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.