CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Big Blue Ball

CD-Charts > Music > Africa
by: Peter Gabriel, Sinead OConnor, Karl Wallinger, Various Artists

Release Date June 24, 2008
If I were to rate this as a pure PG album, it would not be on the top of the list, but as a Gabriel inspired and directed project I think it does quite well. The semi-consistant world drum groove in the background of most of the tunes helps provide a general consistency and vibe to the whole album. Burn You Up Burn You Down is a fun tune, as is the title "whole thing". This seems like more of an album you have on in the background than one you actively listen to (like 3, security or melt), but Gabriel fans won't be disappointed, and by the time you get to "Big Blue Ball" at the end, the album will already feel like an old favorite.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Cesaria

CD-Charts > Music > Africa
by: Césaria Évora

Release Date January 21, 2003
Cesaria is to this style of music what Ralph Stanley is to bluegrass. Both imbue their music with their life experiences and give us something more than mere musical recitation of words.

Her voice conveys the message of the lyrics so well: she sings with light and hope in "Tuda dia e dia" (Every day is a new day), and she captures the wistfulness of unrequited love in "Areia de Salamansa" (On the Sands of Salamansa). A great selection if you're in a thoughtful mood.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Putumayo Presents: Acoustic Arabia

CD-Charts > Music > Africa
by: Various Artists

Release Date September 02, 2008
"Acoustic Arabia" is the perfect music for a cold night. The warm tones of the Middle Eastern desert are soothing. Many of the songs have a Spanish or French flavor, making spicy, delicious jazz fusion.

The opening song,Jamal Porto's "Gamar Badawi",blends Sudanese folk with a Latin sensibility. Les Orientales sound like they're singing in a swank Parisian jazz club when they passionately sing an ode to Algiers. Sudanese diva Rasha's "Azara Alhai",is a sensual breakup song. Charbel Rouhana&Hani Siblini,as well as Maurice El Medouni,provide some variety with their instrumental "Mada" and "Tu n'aurais jamais du." The group Tiris,based in Western Sahara,won an American Idol-like competition in a refugee camp. Their powerful "Tiris Nibreeha" ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Made in Dakar

CD-Charts > Music > Africa
by: Orchestra Baobab

Release Date May 20, 2008
Yes it is early to be making such a list so soon but I would not be surprised if this was on my top ten for the year. I already had two of their previous and thought that I did not need another. But, every time I went to my local cd store the clerks were playing this cd and it has just slowly but surely won me over. This is music that is not easy to find so order it now and enjoy it. It is part King Sunny Ade and part Cuban Allstars and is just plain well done-the Orchestra Baobab way.

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Talking Timbuktu

CD-Charts > Music > Africa
by: Ali Farka Touré, Ry Cooder

Release Date March 29, 1994
As a fan of the Tuareg group "Tinariwen', I couldn't resist buying this CD when I saw that another famous native of their region hooked up with Ry Cooder. If you've ever listened to Ry's soundtrack works or his wonderful stuff on 'A Meeting by the River' or "The Buena Vista Social Club' then you'll know why he is such a great match for a veteran like Mr. Toure. Ry's son , Joachim, is a good addition with his drum work too!

Both of these men share a love of guitar music and it shows in every track of this CD. Similar to the effect generated with listening to 'Tinariwen', Talking Timbuktu transports me to the barren- but beautiful- expanses of the Saharan regions. It doesn't matter if its Mali, Niger or Algeria- the effect is the same. If you are familiar ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

African Playground

CD-Charts > Music > Africa
by: Various Artists

Release Date February 25, 2003
I bought this to teach students more about music in different African countries and found the music very addictive and upbeat. One thing that would have made this (and many other Putumayo CDs) better would be if Putumayo provided full translation of the lyrics. Some songs (e.g. Jambo Bwana, Battu, etc.) only had translations for one paragraph of the lyrics while other songs did not have any translations at all (e.g. Mbube, Hello Hello).

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

The Mande Variations

CD-Charts > Music > Africa
by: Toumani Diabate

Release Date February 26, 2008
During a stay at a friend's house, I was introduced to the intoxicating music of Toumani Diabate. I can't even count the number of times I have played The Mande Variations, probably hundreds. The heartfelt connection from a musician to his instrument has never been more beautifully expressed than the music from this album. Reviews with the words, "addictive", "amazing" and my own, "intoxicating" are all true. I have this album on my iPod and brought it with me to Burning Man to be played at a theme camp on stadium speakers. In about 10 minutes, hundreds of people were drawn to this music, it is that powerful. There is a utube video of him playing, eyes closed and you watch a musician totally in the zone and in the moment of bliss. This music is bliss. This man is magic ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Djin Djin

CD-Charts > Music > Africa
by: Angelique Kidjo

Release Date May 01, 2007
This is my first listen to Angelique, as well as this genre of music. I like the rhythm that the upbeat songs keep, as well as the emotion her voice conveys. Her voice has a borderline raspy feel, but nothing that would make you think she can't sing. Her lyrics are inventive as well, 'hurts like brand new shoes'... I would have never thought of that! My favorite collaborations on this album are the ones with Josh Groban/Carlos Santana, Alicia Keyes, and Peter Gabriel.

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Arabic Groove

CD-Charts > Music > Africa
by: Various Artists

Release Date June 12, 2001
I heard this in a retail store first and resisted buying to get it from amazon...love it. and everyone wants a copy....lol.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

In the Heart of the Moon

CD-Charts > Music > Africa
by: Ali Farka Touré, Toumani Diabate

Release Date September 13, 2005
This is an exquisite album from Ali Farka Toure that presents some of his best work. It grows on you when listening to it again and again. Although other albums are perhaps better known and have some catchy tracks (e.g., "Talking Timbuktu" and "The River"), this album is almost perfect. "Kadi Kadi" and "Gomni" are especially good tracks; "Monsieur le Maire de Niafunké" has an engaging bass riff that stands out. We were very fortunate to have had Ali Farka Toure among us, albeit for all-too-short a time. He lives on forever in this music.