2005 is almost over, so it's time for me to post my picks for the top albums of 2005.

1. Orientation - Thione Seck: Senegal's greatest singer, who's practically unknown outside of that country, has released a masterpiece combining Senegalese, Indian, and Middle Eastern musicians in a style reminiscent of Youssou N'dour's "Egypt". This album was actually conceived much earlier, since Thione was always fascinated by Indian music and wanted to work with Indian musicians.

2. Dimanche a Bamako - Amadou & Mariam: The blind Malian couple released one of the most beautiful albums of the year with a great West African groove.

3. Yaye Digalma - Jimi M'baye: Youssou N'dour's lead guitarist demonstrates that he can sing as well as he plays the guitar. His cover version of Peter Gabriel's "Don't Give Up" is the album's hilight, along with the beautiful "Witness".

4. Teketoi - Rachid Taha: Rachid's music has always gone beyond the usual Rai to hard rock & electronica. He's at his best on this album, especially his perfect cover version of "Rock the Casbah".

5. In the Heart of the Moon - Ali Farka Toure And Toumani Diabate: Toure's usual blues style has been brought back to its roots with the guitar and Kora arrangements on this album.

6. ASAP: Afrobeat Sudan Aid Project: great music for a great cause, relief for the victims of ethnic violence in the Darfur region of Sudan.

7. Boomerang - Daara J: Senegal's best rappers with a sound that combines, rap, r&b, and traditional styles.

8. Takk... Sigur Ros: Beautiful music that paints an aural picture of Iceland's stark landscape.

9. Gypsy Punks Underground Strike - Gogol Bordello: They do for eastern european Gypsy music what the Pogues did for Irish music. Gogol Bordello is one of the few groups that has a truly unique sound.

10. Stand Up - Dave Matthews Band: OK, so it's not World Music and it's far from their best, but a new DMB album is always welcome.
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