Various

Since their independence in 1958, the citizens of Guinea-Conakry have been insatiably absorbing Western culture. In 2010, when the former French colony held their first presidential election, this unique blend of tradition and expression finally became available to the world, setting the stage for San Francisco label Stronghold Sound to release the two-disc collection, Sembeh Ma Fa Fe. Sending producer Dub Snakkr to Western Africa with the intent to capture these performances, Stronghold Sounds' Revisits Volume focuses on up-and-coming musicians who've cut their teeth on Guinea stages and at clubs. The fact that artists like Matoto Family, Sista Lessa and Prince II Saen authentically tackle genres like ska, hip-hop and dancehall (respectively) isn't as much of a surprise compared to how much vitriol, charisma and wild abandon these once-silenced artists exude. Those looking for their world music to sound gracious, exotic and based-in-tradition should stay clear. The rest will find Sembeh Ma Fa Fe mesmerizing.