1977, Paris France, Ismaïl and Sixu Touré, two brothers freshly arrived from the Casamance, the Senegalese ‘Florida’, are living the tough life of immigrants trying to find a place in the Western sun. Their plan: becoming pop stars. A challenge so big it sounds like science fiction at the time: Bob Marley and Fela Kuti are in the rise, but it’s still very early stage for the rise of the Pan-African sound popularity. In between stints in prison and immigrant shelters hopping, the brothers have formed a band, written some songs, and start frequently playing their music live at an underground theatre called the Dunois in the 13th Parisian district. The hype starts spreading. A TV crew captures the scene. Right place, right time: a legendary band is born, which will later be called Toure Kunda. 40 years of glorious career will follow: 16 albums released, millions of records sold, numerous world tours, and collabs with the likes of Manu Dibango, Talking Heads, Carlos Santana, Bill Laswell, Alpha Blondy, Bernie Worrel etc. Released in 1979, self-financed by borrowing money to friends and allies, Mandinka Dong - The Mandinke Dance - is the genesis of Toure Kunda. It’s the cornerstone of their unique sound, a crossroad of Disco, Funk, Pop, Reggae, Portuguese, Guinean, Cuban, Zairean, Mandinke and Soninke music. It’s mind-blowing that such an historic recording was hardly available for decades. The original vinyl pressing was comprised of 700 copies, very hard to find in decent condition. A bad sounding digital copy of the album started circulating in recent years, not doing justice to the rich analog sound of the recording. It is an honor for Secousse and Hot Mule Records to present a complete reissue of Mandinka Dong, faithfully restored and remastered, in both vinyl and digital format.