Three recent compilations use the word party in the album’s title. These electrifying will get your guests grooving. The Rough Guide to African Street Party focuses on Africa and the diaspora. Africa is represented by dance oriented acts from across Africa, including Kenya, Mali, Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Congo and Uganda. The diaspora is represented by captivating collaborations between musicians from Africa and South America (specifically Colombia and Venezuela).
The Rough Guide to African Street Party includes well known names such as U.S.-based Congolese salsa musician Ricardo Lemvo, Kenya’s Kenge Kenge and the rising star of Mali, Vieux Farka Touré, along with lesser known artists that are nonetheless very appealing.
Putumayo came out with a CD titled Putumayo Presents African Party. This collection features well known stars from West Africa, the Congo and South Africa. The artists featured are Sekouba Bambino (Guinea), Maciré Sylla (Guinea), BoPol Mansiamina (Congo), Oliver Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe), Les Go de Koteba (Ivory Coast), Mapumba (Congo/South Africa), Kotoja (Nigeria/USA), Chiwoniso (Zimbabwe), Louis Mhlanga (South Africa), Bonga (Angola). A portion of Putumayo’s proceeds from the sale of African Party will be donated to HopeHIV.
Think Global: Fiesta Latina (Think Global, THINK109) has chosen the sounds of the Spanish speaking Caribbean with a collection of infectious salsa, bachata, and merengue. The selection includes the late Ray Barretto, the increasingly popular Grammy award-winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra, the Colombian-African collaboration Colombiafrica – The Mystic Orchestra, La Sonora Dinamita and several other regional stars: Grupo Caribe, Las Nenas Del Swing, Monchy y Alexandra, Los Hermanos Rosario, La Nueva Patrulla, Roberto Linares Brown, Pochy & Su Cocoband, Mayito Rivera, Frankeley, Los Fulanos, and Orlando Conga.
Buy the CDs:
- In North America, Rough Guide to African Street Party, Putumayo Presents African Party, Think Global: Fiesta Latina
- In Europe: The Rough Guide to African Street Party, Putumayo Presents African Party, Think Global – Fiesta Latina
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
