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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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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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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.
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Zieti:
Zemelewa
Eclectic blend of Afro-infused pop out of Cote d'Ivoire.
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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.
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Cheikh Lo:
Jamm
The unique Senegalese singer and multi-instrumentalist crafts an eclectically excellent record.
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David Rudder:
Random Notes
Calypsonian David Rudder returns with an album that covers various styles with excellent results.
All Reviews >>
Hukwe Zawose
Chibite
Real World, 1996
African roots enthusiasts who have yet to discover this veteran master of Tanzanian ilimba (thumb piano) could hardly ask for a better introduction. The deep, gong-like resonance and loping swing of Zawose's thumb piano grooves invite comparisons with neighboring Zimbabwe's Shona music masters, including their pop icon Thomas Mapfumo, but the rich, crying vocal harmonies that accompany many of these all-acoustic tunes also recall the more familiar folkiness of music from Madagascar. With flutes, a violin, and ringing percussion worked into the mix, these 10 seductive tracks can also approach the hocketing, gonzo spell of Central African pygmee singing. But enough comparisons. For all the resonnances, Zawose has a sound of his own, sweetly mysterious, moody, revelatory. With all today's releases that sell notions of trance and spirituality cheap, here is genuine music of the soul, simply recorded, simply presented, simply spectacular.
Contributed by
Banning Eyre Originally published in: Boston Phoenix