar (Laas, The Bongo Hop).
Partial Discography:
Aw Sa Yone Vol. 1 (Teranga Beat, 2013)
Aw Sa Yone Vol. 2 (Teranga Beat, 2015)
Orchestra Les Mangelepa / Dieuf-Dieul De Thiès – Live In Hertme 2 (Very Open Jazz Records, 2018)
Dieuf-Dieul De Thies (Buda Musique, 2023)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.