1. Eric Wainaina (Kenya) - Mabawa - 3:38
Eric's website. He attended Berklee School of Music in Boston. Listen to a sample of this song on Amazon.

2. Khunta & Sixko (Ivory Coast) - Mère Afrique - 5:11
There is almost nothing on the internet about these two young men. Khunta died in late December 2007, in Abidjan. Listen to a sample of this song.

3. Mamay Worku (Ethiopia, US) - Ene Genn - 3:54
Mamay lives in Denver now and has lived in Seattle in the past. She's apparently very active in helping her community wherever she is. Her music is compelling. Listen to a sample.

4. Louanges De Vie (Ivory Coast) - Console Moi - 4:38
Jober Entertainment, of places unknown, brings wonderful music to the world, including this group from the Ivory Coast who sing fine Christian gospel songs. Who are these musicians? How can we find out more? Listen to a sample.

5. Rachel Magoola (Uganda) - Endagaano - Reprise - 4:03
According to her website, Rachel Magoola was a primary school teacher before singing with the Afrigo Band and then going on to her career as a leading gospel singer in Uganda. (This playlist coincidentally has several gospel songs - maybe that's because they're attractive and upbeat.) Listen to a sample.

6. Gawlo & Diego (Sénégal) - Su Fiu Ande - 4:04
An instrumental from Coumbo Gawlo and Souleymane Faye (nicknamed Diego); there's also a vocal version. Here's a brief biography, and a quote from Gawlo about marriage. Listen.

7. Carlyto Lassa (Congo DRC) - Africa Na Moto - 4:24
Carlyto Lassa is a Congolese gospel singer. Here's a long YouTube video from the same album as this song. Listen.

8. Oumou Dioubaté (Guinea) - Rokiya - 5:26
Oumou is said to be an exceptionally worldly, outspoken and independent person. She lives with her young daughter in Conakry, Guinea's capital. Here's an excellent biography. A televised performance viewable on YouTube. Listen.

9. Manu Dibango (Mali) - Mulema Etoum - 5:24
Manu Dibango is 75 years old, though you probably wouldn't guess that from his voice. Here's a Wikipedia article. Listen.

10. Nakaaya (Tanzania) - Nyimbo Za Uhuru - 4:20
Nakaaya's website and MySpace page. She was born within sight of Mount Kilimanjaro. Listen to a sample of this song about freedom (uhuru).

11. Gadji Celi (Ivory Coast) - H.B. - 4:37
There's very little information to be found about Gadji Celi. He's not on Calabash or eMusic, not in the Leopardman list. He has sung with the famous Ivoirenne Aicha Koné, and he has some videos on YouTube. Listen.

12. Brenda Fassie (South Africa) - Sum'Bulala - 4:05
Brenda Fassie was born in 1964, named after American country singer Brenda Lee. Here's a fine Wikipedia article. She sounds like country star Pam Tillis and was known as the "Queen of African Pop". She died very young from drug abuse in 2004, with Nelson Mandela at her side in the hospital. Listen.