| African Reggae (Putumayo, 2009) World music maven Putumayo remains a great resource for exposure to music from around the globe, but it's surprising that it took 16 years for them to get around to African reggae, especially since there've been several such compilations over the years (Reggae Africa, Fly African Eagle, Black Star Liner, etc.). As such, 10 tracks for a 16-year wait feels woefully inadequate, but the songs are pleasant enough, delivering the light, singalong, call-and-response roots sound that has come to characterize African reggae. However, they almost all need to be GREAT in order to not only make the 16 years seem worthwhile, but more importantly to adequately represent the breadth of reggae from an entire continent. I can't say that the compilation is THAT good, but it's an enjoyable slice of worldly culture. The album begins with the two best songs, Ismael Isaac's groovy "Magno Mako" and the soulful "Vision," by name-of-the-year nominees Mo'Kalamity & The Wizards. This sets a great standard that the remainder of the set can't maintain, but it still contains several other quality tracks -- namely "Congo Natty," the jazzy hip-hop of "Jabulani," the blissful roots of "Krebo Cheo" and the rich, cultural sound of Kwame Bediako's "Steppin' into Zion." |
| Track Listing 1. Magno Mako -- Ismael Isaac 2. Vision -- Mo'kalamity & The Wizards 3. Congo Natty -- Bingui Jaa Jammy 4. Jabulani -- Zoro 5. Krebo Cheo -- Nino Galissa 6. Bo Ten Qu'Luta' -- One Love Family 7. Steppin' Into Zion -- Kwame Bediako 8. On Veut Se Marier -- Ba Cissoko & Tiken Jah Fakoly 9. Jah Libile -- Serges Kassy 10. Man of Sorrow -- Majek Fashek |
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