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World Music: Great Suggestions, please?

Recently I listened to a french BMG cd ("The Voices of this World" in loose translation) that astounded me by the beauty of the tunes.

I'm known as a classical guy, ready to discuss the best performance of Mahler 8, Bach Passions (take yr pick), etc. I also love the blues and jazz. So, you'd say, "mainstream". Lip service to world music.

Now, I *do* know artists such as A. Rodrigues, A.F. Toure, C. Evora, Khaled, Y. N'Dour, and a few of the Buena Vista S. Club artists... But had never before heard names such as: Ladysmith Black Mambazo (w/ P Simon), Radio Tarifa, Bevida, Mammas, Geoffrey Oryema...

Can anyone offer suggestions to a world music "newbie" -- i.e., me?

Thanks,
Greg
gregm
abstract7
541 posts
 
I'm by no means an expert in this area, but there are a few that I have really come to enjoy. Most of my favorite world music is on the M*A label. I think Todd Garfinkle of M*A really does an outstanding job of capturing the feeling and culture of music around the world. My recommendations would be:
Calamus "the spledour of al andalus"
Paniagua, Eduardo "Danzas Medievales espanolas"
Zarvos, Marcelo "Musical Journey"
drrasta
224 posts
 
Check out the Putamayo label. Almost all of their cd's are decent. Often can listen to these at bookstores such as B&N or Borders. Start with "Islands."
sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
One of the first "world music" artists that I listened to some 15 years was a South American guitarist named Egberto Gismonti. He did several excellent albums which are still available on CD.
mezmo
516 posts
 
Two favorites that have been heavily in the rotation lately (although I too would never claim expertise) would have to include:

Malingo, Tangos Bajos (heralded as the new voice of Argentine tango and widely refered to as the guy who is "putting the whorehouse back in the tango - he's got a new one out, too, that I haven't picked up yet), and

Marisa Monte, A Great Noise (a classically trained Brazilian opera singer turned sexpot diva, she also has a newer one out that I wasn't as impressed with).
kublakhan
717 posts
 

Omar Faruk Tekbilek (damn right i had to look that up). 'Whirling' on Celestial harmonies is amazing if you like Dead Can Dance done with more of a middle eastern slant. check out these instruments: ney, baglama, zurna, mijwiz, jura, darbuka, bandir, TAMBOURINE (oooo!) and more. very cool.

Said Charibi 'Holm Bi Fes' is amazing more classically indian.

Shiela Chandra 'abonecronedrone' or maybe her latest (ive never heard it) for beautiful indian influenced vocalization with somewhat of a new age bed underneath it all.

hey, i just realized...i must like indian music! cool.
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