Strangely, I had thought this year was not a particularly vintage one for world and roots music. That was until I had to whittle down a list to come up with a top 10, as part of a panel for the British magazine fRoots.
Top of my list -- eventual winner in that fRoots poll -- and the best gig I saw in Japan this year was Malian singer Rokia Traore. Her album "Wanita" (Indigo/Alter Pop) is utterly compelling, beguiling, innovative and starkly beautiful. Her intimate voice and guitar adorns an original acoustic backing of traditional instruments. Traore writes her own material, contemporary in that she embraces elements of blues, jazz, soul and rock, but rooted in various Malian traditions.
Africa's most established singer and another visitor to Japan this year, Senegal's Youssou N'Dour, released his long-awaited album "Joko" (Epic Records). Blessed with one of the world's most extraordinary voices, N'Dour could hardly make anything other than an exceptional album. Featuring friends Peter Gabriel, Sting and Wyclef Jean, "Joko" is specifically tailored for a Western audience.