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Ethiopiques, Vol. 1: Golden Years of Mod...

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Ethiopiques, Vol. 1: Golden Years of Modern Music by Various Artists (CD) [IMPORT - (not USA)]

"Ethiopiques, Vol. 1: Golden Years of Modern Music" (02/03/1998) International Various Artists, Buda RecordsThis first volume of the Ethiopiques series just begins to show the scope of the golden age of Ethiopian music, loving assembled, remastered, and annotated. What's obvious is the influence of American soul and blues, the former quite apparent in the Memphis groove of Muluquen Mellese's "Wetetie Mare," with its smoking bassline. Mellese himself has a very androgynous voice, unlike Mahmoud Ahmed, one of the major early Ethiopian stars, whose 1975 tracks sound like Arthur Conley singing in Aramaic, with "Yeqer Memekatesh" a true undiscovered soul classic. The three instrumental pieces that punctuate the disc have a wonderful smoky sound, like late-night jazz played by Booker T. and the MGs. The 1969 cuts from Teshone Meteku could only have come from that decade, with "Yezemed Yebaed" eerily reminiscent of "Black Magic Woman" in everything but its guitar work. But the most revolutionary pieces are from Getatchew Kassa, whose reinterpretations of the revered traditional "Tezeta," in both slow and fast versions, go utterly against history, making the piece relevant for the young -- which, after all, is what rock, hip-hop, and every other movement have done. ~ Chris Nickson

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Alone in Iz World by Israel Kamakawiwo'o...

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Alone in Iz World by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (CD - 09/25/2001)

"Alone in Iz World" (09/25/2001) International IZ Kamakawiwo'ole, Israel, BigBoy Records (Hawaii)This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. Contains an untitled hidden track after "In This Life." Personnel includes: Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (vocals, ukulele); Mel Amina, Barry Flanagan (guitar). Recorded in Hawaii. Includes liner notes by Jon De Mello. This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. While the name Israel Kamakawiwo'ole falls trippingly off few tongues, the Hawaiian singer better known as "Iz" was one of the biggest stars in his home state. Iz first came to public attention as a member of the popular Hawaiian group known as the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau. His subsequent solo career brought even greater fame, and countless fans were saddened at his untimely death in 1997. Those who mourn his passing will be gladdened by the posthumous release of ALONE IN IZ WORLD, compiled from various recording session outtakes. While one might expect a big, deep sound to emanate from a gargantuan-sized body like that of Iz, the hefty singer actually possessed a gorgeous, fragile tenor voice full of tenderness and delicacy. That voice is put to use here on tunes that alternate between voice-and-ukelele solo performances (Iz was no slouch on the uke) and more fully arranged tunes enhanced after the singer's death. Whether crooning in his native tongue or in English, Iz cuts right through to the heart of the listener with his pure, emotive tone.

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Ewe Drumming from Ghana: The Soup Which ...

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Ewe Drumming from Ghana: The Soup Which Is Sweet Draw the Chairs in Closer by Various Artists (CD) [

"Ewe Drumming from Ghana: The Soup Which Is Sweet Draw the Chairs in Closer" (06/21/2005) International Various Artists, Topic Records

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Puta's Fever by Mano Negra (CD - 07/23/1...

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Puta's Fever by Mano Negra (CD - 07/23/1996)

"Puta's Fever" (07/23/1996) International Mano Negra, Virgin Records (USA)Mano Negra: Oscar Tramor (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Helmut Krumar (guitar, keyboards, background vocals, programming); Jo (guitar, bass, background vocals); Roger Cageot (guitar, background vocals); Tonio Del Borno (trumpet, background vocals); Kropol (trombone); Santiago "El Aguila" Casariego (drums, background vocals); Garbancito (percussion). Additional personnel: Mme. Oscar, Zofia, Naro "Chihuahua" (vocals); Alain "L'Enclume De Choisy" (acoustic bass). Recorded at Mix It Studio, Paris, France. Personnel: Helmut Krumar (vocals, guitar, keyboards, programming); Oscar Tramor (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Roger Cageot, Jo (vocals, guitar); Tonio del Borno (vocals, trumpet); Santiago el Aguila Casariego (vocals, drums); Garbancito (vocals, percussion); Kropol (trombone); Alain ? (double bass). Recording information: Mix It Studio, Paris, France. Arrangers: Thomas Darnal; Manu Chao. The highly influential Puta's Fever opened the door for a flood of young rock bands outside the English-speaking music world to fashion new hybrids that reflected their own musical cultures blended with popular worldwide sounds like rock and reggae. Manu Chao and company started from patchanka, a fast-paced French music hall style that sounds like speeded-up ragtime or hot jazz, and started singing songs in Spanish, French, and Arabic. The motor driving all the disparate elements on Puta's Fever is Santiago el Aguila Casariego's fierce drumming. And what an array of styles -- calliope-like keyboards, a Latin groove on "Patchanka," Tex-Mex on Joe "King" Carrasco's "Patchuko Hop," and dub reggae on "Peligro" -- pass through Mano Negra's manic mix. "Mano Negra" sounds like soundtrack music for a spaghetti western surf movie (really), while "Rebel Spell" marries a gospel chorus and hard rock guitar to a rapped street tale of shooting Brother Rasta dead. Puta's Fever is a triumph of eclecticism as a style where each song shifts into a different musical gear, and one key jumping-off point for the rock en espa?ol (or Latin alternative) school. Which doesn't mean that Mano Negra abandoned their original inspiration -- English lyrics dominate and there's a strong identification with a classic rock & roll outlaw stance in "Rock 'N' Roll Band" and the '50s-rooted "Devil's Call." ~ Don Snowden

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World Network Vol. 29: Senegal... by Yan...

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World Network Vol. 29: Senegal... by Yand? Coudou SŠne/Youssou N'Dour (CD) [IMPORT - (not USA)]

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A Christmas Celebration by Celtic Woman ...

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A Christmas Celebration by Celtic Woman (CD - 10/03/2006)

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Air Mail Music: African Drums by Madou D...

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Air Mail Music: African Drums by Madou Djembe (CD) [IMPORT - France]

"Air Mail Music: African Drums" (01/07/2003) International Madou Djembe, Playasound

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Greatest Hits of Brasil '66 by Sergio Me...

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Greatest Hits of Brasil '66 by Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 (CD - 10/25/1990)

"Greatest Hits of Brasil '66" (10/25/1990) International Mendes, Sergio, A&M Records (USA)Personnel includes: Sergio Mendes (piano); Lani Hall (vocals). Engineers include: Larry Levine, Henry Lewy, Bones Howe. Personnel: Sergio Mendes (vocals). Recording information: 1966-1969. Arranger: Sergio Mendes. Unlike vocalist Astrud Gilberto, pianist Sergio Mendes was highly respected as a musician in his native Brazil from the very beginnings of bossa nova in the early '60s. Mendes and his combo, Brasil '66, were also the most Americanized of the Brazilian semi-expatriates who enjoyed stateside success at the height of the bossa nova craze. Brazil '66, which featured gifted singer Lani Hall, could occasionally even sound like a slightly Latin version of the Fifth Dimension-without the soaring strings and deluxe production values. Mendez was a shrewd leader, and he understood that much of '60s pop music was ripe for bossa nova treatment. He successfully covered Beatles tunes several times, with his version of "Fool On The Hill" being a particularly winning example, as well as songs by Simon & Garfunkle, Burt Bacharach, and even Cole Porter-whose "Night And Day" seemed tailor-made for the sensual bossa rhythms. From time to time, Brasil '66 would also introduce the songs of fellow countrymen, such as Jorge Ben's exuberant, "Mais Que Nada," sung in Portuguese.

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Lo Mejor de Nosotros 1972-1986 by Los Bu...

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Lo Mejor de Nosotros 1972-1986 by Los Bukis (CD - 09/28/2004)

"Lo Mejor de Nosotros 1972-1986" (09/28/2004) International Los Bukis, FonovisaFamous both for launching the career of Marco Antonio Solis and for the many hits they've had in their own right, Los Bukis formed in the early 1970s. Their appealing blend of pop and more traditional Mexican rhythms ensured their initial success, as displayed on this retrospective of their formative years, LO MEJOR DE NOSOTROS 1972-1986. With the tremulously amorous voice of Solis as their secret weapon, the group's sultry appeal is easy to fathom, particularly on the swaying "Una Noche Como Esta," the tender "Como Me Haces Falta," and the subtly romantic "Si Tu Te Fueres de Mi." There are a couple of uncharacteristic cumbias to lighten the mood in "Cumbia a Michoacan" and "Las Musiqueras," but this compilation mostly consists of Los Bukis's most familiar characteristic--the gentle art of musical seduction.

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Celtic Woman [3/1]

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Celtic Woman [3/1]

"Celtic Woman [Manhattan]" (03/01/2005) International Various Artists, EMI-ManhattanVarious Artists/Celtic Woman: Orla ? (vocals, harp); Lisa, M?av, Chlo? (vocals); Mairead (fiddle). Additional personnel: Des Moore (guitar); Martin Johnston (cello); David Downes (whistle, harpsichord, keyboards); John O'Brien (Uilleann pipe); Eoghan O'Neill (bass guitar); Robbie Casserly (percussion). CELTIC WOMAN is the brainchild of David Downes, a composer/conductor who was heavily involved with the American production of RIVERDANCE. Not surprisingly, all of the lights, drama, and musical bombast of that esteemed show are present on this production as well. Instead of showcasing legions of dancers, however, CELTIC WOMAN puts the emphasis on the rich heritage of traditional and contemporary Irish music, as performed by five talented female performers from varying musical backgrounds. Though the melodies are often extremely simple and unadorned, the production is just as lush and majestic as anything on Yanni's LIVE AT THE ACROPOLIS, and should appeal to fans of that disc. The opening track features the extraordinary, bell-like vocal timbre of 15-year-old Chloe Agnew over an orchestral backing that includes tin whistle. "Isle of Inisfree" showcases Orla Fallon, whose dark voice and supple harp playing make for a haunting listening experience. On numerous tracks, several of the Irish sirens sing together; a particular standout is a soothingly sweet version of Enya's breakthrough hit "Orinoco Flow."

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Tibetan Tantric Choir by Gyuto Monks Tan...

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Tibetan Tantric Choir by Gyuto Monks Tantric Choir (CD - 10/25/1990)

"Tibetan Tantric Choir" (10/25/1990) International Gyuto Monks Tantric Choir, Windham Hill RecordsRecorded at Fantasy D, Berkeley, California. Includes liner notes by Robert A.F. Thurman and Fred Lieberman. The Western world became familiar with overtone singing--the process by which an overtone, or second note, is generated by one's voice--primarily through Tuvan throat singers. The monks of Llhasa, Tibet, have handed down this tradition for centuries. TIBETAN TANTRIC CHOIR is a recording of two pieces by the Gyuto Monks, produced by former Grateful Dead member and famed ethnomusicologist Mickey Hart during the monks' brief 1986 visit to the U.S. Each member of the Gyuto ensemble is capable of generating three tones at once, and they combine their voices on two lengthy pieces full of low-frequency drones and gently arcing overtones. The first piece is for unaccompanied voices, and its focus on the low register is alternately spooky and enthralling. The second piece, "Melody for Mahakala," finds the monks accompanying themselves on a variety of handmade percussive instruments. The effect is like that of primal industrial music wedded to ancient religious rites. Intense concentration on the monks' work is rewarded by a deeper understanding of the relationship between sonic frequencies, but this album also functions well as somewhat ominous ambient music.

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Dos Idolos [CD & DVD] by Marco Anton...

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Dos Idolos [CD & DVD] by Marco Antonio Sol¡s (CD - 09/27/2005)

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World Network, Vol. 47: Armenia by Vario...

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World Network, Vol. 47: Armenia by Various Artists/Djivan Gasparian (CD) [IMPORT - (not USA)]

"World Network, Vol. 47: Armenia" (04/13/1999) International Various Artists, Network/Harmonia Mundi - (import)

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Ni en Defensa Propia/Los Mas Grandes Exi...

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Ni en Defensa Propia/Los Mas Grandes Exitos de los Dandys by Vicente Fern ndez (CD - 11/11/2003)

"Ni en Defensa Propia/Los Mas Grandes Exitos de los Dandys" (11/11/2003) International Fernandez, Vicente, Sony Discos Inc.2 LPs on 2 CDs: NI EN DEFENSA PROPIA (1980)/LOS MAS GRANDES EXITOS DE LOS DANDY'S (1999).

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