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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
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.
sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
Abstract7 has already mentioned the M-A Records label, and I agree the label offers some fine music which is also very well recorded. For more info, here's the Web link to their site: http://www.marecordings.com/

Water Lily Acoustics, owned and operated by Kavi Alexander, also has some fine stuff, with recordings that feature mainly Indian musicians, but two which also feature Ry Cooder ("A Meeting By The River" is probably the best known).
jdwek
84 posts
 
I have two somewhat odd suggestions:

Shakira her first album "pies descalzos" (i think). infectious columbian pop album.not your usual audiophile stuff but great beat ...and you can dance to it.
The other is a reggae star from I believe sierra leone named lucky dube. He has this great melodious voice. best album is prisoner. Again not the usual audiophile cup o' tea.
musicslug
430 posts
 
1.baaba maal 'djaam leelii' essential, gorgeous w. african, blows ali farka toure away
2. nimbus records' 4 cd 'raga guide' is an amazingly good set of Indian music - top notch musicians plus an excellent book. They also have a 3 cd set of hindustani (Indian) vocals (female) which is stunning. If you like the raga guide, go for the vocals too.
3.jvc cd 'gamelan of surakarta'. Forget about Balinese music, Javanese is the best Indonesian gong (gamelan) music, and this is a beautiful disc.
4.jvc cd 'buddhist chant II' (tibetan ritual music). But only when you're ready - this stuff is intense and way out there.
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