^ That's not how you put Egyptian/Arabic music on the map, plus Egypt isn't in WEST Africa.

** Stop double posting.

More Baaba Maal
 

Beautiful video by Baaba Maal in Kirina, Mali where Playing for Change Foundation is building a new music school. Can't wait to see him in New York City in April!

Can anyone give me some decent recommendations? I'm thinking stuff from Zambia, Ethiopia, and Kenya styles.

Sorry, I don`t know about the specific countries you mention, but from Zaire, just north of Zambia, there is Franco and his group called O.K. Jazz, which, coincidentally, I just put in this thread the other day :- http://www.musicbanter.com/country-f...thread-12.html. Their music can have a rather colonial era, international sound which may not be what you want.

For a more modern take, and therefore, paradoxically, a more ethnic sound I really recommend Tarika, who come from Madagascar, (so far east that you have to fall off the mainland to get there) :-


YouTube - ‪Tarika: Tsy Kivy‬‏

Both of these bands have made such a lot of albums that there are "Best of ..." compilations available, which is often a good place to start.

I adore Rokia Traoré. I'm not sure if that rhymes, but I hope it does.



And who doesn't love Pépé Oleka?

Yes, that`s a powerful combination - a pretty face and a sweet song. I wonder where she`s from, and what albums she`s made.