Beyonce’s recent fusion of classic American music with rhythms and guitar styles from Africa inspired us to create a brief selection of similar songs, from both sides of the pond. Of course, most music in either hemisphere consists, in at least a distant sense, of a blend of these two origins, but here it’s particularly noticeable:

“Taj Mahal” – Jorge Ben

“End Of Time” – Beyonce

“Zombie” – Fela Kuti

“Domingo No Parque” – Gilberto Gil

“Mr. Jones” – Talking Heads

“Heartbeat” – Nneka

“Hold The Line” – Major Lazer

“Your House” – Steel Pulse

This week’s song of mention, “Are You. Can You. Were You? (Felt)” comes via Shabazz Palaces, off their excellent new album, Black Up:

Shabazz Palaces – Are you… Can you… Were you (Felt) by popgunbooking

Listen to the playlist on our player or at Grooveshark.