Queen Ifrica - Montego Bay (VP Records)
A recent study, carried out on behalf of the Jamaican newspaper Jamaica Observer, shows that for every six Rasta men there's only one Rasta queen out there! Now that Etana has also turned her back on Rastafarianism, we better treasure Queen Ifrica.
Takana Zion - Rappel A L’Ordre (Makasound)
Exactly two years after his debut album, 'Zion Prophet', Takana Zion is back with 'Rappel A L'Ordre' and although the Guinean still hasn't passed the age of 25, this album immediately proves the singjay has matured.
Alborosie - Escape From Babylon (Greensleeves)
With loud drum rolls, horn blasts and the catchy slogan: "The hottest thing to come out of Sicily since Mount Etna", the Greensleeves label recently signed Pupa Albo and he now serves us his new opus 'Escape From Babylon'.
Various Artists - Evolution Of Dub Volume 2: The Great Leap Forward (Greensleeves)
Our review of the first volume in Greensleeves' Evolution Of Dub series might have been a tad brief, but, in our defense, we only disposed of a so-called blank review copy: a compilation of the four discs present in the box.
Bitty McLean + Sly & Robbie - Movin’ On (Discograph/Taxi/Mideyah/Silent River)
Le Bitty nouveau est arrivé! At last, because this album was actually already announced in back in 2007! All that waiting created high expectations, but rest assured the trio McLean, Dunbar and Shakespeare doesn't disappoint in the least; on the contrary, this is one of the best reggae albums we've heard in years and the term "perfection" is never far away.
The Aquatics - Vivre Libre (Ovastand Records)
'Vivre Libre', the debut effort by The Aquatics, a twelve man strong collective that operates from Île-de-France, is somewhat reminiscent of the music by American SOJA (Soldiers Of Jah Army): roots reggae with strong rock influences.
Chezidek - I Grade (Tabou1)
With the excellent 2007 Bobby Konders (Massive B) produced 'Inna Di Road', Chezidek raised the bar substantially and for successor 'I Grade', he decided to take no risk, joining forces with Jamaica's most famous riddim twins Sly & Robbie.
Aka Koxx - A New Day (Legalize Hits)
Even though the name Aka Koxx (Always Known As Koxx) will not ring a bell with most reggae lovers yet, the man already has amassed an impressive musical track record.
Lorenzo - Movin' Ahead (Irie Ites Records)
There are albums you just want to have for that one track in the track list: in the case of 'Movin' Ahead', the debut album by Lorenzo, that track is 'Mr.
Speed Caravan - Kalashnik Love (Real World Records)
Live (yours truly saw them play at the most recent edition of Festival Mundial) the coffee Speed Caravan served was just a little too strong for our taste, but on CD their Arabic-inspired punk rock, topped up with a hint of electro, did captivate our attention.
Adama Yalomba - Kassa (Makasound)
"Collaborer par si, par la.
Branko Galoic & Skakavac Orkestar - Skakavac (Self-published)
Branko Galoic is a Croatian singer-songwriter from Zagreb who, in the aftermath of the conflict in former Yugoslavia, relocated to Amsterdam.
Mulatu Astatke - New York + Addis + London, The Story Of Ethio Jazz 1965-1975 (Strut Records)
When Jim Jarmusch decided to use the music of Mulatu Astatke for his film 'Broken Flowers' back in 2005, he inadvertently reignited the career of this veteran Ethiopian musician.
!Deladap - Sara La Kali (Chat Chapeau)
In Belgium !Deladap isn't a household name yet, but in Germany, Austria and Hungary they are regarded as the absolute top in their genre.
Various Artists - Gilles Peterson presents Havana Cultura, New Cuba Sound (Brownswood Recordings)
In the wake of Ry Cooder, Gilles Peterson also travelled to Cuba and, with the help of pianist Roberto Fonseca (ex-Buena Vista), gathered a number of talented rookies around him.
Rupa & The April Fishes - Este Mundo (Cumbancha)
Yours truly wasn't exactly over the moon with 'Extraordinary Rendition', the debut effort by Rupa & The April Fishes.
Mitsoura - Dura Dura Dura (Hangveto)
Among Gypsy musicians Hungarian Monika 'Mitsou' Miczura has already acquired quite a reputation as she is regarded as one of the best Gypsy voices in the world.
Mikea - Taholy (Contre Jour)
With Mikea, Contre Jour finally signed a musician from Madagascar.
Don Tomasino & Tutti Quanti - L'Assodicori (Via Lactea Records)
For your convenience, we are going to call Don Tomasino & Tutti Quanti, a ragtag bunch from Lille, the French answer to Roy Paci & Aretuska, and we definitely don't mean that in a condescending way.
Kottarashky - Opa Hey! (Asphalt Tango Records)
The debut album of Bulgarian techie Kottarashky (born Nikola Gruev) is vaguely reminiscent of the music Deep Forest did for their second album 'Boheme' for which Michel Sanchez and Eric Mouquet found their inspiration in the Balkans.