1. Kofi Ackah (Ghana) - Me Wo Bi - 6:44
From the second in the African Guitar Summit series of CDs by African guitarists living in Canada. This song is about a wealthy and proud man who could care less if his woman turns down his marriage proposal - I have it all anyway, he thinks. The Summit's official website. Here's an excellent review of an African Guitar Summit concert in Toronto in 2006.

2. John Amutabi Nzenze (Kenya) - Walimwengu - 6:00
John Nzenze was born around 1940 and has been a lifelong pioneer of African guitar music. This cut is from his album Nimlilie Nani available on eMusic and elsewhere. Here's an interesting blog entry about him and his music.

3. Bafo Bafo (South Africa) - Manje - 5:29
Hang on to your hat! What a rousing and happy song. Bafo Bafo ("Brother Brother" in Zulu) are a duo from Johannesburg. Their home page.

4. Madoxx (Uganda) - Nakatude - 6:45
Madoxx, born David Ssemanda Ssematimba, now lives in Goteborg in southwestern Sweden. This and other songs from his album Abato are relaxing, swaying reggae classics. His very informative website.

5. Alpha Blondy (Ivory Coast) - Lune de Miel - 3:52
Blondy is a worldwide reggae star. His website 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.

6. Mamadou Diabate (Mali) - Sara - 5:10
Mamadou Diabate is a master of the kora, or west African harp. He is touring the US in late 2007. Concert dates and much more can be found on his home page.

7. Mbilia Bel (Kenya, Congo DRC) - Belissimo - 4:00
Mbilia Bel is a legend of the lively soukous music that came out of Congo DRC in the 50s and spread to East Africa. She was associated for many years with Tabu Ley Rochereau starting the the early 80s. A fine biography.

8. Pa Joe (Ghana) - Apotrobodwe - 4:27
Pa Joe is a member of Canada's African Guitar Summit group from Canada. See the notes above for cut #1.

9. Ba Cissoko (Guinea) - Sai - 4:35
This cut is from Cissoko's album Sabolan. Here is a brief bio and review on Calabash.

10. Ismaël Lô (Senegal) - Lote Lo - 6:32
Here is Ismaël Lô's home page. And check out this You Tube music video.

11. Daby Balde (Senegal) - Mbeugel - 5:36
Moutarou ‘Daby’ Balde, in his 30s and from the troubled Cassamance region of Senegal south of Gambia, has recently gained fame in Senegal and worldwide. A biography with video clips.

12. Dilon Djindji (Mozambique) - Sofala - 4:25
Sofala is a province in Mozambique. Dilon Djindji, 75+ years old, has been part of the Mabulu cooperative of musicians in Mozambique. He has struck out solo for the first time only recently. Here are a review and information about the album from Calabash and National Geographic.

13. Maezah (Togo, Cameroon) - O Wassa Wei - 3:52
This trio of women come from Cameroon/Togo, France, and the island Antilles in the West Indies. Their sound is similar to Zap Mama: truly of the world yet distinctively West African. More information.