Craig Swingle’s Best World Albums of 2015
By Folk Department
Craig Swingle, host of World Turning (Friday, 12-2 pm)
In no particular order (artist/album/label) with short description
Rebirth. Les Ambassadeurs Harmonia Mundi The latest from the Malian afropop icons of the ’70’s
Amara Toure 1973-1980. Amara Toure. Analog Africa. Ten cleaned up cuts from an afrocuban icon.
Renascence. Kandia Kouyate. Sterns. Kandia had two major released recordings and innumerable bootleg cassettes available in Mali that all ended with her illness in 2004. For fans of classic Mande jelimuso music, she is without peer.
In Conclusion. Amadou Balake. Stern. RIP Amadou. This is a collection of his most well known songs from a long career in West African music recorded at the end of his life. A worthy look back.
Excavated Shellac: Reeds. Dust to Digital. A collection of reed music recorded for ’78’s from all the world.
Next Stop Soweto, Vol 4. Strut. More curated music from Soweto.
From Kinshasa. Mbongwana Star. World Circuit. Rocking music from Congo. On lots of 2015 Best of lists.
Kirik. Kasse Mady Diabate. Six Degrees. A classic of traditional Mande from one of the strongest current vocalists.
Musique de Nuit. Ballake Sissoko and Vincent Segel. Six Degrees. A worthy follow up to their first kora and cello recording.
22 Strings/Cordes. Seckou Keita. ARC Music. Strong solo kora.
Zoy Zoy. Tal National. Fat Cat Records. Niger rock and roll.
