The universal language?

This thread makes me think back to my college days at Wesleyan University, which had (and still has, I hope) a _great_ world music program. If I remember correctly, Wesleyan had the second Javanese gamelan orchestra in the U.S. (with Berkeley having the first). The all night (literally) wayang kulit’s (shadow puppet theater, with one puppeteer performing the whole way, backed by gamelan) that were held once or twice a year were awe-inspiring. There was a terrific complement of Indian musicians, with the chief instruments represented being sitar and tabla from the North and vina and mrdangam from the South. Unfortunately, the only musician’s name I can remember is the violinist L. Shankar, who has since recorded with many Western artists. During Ramadan, you could go to two or three Indian concerts a week (all free and held in very intimate spaces). There was lots more going on, including Jeanie Redpath and her traditional Scottish music and Doogie Mitchell, a leading exponent of American Indian music who unfortunately died young. For my own part, I took lessons in shakuhachi (Japanese vertical bamboo flute) for four years. I continued only for a few years after I graduated, but the memories of the weekly time I spent sitting a few feet in front of four of the six then-living descendants of the original lineage listening to them show me how that powerful and haunting instrument was supposed to be played are irreplaceable. Then there were the ancillary experiences, like helping one of the masters get acquainted with some methods of mood enhancement that were prevalent on American campuses at the time but not acceptable in Japan... but, hey, I’m out of time. I can barely remember what I majored in at college, but the music... man!

If your a fan of the blues, there is a facinating correlation between the blues of the United States and the music of West Africa, particularly of Mali. The evolution is obvious and not hard to trace from West Africa to the Carribean, to the South Lands where Blues evolved. What is amazing is how so much has remained the same. You can hear the similiarities between the guitar licks of Taj Mahal and the plucking of the Kora by Toumani Diabite. In fact, there is a great recording of the two of them playing together called Kulanjan. Also, the great Ali Farka Toure of Mali did a wonderful collaboration with Ry Cooder called Talking Timbuktu. Other Mali greats that you should check out are Salif Keita (his album the Mansa of Mali is wonderful) and the newest star in the pantheon of Mali greats, Habib Koite, whose recordings can be had on the Putumayo label.

I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Mali from 95-99...that's how come I know about these guys.

Glad to see such honest interest in the wonderful music of other nations. There is so much to appreciate and learn; I am mystified by the fact that many music lovers don't tap these resources more often. Tracing the evolution of more familiar music, as Issabre points out, can be fascinating. By the way Issabre, I first heard the music of Saleif Kaita in 1985 when my sister moved to Africa to work for the UN and insisted that I check his music out; I was knocked out. His recording "Soro" is one of my favorites; I'd be curious of your take on this record. It is so easy to dismiss the sounds and tonalities of some ethnic music as strange or even too "primitive" because our ears, used to the tonalities and rhythms of Western culture-rooted music don't know quite what to do with them; and unfortunately many of us don't give them enough of a chance. Jayboard, I am reminded of the first time I heard traditional Japanese folk music; I just couldn't get it. But it was after having had the opportunity to familiarize myself with that culture that the door began to open, and I began to understand how soulful some of that music can actually be. Soulful was not an adjective that I ever would have used to describe that music previously; man was I wrong. I realize that not everyone will have the opportunity to travel to Japan (or other countries) several times, as I have had; but this brings up another interesting (to me) experience. I find that the experience of learning to appreciate the music of another country is enhanced by exposing oneself to other aspects of that culture; the language, visual arts, and most fun to me, the food. They are all interrelated on certain levels. Regards to all and keep the recommendations coming.

Very nice suggestions to the ever expanding music wish list!!!!
Frogman may I suggest Madredeus from Portugal, for starters Os Dias da MAdredeus is a great CD for me, by the way Teresa Salgueiro sings very nice... they say it's Fado type music but this one in spite of labelling it I put close to my heart!!!
Have other suggestions like Strunz and Farah Primal Magic, it is also one of my reference CD´s for testing my system with Brazilian´s Leila Pinheiro Na Ponta do Lingua
Let's keep the suggestions exchange