Afropop Worldwide's 2021 Picks

<p dir="ltr"></p> <p><em>We like to end each year with a list of recommended releases. We don’t claim that these are the absolute best out of the vast universe of musical genres we follow at </em>Afropop Worldwid<em>e. We present them in alphabetical order, not ranked. Surely there are egregious omissions, and feel free to write us at </em><a href="mailto:info@afropop.org"><em>info@afropop.org</em></a><em> and point those out if you like. Our appetite knows no limit…</em></p> <p><em>Before we dive in, Afropop Worldwide would like to honor seven of the many notable figures in our musical world who passed away in 2021:</em></p> <ul><li><em>· </em><em>Barthelemy Attisso (Orchestre Baobab)</em></li><li><em>· </em><em>Bopol Mansiamina (Les Quatre Etoiles)</em></li><li><em>· </em><em>Jacob Desvarieux (Kassav)</em></li><li><em>· </em><em>Lee “Scratch” Perry</em></li><li><em>· </em><em>Robert Farris Thompson</em></li><li><em>· </em><em>Thione Seck</em></li><li><em>· </em><em>Victor Uwaifo</em></li></ul> <p><em>O.K., what follows is a set of releases that we particularly enjoyed this year, and hope you will too. Much of this music was recorded during the pandemic and involves stories of isolation and trans-global technological collaboration. There is also a prominent theme: concerns about the fate of the planet. Enjoy!</em></p> <p dir="ltr"><br><a href="https://afropop.test.ejaedesign.com/articles/wintering-in-east-africa"><strong>4 Mars, Super </strong><strong><em>Somali Sounds from the Gulf of Tadjoura</em></strong></a></p> <p dir="ltr">Rare tracks from the Djibouti’s top radio band of the ‘70s and ‘80s.</p> <p><br><strong>Anansy Cissé, </strong><strong><em>Anoura</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The gentler, more melodious side of guitar-driven Malian desert rock.</p> <p><br><a href="https://afropop.test.ejaedesign.com/articles/angelique-kidjos-homage-to-mother-nature"><strong>Angelique Kidjo, </strong><strong><em>Mother Nature</em></strong></a></p> <p dir="ltr">Kidjo’s genre-bending response to the climate crisis, rich with unexpected collaborators.</p> <p><br><strong>Arturo O'Farrill, </strong><strong><em>Dreaming in Lions</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">O’Farrill’s 10-piece Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble tackles two multi-track suites, one inspired by Hemingway, the other by the Malpaso Dance Company of Cuba.</p> <p><br><strong>Ballaké Sissoko, </strong><strong><em>Djourou</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The kora master breaks the mold with intimate collaborations from French rap poetry to classical music and deep Mande roots. </p> <p><br><strong>Bomba Estéreo, </strong><strong><em>Deja</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Colombia’s tech-roots powerhouse is back after four years with an expansive album evoking the four elements: <em>agua, aire, tierra and fuego</em>.</p> <p><br><strong>Boubacar “Badian” Diabate, </strong><strong><em>Mande Guitar</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Fabulous solo and duo guitar from a rising master; recorded at the Afropop studio (Full disclosure!)</p> <p><br><strong>Burkina Azza, </strong><strong><em>Wari bô</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Spectacular <em>balafon</em> artistry, straight-up acoustic and mesmerizing.</p> <p><br><strong>Cheikh Ibrahima Fame, </strong><strong><em>Peace in Africa</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">A Senegalese multi-instrumentalist and singer/bandleader debuts under his own name with a punchy blend of tradition and pop.</p> <p><br><strong>CIMAFUNK, </strong><strong><em>El Alimento</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Brilliant collision of Afro-Cuban music and heavy funk—tight as a snare drum!</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://afropop.test.ejaedesign.com/articles/400-am"><strong>Delgres, 4:00 A.M.</strong></a><br></p> <p dir="ltr">A rocking follow-up to this trio’s international debut merging Antillean roots and Delta blues.</p> <p><br><a href="https://afropop.test.ejaedesign.com/articles/dobet-gnahor%25C3%25A9-talks-pandemic-vision-and-new-album-coleur"><strong>Dobet Gnahore, </strong><strong><em>Couleur</em></strong></a></p> <p dir="ltr">High-energy return of an Ivoirian innovator and star; impressive stylistic range from roots to Afrobeats.</p> <p><br><strong>Edo Krdum, </strong><strong><em>Diversity</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Sudanese folk, via Northern Mali and Sweden; maybe our best find at WOMEX 2021.</p> <p><br><strong>Etran de L'Aïr, </strong><strong><em>Agadez</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Twenty-five year veterans of Saharan rock deliver electric trance spells on their second international release.</p> <p><br><strong>Femi and Made Kuti, </strong><strong><em>Legacy+</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">A double album pairing Fela’s eldest son with his grandson, Made. Reliable Afrobeat punch as the legacy lives on.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://afropop.test.ejaedesign.com/articles/hailu-mergia-and-the-walias-bands-tezeta"><strong>Hailu Mergia & the Walias Band, <em>Tezeta</em></strong></a><br></p> <p dir="ltr">A rich blast from Ethio-jazz’s “golden” past, and another gem from Awesome Tapes From Africa.</p> <p><br><strong>Ibrahima Cissoko & Mandingue Foly, </strong><strong><em>Liberté Mom Sa Bop</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Tight, spicy trad-pop from Cassamance, Senegal via France, the same route once forged by the legendary Toure Kunda. </p> <p><br><a href="https://afropop.test.ejaedesign.com/articles/peter-siegel-on-joseph-spence"><strong>Joseph Spence, </strong><strong><em>Encore (Unheard Recordings)</em></strong></a></p> <p dir="ltr">One can never get enough of the Bahamian guitar/vocal savant. </p> <p><br><a href="https://afropop.test.ejaedesign.com/articles/na-kozonga"><strong>Jupiter & Okwess, </strong><strong><em>Na Kozonga</em></strong></a></p> <p dir="ltr">The standard bearers for “alternative”—i.e. non-rumba—Congolese music branch out in global collaborations.</p> <p><br><a href="https://afropop.test.ejaedesign.com/articles/justin-adams-and-mauro-durante-still-moving"><strong>Justin Adams and Mario Duarte, </strong><strong><em>Still Moving</em></strong></a></p> <p dir="ltr">Desert-rock guitar meets southern Italian trance music: sublime.</p> <p><br><strong>Kasai Allstars, </strong><strong><em>Black Ants Always Fly Together, One Bangle Makes No Sound</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">In case the title doesn’t say it all, this superb Congo roots band is ever finding new ways to cast ancient spells. </p> <p><br><strong>Khaira Arby, </strong><strong><em>Khaira Arby in New York (Live in 2010)</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">This recording captures the exhilarating magic of a rare moment when the sound of Timbuktu rocked NYC nightclubs.</p> <p><br><strong>Kobo Town, </strong><strong><em>Carnaval of the Ghosts</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Another joyous set from a band that has made Toronto the home of classic calypso.</p> <p><br><strong>Les Filles de Illighadad, </strong><strong><em>At Pioneer Works</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">This rare women-led group has become a champion of Tuareg folk rock; here they're live and hypnotic.</p> <p><br><strong>Lokua Kanza, </strong><strong><em>Moko</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The Congolese maverick unveils a larger, orchestral sound while maintaining his intimate personal vibe.</p> <p><br><strong>Marisa Monte, </strong><strong><em>Portas</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Long-awaited new songs from one of Brazil’s most-gifted singer/songwriters.</p> <p><a href="https://afropop.test.ejaedesign.com/articles/afrique-victime" target="_blank"><br><strong>Mdou Moctar, </strong><strong><em>Afrique Victime</em></strong></a></p> <p dir="ltr">Mdou maintains his reputation as perhaps the hardest rocking of all the Sahelian desert rockers.</p> <p><br><strong>Minyo Crusaders, </strong><strong><em>Live at the Guess Who</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Japanese folk melodies set to thumping cumbia? Yes, and that’s just the beginning from this outstanding Tokyo combo.</p> <p><br><strong>Omar Pene, </strong><strong><em>Climat</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The <em>mbalax</em> veteran explores his softer side, showcasing a timeless voice, and, once again addressing the defining issue of the 21st century.</p> <p><br><a href="https://afropop.test.ejaedesign.com/articles/wintering-in-east-africa"><strong>Omar Sosa, </strong><strong><em>An East African Journey</em></strong></a></p> <p dir="ltr">The Cuban piano maverick collaborates warmly with traditional musicians from Ethiopia to Madagascar.</p> <p><br><a href="https://afropop.test.ejaedesign.com/articles/pedrito-martinez-talks-acertijos-riddles"><strong>Pedrito Martinez, </strong><strong><em>Acertijos</em></strong></a></p> <p dir="ltr">The Cuban percussion maestro ventures widely in this <em>tour de force</em>, including collaborating with Eric Clapton. (Hope he wore a mask!)</p> <p><br><strong>Somi, </strong><strong><em>Tribute to Miriam Makeb</em></strong><strong>a</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Somi digs deep in this tribute to a musical heroine; highly original.</p> <p><br><strong>Susana Baca, </strong><strong><em>Palabras Urgentes</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Too long since we’ve heard from the queen of Afro-Peruvian music, and she hasn’t lost her touch!</p> <p><br><strong>Tems, </strong><strong><em>If Orange Was A Place</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The latest sensation from Nigeria has a golden voice and serious global momentum.</p> <p><br><strong>Teno Afrika, </strong><strong><em>Amapiano Selections</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">A great introduction to the most influential sound out of South Africa this century.</p> <p><br><a href="https://afropop.test.ejaedesign.com/articles/kondi-band-we-famous"><strong>The Kondi Band, </strong><strong><em>We Famous</em></strong></a></p> <p dir="ltr">Sierra Leonean <em>lamellophone</em> roots music with a subtle techno production by Boima Tucker, a fine example of inter-generational collaboration.</p> <p><br><strong>Toots & The Maytals, </strong><strong><em>Got To Be Tough</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The last word from this giant of reggae roars with energy and soul.</p> <p><br><a href="https://afropop.test.ejaedesign.com/articles/toumani-diabat%25C3%25A9-on-working-with-the-london-symphony-orchestra"><strong>Toumani Diabaté and The London Symphony Orchestra, </strong><strong><em>Korolen</em></strong></a></p> <p dir="ltr">This kora plus symphony encounter took 13 years to reach our ears, and the story behind that is as remarkable as the music.</p> <p><br><strong>Urban Village, </strong><strong><em>Udondolo</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Four Soweto musicians reinvent the past from pastoral vocal harmony to the romp and groan of classic <em>mbaqanga</em>. Beautiful!</p> <p><br><a href="https://afropop.test.ejaedesign.com/audio-programs/chang%25C3%25BC%25C3%25AD"><strong>Various Artists, </strong><strong><em>Changüí: The Sound of Guantánamo</em></strong></a></p> <p dir="ltr">An extraordinary, long-overdue introduction to a hidden musical treasure of eastern Cuba.</p> <p><br><strong>Various Artists, </strong><strong><em>Comorian, We Are an Island, But We Are Not Alone</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Enchanting, intimate field recordings from a volcanic Indian Ocean island echo complex African and Arabic culture. </p> <p><br><a href="https://afropop.test.ejaedesign.com/articles/wintering-in-east-africa"><strong>Various Artists, </strong><strong><em>Zanzibara 10: Taarab Vibes from Mombasa and Tanga</em></strong></a></p> <p dir="ltr">A perfect companion to <em>Comorian</em>, a fine set of tunes from established <em>taarab</em> bands of the Swahili coast.</p> <p><br><strong>WizKid, </strong><strong><em>Made in Lagos</em></strong></p> <p>The top man in Nigerian Afrobeats in 2021 is conquering the world with his smooth, polished pop, while never forgetting his tough urban roots.</p>