• 
  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 >>

A new name in South African pop is giving that country's musical exports a run for their money. With a contemporary, jazz-informed roots sound, Suthukazi Arosi finds the beating heart of Zulu traditional pop translates it into modern idioms. Arosi's kicking opener, "Wemntomnyama Vuka Emaqandeni," is an appeal to global black consciousness lush and powerful enough to rival the best work of Busi Mhlonga, the reigning master of the sort of roots pop transformation Arosi is after on this release. Rich backing vocals support Arosi's blustery lead, and organ, guitar, and muscular bass and drums pound out a spare rendition of the Zulu traditional beat. Elsewhere, Arosi is more contemplative. "Somandla," a healing prayer with overtones of South Africa's soothing jazz tradition plays more like an update on classic Miriam Makeba, and a number of tunes--"Abf'azi Balelali" and "Ulele Ulele"--find her singing in the breathy tones of a romantic R&B diva.

Arosi has an amazingly versatile voice. She works in clicks, pops, coos and growls amid soft whispers and anguished gut cries. The jazz overtones often work well, especially when in minor or modal modes, as on "Vumani," a song for diviners, and "Ulele Ulele," a meditation on substance abuse. The latter features a tasty jazz piano trio backing Arosi and a soft chorus of backing singers. There are moments of other afropop genres here as well, a kind of South African take on highlife at the end of "Umziwasha," and a rich 12/8 groove on the CD's final track, "Uyakhala."

Arosi's engaged, probing lyrics and complex vocal style mark her as an important artist. Her first international release is a bold and gutsy work.
Contributed by Banning Eyre for www.afropop.org