Many a hot summer night in New Orleans has been filled with the percolating rhythms of African and Caribbean artists passing through town, but the summer of ‘95 may go down as one of the steamiest ever.

Lovers of African and Caribbean sounds, still reeling from many strong performances at both the Jazz Fest and Festival International and bolstered by a local scene thriving with innovative new formations like Bamboula 2000 and Ben Hunter the Soul Avenger, will be served a virtual smorgasbor...