12 African-Centered World Music Albums For Your Collection

Here’s a worthy list of recordings to consider for your world music library. Check them out via your favorite online source and decide which ones you like best, least and, are willing to invest in. I’m leaning toward Cesaria Evora. More suggestions from other regions of the world coming soon. –Jonathan

AFRICA

1 The Legend
Oum Kalsoum
Manteca, 2007

2 Miss Perfumado
Cesaria Evora
Lusafrica/BMG, 1992

3 Pirates Choice
Orchestra Baobab
World Circuit, 2001

4 Immigres
Youssou N’Dour
Earthworks, 1988

5 Sahra
Khaled
Wrasse, 1996

6 Moffou
Salif Keita
Universal, 2002

7 Star Choice – Robert Plant selects:
Festival in the Desert
Various
IRL, 2003

8 Dimanche a Bamako
Amadou and Mariam
Nonesuch, 2005

9 Boulevard de l’Independance
Toumani Diabate’s Symmetric Orchestra
World Circuit, 2006

10 Zombie
Fela Kuti
Wrasse, 1976

11 The best of the Ethiopiques
Various
Manteca, 2007
Franco and TPOK Jazz
Sonodisc, 2000

12 Congotronics
Konono No.1
Cramworld, 2005