Anthony John - Creation (Flyroots Productions)
Yours truly met Anthony John at the Lambeth Country Show, a small festival in South London's Brixton district, in 2005, just a week after the city was rocked by the worst terrorist attacks in its history, a tragedy John processed in 'Panic', a song from his new album 'Creation'.
Youssou N'Dour - Dakar/Kingston (Universal)
Yours truly is not a big fan of Youssou N'Dour.
Inna De Yard All Stars - Live In France (Makasound)
If yours truly wished for one live show to be recorded for posterity over the past year, it was that of the fantastic Inna De Yard All Stars and the Makasound label seemed happy to oblige with 'Live In France', a CD/DVD combination.
Gyptian - Hold You (VP Records)
After his previous releases yours truly wasn't really looking forward to a new Gyptian album and 'Hold You' (the title of Gyptian's latest hit single) is once again packed with vocoder-arrangements, mostly over poppy r&b tinted grooves à la Akon.
Chukki Starr - Most Wanted (Greensleeves)
In the 1990s Chukki Starr was still described as one of the great English deejay promises, but barely a decade later his name seems to be largely forgotten again.
Various Artists - The World Ends: Afro Rock & Psychedelia In 1970s Nigeria (Soundway Records)
When in 1967 cities like London and San Francisco were submerged in the Summer of Love, Nigeria was torn apart by civil war (On May 30th 1967 rebel leader Chukwuemeka Ojukwu declared the independence of eastern Nigeria, calling it the Republic of Biafra.
Various Artists - Elektropik #1 (Naïve)
A long hot summer calls for a fitting compilation and 'Elektropik #1', compiled by the voice of French Radio Nova, DJ RKK aka Rémy Kolpa Kopoul, could, in combination with a margarita, caipirinha or mojito, be the perfect warm-up for the next edition of Antilliaanse Feesten.
Salif Keita - La Différence (Universal)
With 'La Différence', the successor to 2002's 'Moffou' and 2005's 'M'Bemba', Salif Keita completes his acoustic trilogy for Universal.
Cheikh Lô - Jamm (World Circuit)
With 'Jamm' (Wolof for "peace") Senegalese troubadour Cheikh Lô releases his first album in five years.
La Caravanne Passe - Ahora In Da Futur (Makasound)
On their previous album French La Caravanne Passe proudly presented us their imaginary village Plèchti and for 'Ahora In Da Futur' (the cover has something of a Jules Verne meets Balkan Beats feel) they invite us on board their time machine.
Maikal X - Genesis (Rock 'N Vibes)
Maikal X's name might not ring a bell yet, but you might know Michael Parkinson from his time with Postmen, when he performed under the pseudonyms Shyrock and Rocka Rolla (since their dissolution Postmen was reduced to a one-man act around Remon Stotijn aka The Anonymous Mis and the band's name was changed to Postman).
Luciano - United States Of Africa (VP Records)
What immediately makes 'United States Of Africa' stand out is the fact there is not a single picture of the Messenger to be found on the entire package, but that piece of trivia, of course, does not detract from the musical qualities of this album.
Various Artists - The Definitive Collection Of Federal Records, 1964 - 1982 (17 North Parade/VP Records)
After compilations on Junjo Lawes' Volcano label, Joe Gibbs and of course Randy's (the birthplace of VP Records on 17 North Parade), a retrospective of the work of Federal Records could not stay behind.
Various Artists - Evolution Of Dub Volume 3: The Descent Of Version, Volume 4: Natural Selection & Volume 5: The Missing Link (Greensleeves)
Last year we already served you the first two parts in Greensleeves' Evolution Of Dub series.
Gotan Project - Tango 3.0 (Ya Basta Records/Universal)
The title of this new album by neo-tango collective Gotan Project almost makes a review unnecessary.
Richy Pitch - Ye Fre Mi Richy Pitch (Barely Breaking Even)
Richy Pitch debuted in the mid-1990s, deejaying at London hip-hop club Scratch.
Daniel Asher - Stand Tall! (Studio Skanky)
After Nazarenes and Roots Circus, once again, Swedish reggae is sounding from our speakers (the popular Uppsala Reggae Festival might have something to do with that).
Clinton Fearon - Mi Deh Yah (Makasound)
Clinton Fearon will forever and a day be linked to his period as bass player/vocalist with The Gladiators, but honesty compels to say Fearon has also has managed to build himself a more than decent solo career delivering solid roots together with his backing band The Boogie Brown Band.
Capleton - I-Ternal Fire (VP Records)
Six long years, Clifton Bailey aka Capleton aka King Shango made us wait for a follow-up to his 2004 'Reign Of Fire' album.
Samy Izy - Tsara Madagasikara (Network Medien)
'Tsara Madagasikara', the debut album of Malagasy formation Samy Izy houses a true wealth of musical information about the vanilla island.