WORLD
The Chieftains
Water From the Well
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Paddy Maloney's songs and passionate vocals once again bring the Chieftains to the forefront of Irish folk. The jig "Lots of Drops of Brandy" opens this Celtic storybook, leading through rough and ready ditties like "Jack of All Trades" and "An Poc Ar Buile."
Go to Water From the Well now.
Rokia Traore
Wanita
List Price $16.97
CDNOW Price $12.99
Followers of King Sunny Ade and Zap Mama are ready for the world beats of Rokia Traore, who has transformed the rich music of her native Mali into an international sensation. The fever is focused on Wanita, Traore's debut album that will lift the listener into worlds of rhythm and emotion.
Go to Wanita now.
WORD FOR WORD
"I was never politically involved. People always think I'm
political, but I'm not. I just speak the truth. When I say
we're oppressed, I'm not lying. I'm glad I've been
vindicated, in a way. I could have been in parliament, but
I'm not a politician. I'm a singer. I love to sing. That's
what makes me happy." --Miriam Makeba
Read more about Miriam Makeba and her new album, "Homeland," at:
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NEW AND NOTABLE
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"Kenza"
Khaled
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Algerian star Khaled returns with an album of finely woven
rai music featuring Western instrumentation, memorable
melodies, and infectious grooves. Though it pushes into
modern, dance-pop territories, "Kenza" adeptly sustains an
Arabic atmosphere with lush orchestral strings. Khaled's
impassioned singing along with funky, fat rhythms reign
supreme on this album, and it will get your body moving. His
best yet.
"Tanto Tempo"
Bebel Gilberto
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In the late 1950s, Brazilian guitarist Joao Gilberto made
the bossa nova his own through soft, sensual crooning and
cool guitar work. Now in 2000 his daughter, Bebel Gilberto,
continues the family tradition of musical innovation with
"Tanto Tempo," a sophisticated collection of bossa nova that
boasts Bebel's sultry voice and remakes such Brazilian
classics as "So Nice."
"My Roots Are Showing"
Natalie MacMaster
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Following the success of her innovative album "In My Hands,"
fiddler Natalie MacMaster brings it back home with this
lively collection of traditional Cape Breton tunes.
Accompanied by piano, MacMaster dances and bops through
jigs, reels, and strathspreys from the 1930s and beyond.
Highly recommended for Celtic lovers.
"I Could Read the Sky"
Iarla O'Lionaird
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Afro Celt Sound System singer Iarla O'Lionaird follows up
"Seven Steps to Mercy" with "I Could Read the Sky," an
eerily atmospheric soundtrack to the film of the same name,
chronicling a man's memories of pastoral Ireland while
living a hard life in Britain. It's experimental and dark,
buoyant and bright, and beautifully ambient with Irish
instruments and O'Lionaird's traditional sean nos singing.
"The Very Best of Toots & the Maytals"
Toots & The Maytals
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big with ska songs that towered on top of Jamaican charts
throughout the decade. It was their tune "Do the Reggay"
that put the term in the public light, and it was their
constant innovation and morphing of musical sound that
influenced many ska and reggae groups to follow. Check out
this retrospective, which musically chronicles key
contributions from the 1960s to '80s.
EDITOR'S CHOICE: LES PRIMITIFS DU FUTUR
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"World Musette"
Les Primitifs du Futur
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Counterculture cartoonist Robert Crumb moved to France in
the early 1990s and before long found himself playing banjo
for the group Les Primitifs du Futur ("Future
Primitives"). On their second release, "World Musette," the
small combo of guitar, banjo, accordion, and piano plays
old-timey string-band jazz with a touch of American
blues. It's an absolutely charming album that will transport
you to a 1950s Parisian cafe.
UNDISCOVERED GEM: MAMADOU DIABATE
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"Tunga"
Mamadou Diabate
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Kora player Mamadou Diabate comes from a rich lineage of
kora masters in both his father and cousin. But on "Tunga"
the 25-year-old proves he doesn't need famous musical
relatives to make a successful album. He takes traditional
Malian court music and paints a fresh face on it through
modern interpretations and a unique playing style. Though
Diabate has settled in the U.S., he thankfully stays true to
his African roots with "Tunga."
"Buena Vista Social Club Presents Omara Portuondo"
Omara Portuondo
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If you were fortunate enough to see Ibrahim Ferrer and his
orchestra live in 1999, you know that the vibrant woman who
stole the show was 69-year-old singer Omara Portuondo. Known
in Cuba for decades for her rich, distinct voice, Portuondo
releases her strongest U.S. album ever on May 9. Pre-order a
copy of "Buena Vista Social Club Presents Omara Portuondo"
and find out why the Cuban music craze won't be ending
anytime soon.
"Armenian Fantasies"
Djivan Gasparyan
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Following up 1999's stunning album "Heavenly Duduk,"
Armenian duduk master Djivan Gasparyan returns with
"Armenian Fantasies," a lovely collection of ensemble pieces
played by virtuosos brought together by the most respected
musicians in Armenia.
"Bambay Gueej"
Cheikh Lo
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Senegalese artist Cheikh Lo blew listeners away with his
debut, "Ne La Thiass," and now his eagerly anticipated
follow-up will hit the Amazon.com shelves on June 6. Don't
miss this rising African pop star's sophomore effort.
INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
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"Zero Accidents on the Job"
Various artists
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David Byrne's once fledgling label Luaka Bop celebrates its
10-year anniversary this year. From the Brazilian music that
first impressed independent-music listeners to the recent
success of Susana Baca, Luaka Bop has been trailblazing new
avenues in world music since 1990. Explore the best of this
respected label's canon of artists in our Luaka Bop
Collection.
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