Various Artists - BBC 3 Awards for World Music 2007
(Union Square/ MANTDCD244)
Africa has dominated the nominations this year. For a start all of the artists in the newcomer category are from the motherland. Each of them is exciting in their own right. The Africa category is packed with heavy-weights that include the late great Ali Farka Toure and kora king Toumani Diabate along with South Africa’s award-winning kwaito act Bongo Maffin , not forgetting the soul man from Addis, Mahmoud Ahmed , who was the surprise hit at the 2006 WOMAD festival. The Awards For World Music compilation is a celebration of what’s happening in World music now. Nuru Kane is nominated in the newcomer category; here is his powerful Gnawa-inspired 'Cigil' for you to listen to. ( out 14 May 2007 )
Reviewer : Rita Ray