World Music

[Joe Schmoe]

I am trying to expand my World Music collection. It is hard because there are so many titles out there, and I lack the knowledge to choose among them. I looked through the "20 Albums..." thread and found a few suggestions, but not many. Please list your favorites here.
Mine so far:
Ali Farka Toure: Savane-Described as "blues", but much more virtuosic than any blues I have heard.
Nyaz: Nyaz-Ecstatic middle-eastern singing with dance beats.
Kodo: Live at the Acropolis-Japanese taiko drumming.
12 Girls Band: Romantic Energy-Energy is the right word for it. Modern music with strong traditional Japanese influences.

 

[ground_wire]

The series by "Putumayo Presents" is very good such as:

Putumayo Presents: Acoustic Africa by Various Artists (Audio CD - 2006)

Celtic Tides - Various Artists - International - Europe - Celtic/British Isles, Putumayo Presents (Series)

World Playground
Putumayo Presents (Series)

 

[Pheaton]

Hi,
Here are four groups that I like that might fit the bill;

1. Afro Celt Sound System (Combine Irish melodies with African Drumlines)
2. Gipsy Kings (Just great guitar work, all seven of them!)
3. Midival Punditz (Techno with an Indian flair. The most popular song was the wedding scene in 'Bend it Like Beckham')
4. Vas (Might be a bit more towards new age here, but I really like Azam Ali's voice. She reminds me of Lisa Gerrard from Dead Can Dance.)

Hope that helps your search, and I hope you like them.

Pheaton

 

[no. 5]

Well, these aren’t near as exotic as the other suggestions, but they are some artists that I am familiar with (I shall refrain from classifying too much, but will just give the country of origin):

Claude Calhoun (Arab. Arab fusion, maybe?)

Cesare Cremonini (Italian)

Max Pezzali (Italian. IMO, some songs he sings with this meter, like he sings like Mark Knopfler plays)

Eros Ramazzotti (Italian. literally huge in Europe: had one of the biggest concerts in Europe’s history)

Garou (French-Canadian. Has an impressive growl to his voice)

Gerald DePalmas (French)

 

[darien87]

I thought the first 2 albums by Deep Forest were great, (Deep Forest, Boheme). The later ones I didn't like as much.

Also, I like just about anything by Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

 

[no. 5]

Claude Calhoun (Arab. Arab fusion, maybe?)

Consarnet! it's Claude Chalhoub, not Calhoun. MS word can be so annoying.

 

[Progger58]

1. Afro Celt Sound System (Combine Irish melodies with African Drumlines)
(...)
4. Vas (Might be a bit more towards new age here, but I really like Azam Ali's voice. She reminds me of Lisa Gerrard from Dead Can Dance.)

I will second these. Brilliant stuff indeed.

And in addition I would recommend also these:

- LOS JAIVAS => Great Andean music (from Chile)
- LUAR NA LUBRE => Celtic/Gaelic group (Spain)
- MILLADOIRO => Another Celtic/Gaelic group (also Spanish)
- RAVI SHANKAR => Indian ("Passages", with Philip Glass, is great)
- U.SRINIVAS => Indian (his album "Dream", featuring canadian guitarrist Michael Brook, is simply brilliant)
- NUSRAT FATEH ALI KHAN => Pakistan ("Night Song", in collaboration with Michael Brook, is also awesome)
- HECTOR ZAZOU => a mix of music from everywhere; BRILLIANT!!! (especially the albums "Lights in the Dark", "Sahara Blue" & "Songs from the Cold Seas")
- DADAVA => Chinese/Tibetan music
- KIYOSHI YOSHIDA => Japanese
- JESSE COOK => Nouveau Flamenco
- EDU LOBO => Brazilian music at the best (especially his wonderful "Corrupiao")
- DUOFEL => Great instrumental Brazilian music

Cheers,
Demetrio.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Anyone who has not heard Tinarwen needs to go buy their recent CD today. Yes, they are that good.