Album of the Week: Vision for the Blind - Salone Go Bete on Buma Stemra

Suffering with a bit of broadcasters block this week, so much good music around plus its the start of all the top 10 this, best of 2008 and all that. What do I put in what do I leave for the next few weeks ?

We got there in the end with some new releases from DJ Russ Jones, Kocani Orkestar, Chidinma Okafor, La Cherga plus a bit of rooting around for some vintage sounds. There's a tribute to Keletegui Traore, highlights of an interview with Dubulah back stage at the Glastonbury's Jazz World stage after the unexpected premiere of his Dub Colossus in a Town Called Addis.

Plus my thanks to GondwanaSound regular Judith for sending through the Vision for the Blind's album, Salone Go Bete - One Day Sierra Leonne will be prosperous. Its cracking goodstuff and also raising awareness and funds to make changes in the lives of people in Sierra Leonne with little or no vision. Its my album of the week.

Our album of the week was made possible as a result of the partnership with
The Shain Foundation based in the Netherlands. The Shain foundation was set up my AnneMarie Tiebosch to honour the musical life of her husband, Sierra Leone's musical hero and reggae star who's life was tragically cut short in a motoring accident.

Members of Vision for the Blind sung at his funeral and a year later, when they had incorporated some additional talent and decided to become a full band, they approached AnneMarie for ways to raise finance for their projects. This coincided with her desire to try and create a fledgling professional music industry in a country emerging from 10 years of perhaps one of the bloodiest civil wars. In November 2008 Vision for the Blind have come to the Netherlands to promote their album with some live dates. Read the full story here.