• 
  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.
• 
  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.
• 
  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 >>

Recently, it seems that record store bins are full of compilations. For some reason, an overwhelming majority of them focus on the music of Cuba, West Africa, and "Women of the World." Perhaps that is part of the reason why The Rough Guide to Marrabenta Mozambique is so refreshing. This is not only one of the first looks at music from this former Portuguese colony in Africa, it is a remarkable collection of one of Africa's most infectious dance rhythms.

The word Marrabenta has its origins in the Portuguese word, rebentar, which means "to burst". Alberto Mula, one of Marrabenta's elders (from a generation of musicians called "the grand old men") featured on this collection explains that the origins of the etymology came from the dance. "We were dancing to this music until we burst," he explains.

The collection itself spans three generations of Marrabenta stars, featuring legends such as Mula and Orchestra Marrabenta Star, current stars including Ghorwane and Eyuphuro, plus hot new talents such as Mabulu that brilliantly blend marrabenta and hip hop. Traditionally, Marrabenta was played on whatever instruments were available: oil tins, wood, and pieces of fishing line. Today, it's lineup (and sound) is a bit reminiscent of the music of Zimbabwe's Oliver Mtukudzi: infectious electric guitar rhythms backed by driving percussion and brass sections.

Unlike most compilations that simply re-sequence existing material, more than half of the tracks on this collection were recorded especially for this project. One of the most notable was Dilon Djindji's "Maria Teresa". In a departure from the brass driven dance music so prevalent in most of the tracks on this recording (and marrabenta in general), here, one of the genre's elders, Djinjji (now 76) proves his is one of Africa's leading troubadours. With just an acoustic guitar and minimal percussion and an incredibly uplifting raspy old voice, the song is both a testament to the infectious roots of marrabenta, and its vitality. This is an album that takes you both to Mozambique's hottest nightclubs and intimate bars without missing a step. A real gem.

-Dan Rosenberg

Contributed by Dan Rosenberg