His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia, speaks on World Law Day, July 11, 1967.

A tribute to Jamaica's premier label, Studio One, with reissues from Bob Marley, the Blackstones, Soul Vendors, Sound Dimension and several "Best of Studio One" compilations. New releases from Luciano, Sizzla, Michael Rose, Matisyahu, Turbulence, Wailing Souls, Midnite, Cedric Myton and many more. Dub Œtil you drop, with Scientist, Augustus Pablo, Bush Chemists, Groundation and Dub Trio. Ska, local sounds from around the world, and plenty of new riddims to keep you skankin'.

Bob Tarte gets his various "Stans" countries straight and delves into the first three volumes of Smithsonian Folkways "Music of Central Asia" series; then tackles the Romanian Gypsy ensemble Taraf de Haidouks on their continuing adventures; Serbian band Kal; the extraordinary voice of Nuru Kane; the Congolese-Cuban rockers, Kékélé, Chicano Zen, Persian songstress Sussan Deyhim, The Best of Perez Prado and more.

Mara Weiss and Nego Beto report in with summer releases from Sergio Mendes, Tony Mola and Cibelle. "Tudo bem!"

Dave Hucker parks himself in the "salsa garage" with Lost Classics of Salsa Vol. Two, then heads for Panama with Panama! Latin, Calypso and Funk on the Isthmus 1965-75, Cypriot wordsmith Haji Mike, The Rough Guide to Bhangra Dance, Grupo X, Kékélé's Kinavana, African Rebel Music, sprinkles in various new releases to the mix and returns home with London is the Place For Me 3: Ambrose Campbell.

The Guantánamo region of Cuba is also home to Cuba's oldest distinct form of music, the changuí, and Jane Bunnett gives us Radio Guantánamo: Guantánamo Blues Project Vol. One, with a stellar lineup of musicians. Kékélé has been tearing it up across two continents with their mix of Kinshasa-Havana sounds on their new release, Kinavana. Michael Stuart, New York Sextet, Habana Express, Pedrito Calva y La Justicia, Luis Mangual y su Conjunto Mangual, Tirso Duarte and more ensure your noches are muy calientes.

Martin Sinnock is inundated with new Congolese releases from Werrason, Wabanko Mbere Mbere, and eight reissues from the Afrisa days of chanteuse Mbilia Bel.

Sid Whelan lauds Nuru Kane as a phenomenal singer with a great range and his release Sigil is covered in depth. Amadou and Miriam, total masters of every element they work with, gives us Je Pense à Toi, a compilation of their very best. The Rough Guide brings a few new bites: The Rough Guide to the Music of Madagascar, The Rough Guide to African Music for Children and The Rough Guide to the Music of the Sahara. Also reviewed are Eneida Marta, Zambush Vol. Two: Zambian Hits from the 60s and 70s, Ugandan vocalist Rachel Magoola, Vocal Baobab, Gaby Lita Bebmo and Orchestre Stukas de Zaire and Thandiswa.

Guest columnist Barry Eisenberg celebrates and analyzes Congo's acoustic rumba supergroup Kékélé and their latest album, Kinavana, on which they interpret the songbook of Cuban singer/songwriter Guillermo Portabales.

Steve Heilig takes us on a musical tour of the world, with reggae, dub, African, Latin, Brazilian, Asian and other worldly releases.

Album of the Month: King at the Controls--King, as in King Jammy. Vybz Kartel, Wayne Wonder, Turbulence, Junior Kelly, Black Culture, Sasha, Elan and plenty of various artists dancehall compilations. The best, the good and the bad are all included.

Brian Dring highlights soca's Edwin Yearwood, moves on to the Haitian sound with a big up for Erol Josué, interviews Yvon "Kapi" André on his solo project.

Roger brings us up to date on his recent visit to London, spends time with columnist Dave Hucker, author Vivien Goldman and the Wailers' Junior Marvin.

Marta Topferova, La Marea, by Norman Weinstein

Ali Farka Toure, by Banning Eyre