Amadou & Mariam – Dimanche A Bamako (Warner) – The blues suffered through a couple of miserable decades during the 70’s and 80’s which was about the time I was introduced to them, at least the west coast variety. Incessant guitar wanking over sped up twelve bar, glossed over with horns and keys … it had it’s moments but it could also sound like Huey Lewis and The News or worse. Then a friend turned me on to the real deal from legends like Howlin’ Wolf and Robert Johnson and I finally started to appreciate where this music was coming from. Later still, a copy of ‘Talking Timbuktu’ with Ry Cooder and Ali Farka Toure came into my hands and I got a small taste of the true root of the blues. Mali’s blind couple, Amadou & Mariam are pioneers of a contemporary blues expression that’s firmly grounded in the traditions of its African heritage. Amadou says, “We are always very open to sharing with the others, ready for meeting people. It is always necessary to create fusions.” Making those connections as producer of Dimanche a Bamako, their new album, is none other than global music pilgrim, Manu Chao. His minimalist, urban acoustic approach to music breathes air and expands the spaces in between Amadou & Mariam’s full-bodied blues, helping to create the most enjoyable global release of the year. Such high praise comes with a certain amount of corroboration. That BBC bastion of world music, Charlie Gillet suggests his listeners buy several copies of this disc as gifts because the music is too good not share. It’s inspiring that a sightless husband and wife team can so clearly see the path to a brighter future, not just for the blues but globally conscious music in general.

Yerba Buena – Island Life (Razor & Tie) - Yerba Buena’s master mind, Andres Levin laughs when he hears New Yorkers say they have to get away to an island somewhere, while forgetting they already live on one. As he explains, “With Manhattan’s growing Spanglish soul, the island music is right here, whether it’s merengue, reggaeton or even steel drums.” This ‘polycultural’ septet has just dropped their second release called ‘Island Life’, a concept album that represents Andre’s love of New York and the city’s energized tropical music scene. As he puts it, “it’s a soundtrack for urbanistic island living”  Island Life is teeming with guest appearances … everybody from rumba Flamenca vocalist, Peret to urban Cubans, Orishas. The album’s first single, Sugar Daddy features cameos from Colombian actor and comedian, John Leguizamo and soul sisters, Les Nubians. Listen closely and you’ll even hear a sample of the late, great Celia Cruz. Not that this dance machine needs any help getting the party started. Like Black Eyed Peas, Yerba Buena is a collection of strong, contrasting personas in funky costumes, only this Justice League has cooler superpowers and a bigger bag of grooves.

Dengue Fever – Escape From Dragon House (M80) - Music’s strength is its ability to thrive and influence, even under the most extreme conditions. During the Vietnam War, American Forces Radio beamed out a continuous mix of rock, pop and soul intended for the benefit of their troops. What they couldn’t have predicted was the impact it was having on neighboring Cambodia. American musician, Ethan Holtzman toured South East Asia in 1997 where he stumbled on some of the psychedelic Cambodian rock music being made by local musicians in the 60s and 70s. That sound stuck with him and once back in California, he recruited his brother, Zac and began auditions for a one-of-a-kind band they’d call, Dengue Fever. The crowning touch to their musical vision came when they recruited Ch’hom Nimol (chome nee-mol). She’s a stunning vocalist who actually used to sing for the King and Queen of Cambodia before finding her way to America. Building a cultural bridge out of psychedelic rock, surf guitar, Cambodian vocal tradition and Ethiopian grooves, Dengue Fever is deliriously different.