Xavier Naidoo
Xavier Naidoo is the most successful soul singer in Germany. His fantastic voice and wide range of styles has touched the hearts and souls of the German people. Xavier has sold millions of records and performed for millions of people. His latest CD "Telegramm Für X" was number 1 for two months in 2006, and is triple platinum.. Check out his website www.xaviernaidoo.de

Sirone's Concord
Bassist Sirone is one of the true legends of jazz music. He has performed and recorded with so many greats: John Coltrane, Archie Shepp, Cecil Taylor, Dewey Redman, Milford Graves, Charles Gayle, Dave Burrell, and of course his own trio, the Revolutionary Ensemble. Sirone has lived in Berlin, Germany since 1989. His group Concord has a CD out on the Not2 label.

BANTU
Brotherhood Alliance Navigating Towards Unity is the full name of Ade Odukoya's group. His last CD "Fuji Satisfaction"-a funky blend of afrobeat, hip hop, dancehall and fuji rhythms stormed to the top of the European World Music Charts in 2005. The group won the Kora Award (Africa's Grammy) for the Best Group West Africa 2005. www.bantucrew.com

Ullrich Gumpert Quartet
Ulli Gumpert is probably the most interesting pianist to come out of the former East Germany. He has been active for nearly 40 years, performing with the group Zentralquartet (with Baby Sommer and Conny Bauer) as well as his own Workshop Band. He was honored with the German Jazz Prize 2005. The quartet's new CD, featuring Jan Roder on bass and Michael Griener on drums, is out on the Intakt label.

Karl Hector & the Malcouns
Deep, psychedlic afro funk is how we like to describe it. The music speaks for itself-- the debut album on Stones Throw/Now Again is out now! MySpace

Afrobeat Academy
The Afrobeat Academy is one of the heaviest afro-funk bands on planet Earth! We have recorded with guitarist Oghene Kologbo, the original guitarist from Fela Kuti's Africa 70 band. Kologbo is an original afro-funkateer, and his wild shows don't let anyone forget it! Afrobeat Academy is also the backing band for Bantu, and have toured throughout Europe and West Africa. The latest 45, Afro Confusion, is out on Rabbi Records. MySpace

Poets of Rhythm
When Max, one of Munich's legendary Whitefield Bros. moved to Berlin, the city got a heavy infusion of original funk and psychedelic groove. The Poets have been around since the early 1990s--their style continues to evolve, and it's as interesting now as ever. MySpace