SOUAD MASSI - Raoui (Wrasse Records)

The latest "star" from Algeria, gifted with a superb voice and what sounds like training in the classic Andalouse North African style, she bears an aural resemblance to the wondrous Sonia Laraissi who shimmered on the soundtrack of the Moufida Tlatli film Les Silences Du Palais...

souad massi - deb (Wrasse)
The pieces on her latest CD “Deb” (heart broken) reveal a wide array of influences from French chanson, international folk, rock, pop, Latin, soukouss, Irish, Algerian and not the least flamenco, a confessed passion . Perhaps this is the Andaluz connection. Souad plays sympathetic accompaniment on guitar with excellent oud, Algerian style violin, percussion and touches of vocal melisma in many of the 12 pieces, most of which are sung in Arabic giving a sense of place to the singer’s style, while the various influences expand her appeal immensely.

Najite Olokum Prophecy - Africa Before Invasion (Plug Research)

Over the last few years Nigerian afro-beat has seen a renaissance with lots of reissues of classic material and new bands or artists such as Antibalas or Femi Kuti. In addition droves of dance-floor remixers have been visiting the shrine of Femi's dad Fela to chop off pieces of the altar for their own deconstructions.

orchestra baobab - specialist in all styles (World Circuit)

If it weren’t for this seminal Senegalese orchestra it is highly doubtful that the world at large would have heard such luminaries as the Afro-Cuban All Stars, Grupo Sierra Maestra, Cheikh Lo or the various Buena Vista offshoots, among others. It was Orchestra Baobab’s classic Pirate’s Choice that inspired Nick Gold to start his now famous World Circuit label and the rest is history.