His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I Emperor of Ethiopia speaks on the 25th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, 1970.

Chuck Foster celebrates Burning Spear's new album, Free Man, and salutes other torchbearers like Culture, Morgan Heritage, Abijah and Anthony B; then checks out new releases from Dean Fraser, Richie Stephens and Ghetto Youths; reissues and compilations from Max Romeo, Dillinger, Augustus Pablo, the Maytals, Bunny Wailer; a fistful of dub and ska albums and much more.

Bob Tarte heads to the frozen north to joik with Norway's Mari Boine and explores her new album, Eight Seasons. Guinea's revitalized Bembeya Jazz, King Sunny Ade, the Klezmatics, Debashish Bhattacharya and Bob Brozman all join the party.

Mr. Music welcomes the new Africando release, Martina, dedicated to the women of Africa, then heads out on the trail of the migrant son as it wends its way from Cuba to Colombia and the ABC islands. Cedric Im Brooks, Jackie Mittoo, Willie Villegas, Charlie D'Cali, Grupo Caribe and Cesar "Pupy" Pedroso all take a turn on the dance floor.

Carlos Manuel, one of the most popular singers in Cuba in recent years, epitomizes the dilemma Cuban-born musicians face when they defect to the U.S. With his new album, Enamora'o, he has a chance to cross over, unlike "salsa doctor" Manolin, who has chosen to adopt the Miami sound for his latest effort. Back on the island, David Calzado and Charanga Habanera continue their popular success with the release of Soy Cubano, Soy Popular. Recent releases by Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Eddie Palmieri, Salsa Celtica and Maraca are spun.

Martin Sinnock hails the latest resurgence of old-style authentic Congolese rumba as exemplified by Sam Mangwana's Cantos de Esperanca, El Congo: Brazza Kin, and Tabu Ley Rochereau's Tempelo, and steers listeners away from Koffi Olomide's Affaire d'Etat and Zaiko Langa Langa's Anthologie.

From Jah-pan, Mighty Crown's Crown Jugglers III, Snow's Two Hands Clapping, Anthony B's Street Knowledge, and the Marley Boys' Educated Fools, plus a trailer-load of dancehall compilations.

Brian Dring salutes the recent deluge of releases by Caribbean women: Izaline Calister, Marlene Dorcena, Edith Lefel, Tanya St Val, V*RO, Alexanddra Juniel, with a surprise reemergence by Martiniquan roots musician Dede Saint-Prix.

Steve Heilig goes back to the old school with Culture, Junior Murvin, Burning Spear, High Mundell, Junior Delgado, Max Romeo, Jackie Mittoo and the Meditations, and the old African classroom taught by the likes of Wendo Kolosoy, Bembeya Jazz and Thomas Mapfumo.

Michael Turner pays tribute to the late great Scotty, brilliant but undeservedly obscure Jamaican toaster whose spirited voice and clever lyrics highlighted The Harder They Come's soundtrack album.

David Hillyard and the Rocksteady 7, United Front, and Trojan Calypso Box Set, by Norman Weinstein

Dazoque! Dazoque! by Ron Sakolsky

David Katz, Solid Foundation: An Oral History of Reggae Music, and, Michael De Koningh and Laurence Cane Honeysett, Young Gifted and Black: The Story of Trojan Records, by Steve Heilig