I-Cient-Cy Mau & The Mau Mau Warriors - When Words Come To Life (Self-published)
Even though the name I-Cient-Cy Mau & The Mau Mau Warriors might not ring a bell with most European reggae lovers yet, front man I-Cient-Cy Mau (born Junior Desmond Williams) already enjoyed popularity as half of duo Papa Finnigan & Junior Ranking.
Rango - Bride Of The Zar (30IPS)
For most, yours truly included, 'Bride Of The Zar' by Egyptian band Rango, will be the first introduction to the Sudanese Zar voodoo mysticism and the related music genre rango, something the 30IPS label draws attention on with a number of ridiculous warning messages on the album cover: "No chickens were harmed and no malevolent spirits manifested during the making of this album.
Tito Puente - Salsa, Salsa, Salsa + Various Artists - Indigenous Matter (In The Woods Records/Wrasse Records)
In these harsh musical times we're only too happy when we can introduce a new label.
Afro Celt Sound System - Capture 1995 - 2010 (Real World Records)
Yours truly has been a fan of the universe of Afro Celt Sound System, an island within the world music genre where Celtic vocal lines (Iarla O'Lionard) effortlessly flow together with West African kora lines (N'faly Kouyate) and Indian dhol rhythms (Johnny Kalsi), from the very beginning.
Gappy Ranks - Put The Stereo On (Greensleeves/Peckings)
Gappy Ranks' (you might know him from the smash 'Heaven In Her Eyes' on the Soul Rebel riddim) album debut 'Put The Stereo On', is somewhat reminiscent of Bitty McLean's 'On Bond Street'; like Bitty, Gappy also got the brothers Price (Peckings) permission to go rummaging in their impressive riddim archives and the result is an almost brilliant tribute to Studio One (see title track 'Put The Stereo On'), Treasure Isle and even vinyl itself (see the album art).
Tippa Irie & The Far East Band - Stick To My Roots (Lockdown Productions)
Tippa Irie, the originator of so-called "speed rapping" or "fast talking" and still one of the best DJs from the UK, describes 'Stick To My Roots' as his best album to date and who are we to contradict him? Fact is that his cooperation with the German Far East Band (the ex-backing band of Gentleman) has produced an extremely enjoyable album with Tippa doing his thing, verbally inimitable, humorous and never vulgar or slack.
Lee Perry - Sound System Scratch (Pressure Sounds)
Yes, this is yet another Lee Perry compilation, but it's one that deserves your attention.
Cornadoor - Without Restrictions (Sound Quake)
In these desperate times for reggae music Germany's hope is set on Bielefelder Cornadoor (born Philip Knoop).
Pura Vida - Struggle In The City (Kinky Star)
"Brilliant self-penned songs, great arrangements and a colorful palette of vocal and musical talent!", "One of the most accomplished reggae artists in this country!", these are just some of the superlatives with which Pura Vida, brainchild of Bregt De Boever, is described and the release of their first album created high expectations.
Bottle Of Moonshine - Never Trust The Suits EP (Moonshine Recording/Self-published)
The sandy soil of the Campine is becoming the ideal breeding ground for Belgian ska bands.
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.