A long-overdue collection of work by Balka Sound – an important 80s group from Brazzaville, and one whose name evokes their style of music – a sound based in folksy roots, but which is updated here with electric guitar and bass, next to lively percussion and really great vocals! The group's lead singer is Nkibi Albert, who has this really enigmatic way of putting across a lyric, especially when a bit of echo is used in the production – and amidst the other instrumentation, he also plays ngonfi as well. The production is great on most of these tracks – not nearly as mainstream as other African sounds from the time, which were rising to meet the global world music market – and titles include "Bia Sala", "Lekou", "Ku Mavula", "Kidilu", "Ah Luisaala", "Nia Nia", "Wa Yiwou", "Mwan Kisana", and "Kwele". CD

A classic soundtrack from Indian film composer Rahul Dev Burman – and one that reminds us just how important the voice was to the format over the years! Unlike some Bollywood soundtracks, which have long upbeat songs that are driving the dance numbers in the film – this score has a fair bit of mellower tracks, which really seem to bring out the best of the famous singers in the music – a lineup that includes Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Mohammad Rafi, and Kishore Kumar. Titles include "Dil Sajan Jalta Hai", "Pvar Hai Ik Nishan Qadmon Ka (part 1)", "Dance Music", "Lalla Lalla Lori Doodh Ki Katori", and "Suhani Chandni Raten". CD

A great return to form for this legendary Somalian group – a combo who made some important records in the 80s, but were part of the huge diaspora on their scene as the troubles of the following decade forced a long pause in cultural activity! Here, the group are reborn with new youthful energy – as Dur Dur Band International, and working here with vocals from three different singers – Fadumina Hilowle, Zabiib Sharabi, and Cabdinuur Alaale – three different voices who really help expand the sound of the set! There's still plenty of East African roots here – in both the rhythms, and the exotic currents of the keyboards and saxophone lines – and despite the Berlin setting for the album, the record has a very traditional approach to production and presentation. Titles include "Love My Love", "Duurka", "Jija Love", "Sallal", "Heeyaa", "Hasha Geel", and "Riyo". CD

The birth of a legend – a set that brings together all the important early recordings that made Ravi Shankar such a key ambassador for Indian music in the 60s – long tracks that mix his sitar with really incredible percussion, all spun out with pulsating modal energy that went on to have a huge impact on jazz, rock, and even more serious classical music too! Given that Shankar's cited as an influence by folks from Philip Glass to George Harrison to countless others, this package is really the place to start if you want to understand his music – and as with other titles from the Fremeaux label, the presentation is great, with lots of music in the set, and notes in French and English. Titles include "Raga Ramkali", "Raga Jog", "Raga Simhendra-Madhyamam", "Raga Ahir-Bhairav", "Dhun Kafi", "Raga Hamsadhwani", "Raga Rageshri", "Fire Night", and "Improvisation On The Theme Music From Panther Panchali". CD

A record that marks an unusual chapter in the career of this legendary group, yet one that also fits very strongly into their wonderful run of albums in the 21st Century! The set's got a unique approach – recorded in a tent in Algeria, but with long-distance production from Daniel Lanois – and contributions by a few Nashville musicians too – in ways that only seem to reinscribe the importance of the guitar work at the group's core, even while other flavors might be sliding in and out of the mix! Despite Lanois' legacy with some more popular acts, the sound is never too commercial – plenty to love here if you love Tinariwen – on titles that include "Kek Alghalm", "Arajghiyine", "Tidjit", "Jayche Atarak", "Imidwan Mahitinam", "Ezlan", "Iket Adjen", and "Nak Idnizdjam". CD

A really mind-bending collection of African grooves – one that digs deep into the West African scene of the early 70s – and comes up with a massive batch of tunes that really opens up our understanding of the music! The sound here isn't just 70s Afro Funk – as the tunes include a range of tripped-out styles that make the best use of electric instrumentation, psychedelic production, and important influences from American soul artists at the time. There's some amazing guitar on some of the best tracks – ringing out with a sound that's chromatically complex while also being tripped-out and funky – in a way that complicates the rhythms without totally taking them apart. If you've dug the tunes on previous sets like Africa Funk or Ghana Soundz, this is one to take that sound to the next level – and really open up your ears! Titles include "Keleya" by Moussa Doumbia, "Love's A Real Thing" by The Super Eagles, "Minsato Le Mi Dyihome" by Orchestre Poly-Rhythmo De Cotonou Dahomey, "Porry" by Sorry Bamba, "Allah Wakbarr" by Ofo & The Black Company, "Sanjina" by Orchestre Regional De Kayes, "Ifa" by Tunji Oyelana & The Benders, "Zinabu" by Bunzu Sounds, and "Awon-Ojise-Oluwa" by Gasper Lawal. CD