APRIL 1 2007Angelique Kidjo "Djin Djin"
(Razor & Tie Records / Benin)
Angelique Kidjo, whose work has garnered her four Grammy nominations, has cross-pollinated the West African traditions of her childhood in Benin with elements of American R&B, funk and jazz, as well as influences from Europe and Latin America. DJIN DJIN finds Kidjo partnering with such luminaries as Josh Groban, Alicia Keys, Peter Gabriel, Carlos Santana, Joss Stone and Ziggy Marley to create an album which is truly global in scope.
Papa Noel "Cafe Noir"
(Tumi Music / Congo)
There are centuries-old ties that bind the Congo and Cuba, dance steps that swayed from central Africa to the Caribbean and back again. The story of Congolese guitarist Papa Noel and his latest African-Cuban collaboration, Café Noir (Tumi Music), is the latest word in a long and fruitful cultural conversation spanning the Atlantic.
Ceu "Ceu"
(Six Degrees Records / Brazil)
Singer songwriter CéU is the epitome of malêmolencia, a beautiful and sexy 25 year old singer with a sophisticated, multi-layered sound. With her first album, CéU presents a modern, innovative and internationally appealing take on samba, at the meeting point between global urban sounds and the Afro-Brazilian tradition.
Lura "M'bem Di For A"
(Time Square Records / Cape Verde)
She's not the young heir to Cesaria Evora, but a full talent in her own right, with her own soft direction. It's hard not to be captivated by her singing on her sophomore disc; she's truly come of age this time around and found her sound. Not so much a star in the making as one who's now arrived.
Pacha Massive "All Good Things"
(Nacional Records / Latin America & USA)
The year 2007 is when Maya and Nova’s dreams are coming true now that their collective project, Pacha Massive, is taking a definitive step toward success. Among the singers chosen to work with them on this album are Patricia Lynn from Mexico, Leila Colom from Guatemala, Letha Francis from Brooklyn, Dominican Yassi Baby, and Colombian Lucia Pulido, among others.