The Very Best - Warm heart of Africa (2009)

1. Yalira	3:42
2. Chalo	3:12			play
3. Warm Heart Of Africa (Featuring Ezra Koenig)	3:47
4. Mwazi	1:05
5. Nsokoto	5:27
6. Angonde	4:52
7. Julia		4:06
8. Mfumu	3:49
9. Ntdende Uli	3:19		play
10. Rain Dance (Featuring M.I.A.)	4:25
11. Kamphopo	3:11
12. Kada Manja	4:32
13. Zam'dziko	2:30

THE VERY BEST embodies a without-borders approach to music-making that could only happen in the 21st century. On their debut album, WARM HEART OF AFRICA, the group, started by European production duo Radioclit and Malawian singer Esau Mwamwaya, concoct new global pop that lands somewhere between a Michael Jackson break-beat and a dancier version of Paul Simon's Graceland. THE VERY BEST are Esau Mwamwaya (Malawi), Etienne Tron (France) and Johan Karlberg (Sweden). Also featured on the album is singer M.I.A. and Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig.

After falling in love with their mixtape last year, I'm pleased to announce The Very Best's proper debut album is worth every penny. As the title suggests, the album comes off as very friendly and light-hearted. Now, you must understand that this is all a leap of faith for me since a good majority of the lyrics are in a language that I don't understand. I'm making my assessment - for better or worse - based on the music. There are two guest appearances on the album. The first is Vampire Weekend's lead singer, and the second is M.I.A. Both are very good. However I'm the real gems on this album are Nsokoto and Julia. Nsokoto actually took a few listens to sink in, and it's typically these songs which stay with me the longest. There's a lot bubbling beneath the surface of it. Julia is just plain fun -- it'll be stuck in your head for days.

In all, this album is very, very accessible. It might work best blasting in your car as you speed down the highway, but it's also something you can listen to through your headphones and relax in your reclining chair. Also, I should add that I don't write many reviews for Amazon, but I'd like to do more in the future. I'm purposefully not saying too much about the music because I feel that these things are so subjective. However, if anyone wants to discuss particular songs in depth, please engage me in the comments section. ---S. Bidwell

Esau Mwamwaya was born in Mzuzu in Malawi, East Africa. He grew up in the capital, Lilongwe, where he played drums in various bands such as Masaka Band. He was a good friend of the legendary Evison Matafale and they played together for several years before he was killed in Malawi police custody in 2003.

In 1999 Esau Mwamwaya moved to London, England ran a second-hand furniture shop in Clapton, East London until setpember 2008 when he returned to Malawi. Esau's shop was on the same street as Radioclit's old studio, and after the Radioclit boy's bought a bike from Esau they invited him to one of their house warming parties They made friends and started working on music together. Three years later and the project has gotten it's name The Very Best. The Album 'Warm heart Of Africa' is out worldwide now!

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