Inspired cross-cultural meeting of the kora, Indian and Egyptian tablas, santoor and double bass. Features Ravi, Tarun Bhattacharya, Bikram Ghosh, Danny Thompson and Hossam Ramzy, and is produced by John Leckie. 11 tracks, UK.

Fiddling has had a lengthy history in Africa which has long been ignored. Jacqueline Cogdell DjeDje corrects this oversight with an expansive study on fiddling in the Fulbe, Hausa, and Dagbamba cultures of West Africa. DjeDje not only explains the history of the instrument itself, but also discusses the processes of stylistic transference and adaptation, suggesting how these may have contributed to differing performance practices. Additionally, DjeDje delves into the music, the performance context, the musicians behind the fiddle, the meaning of the instrument, and its use in these three cultures. Index, bib, notes, b/w illus, 337pp, USA. INDIANA UNIVERSITY PRESS.

French DJ and producer Frederic Galliano recorded this album with several women singers from across West Africa. The result is a fusion of West African beats and melodies with European production. Double CD, CD1: 7 tracks, 55:52 mins, CD2: 7 tracks, 63:32 mins, GERMANY. F COMMUNICATIONS,

Examines the origins and development of Highlife music in West Africa. Essentially an urban musical form, this book argues that its dynamism does not lie in the aesthetics of its form and style, but in its song-texts, which have shaped its development and in so doing represent not only Africas culture but her social, economic and political problems. Its musicians, it argues, acquired the status of modern town-criers whose song-texts are communal messages, warning and counselling, preachers of political and social messages. 208pp, NIGERIA. MALTHOUSE.

Africando, the Afro-Salsa supergroup is back. Fourteen years after the historic first meeting of the best singers from Senegal and the best Latin musicians in New York, Ketukuba , their seventh album is ready. Ketukuba is a tribute to the late Gnonnas Pedro, Benin's favourite son, who sang with Africando from 1996 until his death in 2004. The title song, was his last recording. 11 tracks, 58:21mins, UK. STERN'S.

A selection of music from West Africa. 14 tracks, UK. WRASSE RECORDS

A celebration of the music of the Mande Jeliou, or griots showcasing the interweaving instrumental patterns and impassioned singing. 6 tracks, 60:23 mins, FRANCE. MELODIE DISTRIBUTION.

First volume of classics from the mid-seventies to the mid-nineties, the golden age of West African pop. 12 tracks, UK.

Second volume of classics from the mid-seventies to the mid-nineties, the golden age of West African pop. 12 tracks, UK.

Features music produced in sub-Saharan West Africa from the late 1950s up to the early 1980s. With highlife guitars and horns, Guinean big-band music, early Senegalese mbalax with its tasty Latin influences and the funky Afro-beat sound that shakes the hippest dancefloors across the globe, this is the big beat of West Africa. Artists include: E.T. Mensah, Geraldo Pino & The Heartbeats, Bembeya Jazz, Dexter Johnson & The International Band feat. Laba Sosseh, Celestine Ukwu, Balla Et Ses Balladins, Doudou Sow, Horoya Band, Super Sweet Talks, Sir Victor Uwaifo & His Melody Maestroes, Eric Agyeman, Orchestre Rail Band De Bamako feat. Salif Keita and Orchestre Baobab. UK. ROUGH GUIDES.

Recorded and edited by Arthur S.Alberts in the 1940s, profusely annotated and illustrated on 2 CDs. 46 tracks, UK.

A new label that combines the ideals of reducing poverty, defending human rights and protecting the environment in partnership with Amnesty International and Oxfam. Packaged in a 100% recycled card case with no plastic component. From the sumptuous koras (the West African harp) of Toumani Diabaté and Ballaké Sissoko to the acoustic guitar legends Baaba Maal and Mansour Seck, West Africa Unwired presents some of the most beautiful classics from the acoustic West Africa repertoire. Artists: Baaba Maal & Mansour Seck, Diénéba Seck, Mory Kanté, Toumani Diabaté & Ballaké Sissoko, Nuru Kane, Kanté Manfila, Issa Bagayogo, Mah Damba, Daby Balde, Djeli Moussa Diawara & Bob Brozman, Grand Papa Diabaté & Sona Diabaté, Etran Finatawa and Boubacar Traoré. 13 tracks, 67:19mins, UK. WORLD MUSIC NETWORK.

A big book which tells the story of the development and evolution of music in the region. Sections on roots, feedback, sounds and personalities of today (in Ghana, Liberia, francophone W Africa, reggae, disco, rock, etc), music business, crossovers. Original 349pp, 1992. TEMPLE SMITH UNIVERSITY PRESS.