V.A. - The Rough Guide To The Music Of Ethiopia (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Taking something of a break from their usual tendency to take a wide range of music from an area, the folks at Rough Guide have this time around focused their attention in on only one major aspect of Ethiopian music: the 'swinging '60s''. Admittedly, this is by far the most important period in Ethiopian popular music, with everything since being shaped, in some part, by the stars of the day. The sound is entirely unique, much like the rest of the nation's identity. During this period of creative exploration, the sound of Addis Ababa's nightlife was cemented to some extent, making heavy use of atypical piano progressions by masters such as Alemayehu Eshete and Girma Bèyènè, and jumping, roving, off-balance but powerful horn arrangements (the brass section was just developed in the last century, after a gift from Russian tsars to the country's official bands around the turn of the century). Vocals cover the range from the same sort of roving aesthetic to the more popularized and somewhat more streamlined concepts of Mahmoud Ahmed. Somewhat more modern stars are also represented, hailing largely from the time of the 'Derg', under a Stalinist government -- Aster Aweke and Netsanet Mellesse both hail from this period, though their ultimate popularity has come afterward. Despite the lack of the more ancient sounds of Ethiopia (there is one piece played on the ancient begena here), it's an outstanding album, with an interesting focus on some of the slickest, jazziest, and yet most foreign-sounding music many Westerners are likely to hear. Give it a spin or two just for curiosity's sake, but keep listening to the hooks.by Adam Greenberg  
Tracklist:
1 Alèmayèhu Eshèté – Addis Ababa Bété 5:52
Written-By – Alèmayèhu Eshèté
2 Girma Bèyènè – Ené Nègn Bay Manèsh 4:02
Written-By – Gétatchèw Dègèfu
Written-By, Arranged By – Girma Bèyènè
3 Mogès Habté –    Altchalkum 6:17
Traditional
Arranged By – Mogès Habté
4 Netsanet Mèllèssè – Dodge 5:40
Arranged By – Yohannes Tèkolla
Written-By – Netsanet Mèllèssè
5 Wallias Band–    Muziqawi Silt 3:45
Written-By, Arranged By – Girma Bèyènè
6 Fanayé Tesfayé – Tchèwata 6:03
Lyrics By – Sosena Tadesse
Music By – Nega Addissu
7 Alèmu Aga – Selé Senè Seqlèt 3:58
Traditional
8 Aster Aweke – Y'Shebellu 7:27
Written-By – Aster Aweke
9 Yared Tèfèra – Antchi Hoyé Lèné 6:00
Traditional
Arranged By – Abegaz K. Shiota, Yared Tèfèra
10 Tlahoun Gèssèssè – Alegntayé 4:39
Arranged By – Mulatu Astatqé
Written-By – Ayaléw Abbèbè, Tesfaye Abbèbè
11 Mahmoud Ahmed – Bèmen Sèbèb Letlash 4:34
Written-By – Mahmoud Ahmed
12 Tèshomè Meteku – Hasabé 3:57
Arranged By – Mulatu Astatqé
Written-By – Mulatu Astatqé, Tèshomè Meteku
13 Mulatu Astatqé – Sabyé 5:27
Traditional
Arranged By – Mulatu Astatqé
14 Muluqèn Mèllèssè – Eté Endénèsh Gèdawo 4:15
Arranged By – The Equators
Written-By – Muluqèn Mèllèssè
15 Adanèh Tèka – Medley 2:41
Written-By – Adanèh Tèka

V.A. - The Rough Guide To The Music Of Kenya (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

No one's going to deny that the music of Kenya can be complex, drawing from many sources, but this compilation successfully and credibly reduces it to four main elements -- the home-grown, guitar and bass-driven benga sound, East African rhumba, which takes its inspiration from Congolese rhumba (which in turn is rooted in Cuban rhumba), the coastal Islamic taarab music, and some newer material which offers ideas ranging from updates of traditions to hip-hop. For Western listeners, the benga pieces are possibly the easiest on the ear, pulsing and rhythmic, with elastic basslines that curiously recall South Africa. It's infectious and very danceable, from the pioneering work of D.O. Misiani (who still presides over the genre), to singer Queen Jane. There's only one example of the rhumba style, which has mainly been the province of older musicians like the no longer extant Golden Sounds Band, whose "Hasidi Hana Sababu" is a prime example of the laid-back style. Rhumba does still exist in Kenya, but it's very much a dying art. That's not true for taarab, which is far more hypnotic, inflected with Arab and even Indian modes. Uniquely Swahili, it's most evident on the coast and in Zanzibar, and although it's most often heard at weddings, it's become a popular recorded music. Thankfully, a good portion of this CD is reserved for younger artists who are leading the way into the future. Nyota Ndogo, for instance, updates the taarab sound gorgeously, while Suzzana Owiyo proves to be a wonderful singer with a strong acoustic and traditional base to her music while still sounding contemporary. Gidi Gidi Maji Maji opt for hip-hop, and have become very popular in Kenya. However, the track included here seems to be nothing special, drawing more from America than anything at home. The excellent liner notes are succinct and straightforward, while still offering full explanations and background. by Chris Nickson  
Tracklist:
1 Queen Jane – Nduraga Ngwetereire 5:07
2 GidiGidi MajiMaji – Ting' Badi Malo 4:24
3 Nyota Ndogo – Chereko 3:14
4 Kakai Kilonzo – Mama Sofi, Pt. 2 3:58
5 Miraj Juma & Jauhar Orchestra – Muhogo 4:00
6 Suzzana Owíyo – Kisumu 100 6:31
7 Golden Sounds Band – Hasidi Hana Sababu 7:48
8 Yunasi – Yamala (Responsibility) 4:29
9 Daniel Owino Misiani & Shirati Jazz – Beatrice #4 7:19
10 Zuhura Swaleh & Mombasa Party – Tweta 4:41
11 Kakai Kilonzo – Mama Sofi, Pt. 1 5:09
12 Kenge Kenge Orutu Systems – Obura Jabilo 8:20 

V.A. - The Rough Guide To The Music Of Tanzania (2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On the East African coast, Tanzania has recently emerged from State control of its music to much greater independence. These days, instead of one mainstream -- muziki wa dansi -- there are three, including the Arabic-sounding taarab and the younger bongo flava that includes singers like Saida Karoli. On Rough Guide to the Music of Tanzania, Karoli performs in a spare, acoustic setting. The disc includes the R&B (with local influence) of Dataz and the hip-hop of X Plastaz. What sticks in the mind for than anything else, however, are the bands like Ottu Jazz Band or the late Ndala Kasheba, whose 12-string guitar powered his band on music influenced by Congolese soukous. The taarab really stands alone, a style utterly apart, and quite beautiful in its ornamentation. Compiler Werner Graebner has included a pair of more traditional tracks, one from the Master Musicians of Tanzania, founded by the late, great Hukwe Zawose. by Chris Nickson
Tracklist:
1 Vijana Jazz Band – Tambiko 5:59
2 X Plastaz – Dunia Dudumizi 4:25
3 Saida Karoli–    Omukaile Kilinjwi 5:45
4 Ikhwani Safaa Musical Club – Vingaravyo 6:15
5 Mlimani Park Orchestra – Rehema 5:47
6 The Master Musicians Of Tanzania – Lukunzi 4:44
7 Mohammed Issa Matona – Msumeno 6:46
8 Ndala Kasheba – Nimlilie Nani? 5:27
9 Dataz – Mume Wa Mtu 4:33
10 Nia Safi & Imani Ngoma Group – Kibati 6:35
11 Ottu Jazz Band – Piga Ua 8:35