• 
  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 >>

An impressive debut from this Fulani Senegalese band now based in Holland. Ka's voice is rougher and more limited than Senegalese vocal giants like Baaba Maal and Youssou N'Dour, but in it's very roughness, it approaches the bottom line of passion found in Van Morrison's early recordings. And the Fula Band cranks. Fleet acoustic and electric guitar, tight ensemble arranging, and a palpable sense of band fraternity grace these 10 tracks. "Nyaaral Pural," with its mournful vocal hook and swirling, funky triplet groove plays like a loping West African cowboy song, as does the title track. The charm of vintage R&B comes through on a few tracks as well--"Ko Ngon Belngol" plays like a transfigured version of Nilson's "Games People Play," and "Dimel" pumps out a funky, rolling backbeat. There are a couple of hot mbalax numbers, and effective quieter moments as well, such as the ballad "Dumaale" and the slow, juju-esque groove of "Koode Nyaari," which features kalimba, unusual in West African pop. Overall, the exuberance of talented youth and the intimacy of a band that loves to play together make this a very promising first recording indeed.
Contributed by Banning Eyre for www.afropop.org