Albums of the year: World (One)

It's been the year of the compilation in so-called world music. On the retro side, there was the alternative trance of Palenque Palenque: Champeta Criolla & Afro Roots in Colombia 1975-91. Then there was the Next Stop... Soweto series which were the best South African township jive (and much else) collections in decades. And for some majestically off-beat tango you can't go wrong with the Mañana label's best-of Mañana, El Tango – Perlas del Label.

Sadly, 2010 also saw the last indispensable double-CD collection from the wonderful Charlie Gillett, who tragically died in March. Anywhere on this Road was the usual unpredictable mix of the traditional and the more challenging. But by far the most thrilling contemporary collection was Oi! A Nova Musica Brasileira! This was as comprehensive a guide to the current music scene in Brazil as you could get in 40 tracks.

I'd be surprised if you found my final choice on anyone else's end-of-the-year round-ups, as when I came across Delaney Davidson in the summer he was playing before of an audience of approximately 15. However, just like me they were all captivated. So if the idea of a Waits-ish, Dylan-ish one-man-band appeals, then do check out his debut, Self Decapitation.