The inspirational words of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie on the importance of education in the development of Ethiopia, in an address to university graduates, July 6, 1970.

Reggae heavyweights pack punches, led by Glen Washington, Admiral Tibet, Yami Bolo and Tony Rebel. Angie Angel, Chaka Demus and Pliers, Spanner Banner, Alpha Blondy, Ranking Roger and Tippa Irie are all back in the ring.

Travelin' man Bob Tarte locates ancient New Mexican petroglyphs with the help of Hertz's Never Lost GPS computerized voice; he tunes in to Radio Tarifa, Cachaito and Vieja Trova Santiaguera, as well as Takashi Hirayasu and Bob Brozman's latest collaboration, Nankura Naisa.

Mr. Music is overjoyed to find the incredible Orchestre Baobab virtually on his London doorstep; Cuba's Arte Mixto and Congo's Kekele both take a spin on the dance floor.

Hot Latin nights resume with Robert Leaver fanning the flames. Cachaito, Soneros de Verdad, Vieja Trova Santiaguera, Arte Mixto and Manu Chao all get raked over the coals.

Columnist Robert Ambrose returns from a round-the-world journey to resume his duties: Alpha Blondy, Franco, Habib Koite and Tartit come out to greet him.

Martin Sinnock documents more evidence of the rumba revival with Youlou Mabiala, Kekele, Sam Mangwana and Bana OK; Zaiko Langa Langa Nkolo Mboka gives us a taste of their forthcoming album.

Yatrika Mariam Shah-Rais offers a heartfelt tribute to the late Francis Bebey, the Cameroonian musician and renaissance man.

Stephen Davis tells the fabulous tale of the big gimbri and the plastic sentir he encountered in Marrakesh. Sudania offers Gnawa fusion experiments.

Steve Heilig's new column encompasses Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri's Masterpiece, Los Super Seven and Los Moscosos' groundbreaking releases, then hits the road to Rio with Milton Nascimento and Gilberto Gil. Thomas Mapfumo shares Dreams and Secrets with Wadada Leo Smith, and Mali's Mama Sissoko sings to the midnight sun on Soleil de Minuit.

Roger visits the "Island Revolution" exhibit of Jamaican musical artifacts at the Experience Music Project in Seattle.

Brian Dring finds the "lost" Caribbean islands of Cape Verde, Madagascar and Reunion have musical commonalities with those of the Greater and Lesser Antilles: Fantcha, Vaovy, Jajoby and Granmoun Lele are cases in point. Afro-zouk from Oliver N'Goma, Alan Lomax's field recordings from Martinique, and a book, Barbadian Popular Music and the Politics of Caribbean Culture by Curwen Best are featured.

Mr. Marlon's "Musical Murder" names Sanchez's Back at One: Best of Sanchez as Album of the Month, and Dennis Brown's VP-remixed "Sitting and Watching" as Jam of the Month, spins albums by Ky Mani Marley, Tony Rebel, Chaka Demus and Pliers, Yogi and Norris Man, plus a roundup of dancehall compilations. Reviews: Bob Marley and the Wailers' Definitive Remasters reissues by Chuck Foster, King Jammy Meets Dry & Heavy in the Jaws of the Tiger, by Robert Nelson, and Wadada Leo Smith/Thomas Mapfumo, Dreams and Secrets by Ron Sakolsky.