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This is neither the throbbing mbaqanga of the townships nor the ponderous classicism of Kronos's African explorations. The Soweto String Quartet offer a light, poppy sound that mixes their cello, viola, and violins with a South African rhythm section and some touches of winds and brass. They move se...

In the short time since their first CD release, Soweto Gospel Choir has become one of the most celebrated world music groups performing today. Their releases have hit the Top Ten of the Billboard World Music Charts and their coast-to-coast tours have electrified audiences across the country. The...

The Zulu a cappella ensemble Ladysmith Black Mambazo, named for their hometown and for the Zulu word for "axe," was "discovered" by Paul Simon, who recorded them on his landmark 1986 album Graceland. By 1990 Mambazo had recorded three more albums for Warner Bros.--the Grammy-nominated Shaka Zulu, Jo...

This, the third pairing of Brit multi-instrumentalist Thornton and Egyptian percussionist Ramzy, further explores Middle Eastern dance motifs in a contemporary setting. Recording the basic tracks in the U.K., they went to Cairo and invited some of the top local musicians to collaborate. Flute, violi...

Like Ireland, Cape Verde is a former island colony which has perennially lost its young people to emigration. And like its Irish counterpart, Verdean music is filled with songs of separation and homesickness. Cesaria Evora, the greatest Verdean singer of her generation, includes several of those son...

Nigeria Rock Special...

Live at Pep's...

The phrase "Time to meditate," as crooned by Ladysmith Black Mambazo in the song "Hello My Baby," might well be the most exquisitely sung line in all recorded music. Tastefully produced by Paul Simon following the success of Graceland, 1987's Shaka Zulu finds Ladysmith harmonizing as sweetly in Engl...

Mali: Ancient Strings...

Voice of Africa...