Ex-Honest Jon’s employee Nick Gold celebrates 20 years of his World Circuit label with this double. Includes previously unissued tracks plus smashers from Buena Vista, Ali Farka Toure et al.

Presenting the musical giant, keyboardist Mulatu Astake — that’s him on the sleeve with Duke Ellington.

Collects Ahmed’s 1975 recordings for the Kaifa label, including the LP Ere Mela Mela released in Europe by Crammed Discs, back in 1986.

Soul, rhythm and blues, even the Twist re-articulated in Addis Ababa.

Unmissable, wonderful solo piano. Chopin, Tatum, Satie and company, steeped in the Ethiopian sound.

Stephen Cohen’s hushed, affective, dazed underground folk, recorded in Oregon in 1979. Lovely music, beautifully presented by this Japanese reissue label to watch. Guerssen vinyl.

‘The Soul Brothers possess a Crystal Clear Sound. Obviously it would be better to Cut the Chatter and Spin the Platter.’
A knockout selection of instrumental scorchers by the awesome Studio One house band led by Jackie Mittoo and Roland Alphonso, 1965-67.

Tough pan-Caribbean wig-out, complete with twanging guitar and characteristically hot organ; plus The Jamaicans’ lovely version of the Sam Cooke.

We loved Zoe’s first album The Cynic (now repressing) and her growing confidence and command won this a deserved Mercury nomination. Cracking trio interplay.