Taj Weekes & Adowa - Pariah In Transit (Jatta Records)

Yours truly was introduced to the music of Saint Lucian Taj Weekes thanks to 'A Waterlogged Soul Kitchen', an album from 2010 that lacked a certain punch and did not leave an unforgettable impression.

Chezidek - The Order Of Melchezedik (Heartbeat Europe/Rounder)

Chezidek has once again joined forces with Dutch JahSolidRock and even though 'The Order Of Melchezedik' might not be as impressive as predecessor 'Judgement Time', this album (the title refers to the biblical figure who provided Chezidek with his stage name) confirms Chezidek is one of the biggest Jamaican roots talents of his generation.

Obidaya - Obidaya (Natural Prod'/Musicast Distribution)

Obidaya (the phonetic spelling of the Hebrew "Obadiah", meaning "servant of the Lord") is the latest offspring of the French roots family.

Jashwha Moses - No War On Earth (Sugar Shack Records)

Thirty years, that's how long it took for Jashwha Moses' debut album, 'Joshua To Jashwha: 30 Years In The Wilderness', to see the light.

TenTemPiés - A Casa Tierra EP (Patiperro Records)

The mestizo-virus now also seems to have spread to The Netherlands: the local variant is known as damsko mestizo and TenTemPiés is its most famous exponent.

Zulu 9.30 - Para Todos Los Publicos + Nanai - Sonideros + La Pegatina - Eureka! (Kasba Music)

The term "crisis" seems taboo at the offices of Kasba Music, because the label keeps on turning out mestizo albums as if it were hot cakes.

Saimn-I - More To The Picture Than Meets The Eye (Deaf People Audio)

Ghentian Simon Decante, aka Saimn-I, has been a part of the Belgian reggae scene for some time now and you will probably know him as the side-kick of Collieman or as one of the band members of Pura Vida.

Maanzaad - Amok (Self-published)

With a few new songs, live recordings and remixes, 'Amok', Maanzaad's second album seems to be all-encompassing.

Smiley - Traffic Light (Love & Unity Music)

After the release of his debut EP 'Lively Road', Smiley continued walking down the street, ending up at the nearest traffic light.

Bobby Kalphat & The Sunshot All Stars - Zion Hill (Pressure Sounds)

The fact Augustus Pablo wasn't the only one playing the melodica in Kingston is proven by Bobby Kalphat's 'Zion Hill'.

Stepper - Sly & Robbie present Stepper Takes The Taxi (Taxi/Mideya/Tabou1)

It had been a while since yours truly was so enthralled with what is ultimately a purely instrumental album.

Shakara United - Shakara United (Self-published)

Although Shakara United doesn't want to be pinned down as an afrobeat band, it's a delight to finally hear some Belgium made "Nigerian funk" again after the break-up of Belgian Afrobeat Association.

Joe Driscoll & Sekou Kouyate - Faya (Localization Records)

'Faya' may be yet another example of a musical encounter between an American and an African musician, the chemistry between UK based Joe Driscoll and Guinean kora player Sekou Kouyate cannot be denied.

Junior Kelly - Piece Of The Pie (Al.Ta.Fa.An Records/VPal)

Junior Kelly's longstanding relationship with Al.

Earl Sixteen meets Manasseh - Walls Of The City (Merge Productions)

For 'Walls Of The City', deejay and producer Nick Manasseh joined forces with Earl Sixteen and that results in an album full of prime roots cuts.

Dubmatix - Rebel Massive (Echo Beach)

The past few years Jesse King aka Dubmatix has made quite a name for himself in the reggae scene and that is reflected in the number of living reggae legends - Horace Andy, Leroy 'Horsemouth' Wallace, Cornell Campbell, U Roy, Earl Zero, Prince Jazzbo - he managed to entice to contribute to this new opus (although some of these contributions are quite minimal).

Red Baraat - Shruggy Ji (JARO Medien)

Yours truly first encountered Red Baraat, Sunny Jain's New York dhol'n'brass band, at the previous edition of the Sfinks Mixed festival.

Bryan Art - Bryan Art (Al.Ta.Fa.An Records/VPal)

Even though yours truly had never heard of Bryan Art, the man seems to have built himself quite a reputation within the Jamaican reggae scene.

Cuffy Nevinson - Rebirth (Akaz Entertainment)

"Under which pseudonym did Dominican singer Cuffy Nevinson previously make a name for himself in the reggae scene?", could be a perfect trivia question for a reggae quiz.

Fela Kuti - The Best Of The Black President 1 & 2 (Knitting Factory Records)

In 2009 Knitting Factory Records was given an official license by the Fela Anikulapo Kuti Estate for the worldwide distribution of the master's catalog.