World Music Central Announces Its Best World Music Albums of 2013

World Music Central’s music critics and special guests announced today their lists of best world music albums of 2013.

Yvon Ambrosi – akhaba.com (Paris, France)

First, we begin with our special guests and colleague Yvon Ambrosi, who lives in Paris. For twelve years, he ran the only retail store in France specializing in World Music. In 2011, he created akhaba.com, the first French World Music online record shop and magazine.

This is akhaba.com’s Top Ten for 2013:

Omar Sosa – Eggun The Afri-Lectric Experience (Jazz Village, 2013)
Stefano Bollani & Hamilton De Holanda – O Que Sera (ECM, 2013)
Ibrahim Maalouf – Illusions (Mi’Ster Prod, 2013)
Kan – Sleeper (Kan Music, 2013)
Yasmine Hamdan – Ya Nass (Crammed, 2013)
Bomba Estéreo – Elegancia Tropical (Soundway, 2012)
Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino – Pizzica Indiavolata (Ponderosa, 2013)
Erik Aliana – Just My Land (Buda Musique, 2013)
The Khoury Project – The Adventures of Prince Ahmed (Institut du Monde Arabe, 2013)
VA – Diablos del Ritmo The Colombian Melting Pot 1960-1985 (Analog Africa, 2013)

Tony Hillier – Weekend Australian, Rhythms magazine and World Music Central (Cairns in North Queensland, Australia)

Tony Hillier writes for national publications such as the Weekend Australian and Rhythms magazine. He is a regular contributor to World Music Central.

Top Ten Albums of The Year

1. Joseph Tawadros – Chameleons Of The White Shadow (Universal)

Egyptian-Australian oud master Tawadros and American banjo maestro Bela Flek constitutes a match made in stringed-instrument heaven. Add jazz players of the calibre of Joey DeFrancesco, Roy Ayers, Howard Johnson and Richard Bona, and some great compositions and you have an exceptional album.

2. Ry Cooder & Corridos Famosos – Live In San Francisco (Warner)

Roots guru Ry Cooder takes a timely trawl through a back catalogue replete with treasures, in a concert recorded in his home city.

3. Lau – Race The Loser (Reveal)

Superb folk soundscapes from a Scottish trio, whose music map has expanded to encompass judicious electronic elements.

4. Debashish Bhattacharya & friends – Beyond The Ragasphere (Riverboat)
5. Richard Thompson – Electric (Proper)
6. Esko Järvelä Epic Male Band (Sibelius Academy Folk Music Recordings)
7. Bassekou Kouyate – Jama Ko (Out Here)
8. Fabian Holland – Fabian Holland (Rooksmere)
9. Guy Clark – My Favorite Picture Of You (Dualtone)
10. Kobo Town – Jumbie In The Jukebox (Cumbancha)

Best Compilation

Various Artists – Way To Blue: The Songs Of Nick Drake (Navigator)

Best Reissue

Eliza Carthy – Wayward Daughter (Topic)

Tom Orr – World Music Central (California, USA)

Tom Orr has been writing album reviews for World Music Central for many years.

The Oldians – Downtown Rock
Vieux Farka Toure – Mon Pays
Lala Njava – Malagasy Blues Song
Salaam – Train to Basra and Other Stories
Carmen Sousa – Kachupada
Kobo Town – Jumbie in the Jukebox
Etran Finatawa – The Sahara Sessions
Tito Puente – Quatro: The Definitive Collection
R. Carlos Nakai and Will Clipman – Awakening the Fire
Ted Sirota’s Heavyweight Dub – The Scientist Meets Ted Sirota’s Heavyweight Dub

Rafael Mieses – Músicas del Mundo.com (Tampa, Florida, USA)
Rafael Mieses is a regular album reviewer at our Spanish language world music site Músicas del Mundo.com

1 – Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba – Jama Ko (Out Here Records)
2 – The Garifuna Collective – Ayó (Cumbancha)
3 – Stefano Bollani & Hamilton de Holanda – O que sera (ECM)
4 – Bombino – Nomad (Nonesuch)
5 – Roberto Fonseca – Yo (Concord)
6 – Africando – Viva Africando (Sterns Africa)
7 – Eliane Elias – I thought about you: A tribute to Chet Baker (Concord)
8 – Maria Marquez – Tonada (Adventure Music)
9 – Bobby McFerrin – Spirityouall (Sony Masterworks)
10 – Preservation Hall Jazz Band – That’s it (Sony Legacy)

Angel Romero – World Music Central (Durham, North Carolina, USA)

Angel is the managing editor for World Music Central. His list is in alphabetical order.

Africando – Viva Africando (Sterns)
Antonio Loureiro – Só (Borandá)
Anoushka Shankar – Traces Of You (Deutsche Grammophon)
Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba – Jama Ko (Outhere Records)
Bombino – Nomad (Nonesuch Records)
Budiño – Sotaque (Fol Música)
Clannad – Clannad at Christ Church Cathedral (ARC Music EUCD2441, 2013)

Debashish Bhattacharya – Beyond The Ragasphere (World Music Network)
Esko Jarvela – Epic Male Band (Sibelius Academy Folk Music Recordings)
Roberto Fonseca – Yo (Montuno Producciones/Concord Jazz)

Best upcoming artist

Mor Karbasi – La Tsadika (Gibraltar Production)