The King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier, would have been 100 years old. Sofi Tukker sang their top album, Bread, in Portugeses. Mahotella Queens were first African band I saw live in 1978. Still great mbaqanga. Brooklyn Allstars bring old school church. Nik West is the baddest bass funkster around. Every track from Orchestra Fuego can burn up the dance floor.
| Artist | Album | Label | |
| 1 | Various | A Tribute to the King of Zydeco | Valcour Records |
| 2 | Sofi Tukker | Butter | Sofi Tukker |
| 3 | Kyle Roussel | Church of New Orleans | Kyle Roussel |
| 4 | Orchestra Fuego | Mambo Mania |
Orchestra Fuego Productions
|
| 5 | Baxter Dury | Albarone | Heavenly Recordings |
| 6 | KUTU | Marda | Believe Recordings |
| 7 | The Brooklyn Allstars | Live in Washington DC | 4 Winds |
| 8 | Mahotella Queens | Buya Buya | Umsakazo Records |
| 9 | Nik West | Little Big Beat | Lo End Recs |
| 10 | Tune Yards | Better Dreaming | 4AD |
R&B/Soul List
Kirby recalls growing up in Mississippi. Robert Randolf sizzles on the lap-steel guitar. Irma Thomas, at 84, sounds great in her first recording with Galactic. Soul sensation Omar gives us r&b with a British accent. J. Lloyd and Lydia Kitto (Loaded Honey) left dance-centric Jungle to take us home after the concert. Bassist Ben Carr (Carrtoons) brings in friends Pale Jay, Rae Khalil and more on this r&b gem. More soul? That would be Jose James and Rochelle Jordan.
| Artist | Album | Label | |
| 1 | Robert Randolf | Preacher Kids | Sun Records |
| 2 | Galactic & Irma Thomas | Audience with the Queen |
Tchoup-Zilla Recordings
|
| 3 | Carrtoons | Space Cadet | Plus 1 |
| 4 | Kirby | Miss Black America | Kirby |
| 5 | Greentea Peng | Tell Dem It’s Sunny | Greentea Peng |
| 6 | Rochelle Jordan | Through the Wall | Empire |
| 7 | Jose James | 1978: Revenge of the Dragon | Rainbow Blonde |
| 8 | Kang 803 | New School Blues | KGMG |
| 9 | Loaded Honey | Love Made Trees | Thirty Three Point |
| 10 | Omar | Brighter the Days | BBE |
