http://www.kasiisiproject.org/playlists/BestOfAfrica2006.htm

1. Wasis Diop (Senegal) - Le Passeur - 3:36
Now in his 50s, Wasis Diop has traveled far musically and in person since his early days in Afro-jazz. The word "subtlety" often appears with his name. He is anything but traditional Senegalese, but he still conveys the flavor of his roots. From the album liner notes: "... influences from Ghana to the small island of Chalon, from festive drums to the meditative waves of Asia, from the polyphony of Sine to the Dakar blues." A biography.

2. So Kalmery (Congo DRC) - Isfet - 4:00
Guitarist So Kalmery was born in the near Lake Kivu in the eastern region of Zaire, now Congo DRC. He has traveled and studied throughout Africa and played extensively in Kenya, Burundi, Zambia and Zaire. His music melds traditions from all over the world, from the Australian didgeridoo to ancient Egyptian brakka rhythms to western riffs. This song is in Swahili. The Egyptian word "isfet" means disorder or chaos, the opposite of "maat".

3. Ben Okafor (Nigeria) - Shadows - 3:48
Ben Okafor has lived a tumultuous life, starting early as a child soldier and featuring work directly with Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu in South Africa. This music was recorded in Woodstock, New York. See this review for additional interesting information.

4. Vieux Diop (Senegal) - Kaliss (Money) - 6:09
Vieux Diop (pronounced "veeah joe") migrated to the US in the 1980s. He is (or was) primarily a player of the kora, a 12-string instrument similar to a lyre or harp. His music crosses cultural boundaries between Africa and the West.

5. Original Zengela Band (Kenya) - Sakina - 3:53
From Mombasa on the Kenyan coast, the seven musicians in this band make their own traditional instruments. Their dance music derives from centuries-old Kenyan styles. The title is probably from some language other than Swahili.

6. Thomas Mapfumo (Zimbabwe) - Kuvarira Mukati - 7:09
The song title means "suffer in silence" and the song says that people must not remain silent but must stand up, speak, and fight. Thomas Mapfumo has been called the voice of African liberation and the Lion of Zimbabwe. He lives now in exile in Oregon. Here is an NPR review.

7. Alpha Blondy (Ivory Coast) - Tere - 5:05
Blondy is a worldwide reggae star. His site seems to be in French only. His nickname "Blondy" is an approximate pronunciation of "bandit", which is how his mother viewed him when he was a rebellious child. Here is a biography.

8. Saoud Massi (Algeria) - Le Bien et Le Mal - 2:55
Beautiful Souad's website seems to be in French only. She has an upcoming US tour for which the dates have not yet been set. A biography.

9. Hijas del Sol (Equatorial Guinea) - E ria ë nta - 3:07
The "Daughters of the Sun" of Bantu heritage are from the island of Bioko off the coast of Cameroon. Here is a biography on Calabash.

10. Umanji (South Africa) - Marokane - 5:16
Umanji is actually Mabuti Nkuna: his nickname comes from the Robin Williams movie "Jumanji". Umanji is from the Northern Provinces of South Africa where he absorbed that region's Tsonga music. His work incorporates elements and strands from all over the world, but his song topics are said to be thoroughly African. The title "Marokane" appears to be a Dutch or Afrikaans word that means Moroccan.

11. Afro-Fiesta (Congo DRC) - Uptown Girl - 5:00
Mermans Kenkosenki started secretly playing guitar in the late 1980s as a student in Kinshasa. His desire to be a musician took him to Angola and later to South Africa, where his career flourished in Capetown. Years of practice, growth, and gradual formation of his latest band led in January 2006 to his first album, from which two cuts in this list are taken. More.

12. Henri Dikongue (Cameroon) - Bulu Bo Windi Tenge - 3:36
Known as "Cameroon's Musical Ambassador", Henri Dikongue is a superb guitarist and a quiet singer. Here is an interview.

13. Coco Mbassi (Cameroon) - Mbombo - 4:40
Coco Mbassi is an African jazz vocalist. This cut is from her album Sepia. Here is her home page.

14. Yoro and Yoon Wi (Senegal) - Nittu Nit - 4:08
There is almost nothing on the web about Yoro and his album "Begg Dem". His website is entirely in French. He seems mainly to be a club musician in Dakar. This page is also in French and has some interesting photos.

15. Assab (Ethiopia) - O Alem - 3:11
Irresistable Ethiopian urban music. Here is Assab's home page. Assab is also a port in Eritrea (not Ethiopia) on the Red Sea.

16. Eneida Marta (Guinea-Bissau) - Mindjer Dôce Mel - 3:44
A gorgeous person with an equally gorgeous voice, backed up beautifully on this and other songs. Here is her home page - but it's mostly in Portuguese. Here is an excellent review.

17. Bola Abimbola (Nigeria) - Ajo - 2:48
"Ajo" means journey in this song about the charms of being at home (more). Bola Abimbola's music is influenced by a wide range of traditions, from his native Yoruba culture to American rhythm and blues. He lives in Georgia and Colorado. Here is Bola's website, new in June 2006.