World music you will love

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Editor's Picks (see more)

MALAM MAMAN BARKA: Guidan Haya
Scheduled to perform at the 2008 WOMAD festival, Nigerien gurumi master, Malam Maman Barka, presents his first album to be released outside of Niger. Guidan Haya, one of our most exciting world music releases for 2008, is a pure gem; the album includes a number of the songs that have made Barka such a beloved songwriter at home as well as earning him more and more recognition abroad. An accomplished teacher, musician and poet, Barka has been performing music professionally on the gurumi (a two-stringed instrument with a calabash shell body and iguana skin head) for over twenty years. With more than 250 compositions to his credit, bridging both traditional and contemporary music styles, Barka has created a musical sound world that not only speaks to Nigeriens but to world music connoisseurs around the globe.
CD price: $11.97 / MP3 price: $6.97
ONNIK DINKJIAN: Voice Of Armenians
This world-renowned Armenian singer tops his 50-year career by giving the concert of his life in the holy city of Jerusalem, accompanied by his son, Ara, on oud (Night Ark, An Armenian In America) and an international all-star ensemble.
CD price: $12.97
NUNCA ANTES: The Beat Migration
For any fan of samba, regardless of style, The Beat Migration is an absolute must. This troupe primarily focuses on the music of the Maracatu nations of Recife, Brazil. While their greatest school of influence is Maracatu Estrela Brilhante de Recife, various groups and traditions also inspire their approach. Full of bone-rattling rhythms and enough festive energy to throw your own living room Carnaval, the generous 16 tracks on this disc travel the samba spectrum from the lumbering and thunderous to the nimble and buoyant. Their variety and versatility is not without notice, particularly due to their adeptness at every song they approach. This is simply one of the best Brazilian projects we've seen yet.
CD price: $17.00 / MP3 price: $17.00
YUBA IRE: Esta Es Mi Rumba
Formed in Puerto Rico in 1988, the sole (and soul) mission of Yubá Iré is to interpret, perform and bring deserved recognition to Afro-Caribbean folkloric music. Beyond commanding the detail of these songs, Yubá Iré captures the spirit which drives them: the energy of the dance, the community element of the call and response singing, and even the various meanings, whether we actually understand the words or not. While rumba is a large part of this material, including guaguancó, yambú, columbia and palo styles, they also cover plena and bomba. As they put it, their net is cast widely, way beyond that of Puerto Rico alone. With top-notch production and recording, really giving the focus and attention to this music while mastering its recording challenges, this disc is undoubtedly one of the top folkloric and world music releases of 2007.
CD price: $12.97 / MP3 price: $12.97
MADJID KHALADJ: Infinite Breath (Nafas) Persian Art Percussion
A master of Iranian percussion, Madjid Khaladj’s talents have been well recognized across the musical spectrum, both academically and within pop culture, from working with Ry Cooder and Lisa Gerard on film soundtracks and being a part of many radio and television broadcasts to performing in festivals, conferences and concerts all over the globe. This kind of diverse reputation and respect can come only from a musician who equally possesses both the technical prowess and the natural vision that allows him to experiment and improvise with insight and literate inspiration. Whether one is studying the finer subtleties or is new to the music, Infinite Breath offers more than enough to chew on. Between the ten tracks, a large variety of Persian instruments are heard: the recognizable tombak and daf drums as well as the dayré (frame drum), zang-e saringôshti (brass cymbals), dohôl (cylindrical double-ended drum), tombak-e zurkhâneh (a large tombak formed in pottery rather than wood), senj (large diameter brass cymbals), zang (bell), zanguleh (small spherical bell typically worn on the wrist or ankles in folk dances) and the âyineh’pil (a metallic drum, often called a gong). Khaladj has the drive and talent to capture one’s attention equally whether he’s speaking with all instruments or only one. As Hossein Alizádeh wrote, “This development demands deliberate pondering and reflection.”
CD price: $17.97 / MP3 price: $9.97

Top Sellers (see more)

DAVID GIRO AND STEVE WOOD: Mystery of the Nile (Spanish import)
The score for MYSTERY OF THE NILE was inspired by the indigenous music of the people that live along the Nile. With its rich history the area includes a unique combination of African and Middle Eastern styles.
CD price: $14.98 / MP3 price: $14.98
CHILDREN OF AGAPE: Thina Simunye
Traditional Zulu songs performed by children from the AGAPE orphanage in South Africa
CD price: $17.00
SONES DE MEXICO ENSEMBLE: Esta Tierra Es Tuya (This Land Is Your Land)
An immigrant's musical manifesto: this Chicago-based ensemble is rooted in Mexican 'son' and plays all-original arrangements: traditional and experimental, from true-to-tradition huapangos and son jarocho to new hybrids of rock, classical and folk.
CD price: $16.00 / MP3 price: $16.00
THE REFUGEE ALL STARS OF SIERRA LEONE: Living Like A Refugee (Double Disc)
A rootsy mix of traditional West African music and reggae.
THE EXPENDABLES: Gettin' Filthy
An award winning, Santa Cruz Californa-grown, surf culture band that is described as an eclectic mix of genre-bending rock, reggae and surf.
CD price: $12.00 / MP3 price: $12.00
NAVAN: Lowena
3 voices. Traditional Celtic songs in the original languages. Lots of harmonies. No instruments. What could be better?
CD price: $15.00 / MP3 price: $15.00
BEDLAM BARDS: On the Drift
With a fervent accoustic style, the Bedlam Bards perform music inspired by Firefly and Serenity. This album is selling faster than ice planets, so order now while you still can.
CD price: $15.00 / MP3 price: $15.00
MARC GUNN & THE DUBLINERS' TABBY CATS: Irish Drinking Songs For Cat Lovers
are you a cat lover? do you love to irish drinking songs? new cd for the wonderfully demented kitty cat fantatic. listen to music you've heard on st. patrick's day or by the dubliners, the clancy brothers, the wolfe tones, and the irish rovers. then laugh
CD price: $15.00 / MP3 price: $9.99
SHILELAGH LAW: Together in the End
"The legitimate voice of urban postmodern Irish folk, like Run-DMC in a righteous throwdown with the Clancy Brothers"--The Irish Side, 2002
MP3 price: $12.00
BRETT DENNEN: Brett Dennen
Fans describe Brett best "lush shimmering vocals, intricately groovin' guitar, lyrical beauty rare in a young songwriter & a soulful blend of everything that feels good." Rising up around him is music; transcending genres, gender & generations
CD price: $14.99