The compilation was curated by Andy Morgan, former manager of Tinariwen and organizer of the Festival in the Desert.

[1] Brad Haynes and Rachel Jackson coordinated the project, and Phil Stanton, co-founder of the World Music Network, was the producer.

[2][3] It is the second compilation by this name: the first edition, focusing on the same range of music with entirely different artists, was released in 2004.

Robert Christgau called the record "more aggressive" than the first edition, praising the addition of Moroccan hip hop.

[6] Deanne Sole of PopMatters noted that all performers are men, almost entirely in groups.