SUMMER FESTIVALS 2008

• Rototom Sunsplash, by David Katz
  Monterey Reggae Festival, by Diane "Livonn" Adam
  Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, by Steve Heilig, Carter Van Pelt, Michael Turner
  WOMAD, by David Katz
  Reggae Rising, by Diane "Livonn" Adam
  Rainforest World Music Festival, by Tom Orr

TECHNOBEAT
By Bob Tarte

• Bob gives in to the many charms of Issa Bagayogo's new Mali Koura, and revels in recordings by Seckou Keita SKQ, Jayme Stone and Mansa Sissoko. The Mystic World of Augustus Pablo box set gives the reggae legend his due; Dub Colossus brings '70s style dub to Ethiopian pop. Samba Mapangala's African Classics proves true to its title, while Frigg finesses a multitude of styles with Finnish fiddles.

REGGAE UPDATE
By Chuck Foster

• Burning Spear brings a new energy to his latest release, Jah Is Real. New releases from Horace Andy, Sugar Minott, Lee Perry, Natural Black, Perfect, Althea Hewitt, Queen Omega, Ed Robinson, Dub Colossus, Pato Banton, Tony Chin, Dwight Pinkney and Abijah; reissues from Johnny Osbourne, General Echo, Dennis Brown, Culture, Cutty Ranks, Half Pint, Tarrus Riley, the Maytals, Tenor Saw and Harold Butler, plus a heaping helping of local lights, compilations, a fistful of dub and ska albums and much more.

KING OF KINGS
Edited by Carol Haile Selassie

• His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia, remarks at the graduation exercises of University College of Addis Ababa, June 17, 1969.