Etoile de Dakar - Xalis
John Lennon & Plastic Ono Band
Xalis is in my top-10 African albums. Etoile de Dakar are the group Youssou N'Dour started when he left Star Band and this music is even more hypnotising. Almost psych guitar, wailing vocals, talking drums - it's as good as Senegalese music gets. And probably John Lennon's best solo album (for me) is not bad either.
Pearl Jam transports me back to my teenage bedroom and being told to "turn that racket down". Still like to play it loud, it's just my girlfriend now that tells me to turn it off! Eddy Okwedy is a great Nigerian record that was a free gift from one of my favourite African sellers.