It's easy to limit one's attention to familiar Western sounds, but that would deny the pleasures of this year's best Latin and world music albums, including Angélique Kidjo's reimagining of the Talking Heads' Remain in Light, the return of Ethio-jazz icon Hailu Mergia, and the latest from Tuareg guitar master Bombino.
Angélique Kidjo
Remain in Light
Kidjo's stunning reimagining of the Talking Heads' 1980 masterpiece highlights its African roots and substantiates Remain in Light's credentials as one of the most influential albums of the rock era in a worldwide context.
Bombino
Deran
The acclaimed Tuareg guitarist leaves the West behind, recording in Africa on his fiery, unfiltered sixth album.
Centavrvs
Somos Uno
The band's Tweety Gonzalez-produced sophomore effort moves beyond electro corridos to embrace cumbia, psychedelia, Afrobeat, and more.
Dead Can Dance
Dionysus
The esteemed Aussie art pop duo delivers a bacchanalian oratorio inspired by the Greek god of wine and ecstasy.
Domenico / Domenico Lancellotti
The Good Is a Big God
The Rio de Janeiro native elegantly filters Brazilian musical traditions through his distinctive pop approach on his sophomore set.
Draco Rosa
Monte Sagrado
After two prolonged battles with cancer, the artist returns with his first studio album in nine years and it's a rocker.
Eddie Palmieri
Full Circle
El Maestro's late career surge offers fans a killer set of his salsa classics completely revisioned for jamming by his tentet and big band.
Eduardo "Visitante" Cabra / Trending Tropics / Vicente García
Trending Tropics
A star-studded, topically and musically provocative collaboration between Calle 13's Visitante and Dominican songwriter Vicente Garcia.
Femi Kuti
One People One World
The favorite son of Afrobeat and his longstanding band deliver a tour de force of Afrobeat quilted with highlife, Latin, Caribbean, and R&B.
Hailu Mergia
Lala Belu
The Ethio-jazz icon makes a triumphant and vibrant return three decades after his last release.
Ibon Errazkin
Foto Aérea
A peculiar and utterly mesmerizing collection of whimsical, dreamlike compositions from the Spanish guitarist and composer.
J Balvin
Vibras
The Colombian songwriter and singer ignores the language barrier, doubles down on reggaeton, and furthers his quest for pop domination.
Maluma
F.A.M.E.
On his third full-length, the Colombian singer weds his pop and reggaeton identities, and provocatively combines them with urban sounds.
Natalia Lafourcade
Musas, Vol. 2
Natalia Lafourcade's second volume of Musas, her tribute to the Great Latin American Songbook, is just as delightful as its 2017 predecessor.
Orquesta Akokán
Orquesta Akokán
Recorded live to tape at Havana's legendary Areito Studios, this cooking multi-generational big band pays homage to the mambo with passion and innovation.
Ozuna
Aura
There is no sophomore slump evident on the artist's second long-player, absolutely stacked with romantic performances and numerous guests.
Rosalía
El Mal Querer
The Barcelona-based singer, songwriter, and actress delivers her sophomore outing that weds flamenco and copla to R&B and urban pop.
Seun Kuti / Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
Black Times
Re-enlisting Robert Glasper as co-producer, the Afrobeat scion offers his own take on the music that incorporates modern jazz, dub, and rock.
Sidi Touré
Toubalbero
The Malian singer/songwriter employs a youthful electric band on his vital and joyous fourth release for Thrill Jockey.
Tal National
Tantabara
The West African powerhouse continues to blaze their own path on their excellent third release for the FatCat label.
Various Artists
African Scream Contest, Vol. 2
A decade after the popular first volume, Analog Africa presents another set of electrifying Afro-funk from Benin.
Various Artists
Un Mundo Raro: Las Canciones de José Alfredo Jiménez
Camilo Lara produced and curated this star-studded tribute to one of Mexico's greatest songwriters and reveals the eternal youth appeal of the material.
