Vieux Farka Toure continues to develop his musical persona, moving beyond the long shadow of his legendary father Ali Farka Toure. Like his father, the young Malian guitarist, singer, songwriter continues to write songs based in the blues but also suggests that dub and jam/rock finds its roots in West African music.

The Malian husband and wife musicians Amadou and Miriam team up with producers Marc Antoine Moreau and Laurent Jais and Damon Albarn.

The album features great pop and African elements and a foray into English lyrics.

Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, So Kalmery creates music that reflects the upheaval in society but with an infectious danceable beat that revolves

around rhythmic guitar, flute and percussion.

Nigerian singer songwriter Asa was born in Paris and moved to Lagos as a young child. The shy tomboy broke the mold set out for women in her culture by taking up guitar and performing music that encompasses the European, American and African culture.

Senegalese musician Ablaye Cissoko teams up with German jazz artist Volker Goetz for a remarkable new album that features the kora, ancient stringed instrument, with the muted tones of the trumpet. Cissoko’s vocals add a reverent aspect to 10 songs that sound otherwordly.

Femi Kuti has struggled to create his own musical identity separate from that of his legendary father, Nigerian superstar Fela Kuti. Femi’s work features western influences like funk, soul, and jazz but also bears the political overtones and Afropop rhythms associated with his father.

Sigur Ros may be the best known band to emerge from Iceland but their sound is otherworldly. Blending orchestral rock with idiosyncratic vocals the band has created a unique niche for themselves in popular music. “With a Buzz In Our Ears We Play Endlessly,” marks a new phase in Sigur Ros’ development. Written and recorded outside of Reykavik for the first time, the album encompasses a more assessable sound without losing it’s edge.

Mexican-American singer Lila Downs marries traditional and contemporary sounds to create a new music that incorporates unique elements from two very different cultures. “Shake Away” features songs sung in both English and Spanish, guest artists Raul Midon, Mercedes Sosa and Enrique Bunbury, Ruben Ortega and La Mari de Chambao, Downs’ band La Misteriosa, and the powerful vocals of one of modern Mexico’s talented performers.

Grupo Fantasma, a ten-piece band from Austin, Texas, blends salsa, cumbia, funk and psychedelia on their 4th album “Sonidos Gold.”

One of Senegal’s most iconic bands reunited in 2002 and received an enthusiastic reaction from critics and their devoted following. In 2008 the band released “Made in Dakar,” a celebration of a city, a nation and its music.