"A new Africa has emerged on the world scene" His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I speaks to the African Heads of States meeting in Addis Ababa, May 22-25, 1963.

Chuck Foster observes that talented new artists, like Ras Shiloh and Chezidek, are keeping cultural music thriving. New compilations from the Black Ark and Treasure Isle studios, Peter Tosh catalog reissues, and new recordings from Lloyd Brown, Earl 16, Gregory Isaacs, Simple Simon, Ambelique, Dwight Pinkney, Richie Stephens, Clinton Fearon, and many more are reviewed.

Guitarist Steve Tibbetts sees A Man About A Horse, Peter Gabriel takes a Long Walk Home, and Machito does the mambo; the reissue of the Nonesuch Explorer: Africa series is noted.

Veteran Cuban singer Yumuri has a new high-octane salsa release; Eliades Ochoa puts out his best record in years, Van Van's Pedrito Calvo goes solo, and Colombia's Grupo Galé heats up the night.

Martin Sinnock reviews essential Tabu Ley Rochereau and OK Jazz reissues and revisits classics by Vadio Mambenga, Bozi Boziana and King Kester Emeneya and Victoria Eleison.

Stephen Davis is disappointed by Hassan Hakmoun's new recording, The Gift; the Rough Guide to Arabesque is noted.

Mr. Music hails the resurrection of Senegal's Orchestra Baobab; Pape Fall's African salsa, Wayne Gorbea and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra take a turn on the dance floor.

Roger Steffens is back from Jah-pan with reports on the apparent demise of Tokyo's once-thriving reggae scene, revels in the wacky weirdness of CosPlay at the Meiji Shrine, and reviews a biography of '50s avatar of "hipsemantic" Lord Buckley.

Steve Heilig asks his guru, Ali Akbar Khan, for his opinion about the current trend that turns sacred traditional music into party sounds; cases in point: Tuvan chanteuse Sainkho Namtchylak, Kabul Workshop, Axiom of Choice and Bhagavan Das. Classic reggae from the Royals, Lee Perry, Keith Hudson, Dennis Brown, Niney the Observer, African music from Amadou and Mariam, Tama and Thomas Mapfumo, and Seu Jorge's funky Brazilian samba complete the trip around the block.

Gilberto Gil realizes his dream of recording a tribute album to Bob Marley with Kaya N'Gan Daya, Angelique Kidjo's Black Ivory Soul connects Benin with Bahia, Patricia Marx, Jair Rodrigues, Monica Salmaso and Arto Lindsay add to the celebration of Brazil's World Cup victory.

Niney the Observer, Sledgehammer Dub, and the Pioneers, Let Your Yeah Be Yeah, by Mark Gorney

Sierra Maestra, Rumbero Soy, and Electros and Latinos, by Jacob Edgar

Book review: Dave Thompson, Reggae and Caribbean Music, by Ted Boothroyd