Pierpoljak - Best Of (Universal/Barclay)
There was a time when Pierpoljak seemed destined to become France's answer to Gentleman, but where, for example, Raggasonic continued on a more Jamaican course, Pierpoljak steared his music in a more acoustic direction.
Hayvanlar Alemi - Guarana Superpower (Sublime Frequencies)
The cover design of Turkish Hayvanlar Alemi's 'Guarana Superpower' is reminiscent of albums by bands from the end of the nineteen sixties and the early seventies like Jefferson Airplane or Iron Butterfly.
Rachid Taha - Voilà Voilà: Le Best Of (Universal/Barclay)
In 2012 Rachid Taha celebrates his thirty years in the music business, the ideal occasion for a career overview in the form of a 'Best Of' compilation.
Taddy P - Gimmie Di Bass (Bass Inna Yu Face Records)
Apart from as a songwriter and producer Taddy P (born in Montego Bay) is best known as a regular bass player for Maxi Priest.
Ed Robinson - Written In Stone (Push Broom Gang Productions Inc.)
For lovers rock enthusiasts like yours truly Ed Robinson will be no unknown, but it might surprise some to learn this New York based crooner began his career in the music business as a drummer in a rock band.
Grace Jones - Hurricane + Dub (Wall Of Sound)
Pure reggae eighties icon Grace Jones has never produced, but her music always contained echoes from her homeland Jamaica, something that was probably also the doing of riddim twins Sly & Robbie with whom she collaborated at various occasions.
Omar Souleyman - Jazeera Nights (Sublime Frequencies)
Admittedly, Omar Souleyman looks a bit like a new creation of Borat creator Sacha Baron Cohen, but this Syrian pop star is definitely the real deal and with his enticing music signs for one of the festival hypes of this summer (Omar played for a frenzied crowd at the legendary Glastonbury festival in the United Kingdom).
Little Roy - Battle For Seattle (Ark Recordings)
With 'Battle For Seattle' Little Roy takes a stab at the success formula of Easy Star All-Stars, creating a reggae version of a well-known album from pop and rock history.
King Hopeton - The King Of Kings (Doublelion Records)
Yours truly was definitely not blown away by King Hopeton's 'The King Of Kings'.
Various Artists - We Remember Gregory Isaacs (VP Records)
A little over a month after Suga Roy & Conrad Crystal's tribute album, VP Records now also pays tribute to the Cool Ruler.
Jah6 - Jah6 EP + Damaru - Tuintje In Mijn Hart (Top-Notch Music/Universal)
Isn't it strange no one noticed the huge similarities between the Dutch "levenslied" and lovers rock before? Jah6 (pronounced: jahzes) now fills that gap with brio.
Various Artists - King Jammy's: Selector's Choice Volume 1 & 2 (VP Records)
'Selector's Choice Volume 1 & 2' is actually a reissue of the eponymous series of compilation albums from 2007, but now conveniently packaged in two boxes containing four discs each and focusing on the most famous riddims from King Jammy's studio.
Azam Ali - De La Nuit Au Lever Du Jour (Self-published)
Azam Ali, a Canadian of Iranian origin dedicated 'De La Nuit Au Lever Du Jour' to her son Iman who was born in 2008.
Lucas Santtana - Sem Nostalgia (Mais Um Discos)
One of the many names on 'Oi! A Nova Musica Brasileira!', the excellent compilation on the Brazilian Mais Um Discos label was that of Lucas Santtana.
Lubo & Kaba Horo - Contrabanda (Cross Current Music)
The fact Balkan music is also getting a foothold on the other side of the ocean is proven by Montreal based Lubo Alexandrov.
Remi Kabaka - Black Goddess: Original Soundtrack (Soundway Records)
This time the Soundway Records label did not opt for a compilation album, but decided to rerelease the soundtrack to 'Black Goddess' (aka 'A Deusa Negra'), a Nigerian-Brazilian cult movie from the 1970s.
Hollie Cook - Hollie Cook (Mr Bongo)
Hollie Cook is the daughter of Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook.
Fatoumata Diawara - Fatou (World Circuit)
By an almost incredible coincidence and despite her young age Fatoumata Diawara already had the chance to dabble in the world of dance (in her father's traditional dance group), film (a world in which she was introduced by her aunt) and of course music (Jean-Louis Courcoult, director of the renowned French theatre company Royal de Luxe, heard her singing backstage one day).
Alpha Blondy - Vision (Wagram/AlphAlliance)
Three years after the excellent 'Jah Victory' Alpha Blondy returns with 'Vision'.
Western Jazz Band - Songs Of Happiness, Poison & Ululation: Dar es Salaam Dancing Club 1973 - 1975 (Sterns Music)
For those who can enjoy a bit of obscure musical history, the Sterns label is offering up yet another beautiful compilation with 'Songs Of Happiness, Poison & Ululation: Dar es Salaam Dancing Club 1973 - 1975' by Tanzanian Western Jazz Band.