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Women of Africa  Putumayo
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Listening to music from other parts of the world can open your ears to unlimited surprise. Putumayo has been spreading the word to the West about world music, and this fine compilation focuses on female African singers. The 12 tracks here offer a sample of rising stars, such as South Africa's Judith Sephuma, and more established acts such as Angelique Kidjo from Benin. The sweep is wide, from Algeria's Souad Massi to the tradition Zulu singing of Women of Mambazo, the group founded by Nellie Shabalala, the wife of Joseph Shabalala of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Nellie was shot dead by an assassin in May 2002, but this short celebration of a capella singing is a worthy tribute to her. www.putamayo.com