Blind duo Amadou & Mariam released one of the year’s finest world music albums with Welcome to Mali, on Because Records

Africa was once again in the musical spotlight in 2008 as the world took note of some of the continent’s best emerging musicians. Former child soldier Emmanuel Jal won hearts and minds with his gospel-meets-hip hop message of hope on Warchild. Other highlights include a fifth studio album of ultra-smooth Afro-jazz from “The Blind Couple of Mali,” Amadou and Mariam and Nigeria 70’s Lagos Jump, as well as one of the best world music compilations of the year, the soundtrack to Ewan MacGregor and Charlie Boorman’s latest pan-continental motorcycle trek. While most people are aware of Femi Kuti, son of the grandfather of Afrobeat, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, many were shocked by his other son Seun, who impressed with his debut release with his father’s band, Egypt 80. Meanwhile, Soul Jazz Orchestra, Ottawa’s resident purveyors of Afrobeat, continue to evolve with their triumphantly listenable Manifesto, their most modern urban funk dance party to date.

Belgium’s exotic, electrifying Think of One navigate each genre-melding track on Camping Shaabi with astounding surefootedness. Their international buffet of groovy audio delights, Camping Shaabi (Cramworld), is as fun as hell and quite possibly educational to boot. Speaking of weird world fusion, the Vancouver-based ensemble Delhi to Dublin has discovered the hidden link between Celtic and Bhangra music. Their adept use of fiddle and sitar backed with tabla and boran drums proves as hot and tasty as a curry take-away with chips.

It was a banner year for reggae and dub fans, as artists old and new emerged to produce some of their most impressive studio recordings in years. No longer compelled to strive for the respect the industry never gave him, 70-year-old reggae legend Winston Rodney (a.k.a. Burning Spear) found solace in his spirituality on his devotionally themed release Jah is Real!, featuring appearances by Parliament’s Bootsy Collins and Bernie Worroll. Likewise, 72-year-old dub shaman Lee “Scratch” Perry was everywhere in 2008 — except Calgary, as he cancelled his scheduled performance earlier this year. In producing Repentance, shock rocker Andrew W.K. effectively focuses Perry’s manic genius, allowing it to rise to a level above the other four albums Perry released this year. Rounding out the year with a rebel yell, roots-reggae foot soldier Michael Franti urged all people to put down their remote controls and get real on his riotous All Rebel Rockers, which was recorded in Kingston with the help of the great Sly and Robbie.

In Latin music, Peruvian-born singer Silvana Kane combined her abundant vocal skills with two cutting-edge neo-classical Canadian musicians, resulting in a multicultural lovechild that embraces flamenco, jazz, pop, folk, electronica and hip hop, along with a multitude of other Latin and Caribbean flavours. Despite the passing of several members over the past decade, Buena Vista Social Club made the scene again in 2008 by marking the 10th anniversary of their international debut. Their historic live recording, At Carnegie Hall, captures the Cuban music legends performing 16 of their most enchanting tunes over two lavishly produced discs.

The year’s best world

1. Amadou and Mariam — Welcome to Mali (Because Music)

2. Michael Franti and Spearhead – All Rebel Rockers (ANTI-)

3. Pacifika — Asuncion (Six Degrees)

4. Soul Jazz Orchestra — Manifesto (Do Right! Music)

5. Think of One — Camping Shaabi (Cramworld)

6. Delhi 2 Dublin — Delhi 2 Dublin Remixed (Indie)

7. Various Artists — The Long Way Down (Real World/Virgin)

8. Buena Vista Social Club — At Carnegie Hall (World Circuit/Nonesuch)

9. Burning Spear — Jah is Real! (Burning Music)

10. Lee “Scratch” Perry — Repentance (Lionsgate)