The first disco record? Soul Makossa by Manu Dibango

Joy Retro Disco presents:

Uplifting tunes for your weekend

Could there be a better way to start off the weekend than with the tune that is often credited with being the first disco record in town?? I’d never heard of the 1972 hit, Soul Makossa by Cameroon sax player, Manu Dibango, but it only takes one listen to pick up its influences on disco. The chant “Mama-ko, mama-sa, ma-ka-ma-ko-ssa” sounds uncannily like Michael Jackson’s “mamase, mamasa, mamacoosa” in his 1983 hit Wanna Be Startin Somethin’.

Apparently, Makossa means dance in Duala so get ready for your soul to dance!

Thanks to Neatorama for their disco fun facts.