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When African Cookbook was recorded in 1964, pianist Randy Weston had no luck interesting any label to release the music, so he came out with it independently on his tiny Bakton company. In 1972, Atlantic released the performances. It is surprising that no company in the mid-'60s signed Weston, because "Willie's Tune," from this set, had the potential to catch on, and "Berkshire Blues" is somewhat well-known and the mixture of accessible bop with African rhythms overall is appealing. Trumpeter Ray Copeland was responsible for the arrangements while Weston contributed all but one of the songs. Copeland and the great tenor Booker Ervin have their share of solo space, bassist Vishnu Wood and drummer Lenny McBrowne are fine in support, and on three numbers the percussion of Big Black and Sir Harold Murray are added; Big Black also sings on "Congolese Children." An excellent outing. – All Music

After her darker sophomore effort 2012's Master of My Make-Believe, Santigold returns with a sunshine-bright pop album, shaded with biting commentary on consumerism and the price of art. It comes across as a pointed reaction to her own success over the past decade: If Master of My Make-Believe was a trip down the rabbit hole post-Santogold, 99¢ tries to be the yin to its yang: a hyper-positive, yet self-aware, happy-pill remedy. - Pitchfork