If you liked the All Stars’ Rise & Shine album, you’ll definitely want to check out DJ Logic’s funky remixes. This collection turns up the free-spirited vibe of the original album, perfect for boppin’ along to on a summer day. Download a free sample track here, and purchase the whole MP3 album here. Happy listening!

Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars embody the best elements of the human spirit. The musicians came together in a refugee camp in Guinea, populated by people fleeing the brutal civil war in Sierra Leone. Originally formed to entertain residents of the camp, the group has expanded since then, and their reggae-esque melodies are both enjoyable listening and message driven.  The All Stars have seen remarkable success, from being featured in a critically acclaimed documentary to appearing on Oprah. Rise & Shine, released on the Cumbancha label, is the group’s second album. They began work on it in Sierra Leone (where war has now ceased), and then traveled to New Orleans to collaborate with producer Steve Berlin and some New Orleans musicians, who imparted a distinct flavor to the album. ”Living Stone,” with its feel-good horns and foot-tapping rhythms, exemplifies this Big Easy influence. Click here to listen to the album and download a free track from Rise & Shine. For more background on the group, check out the two videos below.

On Zebu Nation, the recent release from the Cumbancha Discovery label, Madagascan Razia Said sings about the destruction of the natural world on her island nation. Extreme poverty has made slash and burn agriculture one of the only means of supporting a family. Deforestation has occurred on a massive scale—80% of the island’s forests are gone, and the rivers run red with soil eroded from the bare land. 

The album is melancholy at points and playful at others. Accordian weaves its way throughout Zebu Nation, and a sitar appears on one track. Razia’s vocals are mostly in her native Malagasy, connecting the album even more deeply to her homeland. “Omama” is a particularly lovely song on an album filled with replayable tracks.

Check out these three videos for a taste of Razia and her musical message. And a bonus: click here to download a free track!