To my collection

I've added five new albums of African music - making an effort to collect as wide a range as possible!

Fela Kuti - The Best of fela kuti

Considered to be on of Africa's greatest musicians. Pioneer of Afrobeat he was also active in human rights and politically vocal - the later resulting in his commune being attacked by a 1000 soldiers, who assaulted him, losing he's mother who died as a result of being thrown from a window and the burning of his studio, music and instruments.

He's style of music is a fusion of traditional African chants and rhythms, funk, jazz and psychedelic rock influenced heavily by African style percussion, vocals, and musical structure, along with jazzy, funky horn sections. Sung mainly in Nigerian pidgin, this allowed a wider audience to enjoy his music.

"Zombi"was a scathing attack on Nigerian soldiers using the zombie metaphor to describe the methods of the Nigerian military at the time. The track was a smash hit with Nigerians, so much so that it infuriated the government, setting off the vicious attack against the Kalakuta Republic, he's commune.

Youssou N"Dour - the guide(wommat)

A Senegalese singer and percussionist instrumental in shaping popular 'mbalax' music in Senegal, a blend of traditional griot percussion and praise-singing, influenced by Afro-Cuban and Haitian kompa arrangements.

Youssou N'Dour is one of the most celebrated African musicians in history. A renowned singer, songwriter, and composer, Youssou's mix of traditional Senegalese mbalax with eclectic influences ranging from Cuban samba to hip hop, jazz, and soul has won him an international fan base of millions. In the West, Youssou has collaborated with musicians Peter Gabriel, Axelle Red, Sting, Alan Stivell, Bran Van 3000, Neneh Cherry, Wyclef Jean, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Tracy Chapman, Branford Marsalis, Ryuichi Sakamoto and others. In Senegal, Youssou is a powerful cultural icon actively involved in social issues

Wikipedia

You may already be familiar with he's music if you have heard 7 seconds a duet with Neneh Cherry

Miram Makabe - The Guinea Years

Forced to quite her native South Africa and then the US to live in Guinea Conakry Miram Makeba introduced African music to millions of non Africans singing Zulu, Sotho, Swazi and Xhosa folk songs along with the new songs of a the multi-ethnic urban townships. Her repertoire include music from other regions of Africa.

The clicks of the "Click Song" is characteristic of the Xhosa language.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo - My Dream - African Sounds

A male choral group from South Africa singing in the vocal style of isicathamiya and mbube, they rose to worldwide prominence backing Paul Simon on his album, Graceland and winning three Grammy Awards.

A fine example of their backing is The Lion Sleeps Tonight

King Sunny Ade Mo Ti Mo & Destiny

Nigerian born singer performer of popular Yoruba Nigerian Jùjú music. Its primarily he's efforts that opened up opportunity for other West African singers who followed. The rhythm of his music is easy to follow,simple beats that are gentle to the ears.

King Sunny Ade live!