• 
  KG Omulo: Ayah Ye!: Moving Train
  
  A synergy of funk, rock, reggae and traditional African sounds from this inventive, young singer/songwriter.
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  Various Artists: Chief Boima Presents: Lone Stars - Hipco and Gbema
  
  
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  Mamadou Diabaté: Courage
  
  Mamadou Diabate, the kora master, takes a fresh look at Mali instrumental music with his new CD Courage.
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  Various Artists: The Kankobela of the Batonga, Vol. 2
  
  Mysterious melodies from a disappearing thumb piano tradition of Southern Africa.
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  Kiran Ahluwalia: Aam Zameen: Common Ground
  
  Indo-Canadian Songwriter Combines Folk Poetry with African Rock, Jazz and more
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  M.anifest: Immigrant Chronicles: Coming to America
  
  
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  Sona Jobarteh: FASIYA
  
  West African female kora virtuoso releases an album full of grace, warmth, and passion.
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  Sia Tolno: My Life
  
  Kissi singer releases a strong second album full of pop-infused star power over songs of strife and triumph.
• 
  Zieti: Zemelewa
  
  Eclectic blend of Afro-infused pop out of Cote d'Ivoire.
• 
  Guelewar: Halleli N Dakarou
  
  Re-released and remastered live CD from this 80's experimental Senegambian outfit.
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  Tinariwen: Tassili
  
  Touareg desert legends return with an offering that is meandering, sorrowful and proud.
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  Los Rakas: Chancletas y Camisetas Bordada
  
  Oakland/Panamanian rappers -call it "Panabay"-- return with good results.
• 
  Cheikh Lo: Jamm
  
  The unique Senegalese singer and multi-instrumentalist crafts an eclectically excellent record.
• 
  David Rudder: Random Notes
  
  Calypsonian David Rudder returns with an album that covers various styles with excellent results.

All Reviews >>

The album that got two songs banned on Zimbabwe national radio is also a musical standout. Recorded partly in Eugene, Oregon, and partly in Harare, these 12 songs span from deep roots mbira pop ("Chisi" and "Zvitapera") to quasi-reggae ("Disaster" and "Musanyepe") to Mapfumo's buoyant 3-chord afropop ("Kune Rima" and "Mamvemve"). There's also a remake of the 1980s hit love song "Kariba" and a venture into a sound close to classic South African mbaqanga, "Moto Uyo." The political messages in "Disaster" and "Mamvemve"--which means "Tatters"--raised official hackles in the Zimbabwe government, but the choice was somewhat arbitrary. This album is loaded political undertones and with a general sense that people are ready for change. The soulful, concluding track "Zvitapera" is a traditional number, but its words provide the perfect example: "When will it end?"
Contributed by Banning Eyre