Various Artists

Like any large, modern country with eclectic cultural roots, South Africa is home to a diverse array of musical styles. And this release—by the ever-amazing Putumayo World Music crew—presents the bulk of them in a compelling collection. There’s the expected stuff—a capella from the Soweto Gospel Choir, fun-loving jams from the Soul Brothers, the everyone-sing-alongs of Kaya—but there’s also the hip-hop-inspired Nkosi, the almost Hawaiian-sounding anti-Apartheid activist Johannes Kerkorrel, and the Triplets of Belleville-ish Miriam Makeba. In typical Putumayo fashion, some proceeds go straight to Artists for a New South Africa, which is working for human rights and against HIV/AIDS. But wait; that’s not all! The CD’s release also kicks off a contest to win two tickets to South Africa for the World Cup this summer. To enter, visit putumayo.com/southafricatour.