• 
  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.
• 
  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 >>

This impressive compilation of songs from Nder's early cassette releases makes the case for the upstart vocalist and bandleader as, in the words of his most loyal fans, "the king of mbalax." Recorded between 1995 and '99, these twelve tracks cover a lot of ground. Beautifully realized between Dakar's Studio 2000 and two small Paris studios, the selections feature the 8-piece Setsima Group, but include cameos by such luminaries as Manu Dibangu rasping soulful tenor sax lines on the stealthy, driving opener "Fass Diom," and also contributions from blind keyboard maestro Jen-Philippe Rykiel, who has produced and accompanied some of the finest musicians in West Africa.

Smoother pop-mbalax numbers like "Luko Waral," and "Leneen" reveal Nder's composition and arranging versatility, and also demonstrate that he's learned a thing or two from forerunners in this area like Omar Pene and Youssou N'Dour. He shares N'Dour's ability to coo like a bird and growl like a tiger, transitioning effortlessly between contrasting vocal colors. Not to say the music is imitative. These songs establish Nder as a distinct and original voice within one of Africa's most appealing modern pop genres. Nder's fluid arrangements leave room for folksy acoustic guitar and piano, even violin, as on the poignant ballad, "Drogue." But his bread and butter is rocking mbalax, tight and slick. This is the sound that has captivated Dakar in the late '90s.
Contributed by Banning Eyre for www.afropop.org