The blogs are always abuzz about some hot new ethnic tracks, weather it be the Indian cum British triumph of Beriut, any mish-mash MIA touches, or the ‘horror’ of Vampire Weekend’s lighthearted appropriations. But weather we’d like to admit it or not, it’s generally progress, opening the world’s ears, little by little, the a broader horizon. Lately I’ve been really taken with the Malawi born Londoner The Very Best’s aptly named Warm Heart of Africa, a joyous amalgamation of hip samples, traditional Africana, and commiserations. With guest spots from accessible, aforementioned bridge artists like MIA and Ezra Koenig it’s a fun, eminently accessible slice of the Dark Continent’s enduring spirit. Much of it is akin to listening to Graceland or My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, without the pervasive overarching influence of a presence like Simon or Byrne/Eno. It’s singular, but with the feel of something larger than just ‘a band’.

MP3: The Very Best -  Angonde

MP3: The Very Best – Yalira