Manu Dibango

Yes, Michael Jackson ripped off "Soul Makossa"'s refrain in "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (think "mama-se-mama-sa-ma-makossa"), but there's more to this African funk man than a single fabulous party track. Dibango gives Hugh Masakela a run for his money on jazzy instrumental excursions (check out "Hot Chicken" or "Wouri") and sounds like he was reared on James Brown's knee when he kicks out grooves like "Soul Machine." Soul may have come from Africa, and it sounds great when it heads back there.