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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
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.
inscrutable
312 posts
 
Kotoja on the Putamayo label. Liner notes say "If this music doesn't make you feel good, you must be dead." ... I think they're right.
gregm OP
3,395 posts
 
Many thanks for the suggestions so far. I'm making a hard copy, hoping to hit the stores this W/E. Any more matl is welcome!
Cheers,
Greg.
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,356 posts
 
Hi Greg: Our CD's are very disorganized right now, but here are a few that I was able to locate.

1. "Georgian Voices", The Rustavi Choir, Elektra/NoneSuch
2. "Robert Burns, the compete songs, Linn Records
3. "Forever Tango, the Eternal Dance", InterAmerica
4. "Bella Ciao, Cansons du peuple en Italle", HMA
5. "Meli Melo", Haitian choral music on Kradel1
6. "Tibetan Trance, Happy China", Prophecy (Tibetan Dance:-)
7. "Last Forever, Trainfare Home", Nonesuch (New Bluegrass)

There is also a French Techno group named "Uman" that is killer and for something fun, the Modern Mandolin Quartet "The Nutcracker Suite" (perfomed on mandolins of course).
cornfedboy
1,645 posts
 
"world music" has so many roots that it's almost impossible to limit. a couple of "must-haves" are "juju music" by king sunny ade and "gipsy kings," a euponymous album. i also suggest some robert crumb (of zapp comix, etc); his latest is "world musette" done by les primitifs du futur. -kelly
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