Krar Collective - Ethiopia Super Krar (Riverboat Records/World Music Network)

If Mulatu Astatke represents Ethiopian jazz and Mahmoud Ahmed's music is an Ethiopian version of soul, then Krar Collective positions itself rather in the rock corner of the music spectrum.

Various Artists - Rhythms Del Mundo: Africa (APE Records)

'Rhythms Del Mundo' is a series making world stars do their thing alongside local artists.

Eclipse - Corrupted Society (Reggae Archive Records)

In our review of Dan Ratchet's 'Jah Poor People', yours truly raised the question how many forgotten reggae gems continued to gather dust somewhere and Bristol Archive Records chief Mike Darby appears to have heard that question, because he now founded Reggae Archive Records, a sister label of Bristol Archive Records that will focus on reissuing forgotten albums by reggae bands from the rest of the United Kingdom.

Katzenjammer - A Kiss Before You Go (Propeller Recordings)

A few years back we were still full of praise about 'Le Pop', the debut album by Norwegian girl quartet Katzenjammer, but about successor 'A Kiss Before You Go' we'll be rather brief.

Various Artists - Orient Noir (Piranha)

With this compilation by notorious German music collector Dr.

Dubkasm - Brixton Rec (Bristol Archive Records)

Dubkasm - Digistep and DJ Stryda - has been a fixture in the UK dub scene for years now.

Easy Star All-Stars - Easy Star’s Thrillah (Easy Star Records)

After 'First Light', their previous album containing their own work, Easy Star All-Stars return to the format that propelled them to fame: giving a reggae makeover to a well-known album from rock and pop history.

Bob Marley & The Wailers - In Dub Vol. 1 (Island Records/Universal)

'In Dub Vol.

U Roy - Pray Fi Di People (Soulbeats Records/M’A Publishing)

With 'Pray Fi Di People' deejay-daddy U Roy is playing it safe; for each track he invited a guest vocalist and a lot of the tracks on the album are covers of classics from reggae history ('Ebony Eyes' with a beautiful Winsome Benjamin, 'Got A Date' feat.

Anthony John - Step In The Future (Flyroots Productions)

Anthony John is undoubtedly one of the better voices of his generation, but for some reason the singer remains undervalued.

Leah Rosier - High Paw (Likkle Green Records)

Our first live-introduction to Dutch reggae promise Leah Rosier (at the Reggaefer festival earlier this year) didn't immediately leave us with a lasting impression, but on this debut album produced by Marlon Asher, Rosier manages to convince us of her skills, although one can't help but notice Leah's voice still has some maturing to do ('Sunny Days').

Broussaï - Kingston Town (Soulbeats Records/M'A Publishing)

Mâcon based band Broussaï have built themselves a serious reputation in their home country France over the past decade.

Professor - Throw Down Your Arms (Soulbeats Records/Discograph/M'A Publishing)

With the release of this second album, Professor, Groundation's Harrison Stafford's solo project, proves to be more than a whim of its bandleader.

The Souljazz Orchestra - Solidarity (Strut Records)

Canadian band The Souljazz Orchestra continues to lighten our spirits by regularly turning out albums that are always of a high level.

Skip & Die - Riots In The Jungle (Crammed Discs)

"Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.

Narasirato - Warato'o (Smash Records)

Creative with bamboo, that's how you could summarize the music of Narasarito, a band representing the traditional music of the Are'are in the Solomon Islands (an island nation in the Pacific), because, apart from a drum set, all their instruments - a range of pan pipes and percussion instruments - are made from the stems of this plant.

Bunny Rugs - Time (Raw Edge Productions/VPal)

Bunny Rugs has been the fantastic voice of Third World for decades now, but every so often he also likes to turn out a solo effort.

Staff Benda Bilili - Bouger Le Monde (Crammed Discs)

Many will have eagerly looked forward to the release of this second album by Staff Benda Bilili.

Zvuloon Dub System - Freedom Time (Medtone Records)

'Freedom Time' is the album debut of Israeli roots reggae formation Zvuloon Dub System, founded by brothers Ilan (guitar) and Asaf Smilan (drums and percussion) and named after Zebulon, one of the twelve tribes of Israel (Zebulon was the sixth son of Jacob and Leah).

Carlinhos Brown - Mixturada Brasileira (Candyall Music/Satélite K)

Remember the time you could still count on a Friday night Brazilian party at the Sfinks festival? It was there that yours truly got acquainted with the sound of Carlinhos Brown, then still an innovator of Brazilian music and the inventor of samba reggae.