His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia, addresses the opening of the UNICEF Conference, May 17, 1966.

The prolific Luciano is back again with yet another new album, Upright; Michael Rose, Ranking Joe, Ancient King, Akila Barrett, the Congos, Lutan Fyah, Turbulence, Frankie Paul, Evette, Tony Curtis, Kiddis I, Earl Chinna Smith, Ari Up and Andrew Bassie Campbell release new albums; compilations from Jackie Edwards, Cornel Campbell, Denis Alcapone, U Roy, Yellowman and Peter Tosh; various artist/producer anthologies from Bunny Lee, Phil Pratt, Jack Ruby and Fatis Burrell; plus a handful of local lights, a fistful of dub and ska albums and much more.

It's Ladies' Night in "Technobeat" land as Bob entertains Marta Topferova, Lura, Luciana Souza and Beth Custer. Further explorations include music from Fanfare Ciocarlia, Noiseshaper and Mark Dunn. <\p>

Mr. Music hails Chapeando, the long-overdue album from Cuba's Los Van Van; Ska Cubano, Lura, La Tira, Lobi Traore and Ernest Ranglin all get a spin on the dance floor.

The unlikely combination of Cuban Santeria bata drumming and Shona Zimbabwean mbira make for a successful confluence of two sacred traditions on BataMbira, by Michael Spiro and Michael Williams; flagship Cuban outfit Los Van Van and former Van Van member Cesar "Pupy" Pedroso both come out with fine new recordings. Eddie Palmieri, Marvin Santiago and Luisito Rosario heat up the night.

Martin Sinnock reports that Bozi Boziana has regrouped and produced a new, high-quality album, Ekeko, which features a duet with Monique Seka. Madilu System has teamed up with Josky Kiambukuta for a satisfying rumba recording, Chiffre 3. Reissues from Orchestre Makassy and Gaby Lita Bembo and Stukas du Zaire evoke Congolese music history.

Elephant Man, Pras, I Wayne, Stephen Marley, Turbulence, Ras Mac Bean, Lukie D, Tony Curtis and Slightly Stoopid, plus a trailer load of dancehall riddim compilations.

Safe Travel: The Rare Side of Rock Steady With Phil Pratt and Friends, by Mark Gorney

John Brown's Body, Pressure Points; Roots of Dub Funk 4, Rough Guide to Dub, Solomon Jabby, Zion Gates; and Dub Massive Chapter One and Two by Tom Orr

Soweto Blues: Jazz, Popular Music and Politics in South Africa, by Gwen Ansell, reviewed by Ron Sakolsky

Clancy Eccles, by Mark Gorney

Steve Heilig sets sail for Jamaica with music from the Congos and producer collections from Bunny Lee, Phil Pratt, Niney the Observer, along with Crucial Reggae from Outside Jamaica Vol. Two; crosses the pond for sounds from the Sahara, Sudan and Senegal, Angola's Waldemar Bastos and Cape Verde's Lura; makes landfall in Brazil with Milton Nascimento, Symphonic Jobim, Venezuelan legend Simon Diaz and Queen of Salsa Celia Cruz. The journey continues on to India, where Amjad Ali Khan and Kiran Ahluwalia offer recent recordings.

The ever-creative Carlinhos Brown seems to be channeling his festive side again with latest album Milagre do Candeal. Reigning diva Maria Bethania and new artist Maria Rita keep MPB vibrant and alive.