As we reach our 200th nation from which we have reviewed an album, we take a moment to pause and look at where we have got to thus far.
When we started our descent into insanity, taking on the mission to search for and write about an album from each nation back in 2020, we had no idea where it would take us or where this project would end up. The only thing we hoped to do was document our findings for ourselves and educate ourselves about the different cultures this endlessly diverse and fascinating world has to offer. We always knew we wanted to end the project with a list of our 200 favourite albums that we had listened to once we had completed our review of an album from our 200th country or territory. However, as the project, in its typical fashion, continued to spiral wildly out of control, with us listening to and discovering records at a faster rate than anyone could reasonably churn out top quality album reviews, we realised we had to have a change of tack.
Since the original ambition of our endeavours has been fulfilled, in finding and reviewing at least one album from each nation (we’ll pretend that our Nauruan EP counts, for now) we have decided to take stock and instead provide a snapshot of where we stand today. Though the list will evolve as we have many more albums to come, at this point, these are our favourite album that we have reviewed on the site from each country. The Beatles and Stevie Wonder aside, you may spot that some global music powerhouses are missing, such as ABBA and Bob Marley; that is not because we think they are unworthy of inclusion but rather we wanted to shine a light on musicians whose work we were less familiar with before this journey begun.
Buoyed by the incredible response we have had from people across the planet, we realised that we have accidentally tapped into something rather special and as such have exciting plans ahead. Not only will we continue interviewing musicians from across the world, each with their own nuanced perspective and stance on things that we can all learn from, we will also soon be launching our ‘Country In Focus’ series, in which we will be doing a deep-dive into the music culture of certain nations, exploring a whole host of albums that represent the diversity of many of the countries’ music that we have only been to scratch the surface of thus far.
You might say the project is done and that we should pack up our bags and call it a day…Yet, whether it be our loyal readership from all four corners of the world or the many musicians from each continent who have reached out in support of our project, we have been overwhelmed by how much positive feedback we have received and the connections we have made along the way and as such have no plans of stopping now. We have realised that in bringing to the fore the music of each nation, in so doing we are celebrating each people group, taking the narrative away from politicians who often dictate the headlines and reputation a country may have. Over the course of this journey we have realised how much we have in common with all of humankind, regardless of nationality, and yet at the same have so many differences that make each culture special and unique that deserve their moment in the sun. As the old Native American adage goes “we all come from the same root but the leaves are all different”.
1. Afghanistan – The Ghost You Love Most by Qais Essar
2. Albania – Echoes From Iliria by Simaku
3. Algeria – Je suis africain by Rachid Taha
4. Andorra – Nua by Marta Roure
5. Angola – Pretaluz by Waldemar Bastos
6. Antigua and Barbuda – Ghetto Vibes by King Short Shirt
7. Argentina – Clics Modernos by Charly Garcia
9. Australia – Gurrumul by Gurrumul
10. Austria – The Princess Pts 1 & 2 by Parov Stelar
11. Azerbaijan – Street Bangerz Volume 8 by Akshin Alizadeh
12. Bahrain – Armor by Ala Ghawas
13. Bangladesh – Trimatrik by Aurthohin
15. Belarus – Try Carapachi by N.R.M.
16. Belgium – Man Bites Harmonica by Toots Thielemans
17. Belize – Wátina by Andy Palacio/Garifuna Collective
18. Benin – Aye by Angélique Kidjo
19. Bhutan – Rain of Blessings: Varja Chants by Lama Gyurme and Jean-Philippe Rykiel
20. Bolivia – Tu Semilla by Emma, César & Jaime Junaro
21. Bosnia and Herzegovina – Wild Wild East by Dubioza Kolektiv
22. Botswana – Motoko by Sereetsi & The Natives
23. Brazil – Getz/Gilberto by Stan Getz & João Gilberto
24. Brunei – LUNA by Perfect Scums
25. Bulgaria – B.T.R. ’97 by B.T.R
26. Burkina Faso – Victor Démé by Victor Démé
27. Burundi – Les Maitres-Tambours du Burundi by The Drummers of Burundi
28. Cabo Verde – Miss Perfumado by Cesaria Évora
29. Cambodia Reatrei Nov Hong Kong, Vol. 58 by Sinn Sisamouth (Compilation due to context)
30. Cameroon – Get On Board by Emmanuel Pi Djob
31. Canada – You Want It Darker by Leanord Cohen
32. Central African Republic – Sanza Soul by Laetitia Zonzambé
33. Chad – Chili Houritiki by Mounira Mitchala
34. Chile – Manifesto by Victor Jara
35. China – Black Panther by Hei Bao
36. Colombia – Amanecer by Bomba Estéreo
37. Comoros – Wassi Wassi by Maalesh
38. Congo, Democratic Republic of the – Emotion by Papa Wemba
39. Congo, Republic of the – Bakolo Mboka by Les Bantous de la Capitale
40. Costa Rica – Sabor En Un Tiempo Cruel by Ojo De Buey
41. Côte d’Ivoire – Djekpa La You by Dobet Gnahore
42. Croatia – Pop by Tihomir Pop Asanović
43. Cuba – Beautiful by Cándido
44. Cyprus – Tha Frygo Me Tous Filous Mou Gia Kairo by Konstantina
45. Czech Republic – Objects of Desire and Other Complications by Monkey Business
46. Denmark – Det er Mig der Holder Træerne Sammen by Under Byen
47. Djibouti – The Dancing Devils of Djibouti by Groupe RTD
48. Dominica – Michele Henderson by Michele Henderson
49. Dominican Republic – Suenos y Pesadillas del Tercer Mundo by Toque Profundo
50. Ecuador – IV by Antonio Vergara
51. Egypt – Resala Ela Magles El Amn by Ramy Essam
52. El Salvador – Ay Mi Pueblo by Hermanos Flores
53. Equatorial Guinea – Colores De Amor by Las Hijas Del Sol
54. Eritrea – Numey by Faytinga
55. Estonia – Mustale Merele by Sopruse Puiestee
56. eSwatini – Swazi Soul by Bholoja
57. Ethiopia – Soul of Addis by Mahmoud Ahmed
58. Fiji – Kavatime by The Kavaholics
59. Finland – Jurahevin Kuninkaat by Hevisaurus
60. France – La Bohème – Charles Aznavour
61. Gabon – Patience Dabany by Patience Dabany
62. Georgia – In Vino Veritas by Mgzavrebi
63. Germany – The Man-Machine by Kraftwerk
64. Ghana – All In 1 Love by Mohammed Alidu
65. Greece – Anástasis: a Journey Through Old Greek Music – Katerina Papadopoulou
66. Grenada – Lovely Day by David Emmanuel
67. Guatemala – Mil Palabras Con Sus Dientes by Bohemia Suburbana
68. Guinea – Objectif Perfection by Balla et ses Balladins
69. Guinea-Bissau – Ar Puro by Super Mama Djombo
70. Guyana – Moon Over Me by Aubrey Cummings
71. Haiti – HaitiaNola by Lakou Mizik
72. Honduras – Hablo Español by Polache
73. Hungary – Klezmer by Budapest Bár
74. Iceland – Ágætis Byrjun by Sigur Rós
76. Indonesia – Los Skut Leboys by Sore
77. Iran – Enlighten the Night by Mahsa Vahdat
78. Iraq – Tatazakarein by UTN1
79. Ireland – Let The People Sing by The Wolfe Tones
80. Israel – Badeshe Etzel Avigdor by Arik Einstein/Miki Gavrielov
81. Italy – Oro, Incenso e Birra by Zucchero
82. Jamaica – Funky Kingston by Toots & The Maytals
83. Japan – Japan – Echoes of Japan by Minyo Crusaders
84. Jordan – Arabic Rocks by Jadal
85. Kazakhstan – iD by Dimash Kudaibergen
86. Kenya – Makosa by Murfy’s Flaw
87. Kiribati – Zero by Elijah L
88. Kosovo – Merrma Shiun E Prishtines by Sabri Fejzullahu
89. Kuwait – Hi Fear, Lo Love by Zahed Sultan
90. Kyrgyzstan – Vne zony dostupa by Gorod 312
91. Laos – Miracle by JoJo Miracle
92. Latvia – Lai Masina Rotajas! by Auli/Tautumeitas
93. Lebanon – Ibn El Leil by Mashrou’ Leila
94. Lesotho – Dreams Do Come True by Sankomota
95. Liberia – Take A Look Outside by Kapingbdi
96. Libya – Awedny by Ahmed Fakroun
97. Liechtenstein – Al Walser Comes 2 Life by Al Walser
98. Lithuania – Laukinis Suo Dingo by Alina Orlova
99. Luxembourg – Klasseklon – Serge Tonnar & Legotrip
100. Madagascar – Madagascar All Stars by Erick Manana, Fenoamby, Justin Vali, Régis Gizavo, Dama, Ricky
101. Malawi – Kalilima by Faith Mussa
102. Malaysia – C.I.N.T.A by Alleycats
103. Maldives - Sissuvaali by Faruma Boduberu Group
104. Mali – Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux by Les Ambassadeurs
105 Malta – Minutes of a Lifetime by Airport Impressions
106. Marshall Islands – BIJICAL by Les, Ned & Sypher Anjolok
107. Mauritania – Arbina by Noura Mint Seymali
108. Mauritius – Cassiya II by Cassiya
109. Mexico – El Nervio Del Volcán by Caifanes
110. Micronesia, Federated States of – Get It On by Ozeky
111. Moldova – Oglinda by Trigon
112. Monaco – Il n’y a Plus Rien by Leo Ferré
113. Mongolia – Baigalaas Irsen Ohin by Tigerfish
114. Montenegro – Eh Kad Bi Ti by Sako Polumenta
115. Morocco – Nayda! by Bab L’Bluz
116. Mozambique – Eparaka by Deltino Guerrero
117. Myanmar (Burma) – Khanah Lay Miaa by Lay Phyu
118. Namibia – Black Colonialists by Black Vulcanite
119. Nauru – Trials Of Your Faith by Skylla (EP)
120. Nepal – Grahan by Dibesh Pokharel
121. Netherlands – Moontan by Golden Earring
122. New Zealand – Based On A True Story by Fat Freddy’s Drop
123. Nicaragua – Tuyo Lo Que Soy by Salvador Cardenal Barquero
125. Nigeria – Expensive Shit by Fela Kuti
126. North Korea – Moranbong Band by Moranbong Band
127. North Macedonia - King Ferus by Ferus Mustafov
128. Norway – Gula Gula by Mari Boine
129. Oman – Ayyar by Salah Al Zadjali
130. Pakistan – Mustt Mustt by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
131. Palau – TheRock, Vol. 1 by BfolkMuzik680
132. Palestine – Dabke on the Moon by DAM
133. Panama – Buscando America by Rubén Blades
134. Papua New Guinea – Amette by George Telek
135. Paraguay – Guantanamera by Los Tres Paraguayos
136. Peru – Susana Baca by Susana Baca
137. Philippines – Diwa by Juan Karlos
138. Poland – Beluga Trigga & Master Stone’s Spiritual Surfing by Beluga Stone
139. Portugal – Movimento Perpétuo by Carlos Paredes
140. Puerto Rico – Asalto Navideño by Willie Colón & Hector Lavoe
141. Qatar – Enta Eshq by Fahad Al Kubaisi
142. Romania – Iag Bari by Fanfare Ciocărlia
143. Russia – We Will Never Die by Yat-Kha
144. Rwanda – John Wizards by John Wizards
145. Saint Kitts and Nevis – I Can Assure You by Odisi Band
146. Saint Lucia – Beyond by Ronald ‘Boo’ Hinkson
147. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Kevin Lyttle by Kevin Lyttle
148. Samoa – Welcome to Samoa by The Five Stars
149. San Marino – Avantgarde by Miodio
150. São Tomé and Príncipe – Yellow by Calema
151. Saudi Arabia – Dhil-un Taht Shajarat Al-Zaqum by MSYLMA
152. Senegal – Immigrés by Youssou N’Dour
153. Serbia – The Last Balkan Tango by Boris Kovac
154. Seychelles – Black Queen by Dezil’
155. Sierra Leone – Dead Men Don’t Smoke Marijuana by S.E. Rogie
156. Singapore – Soul Detergent by The Stoned Revivals
157. Slovakia – Den Medzi Nedelou A Pondelkom by Peha
158. Slovenia – Bring Back My Soul by JK Soul
159. Solomon Islands – Iu Mi Flow by Sharzy
160. Somalia – The Journey by Maryam Mursal
161. Somaliland – Faransiskiyo Somaliland by Sahra Halgan Trio
162. South Africa – When You Come Back by Vusi Mahlasela
163. South Korea – Now by Kim Jung Mi
164. South Sudan – The Key by Emmanuel Jal
165. Spain – El Momento by Nacha Pop
166. Sri Lanka – Neththara by Bathiya & Santhush
167. Sudan – Ya Dunya by Sharhabil Ahmed
168. Suriname – Akoeba by Happy Boys
169. Sweden – Prequelle by Ghost
170. Switzerland – Aliento by Danit
171. Syria – Wenu Wenu by Omar Souleyman
172. Taiwan – Town by The Fur.
173. Tajikistan – Lalaiki Pamir by Oleg Fesov
174. Tanzania – Songs for the Poor Man by Remmy Ongala
175. Thailand – HUMAN by Potato
176. The Bahamas – Exuma, The Obeah Man by Exuma
177. The Gambia – Fasiya by Sona Jobarteh
178. Timor-Leste – Jina Ko Jina Ana by Tonny Pareira/Elder D. Araujo
179. Togo – Otodi by Vaudou Game
180. Tonga – You Make Me Believe by Joel Havea
181. Trinidad and Tobago – Monk Evolution by Machel Montano
182. Tunisia – The Astounding Eyes of Rita by Anouar Brahem
184. Turkmenistan – Gunesh by The Gunesh Ensemble
185. Tuvalu – Te Masina Ite Po by Magic Bobo ft DJ Toa
186. Uganda – Exile by Geoffrey Oryema
187. Ukraine – Trans Balkan Express by OMFO
188. United Arab Emirates – Matredny Hdood by Mehdad Hamad
189. United Kingdom Abbey Road by The Beatles
190. United States – Innervisions by Stevie Wonder
191. Uruguay – A Contraluz by La Vela Puerca
192. Uzbekistan – Infinite Rhythm by Abbos Kosimov
193. Vanuatu – Live at Banban by Banban Bamboo Band
194. Vatican City – Missa Papae Marcelli by Coro della Cappella Sistina
195. Venezuela – Repeat After Me by Los Amigos Invisibles
196. Vietnam – Hoa Am Xura by Saigon Soul Revival
197. Western Sahara – Soutak by Aziza Brahim
198. Yemen – Akher El Akhbar by Ahmed Fathi
