The inspirational words of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie on African independence, in an address to the Second Africa Conference, Addis Ababa, June 15, 1960.

Everton Blender's new release, Visionary, is food for thought; tasty albums from Israel Vibration, Al Campbell, Dub Syndicate, Sizzla, Anthony B, Qshan Dia are on the table.

Sevdah music from Bosnia and Gypsy sounds from Esma Redzepova offer an Eastern European flavor, spiced up by a West African pepper soup of Super Rail Band de Bamako, El Hadj N'Diaye, Baaba Maal and Thione Seck.

Mr. Music finds Manu Chao has taken over his brain; El Gran Combo returns with a bang; Zimbabwe's Bhundu Boys receive a retrospective, and Jamaican soul compilation Darker Than Blue documents a moment in time.

The Rough Guide to Cuban Music book is a good place to start but misses some critical recordings. El All-Stars de la Rumba Cubana, Ilu Ana, Azucar Negra, Felix Baloy, Puntillita, and Gonzalo Rubalcaba releases are scrutinized.

Martin Sinnock discusses Papa Wemba's newest album, Hiroshima; Jamaitha Inanga records a tribute to Tabu Ley Rochereau and Wenge's Werrason does a dodgy double disc. Two more entries in the "100 Essential Congolese CDs" series are Grand Kalle and L'African Jazz, Merveilles du Passe Vols. 1 and 2.

A Gnawa troupe summons the spirits at an elaborate party in Marrakech.

Paula Lima revives a passion for old-school '70s funk with E Isso Ai; a tribute to Ivan Lins instigated by Miles Davis shines; Mariam Maria spreads her wings.

Roger visits Jamaica for International Reggae Day and presents his "Life of Bob Marley" lecture to an intimidating but receptive Kingston audience.

The Virgin Islands' Jam Band "Tear Down de Roof," as do Haiti's Jephte Guillaume, Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, and various artists on the Soca Gold 2001 and Caribbean Divas cds. Jean-Pierre Petit's "Tropiques Top Tens" lists the best zouk and kompa from his Montreal radio program.

Mr. Marlon's "Musical Murder" names Damien "Junior Gong" Marley's Halfway Tree as Album of the Month, and Foxy Brown's "Oh Yeah" featuring Spragga Benz as Jam of the Month, spins albums by Mr. Vegas, Sizzla, Dillinger, Sugar Minott, U Roy and Three Wise Man, plus a roundup of dancehall compilations. Reviews: Totally Hep: The Best of the Heptones/Stay Loose: The Best of the Ethiopians/Classic Reggae: The Deejays, by Mark Gorney; Dub Syndicate, Acres of Space, by Robert Nelson; Blay Ambolley, Afrikan Jazz, by Derek Rath; Lee "Scratch" Perry: Born in the Sky--Upsetter at the Controls 1969-1975/Divine Madness...Definitely/Station Underground Report, by Steve Heilig; VP's Reggae Anthology series discussed by Rebecca Levine.