1. 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.

2. Umanji (South Africa) - Ninuma Wa Wena - 5:31
Umanji is actually Mabuti Nkuna: his nickname comes from the Robin Williams movie "Jumanji". A former policeman, 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.

3. Ismael Lô (Senegal) - Xiif - 4:23
Ismael Lô, the "Bob Dylan of Senegal", was born in Nigeria to a Senegalese father and Nigerian mother. He is a Sufi and a painter as well as a musician. Here is a detailed biography.

4. Daby Touré (Senegal) - Iris - 3:41
Daby Touré is the first half of the former duo Touré-Touré. This song is sung in an imaginary language. It is about yearning for freedom. Here is Daby's excellent home page.

5. Ntsakala (Congo DRC) - Nzari - 3:49
An "ntsakala" is a maraca-like rhythm instrument from the Congo, made of a tin can punched with holes and filled with seeds. This Congolese-Swiss duo performs folk music characteristic of southern Congo.

6. Oliver Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe)) - Ndine Mubvunzo - 5:40
We saw Tuku in Somverville MA in late August, seated a few feet away from the band in Johnny D's in Davis Square. What a concert! One of the all time best. See Tuku's home page and concert dates here.

7. Seydu (Sierra Leone) - Rice Harvest - 4:20
Seydu now lives and works in Europe. He was formerly with the reggae group Bambara. Here is a brief biography.

8. Vieux Diop (Senegal) - Moulle (Sweat) - 6:20
Vieux Diop (his real name is Alioune Diop) started his performing career with the legendary Youssou N'Dour. Here is a review of the album "Afrika Wassa" on which this song appears.

9. Yoro and Yoon Wi (Senegal) - Ndaw Rew Mi - 5:03
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. One fine club musician! And with a very sophisticated web site too.

10. Umanji (South Africa) - Tuva - 5:10
See above for information about Umanji.

11. Tété Alhinho (Cape Verde Islands) - Scutam Ess Morna - 3:17
What a voice, what a wonderfully lyrical and direct song this is! Here is an excellent biography.