Metafile: 2012 New Records

For reissues and compilations, click here.

This is boilerplate . . .

Sub-Lists

Some breakdowns by genre:

Ranking

  1. Amadou and Mariam: Folila (Because/Nonesuch) {33}: MC(75/16), AM:80, EW:91, I:80, Ok:88, P:80, RS:70(49), S, Sg, Sl:70, St:80, T:100; YW, RC:A-(95), MT:A-, TH:A-; V[274-3-32]
  2. The Congos/Sun Araw/M Geddes Gengras: Icon Give Thank (Rvng Intl) {33}: MC(77/7), AM:80, Du:70, M:80, Pf:81, PM:(72), Qs:(18), S:80, TMT:80(26), U:80(44), W:(2); SFJ:(*); V[164-7-60]
  3. Staff Benda Bilili: Bouger Le Monde (Crammed Discs) {29}: MC(87/9), AM:80, G:80, I:80, MO:90(74), Ob:80, PM:90, Q:80, T:80; ExW:(31), RC:A-(54), TH:A-; V[165-5-59]
  4. Jimmy Cliff: Rebirth (Sunpower) {28}: MC(81/12), AM:80, AP:90(9), BG:80, Cl:80(25), CMG:77, IS:80, Pf:75, PM:90, RS:80(12), S:70, UT:88; TH:**; V[144-6-65]
  5. Antibalas: Antibalas (Daptone) {24}: MC(78/19), AC:78, AM:80, AV:83, BBC:80, Bl:(63), CS:80, Du:80, G:80, LBF:75, M:80, Mg:90, NME:80, Ob:80, Pf:75, Ph:88, RR:80; TH:A-; V[427-2-20]
  6. Quantic and Alice Russell with the Combo Barbaro: Look Around the Corner (Tru Thoughts) {24}: MC(83/7), BBC:80, Bl:80(72), M:80, Ok:90, PM:80(41), Pot:90, S:70, U:80; JG:**(41), TH:*; V[723-1-10]
  7. Janka Nabay and the Bubu Gang: En Yah Sah (Luaka Bop) {20}: MC(81/9), AM:80, BG:80, CMJ:80, P:85; ExW:(59), YW, RC:A-(93), TH:A-; V[150-8-64]
  8. The Very Best: MTMTMK (Moshi Moshi) {19}: MC(76/17), AV:75, DIY:80, EW:75, Fly:80, G:100, MO:80, Ok:89, Ph:88, PM:90; RC:*, JG:*; V[162-6-60]
  9. Rodrigo y Gabriela: Area 52 (ATO) {15}: MC(74/9), AM:80, DIY:80, EW:83, G:80, IS:80, P:76, UT:88; TH:***
  10. Sidi Toure: Koima (Thrill Jockey) {14}: MC(72/6), AM:80, Bl:(52), CMJ:80, Mg:80, MO:(67), Now:80, S:70; DB, YW
  11. Cafe Tacuba: El Objeto Antes Llamado Disco (Verve) {11}: AM:90; V[723-1-10]
  12. Debo Band: Debo Band (Next Ambiance) {11}: MC(75/4), Pf:78, PM:90(62), S:80, St:80; TH:*
  13. Ondatropica: Ondatropica (Soundway) {11}: G:80; YW, TH:A-; V[270-3-33]
  14. Tom Ze: Tropicalia Lixo Logico (Lapa) {11}: P:86; CM, ExW:(34), MT:A(3); V[321-3-29]
  15. Chicha Libre: Canibalismo (Barbes/Crammed) {9}: Bl:80, S:80; TH:*; V[1385-1-5]
  16. Zani Diabate and Les Heritiers: Tientalaw (Sterns Africa) {9}: RC:**, MT:A(9), TH:A-; V[587-2-15]
  17. Fatoumata Diawara: Fatou (Nonesuch) {9}: PM:80; DB; V[298-3-30]
  18. Ebo Taylor: Appia Kwa Bridge (Strut) {9}: MC(75/8), Du:70, M:80, Q:80, S:70; YW, TH:*
  19. Ceu: Caravana Sereia Bloom (Six Degrees) {8}: MC(70/), AM:80, S:70
  20. The Orb/Lee Scratch Perry: The Orbserver in the Star House (Cooking Vinyl) {8}: Gw:(46), Mi:75, Mix:(41)
  21. Sinkane: Mars (DFA) {8}: BPM:78, Now:80, Ok:85; JG:X
  22. The Toure-Raichel Collective: The Tel Aviv Session (Cumbancha) {8}: PM:80(34); V[244-2-37]
  23. Busy Signal: Reggae Music Again (Xenon) {7}: BBC:(7), AM:80; JG:*
  24. The Chieftains: Voice of Ages (Hear Music) {7}: MC(70/5), BG:80, E145:90, EW:75, G:80, MO:80, S:70, UT:75
  25. Getatchew Mekuria and the Ex and Friends: Y'Anbessaw Tezeta (Terp) {7}: DB, FJ; V[279-3-31]
  26. Marisa Monte: O Que Voce Quer Saber de Verdade (Blue Note) {7}: AM:80, PM:80; TH:**; V[723-1-10]
  27. Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars: Radio Salone (Cumbancha) {7}: V[282-1-30]
  28. Bomba Estereo: Elegancia Tropical (Polen) {6}: V[540-1-15]
  29. Samuel Yirga: Guzo (Real World) {6}: MC(76/6), BBC:80, IS:80, M:80
  30. Batida: Batida (Soundway) {5}: RC:A-, TH:A-
  31. Elina Duni: Matane Malit (ECM) {5}: AM:80; TH:***
  32. Fanga/Maalem Abdallah Guinea: Fangnawa Experience (Strut) {5}: MC(79/4), Du:80, IS:80, PM:80; TH:**
  33. Gypsyphonic Disko: NoLAPhonic Volume 2 (Super Smart Produce) {5}: Ok:80; YW, TH:A-; V[540-1-15]
  34. Kayhan Kalhor: I Will Not Stand Alone (World Village) {5}: V[1303-1-8]
  35. Tribecastan: New Deli (Evergreen) {5}: TH:**; V[723-1-10]
  36. The Herbaliser: There Were Seven (Department H) {4}: MC(84/4), AM:80, BBC:80, Cl:80, MO:80
  37. Las Malas Amistades: Maleza (Honest Jons) {4}: AM:80
  38. Moreno and L'Orch First Moja-One: Sister Pili+2 (Sterns) {4}: G:80; YW, RC:A-(73)
  39. Koo Nimo: Highlife Roots Revival (Riverboat) {4}: AM:80; RC:***, TH:A-
  40. Sly and Robbie: Blackwood Dub (Groove Attack) {4}: AM:80, G:80; TH:*
  41. Joan Soriano: La Familia Soriano (IASO) {4}: RC:(98), TH:A-
  42. Sotho Sounds: Junk Funk (Riverboat) {4}: YW, RC:**, TH:**
  43. Kristi Stassinopoulou/Stathis Kalyviotis: Greekadelia (Riverboat) {4}: AM:90, G:80
  44. Caetano Veloso/David Byrne: Live at Carnegie Hall (Nonesuch) {4}: MC(72/4), G:80, Now:80, Ob:80; MC:C, TH:B
  45. Astro: Astro (Nacional) {3}:
  46. Baloji: Kinshasa Succursale (Crammed) {3}: S:70; TH:**
  47. Dennis Bovell: Mek It Run (Pressure Sounds) {3}: AM:80; JG:*
  48. Ablaye Cissoko/Volker Goetze: Amanke Dionti (Motema) {3}: Buf:100; TH:**
  49. Curumin: Arrocha (Six Degrees) {3}: S:70
  50. Daddy Yankee: Prestige (El Cartel) {3}: AM:80
  51. Lila Downs: Pecados y Milagros (Sony Music Latin) {3}: AC:89, PM:80
  52. Easy Star All-Stars: Easy Star's Thrillah (Easy Star) {3}:
  53. Cheo Feliciano/Ruben Blades: Eba Say Aja (Ariel Rivas) {3}: V[723-1-10]
  54. Lo' Jo: Cinema el Mundo (World Village) {3}: G:80
  55. Mokoomba: Rising Tide (Igloo/Discovery) {3}: G:80; V[502-2-19]
  56. Novalima: Karimba (ELS Music) {3}:
  57. Anoushka Shankar: Traveller (Deutsche Grammophon) {3}: PM:80
  58. Sistema Bomb: Electro-Jarocho (Round Whirled) {3}: V[723*-2-20]
  59. Spiro: Kaleidophonica (Real World) {3}: G:80
  60. Loga Ramin Tarkian: Mehraab (Six Degrees) {3}: AM:80
  61. Mr Vegas: Sweet Jamaica (VP, 2CD) {3}: AM:80
  62. Jah Wobble and Keith Levene: Yin and Yang (Cherry Red) {3}: V[1344-1-7]
  63. Ramzi Aburedwan: Reflections of Palestine (Riverboat) {2}: RC:***, TH:***
  64. Chico Alvarez: El Montunero: Country Roots/Urban Masters (Mafimba) {2}: V[1385-1-5]
  65. Alhousseini Anivolla: The Walking Man (Riverboat) {2}: PM:80; TH:**
  66. Bang Data: La Sopa (Rockolito) {2}: PM:80
  67. Debashish Bhattacharya: Live in Calcutta (Riverboat) {2}:
  68. Buika: En Mi Piel (Warner Latina) {2}: V[427-2-20]
  69. Hollie Cook: Prince Fatty Presents Hollie Cook in Dub (Mr Bongo) {2}: V[723-1-10]
  70. Criolo: No Na Orelha (Sterns) {2}: G:80
  71. Egyptian Project: Ya Amar (Six Degrees) {2}: RC:*
  72. Manuel Galban: Blue Cha Cha (Concord) {2}: AM:90; JG:X
  73. The Gazette: Division (Sony) {2}: AM:90
  74. Beres Hammond: One Love, One Life (VP) {2}: AM:80
  75. I-Octane: Crying to the Nation (VP) {2}: AM:80
  76. Ralph Irizarry and Los Viejos De La Salsa: Viejos Pero Sabrosos (BKS) {2}: V[540-1-15]
  77. Jagwa Music: Bongo Hotheads (Crammed Discs) {2}: MC(69/4), W:70
  78. Seu Jorge: Musicas Para Churrasco Vol 1 (Wrasse) {2}: G:80
  79. Just a Band: Sorry for the Delay (self-released) {2}:
  80. Silvana Kane: La Jardinera (Six Degrees) {2}: V[427-2-20]
  81. Nuala Kennedy: Noble Stranger (Compass) {2}: V[1385-1-5]
  82. Kinky: Sueno de la Machina (Nacional) {2}: PM:80
  83. Konshens: Mental Maintenance (Subkonshus/VP) {2}: AM:80
  84. Andra Kouyate and Seke Chi: Saro (Studio Mali) {2}: S:80; RC:***
  85. Krar Collective: Ethiopia Super Krar (Riverboat) {2}:
  86. La Chiva Gantiva: Pelao (Crammed Discs) {2}: PM:80
  87. Tania Maria: Tempo (Naxos/Naive) {2}: Buf:75, PM:90
  88. Gramps Morgan: Reggae Music Lives (Gargamel) {2}: AM:80
  89. Carla Morrison: Dejenme Llolar (Cosmica) {2}:
  90. Narasirato: Warato'o (Smash) {2}: MO:80(88)
  91. Neung Phak: 2 (Abduction) {2}: V[723-1-10]
  92. N'Klabe: La Salsa Vive Reloaded () {2}:
  93. Mama Rosin: Bye Bye Bayou (Moi J'Connais/Proper) {2}: G:80
  94. Xenia Rubinos: Magic Trix () {2}:
  95. Sibiri Samake: Dambe Foli: Bamana Hunters Music (Kanaga System Krush) {2}: RC:*, TH:**
  96. Sambasunda Quintet: Java (Riverboat) {2}: AM:80
  97. Malick Pathe Sow/Bao Sissoko: Aduna (Muziekpublique/Discovery) {2}: G:80
  98. The Spy From Cairo: Arabadub (Wonderwheel) {2}:
  99. Taraf de Haidouks/Kocani Orkestar: Band of Gypsies 2 (Crammed Discs) {2}: PM:80
  100. Ablaye Ndiaye Thiossane: Thiossane (Discograph/Sterns) {2}: RC:B+, TH:***
  101. Wahid: Road Poem (BMP Blouzo) {2}: YW
  102. Warsaw Village Band: Nord (Jaro) {2}: G:80
  103. Wrongtom/Deemas J: In East London (Tru Thoughts) {2}: AM:80
  104. Antonio Zambujo: Quinto (World Village) {2}:
  105. Zieti: Zemelewa (Grigri) {2}: V[723-1-10]
  106. Zita Swoon Group: Wait for Me (Crammed Discs) {2}: PM:80
  107. 10 Ft Ganja Plant: Shake Up the Place (ROIR) {1}:
  108. Afrolicious: A Dub for Mali (ESL) {1}:
  109. Kiran Ahluwalia: Aam Zameen: Common Ground (Avokado Artists) {1}:
  110. Ruben Albarran: Hecho En Mexico [The Soundtrack] () {1}:
  111. Bailatino: Aniversario (Korta) {1}:
  112. Anthony B: Freedom Fighter (Irievibrations) {1}:
  113. Ruben Blades: Todos Vuelven Live (Ariel Rivas, 2CD) {1}:
  114. Bonde do Role: Tropicalbacanal () {1}:
  115. Bonga: Hora Kota (Lusafrica) {1}:
  116. Boricua Legends: Cadencia, Ricura Y Sabor (MKE) {1}:
  117. Bright Moments: Natives (Luaka Bop) {1}: MC(79/4), I:100; TH:B
  118. Campo: Campo () {1}:
  119. Luisito Carrion: Que Mas Puedo Pedir (JM Productions) {1}:
  120. Oscar Castro-Neves: Live at Blue Note Tokyo (Zoho) {1}: TH:*
  121. Charansalsa: Pa' Mi Pueblo (Charansalsa) {1}:
  122. Chimurenga Resistance: Pungwe () {1}:
  123. Christian Tiger School: Third Floor (Bombaada) {1}:
  124. Jose Conde: Jose Conde (Pipiki) {1}:
  125. Freddy Cruz Y Su Fuerza Latina: La Solucion (Meloo Music) {1}:
  126. Cubana All Stars: A Dream Come True (VCM, 2CD) {1}:
  127. Delhi 2 Dublin: Delhi 2 Dubland (self-released, EP) {1}:
  128. Amadou Diagne: Introducing Amadou Diagne (World Music Network) {1}: TH:**
  129. DRC Music: Kinshasa One Two (Warp) {1}:
  130. EL: Something Else (Akwaaba) {1}:
  131. Ensemble FisFuz/Gianluigi Trovesi: Papillons (HGBS) {1}: DB
  132. Nelson Freire: Brasileiro: Villa-Lobos and His Friends (Decca) {1}: G:100
  133. Diego Gale: Entre Amigos (Sony) {1}:
  134. Group Inerane: Guitars From Agadez Vol 3 () {1}:
  135. Grupo Arcano: Desde El Otro Lado Del East River (Coqui Jives Music) {1}:
  136. Mariem Hassan: El Aaiun Egdat (Nubenegra) {1}:
  137. Garrison Hawk/Sly and Robbie: Survive (MOD Technologies) {1}: AM:80
  138. Habib Koite/Eric Bibb: Brothers in Bamako (Stony Plain) {1}: TH:B-
  139. Wendo Kolosoy: Botyiaki Ntembe (Igloor/Discovery) {1}: G:80
  140. KonKoma: KonKoma (Soundway) {1}: S:80; TH:B
  141. Kottarashky and the Rain Dogs: Demoni (Asphalt Tango) {1}: TH:***
  142. Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas: Chances () {1}:
  143. Kvety: BileVcely (Indies Scope) {1}:
  144. Ladysmith Black Mambazo: And Friends (Razor and Tie) {1}: P:85
  145. La Excelencia: Ecos Del Barrio (Handle With Care) {1}:
  146. La Santa Cecilia: El Valor () {1}:
  147. Yasmin Levy: Libertad (World Village) {1}: G:80
  148. Dorance Lorza and Sexteto Cafe: Rumbero De Corazon (DLR Music) {1}:
  149. Los Hacheros: Pilon (Chulo) {1}:
  150. Vusi Mahlasela: Say Africa (Wrasse) {1}: G:80
  151. Emel Mathlouthi: Helmti Horra (World Village) {1}: G:80
  152. Melingo: Corazon y Hueso (World Village) {1}: G:80
  153. Midnite: In Awe (Fifth Sun) {1}:
  154. Midnite: Kings Bell (I Grande) {1}:
  155. Monoswezi: The Village (Riverboat) {1}:
  156. Eddie Montalvo: Desde Nueva York A Puerto Rico (Marcha/Select-O-Hits) {1}:
  157. Mairi Morrison/Alasdair Roberts: Urstan (Drag City) {1}:
  158. Musaner: Once Upon a Time (Lucent Music) {1}: TH:**
  159. Kali Mutsa: Ambrolina (Ambrolina) {1}: S:70
  160. Nation Beat: Growing Stone (Barbes) {1}:
  161. New York Gypsy All Stars: Romantech (Traditional Crossroads) {1}:
  162. Orlando Ortiz and Karibe Mambo Orchestra: At Full Swing (OOK Music) {1}:
  163. Owiny Sigoma Band: Owiny Sigoma Band (Brownwood) {1}: RC:B+
  164. Pacific Mambo Orchestra: PMO (Pacific Mambo) {1}:
  165. Cesar Pedroso "Pupy": Siempre Pupy (BIS) {1}:
  166. Marlow Rosado Y La Riquena: Retro (Pink Chaos/Selecto Hits) {1}:
  167. Rumberos Del Callejon: Construyendo (self-released) {1}:
  168. Samite: Trust (Musicians for World Harmony) {1}:
  169. Sankofa: The Uptown Strut (Kingswood) {1}: YW
  170. Septeto Santiaguero: Vamos Pa' La Fiesta (Picap) {1}:
  171. Shaggy: Summer in Kingston (Red General) {1}: EW:83
  172. Robert Soko: Balkan Beats Soundlab (Piranha) {1}: TH:***
  173. Sola Rosa: Get It Together (Melting Pot) {1}:
  174. Son De Barrio De Puerto Rico: Que Nadie Te Quite Lo Bailao' (Son De barrio/Red FN) {1}:
  175. Dennis Stroughmatt: La Belle Blondine (Swallow) {1}:
  176. Bibi Tanga and the Selenites: 40° of Sunshine (Nat Geo) {1}:
  177. Terakaft: Kel Tamasheq (World Village) {1}: G:80
  178. Te Vaka: Havili (Warm Earth) {1}:
  179. Huong Thanh: L'Arbre AuxReves (Buda) {1}:
  180. Vlada Tomova: Balkan Tales (Kuker Music) {1}:
  181. Sia Tonlo: My Life (Lusafrica) {1}: RC:*
  182. Sofia Tosello: Tangolando (Lilihouse Music) {1}:
  183. Abdoulaye Traore/Mohamed Diaby: Debademba (Chapa Blues) {1}:
  184. Tromboranga: Tromboranga Salsa Dura (Bloque 53) {1}:
  185. Yellow Dubmarine: Abbey Dub (Red General) {1}: Buf:88
  186. Zdob Si Zdub Basta: Mafia! (Asphalt Tango) {1}:
  187. Zohar's Nigun: The Four Questions (Rectify) {1}: TH:*

Notes

For information on what lists are consulted, and what the various abbreviations and notes mean, click here.