Amazing album. The best of the year—yes, even better than Kanye's latest masterpiece. It goes more places than a 65 years old may have to, specially being Paul McCartney. And yet, being McCartney is exactly what made this gem happened.

Lila has been putting out great albums from the beginning. In many ways, this is a culmination of what she has pursued all along, Mexican traditional music in dialogue with Rock and Rap ... and more. Extraordinary "world" music.

Arvizu may just be the most authentic voice you'll hear all year. The album grooves and cries in just the most appropriate places. Praise her voice and heart, and thank Ry Cooder for producing.

Natacha has been around quite a while. After collaborations with Peter Gabriel and experiments with Electronica, she has chosen to go back to his Middle-Eastern roots and put out an album's worth of great songs (ainly famous ones from the 50's) honoring her roots.

A Diabate album is always a strong candidate for the best of its year. This one is nothing less than a reunion of old spirits, and many have come. Gorgeous.

That Ryan Adam is as talented as prolific is no big news. What's worth saying is that Cardinology is one of his strongest albums in along time. Definitely, among the best has given us.

A band formed a long time ago from female members of the Guinean army. I don't know what that may conjure up for you but the music is stunning. This platoon knows how to attack a groove.

Although it's not up there with What Up Dog or Are You OK, the Was brothers can still write and play some mean tunes, the Funk and some ballads here still deserve being paid attention to. Key to the worth of this album is the voice of Sweet Pea Atkinson and the apparently strabnge choices for guest vocalists, This time is Kris Kristoferson.

For me this may be Bajofondo's best album so far. Gems abound (Cristal, Hoy, Costello's piece) and Buenos Aires sears itself in your mind.