• 
  KG Omulo: Ayah Ye!: Moving Train
  
  A synergy of funk, rock, reggae and traditional African sounds from this inventive, young singer/songwriter.
• 
  Various Artists: Chief Boima Presents: Lone Stars - Hipco and Gbema
  
  
• 
  Mamadou Diabaté: Courage
  
  Mamadou Diabate, the kora master, takes a fresh look at Mali instrumental music with his new CD Courage.
• 
  Various Artists: The Kankobela of the Batonga, Vol. 2
  
  Mysterious melodies from a disappearing thumb piano tradition of Southern Africa.
• 
  Kiran Ahluwalia: Aam Zameen: Common Ground
  
  Indo-Canadian Songwriter Combines Folk Poetry with African Rock, Jazz and more
• 
  M.anifest: Immigrant Chronicles: Coming to America
  
  
• 
  Sona Jobarteh: FASIYA
  
  West African female kora virtuoso releases an album full of grace, warmth, and passion.
• 
  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.
• 
  Tinariwen: Tassili
  
  Touareg desert legends return with an offering that is meandering, sorrowful and proud.
• 
  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 Godfather of Nubian music died at 72 in June 2002. Happily, he managed to get in a final, timeless recording, one of few available from the fabled Nubian territory now flooded by Lake Nasser in Egypt and Sudan. Kuban started out as wedding band singer in Cairo. He upset purists and became a legend when he introduced Western instruments like saxophone, trombone, accordion and guitar alongside Nubian percussion and girba (bagpipes). A harmonica even wheedles its way through a number of these 13 tracks, lending an occasional blues jam feel that really works. Bibi Hammond's bass playing really drives this album, getting funky on "Kobana," and galloping through up-tempo Nubian wedding rhythms on "Eshmana" and others. "Adeele" has a village feel with its 6/8 rhythm and prominent percussion. It's a call for emigrants not to stay away too long. Kuban's voice is a tad creaky, but still strong, and as a parting gift, he uses his exceptional band to highlight younger voices, notably Salwa Abou Gerisha, who shines on "Malu Malu" a cheerful tease from young to old--"Why are your jealous of our love?" Authenticity and modernity don't quarrel at all here, and one senses the chemistry of a well-seasoned band on every track.

Kuban's use of woodwinds and horns is especially satisfying. On "Sanose" ("It's Japanese) Kuban blends a Japanese folk tune with a trancey Nubian beat and a sinewy counter melody from his classic, reedy horn section. "Gammal" ("Camel Driver") a traditional Bedouin song that opens and closes the set has an especially haunting beauty. One can hardly imagine a more apt coda for a remarkable musical life.

Contributed by Banning Eyre for www.afropop.org