"On Ethiopia's Freedom" His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia, addresses the Military College, Feb. 15, 1958.

Beres Hammond delivers a disc his fans will treasure with A Moment in Time. New releases from Fantan Mojah, Linval Thompson, Buju Banton, Lutan Fyah, Alborosie, Gyptian, Anthony B, Marlon Asher, Norris Man, Johnny Clarke, Cornel Campbell, Anthony Red Rose, Easy Star All-Stars, Heavy D, Sizzla, Squidly Cole, Dahweh Congo, Glen Washington, HR, Cocoa Tea, Kenneth Culture, Mikey Spice, Denroy Morgan, Al Pancho, Midnite, Busy Signal and Clinton Fearon; reissues from Peter Tosh, the Itals, Dennis Brown, the Uniques, Freddie McGregor and Mr. Vegas plus a basketful of local lights, compilations, a fistful of dub and ska albums and much more.

Bob is K.O.ed by the superb Francophonic retrospective box set of iconic Congolese orchestra Franco and TPOK Jazz. Then off to high-steppe with China's Hanggai and Mamer, down Jamaica way for the Ultimate Peter Tosh Experience, and a romp with Basque duo Oreka Tx. Back Stateside for Chicago's Occidental Brothers Dance Band International's crazy-good new recording, Jessica Burks and Steven Feld's odditie; Fula Flute and Abdoulaye "Djoss" Diabate wrap it up.

27TH ANNUAL BOB MARLEY AND THE WAILERS COLLECTORS EDITION

bOBAMArley: The Parallel Lives of Bob and Barack, by Matthew Smith

There are remarkable parallels in the trajectory of both Obama and Marley that are worth considering. Their appeal to a wide cross-section well beyond their expected audience has ensured them long-lasting relevance in a world that still cries out for "Hope" and "One Love."

In the Book of Life: The Marley Bibliography, by Joe Jurgensen

During Bob Marley's life on Earth, just a handful of books were published about him. Since his passing, however, that number has increased to over 200 worldwide, with over 60 manuscripts published in the last four years alone.

Wailers Scrapbook, collected by Roger Steffens

Jeffrey discusses the impact of the digital world on alternative artists in Morocco, citing Don Bigg, Casa Crew, Zazz Band and Haoussa. Return appearances from Master Musicians of Jajouka, Justin Adams and Juldeh Camara, and Moh Alileche.

Congolese music specialist Martin Sinnock reviews the reissue of Ry-Co Jazz: Bon Voyage! Rythme-Congolaise From Africa aux Antilles 1963-1977, Franco and TPOK Jazz: Francophonic Vol. One, and Staff Benda Bilili: Tres Tres Fort.

Barry Eisenberg takes on new releases from Mali from Ousmane Kouyate, Kasse Mady Diabate and Cheick Tidiane Seck, the three-way fusion of Rajery, Ballake Sissoko and Driss El Maloumi, African jazz duet Lasine Kouyate and David Neerman, Baaba Maal and Victor Deme, and tosses in a tidbit of Youlou Mabiala for good measure.

Mr. Music plunges into the whirlpools of Caribbean music with the great Tito Puente's Complete 78s: Vols. 1, 2 and 3, then rides the Latino river rapids with Pupy y los Que Son Son, Mandy Cantero, Los Van Van, La Excelencia and 3D. Afro Trios from Australia, Soothsayers from London, and the far-out Mulatu Astatke of Ethiopia make for groovy cultural collisions. A brief travelogue recounts Mr. and Mrs. Music's visit to the lutte traditional wrestling match in Senegal's Sini Saloum region.

Fania All Stars, Latin-Soul-Rock.

An interview with Jamaican dub poet Yasus Afari.

Steve Heilig takes a whirlwind tour of recent reggae, African, Latin and Asian releases, and beyond.

Brian Dring brings us up to date on the latest Caribbean sounds with dispatches on Peru's Novalima, Haiti's Markus Schwartz, Kapi Andre (Tabou Combo) and Jean Michel Daudier, and Gordon Henderson of Dominica.

Reggae archivist Roger Steffens updates us on his recent runnings.

JAH WORKS
By Laura Gardner
Messenjah Selah, Breaking Babylon Curse; Inner Circle, State of Da World.

Jason Wilson The Peacemaker's Chauffeur, by Ted Boothroyd.

Cheo Feliciano With A Little Help From My Friend, by Norman Weinstein.

Oumou Sangare Seya, by Banning Eyre.

I and I: Bob Marley; and Luke Crampton and Dafydd Rees, Music Icons: Marley, by Roger Steffens.

I Bring What I Love, by Banning Eyre.