Various Artists - Urban Africa Club (Hip Hop, Dancehall, Kwaito)

(Out Here Records/ OH 006)

This is an essential release that provides a snapshot of the current urban African music scene. South Africa, Mali, Uganda … name a country on the African continent and you find young people toiling away, making music relevant to their generation and they are gradually making a mark on the global musical landscape.

Most of the big names in African hip hop are on the album, from Didier Awadi, one of the founders of Senegal's pioneering rap outfit, Positive Black Soul, to Peter Miles the hottest dancehall act on the continent. Also on the compilation is the big noise of the moment K'Naan, Somalia's Dusty Foot Philosopher, a refugee now resident in Canada, his track 'Soobax' has got to be one of hottest dancefloor fillers around. Holding their own are the tuff Senegalese outfit Alif representing the female effort and they are firin'. Urban Africa Club does what it says on the tin - it takes you on a slamming tour of what's happening in the club scene of urban Africa.

Reviewer : Rita Ray

Douta Mbaye (clip)