Habib Koite and Bamada October 18, 2006

Habib Koite of Mali is a rising star in the African-music scene. His already formidable talents continue to grow and mature. His singing and songwriting are better than ever, and the overall sound of his band, Bamada, continues to coalesce, proving them to be one of the tightest, most melodic bands to emerge from Africa in the last several years. Vusi Mahlasela is South Africa's leading political songwriter. Dobet Gnahore, from the Ivory Coast, music reflects a variety of influences, including Mandingo music, Congolese rumba, ziglibiti from the Ivory Coast and Cameroonian bikutsi