• 
  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 >>

Kwabena Onyima is a mostly unsung hero of West African pop music, stunningly revealed here in 26 short, snappy singles from his native Ghana in the '50s, '60s, and '70s. The sound is neat and simple---acoustic guitar, bass, hand percussion (including shaker, struck bottle, and a single hand drum), and a spot-on vocal chorus backing Onyima's lead. Onyima's takes on the styles of his day are as delightful as they are fascinating. His "swing" is convincing, although his "blues" sounds more like a gentle reflection of '50s doo-wop, and his "calypso," "mambo," and "cha cha" all bear the rolling lilt of his principle sound: highlife. This was the era when dominant seventh and diminished chords came into the Ghanaian sound, and the music is greatly enriched both by quirky guitar cadences, and also rich vocal arranging that goes far beyond the straight, pretty harmonies we associate with African church choirs, or even the sweet rumba harmonies emanating from the Congo during this same period. This irresistible collection is a must for anyone interested in the roots of African pop, or anyone who loves folksy, danceable pop music from anywhere.
Contributed by Banning Eyre
Originally published in: Boston Phoenix