Best of the Year (so far) in World Music

With half of 2010 already behind us, NPR Music and others have been tallying up some of the best releases of the year so far. Here are our picks for world music favorites (in alphabetical order) from the new releases being played on the show this year.

Tony Allen - Secret Agent (Nonesuch)

Mulatu Astatke - Mulatu Steps Ahead (Strut)

Balkan Beat Box - Blue Eyed Black Boy (Nat Geo)

Federico Britos - Voyage (Sunnyside)

Regina Carter - Reverse Thread (E1)

Angelique Kidjo - Oyo (Razor & Tie)

Boban I Marko Markovic - Devla (Piranha)

Mike Marshall/Caterina Lichtenberg - Caterina Lichtenberg and Mike Marshall (Adventure Music)

Bobby McFerrin - VOCAbuLarieS (EmArcy)

Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars - Rise & Shine (Cumbancha)

Soul Jazz Orchestra - Rising Sun (Strut)

Ali Farka Toure/Toumani Diabate - Ali and Toumani (Nonesuch)

Various - The Afrosound of Columbia Vol. 1 (Vampi Soul)

Various artists - Egypt Noir (Piranha)

Various artists - Next Stop…Soweto Vols. 1 &2 (Strut)