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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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  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.
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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 >>

Youssou N'Dour's first international release in six years actually came out in European and American versions, with significantly different track selections. All represent beautifully polished, high-end productions of songs released in rawer form back home in Senegal. Two songs in particular soar, the sweet, sensual "Birima"--a mega-hit that N'Dour has reworked on each of his past five records--and "Bekyat," a full-throttle mbalax pop number with a killer vocal hook, a ripping sabar and tama percussion break, and a message of praise for peasant farmers. "This Dream," a collaboration with Peter Gabriel, creates a seductive trance mood with its looping sonic textures and art rock aesthetics. Two tracks with Wyclef Jean were cut from the U.S. release, and in their place we get two fine band-oriented pieces, "Mademba," which builds from a refrain on the song "Country Boy" (from Eyes Open, 1992), and "Miss" which gradually heats up to a satisfying, percussion-rich crescendo. "My Hope is in You" finds N'Dour in a sentimental pop mode, but it is saved by his gift for melody. Better, though, is "Red Clay," the album's anthemic closer, which really cuts to the heart of N'Dour's song craft. If you can get your hands on the Senegalese versions of these songs (on Jololi releases like Lii!, Saint Louis, and Rewmi), you see how N'Dour transforms his trademark band-driven sound into full-blown international pop. No Afropop artist has so skillfully managed the challenge of pleasing both local and global audiences.
Contributed by Banning Eyre for www.afropop.org