Hard to believe that such a dire and dramatic year could inspire such an abundance of remarkable albums.

Or maybe, on the contrary, the multitude of emotions sparked by the pandemic and our new life’s circumstances might have been the main reasons why musicians were able to write, record and produce those gems.

In any case, as we did in 2017, 2018 & 2019, we listened back to 2020 and handpicked 20 (+1) of the most interesting, inspiring and thought-provoking releases.

Discover our favourites albums of 2020 page-by-page or check the full list below

Click on the covers for the album descriptions

SANTROFI – ALEWA                                                    

CHOUK BWA & THE ÅNGSTRÖMERS – VODOU ALÉ

SPOEK MATHAMBO – TALES FROM THE LOST CITIES         

THE SORCERERS – IN SEARCH OF THE LOST CITY OF THE MONKEY GOD

BAB L’BLUZ – NAYDA!

THE LEONARD SIMPSON DUO – LSD

SON ROMPE PERA – BATUCO

ONIPA – WE NO BE MACHINE

LET DRUM BEAT – LUA CHEIA                                                                            

VARIOUS – LÉVE LÉVE SAO TOMÉ & PRINCIPE SOUNDS 70S-80S

NURI – IRUN                                                                     

NAT BIRCHALL MEETS AL BREADWINNER – TRADITION DISC IN DUB

DUMA – DUMA

DEREK GRIPPER – A YEAR OF SWIMMING

THUNDERCAT – IT IS WHAT IT IS

OUMOU SANGARÉ – ACOUSTIC

SONGHOY BLUES – OPTIMISME!

AKKAN – AKKAN

TONY ALLEN & HUGH MASEKELA – REJOICE

CLAP! CLAP! – LIQUID PORTRAITS                           

KHRUANGBIN – MORDECHAI

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