His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I Emperor of Ethiopia speaks on using the principles of neutrality and non-alignment to counter international aggression, in an address to Belgrade Conference, Sept. 3, 1961.

Modern roots maven Luciano is at the top of his form on Serious Times, and can be seen Live in San Francisco on DVD. Steel Pulse, Norris Man, Sonia Collymore, Eek-A-Mouse and the Version City Rockers appear with new albums; retrospectives from Michael Rose and the Maytones, reissues from the Black Eagles, Slim Smith, Phillip Fraser, and Screechie and Kojak are covered; plus a handful of local lights, a fistful of dub and ska albums and much more.

Reggaefied songs from the Bob Dylan oeuvre comprise the album Is It Rolling Bob: A Reggae Tribute to Bob Dylan. Guinean guitar star Sekou "Bembeya" Diabate shows off his chops, Issa Bagayogo and Rokia Traore push the envelope of Malian tradition, but the Ex Centric Sound System may have pushed too far. Further explorations include joropo music from the Orinoco Plains of Colombia and Italian village songs from the Piemonte and Valle D'Osta.

Mr. Music ponders post-Fidel Cuba after reading Eugene Robinson's Last Dance in Havana; crosses 110th Street with Ruben Blades and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra and mambos into New York's historic Palladium Ballroom where the sons of maestros Tito Puente, Tito Rodrigues and Machito recreate the classic era. Ray Santiago, Peregoyo, Felix Baloy, Charanga Forever and the Ex-Centric Sound System all take a turn on the dance floor.

Robert Leaver takes on the reggaeton phenomenon with Daddy Yankee and others, but sees more hope for the future of Latin music in Cuba 21: Nueva Musica Cubana; then tries out some new dance steps with a salsa album by Marc Anthony, Paoli Majias, Bobby Matos, Son Boricua and Anthony Blea.

Martin Sinnock hails new recording by OK International for preserving Franco's musical heritage; salutes new album from the Choc Stars and Maika Munan's tribute to classic Congolese rumba.

Sid Whelan explores African roots still present in Latin America as exhibited by Peru Negro's Jolgorio album, and Africa in the U.S., where Nigerians Azuka and Nze Eugene De Coque are currently working. New recordings by Miriam Makeba, Angelique Kidjo, Issa Bagayogo and Vusi Mahlasela are evaluated.

Lady Saw, DJ Domastic, Suncycle, Fya, Anthony B, Ms. Thing, Beenie Man, Eek-A-Mouse, Operation Sound System, Screechie and Kojak, plus a trailer-load of dancehall riddim compilations.

Roger Steffens brings us up to date on his recent runnings, including an L.A. performance by Vusi Mahlesela, interviews with Jimmy Cliff and Headley Jones, and a commentary on Dior's distasteful new Rasta collection.

Interview with French Guiana's Chris Combette in Montreal; Trini soca from 3 Suns, Kevin Lyttle; Haitian sounds from Misty Jean, Top Adlerman, Fenix Etienne; new zouk from Martinique's Talina; Afro-Colombian outfit Peregoyo y su Combo Vacana; and from Ile Reunion in the Indian Ocean, Rene Lacaille.

Steve Heilig turns to reggae for an antidote to the hectic pace of life today, with Lee Perry's reissued Super Ape leading the way, followed by Max Romeo, Third World, Toots and the Maytals, Linval Thompson, Mikey Dread, Black Roots, Michael Rose, Luciano and the Version City Rockers; shakes his samba to Gilberto Gil, Anastacia Azevedo, Bola Sete and a coconutful of compilations; takes a swing around Africa with Antibalas, Issa Bagayogo, Mory Kante, Sekou Diabate, Papa Wemba and Jaojoby.

Rocksteady legend Lynn Taitt, by Jim Dooley.

Bebel Gilberto's second album confirms the young singer is true Brazilian nobility. Salvador, Bahia gives us Aldo Brizzi and a Rough Guide comp; Vinicius Cantuaria and Colette Michaan jazz it up, and Tongan-born dj Soane brings Brazil back to New Zealand.

The Meditations, Stand in Love; Clinton Fearon and Boogie Brown Band, Give and Take; Keith Porter and the Itals, Mi Livity by Ted Boothroyd.

Egrem: El Gran Tesoro de la Musica Cubana, and Vakoka, Introducing Vakoka, by Norman Weinstein.

Reggae on the River: The Story The Music by Mara Weiss and Nego Beto

Gnonnas Pedro, by Ken Braun