His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia, speaks on the cause of world peace, prosperity and justice as the supreme challenge of our times, in an address to the International Labor Organization, June 12, 1969.

Beres Hammond's strong sense of melody, harmony and finely honed lyrics has created some of the best music out of Jamaica in the modern era, as showcased in his latest album, No Boundaries.

Horace Andy, Richie Spice, Lee Perry, Majek Fashek, Capleton, Cocoa Tea and George Nooks appear with new albums; compilations: Buju Banton and friends, Garnet Silk, Linval Thompson and Owen Gray; reissues from Burning Spear, the African Brothers, Bob Marley and the Wailers and Mike Brooks are covered; plus a handful of local lights, a fistful of dub and ska albums and much more.

Tarte pops his top for This Is Reggae Music four-cd anthology. Further explorations include Sons of Armageddon, Francois K, new releases from Lee Perry and Charanga Cakewalk, and a Sunny Ade compilation.

Mr. Music recalls the heyday of London's pirate radio station Dread Broadcasting Corp. in the early '80s, occasioned by the commemorative double disc Rebel Radio. Heading south, more nostalgia is evoked by Guinean supergroup Bembeya Jazz National's The Syliphone Years compilation of early '70s material; Tanzanian rumba legend Orchestra Makassy's 1982 reissue; Ali Farka Toure's decade-spanning Red and Green; and a new recording by Congo's Mbilia Bel.

El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico continues their legacy of consistent continuous greatness with Aqui Estamos y ... De Verdad, while another veteran salsa icon, Oscar D'Leon delivers his best album in years. Recordings by Conjunto Imagen and trumpeter Manuel "Guajiro" Mirabal heat up the night. Well-produced Cuban music DVDs include Cubanissimo: A History of Cuban Music, biographies of Compay Segundo and Benny More, and Los Van Van Live in Puerto Rico.

Martin Sinnock finds that JP Mpiana, despite a long absence from the scene, is back with Anti-Terro and is still a force to be reckoned with. Konono No. 1 takes folklore to the streets with raw likembes, scrap-iron percussion and a punky attitude. The reissue project of the 1960s oeuvre of Bavon Marie Marie and Orchestre Negro Succes recalls the outstanding talent and tragic death of the young guitarist.

Sid Whelan finds beauty and eclecticism on new album by Rwanda's Jean Paul Samputu; revels in Gangbe Brass Band's Whendo; digs deep into the Zambian bush with Zambush: Zambian Hits from the '80s; takes an excursion to Belize for Garifuna field recordings, and then to South Africa with drummer Baba Shibambo.

Steve Heilig contemplates the lunatic genius of Lee "Scratch" Perry as heard on Upsetters 14 Dub Blackboard Jungle and Panic in Babylon; the greatness of Burning Spear's early works on Creation Rebel, and the Wailers' 1973 Burnin', and more golden oldies on Out on A Funky Trip: Funk, Soul and Reggae from Randy's 1970-75 and This Is Reggae Music: The Golden Era 1960-75. He breaks out of the time warp with worldly music from Enzo Avitable and Bottari, and Paul Prince.

Salute to keyboard maestro Jackie Mittoo, with the story of the making of the recent tribute album, Jackie Mittoo: Interpretations and Improvisations, featuring the participation of 15 Jamaican keyboardists.

The Brazil Beat team catches up with some of the year's great releases from Bits Sessions, Jorge Benjor, Paula Morelenbaum, One Million Dollars, Monica almaso, Afrodizia, Ana Caram and more.

Roger Steffens brings us up to date on his recent runnings.

Sizzla, Gentleman, Richie Spice, Nemo, plus a trailer-load of dancehall riddim compilations.

2004 Reggae and World Music Grammy nominees

Linton Kwesi Johnson, Live in Paris with the Dennis Bovell Dub Band, by Tom Orr.

Dub Trio, Exploring the Dangers of, Sound Imperium, Pre-Emptive Dub Attack! by Robert Nelson

Crucial Reggae From Outside Jamaica, Roots Music: Reggae Hits from Hawaii and the World, Ras Gabriel and 4-Word, Love N Roots by Ted Boothroyd.

Omar Sosa, Mulatos, John Santos and Omar Sosa, La Mar, by Norman Weinstein.

Errol Thompson, by Mark Gorney.