1. Jimmy Omonga (Congo DRC) - Destin - 5:10
Do not judge by appearances, learn to do our dances, only God knows our destiny. This is the title song on Jimmy (formerly Jibriel) Omonga's recent debut album. He now lives in Capetown, South Africa. Here's an excellent article on Hippo Records (Netherlands) with many photos and a link to his press kit. Watch him performing in Amsterdam in September 2008. Listen to a sample of this song on Amazon.

2. Moussa Diallo (Mali) - Ayé Wouly - 4:39
Diallo's fine website. In August 2008 he released two new mostly acoustic albums. He appears to be based in Denmark now. He's written a children's book, Once Upon a Time in Mali, viewable online with accompanying readings and songs. Here's a recent live performance of another song, "Maninda". Listen to a sample of "Ayé Wouly".

3. Chiwoniso (Zimbabwe) - Wakashinga - 4:15
Chiwoniso Maraire's website, with bio, videos and tour dates. She performed in North America summer-fall 2008 and she'll be in Paris in November 2008. Here's a two-minute YouTube interview with her. Listen to a sample of this song.

4. Jimmy Omonga (Congo DRC) - Nabondela - 3:45
See above for information about Jimmy Omonga. Listen.

5. Kaïssa (Cameroon) - Sangwam - 5:33
Kaïssa plays often in clubs in New York City, where she has lived for the last 12 years. Her website. Here is a brief biography on CDBaby. This is a quietly powerful song - listen.

6. Etienne Mbappé (Cameroon) - Cameroun O Mulema - 4:16
The bassist's website, and his MySpace page with upcoming gigs ranging from India to California. A YouTube preview and conversation. Listen on Amazon.

7. Rajery (Madagascar) - Vavaka - 4:01
Here's a detailed biography of Germain Randrianrisoa - Rajery - on Calabash. Watch an intricate live solo clip from a different song. Listen to a sample of this song.

8. Ouza (Sénégal) - Thiey Sana Boton - 5:31
Ousmane Diallo - Ouza - is in his early 60s. He's the father of the eminent Sénégalese musician Cheikh Lo. Here's a brief biography with a photo. Watch another Ouza song on YouTube, or listen on Amazon to this one.

9. Julianna Kanyomozi (Uganda) - Mwami Wendeko - 3:24
Beautiful Julianna (or Juliana), Princess of Toro in western Uganda, is married to a Ugandan boxer who lives now in the US. Many of her songs are on YouTube, but not this one. Here is an excellent article on Uganda Pulse with photos and videos. Listen.

10. Moussa Diallo (Mali) - Koulékan - 4:02
See above for information about Moussa Diallo. Listen to a sample of this song.

11. Mahotella Queens (South Africa) - Dlhaya Mhunu - 3:48
The Mahotella Queens, now grandmothers, were among the inventors of South Africa's gospel-traditional mbaqanga sound in the 1960s. Watch some up-close recording studio footage from 1974. Here's a review of the album from which this catchy song comes: "... sheer joy disguised as music." Listen to a sample of this song.

12. Tcheka (Cape Verde Islands) - Lingua Pretu - 4:23
An impassioned singer who uses jazz instruments that are unusual in African music. Biography with photo. His MySpace page. Listen.