Ebo Taylor - Love And Death (Stut Records)
Guitarist/composer Ebo Taylor has been a key figure in the Ghanaian highlife and afrobeat scene for several decades now.
Boban I Marko Markovic Orkestar - Hayde! (Makasound)
Boban and Marko Markovic' new album is called 'Hayde!' ("finally!"), although new might be a slight overstatement as 'Hayde!' is more of a 'Best Of' compilation with work from their five previous albums and compiled especially for the French market.
Afrocubism - Afrocubism (World Circuit)
With Afrocubism, the World Circuit label finally realizes Ry Cooder's dream project of bringing together Cuban and African musicians, called off several times in the past because of practical and organizational difficulties.
Smiley - Lively Road EP (Love & Unity Music)
On October 10, 2010, Curaçao and Saint Martin took a step towards independence and the Dutch Antilles were officially dissolved, something that will certainly not have left Smiley, originating from Aruba, indifferent, but the man had other things to celebrate.
Pannonia Allstars Ska Orchestra - Feel The Riddim! (Megalith Records)
Yours truly got to know Pannonia Allstars Ska Orchestra with 'Return Of The Pannonians' and on its successor 'Feel The Riddim!', the "Hungarian Skatalites" once again juggle with styles and time periods.
Dubmatix - System Shakedown (Echo Beach)
'System Shakedown' sounds a lot like a heavy UK dub session and vocal guests like Brother Culture, Tippa Irie or Dennis Alcapone (the great 'Struggle') only reinforce that feeling.
Chupalibre - De Grote Kick (Self-published)
Chupalibre's 'De Grote Kick' ("the big kick") is not an easy one to categorize; is this still world music or rather Dutch pop? Jan Vanlaet (ex-Mama's Jasje) has suffused his songs with a world music sauce; one that one moment can be salsa-like ('Maan'), the next something from the Balkans ('De Grote Kick', 'Hypo') and for 'Eva Lucy' (read "evolution") he went for a dubby reggae rhythm.
Tuff Lion - Utterance... A Testament (Outpost Music Workshop) + Ten Strings (I Grade Records)
Tuff Lion may live in Hampton, Virginia, the guitarist/singer-songwriter is one of the most important musicians in the music scene of the US Virgin Islands.
Harry Mo - Back To Africa (Yellow Hill Music)
Even though Harry Mo is no born Virgin Islander (Mo hails from Dominica), he settled in Saint Croix a few years ago and on his debut album 'Back To Africa' he also brings homage to the city in the up-tempo 'St.
Iba - Matsahyel (Outpost Music Workshop/Negus I Records)
Until further notice Midnite remains the most important exponent of so-called Virgin Island roots, but Iba is definitely catching up! Iba's greatest asset is the fact his music is more accessible than Midnite's.
Tiken Jah Fakoly - African Revolution (Barclay/Universal)
'African Revolution' symbolizes Tiken Jah Fakoly's return to his African roots.
Lëk Sèn - Burn (Makasound)
At the start of the new school year, in France called "la rentrée", the Makasound label introduces new African promise Lëk Sèn.
Figli Di Madre Ignota - Combat Disco Casbah (Universal)
On 'Combat Disco Casbah' Marco Pampaluna and his gang again serve their tasty mix of Balkan music, ska, circus marches and the Western soundtracks of Ennio Morricone (and we're probably still forgetting a few styles).
Dub Inc - Hors Controle (Naïve/Diversité)
After their African trip for 'Afrikya', multicultural band Dub Incorporation returns to its roots with 'Hors Controle'.
São Paolo Ska Jazz - São Paolo Ska Jazz (Tratore/Radiola Records)
After Tokyo, New York, Rotterdam and Saint Petersburg, Brazilian São Paolo now also has its own ska-jazz ensemble.
Txilum - Cultura Accidental EP (Reggaeland Records)
The fact Barcelona is about more than musica mestiza is proven by Catalan band Txilum (a Catalan pun on chillum, chalice or bong).
Various Artists - Hi Grade Ganja Anthems 3 (Greensleeves)
Greensleeves is already at the third volume of its Hi Grade Ganja Anthems series and since this is not a source that will run dry anytime soon, they'll probably continue this series for a while to come.
Hanggai - Juan Zou De Ren (World Connection)
Although officially a Chinese band, all the members of Hanggai hail from the Autonomous Region of Inner-Mongolia and their music is strongly rooted in Mongolian tradition.
Klavan Gadjé - Brand (Self-published)
Just when we thought we'd heard everything there was to be heard where Balkan music was concerned, we got our hands on 'Brand' by South-Holland band Klavan Gadjé.
Asmara All Stars - Eritrea's Got Soul (Out Here Records)
Ethiopian music has been growing in popularity in the past few years, but from Eritrea only deafening silence emerged.