The words of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia, from his autobiography, My Life and Ethiopia's Progress Vol. Two.

The roots revival rolls on with Ras Shiloh's Coming Home, Lucky Dube's 20-year career and new album Respect, Sly and Robbie and Big Youth still alive and very well, thank you. New releases from Richie Spice, Chuck Fenda, Michael Prophet, the Skatalites, Ras Michael Junior, Mikey Dread, Nadine Sutherland, Lady Saw and Da'Ville; reissues from the Webber Sisters, Papa Tullo, Culture, the Heptones, Clint Eastwood and General Saint, Yellowman, Beenie Man, Cornell Campbell, Anthony Johnson and Marcia Griffiths' career retrospective, plus a heaping helping of local lights, compilations, a fistful of dub and ska albums and much more.

The Occidental Brothers Dance Band International puts the jazz back into African jazz, while Bokoor Beats wrenches us back to '70s Ghana; plus far-flung music from Suphala, Fanfare Ciocarlia, Nawal and Raul Malo, and the Inspiring New Sounds of Rio de Janeiro.

Ricardo Lemvo's Isabela is an irresistible Afro-Latin bonbon; Andy Palacio celebrates the Garifunas' deep African roots and their unique place in Latin America. Jorge Drexler, Ojos de Brujo, Spanish Harlem Orchestra and The Rough Guide to Salsa heat up the night.

Barry Eisenberg discusses the legendary East African bands Les Wanyika and Simba Wanyika, and profiles East African music maven Douglas Paterson.

Martin Sinnock reviews the recent appearance in England. of Dizzy Mandjeku's Odemba OK Allstars, featuring ex-members of Franco's OK Jazz.

You say you want a revolution? Well, you know... here's Mr. Music's take on Si, Para Usted: The Funky Beats of Revolutionary Cuba, Vol. One, and Jose Conde y Ola Fresca's Revolucion. Joining in at the barricades are Grupo Caribe, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Maña and Kenya's Kenge Kenge.

Bassekou Kouyate and Ngoni Ba, Segu Blue, by Ron Sakolsky

William Parker and Hamid Drake, Summer Snow, by Ron Sakolsky

Orchestra Baobab, A Night at Club Baobab, by Barry Eisenberg

Occidental Brothers Dance Band International, by Norman Weinstein

Ticklah Vs. Axelrod, by Carter Van Pelt

Steve Heilig gives a whirlwind tour of recent reggae, Brazilian, African, Latin and Asian releases.

"Musical Murder--Riddim Edition" by The Ramerman highlights the latest dancehall riddims. Laura Gardner reviews Da'Ville, On My Mind.

Legendary Scorpio/Top Vice guitarist Robert Martino is back with a solo album, Oye Chica, that is solid Haitian compas; Frantz "Sexy Frantzy" Larece is Back 'n' Biznis as well. Autobiographical book Madame Dread: A Tale of Love, Vodou and Civil Strife in Haiti, by Kathie Klarreich, is reviewed.

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

Kalle Assbring and Nils Akesson, Outernational: A Story About Trinity Soundsystem, by Chuck Foster