Cheb Mami

The rising popularity of a local band threatens orthodox religious groups in a mixed Arab and African housing project outside Paris. Attendance at the mosque falls and drastic measures are taken to keep the balance of power in the hands of the religious leaders. No one can stop the infectious popularity of the music, however, and when all the musicians finally sing together, everyone is united.

The most comprehensive compilation of African music ever achieved collects 183 classic recordings by 183 important artists from 38 countries in North, South, East and West Africa. The artists include universal stars such as Miriam Makeba, Fela Kuti, Youssou N'Dour, Franco, Cheb Khaled, Cesaria Evora, Mulatu Astatke, Salif Keita, Manu Dibango and Oum Kalsoum. The tracks, licensed from some of the world's most respected record companies, are all original...