Putumayo Presents Cajun - various artists compilation

 

Essentially the flip side of zydeco -- which is a predominately Creole genre that's "a little jazz, a little blues, a little French, and a little rhythm 'n' blues" -- Cajun music is a rural genre that has grown out of French folk songs and other European stylings. This compilation includes 12 cuts, each recorded by a different Cajun band. With lyrics sung in French, and melodies primarily played on accordions and fiddles, the contemporary Cajun groups featured on this colorful compilation should give the listener a good introduction into today's Cajun scene.

1 Filé– Pont De Vue 3:32

2 Bruce Daigrepont– Acadie À La Louisiane 3:01

3 Al Berard & Errol Verret– Let's Dance Two-Step 2:43

4 Charivari – Jolie Bassette 3:53

5 Hadley J. Castille– Beau Geste 3:53

6 Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys– The Corner Post 2:45

7 Marce Lacouture– L'Oranger 4:03

8 Balfa Toujours– Les Tracas De Todd Balfa 3:35

9 David Doucet– Balfa Waltz 3:48

10 Pott Folse– Hey La Bas 2:30

11 Cajun Playboys– Lafayette Breakdown 3:12

12 Jambalaya Cajun Band– Les Flammes D'en Fer 3:51

Putumayo Presents Cajun

El Tanbura – Between The Desert And The Sea - traditional Egyptian music

 

El Tanbura is an Egyptian band, formed in the 1980's by Zakaria Ibrahim, the organizer. Its performances are based on traditional Egyptian music, featuring the simsimiyya and tanbura instruments.

In 1989, a small nucleus of veteran performers recruited by Zakaria came together to form the fledgling El Tanbura group, augmented by younger singers. In the formative years, El Rayis Imbabi, one of the group members, was responsible for passing key repertoire from Port Said's past to the younger members.

The Simsimiyya is a five-stringed instrument of the lyre family. Originally, the body was made of wood in a bowl/box shape, covered with stretched goat or camel skin. The strings, once various intestinal parts, are now made of wire. The Tanbura is a large six-string lyre. It was often used in private healing ceremonies during the 19th century following the Egyptian conquest of Sudan.

The Tanbura is very similar to the Simsimiyya. However, compared to the Simsimiyya, the strings of the Tanbura are softer and it has the addition of tuning pegs which can expand melodic range and nylon replacing dried animal gut strings, allowing for more refined tuning and intricate performances.

Their second album, Between the Desert and the Sea, was named by Songlines Magazine as one of the all-time Top 50 world music albums.

1 Waziery

2 I Saw The Moon

3 My Heart Was Burnt by Love

4 Sar a Lay

5 Zayy el Nhardah (The Canal Song)

6 Between the Desert and the Sea

7 One Day We Blamed Each Other

8 Dundarawi

9 Shoft Toshy

10 Salah

11 Gamel Weno

Between The Desert And The Sea

Loreena McKennitt – The Journey Begins

 

Loreena Isabel Irene McKennitt (born February 17, 1957) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer who writes, records, and performs world music with Celtic and Middle Eastern influences. McKennitt is known for her refined and clear soprano vocals. She has sold more than 14 million records worldwide.

McKennitt's music has generally been classified as World or Celtic music even though it contains aspects and characteristics of music from around the globe and is sometimes classified as folk music in record stores.

Before McKennitt composes any music, she engages in considerable research on a specific subject which then forms the general concept of the album. Before creating Elemental and Parallel Dreams, she travelled to Ireland for inspiration from the country's history, folklore, geography and culture.

This 3CD set (plus bonus live disc) released in 2008 combines three of her early albums Elemental, Parallel Dreams and The Visit, plus a bonus 6-track live disc.

Elemental

1-1 Blacksmith 3:20

1-2 She Moved Through The Fair 4:05

1-3 Stolen Child 5:05

1-4 The Lark In The Clear Air 2:06

1-5 Carrighfergus 3:24

1-6 Kellswater 5:19

1-7 Banks Of Claudy 5:37

1-8 Come By The Hills 3:05

1-9 Lullaby 4:26

Parallel Dreams

2-1 Samain Night 4:27

2-2 Moon Cradle 4:29

2-3 Huron ‘Beltane’ Fire Dance 4:20

2-4 Annachie Gordon 8:22

2-5 Standing Stones 6:56

2-6 Dickens' Dublin (The Palace) 4:40

2-7 Breaking The Silence 6:23

2-8 Ancient Pines 3:35

The Visit

3-1 All Souls Night 5:04

3-2 Bonny Portmore 3:57

3-3 Between The Shadows 4:03

3-4 The Lady Of Shalott 11:05

3-5 Greensleeves 4:15

3-6 Tango To Evora 4:03

3-7 Courtyard Lullaby 4:50

3-8 The Old Ways 5:25

3-9 Cymbeline 4:48

Bonus Disc

1 Caravanserai (Live)

2 The Bonny Swans (Live)

3 The Highwayman (Live)

4 Penelope's Song (Live)

5 The Mummers' Dance (Single remix)

6 Dante's Prayer (Spanish-language version)

The Journey Begins

The Rough Guide To Avant-Garde Japan - various artists compilation

 

From boundary-pushing koto musicians to experimental jazz virtuosi, Japanese music has long embraced all things avant-garde. This Rough Guide highlights some of today's key innovators whose individualism challenges the conformist perception of Japan.

A unique insight into the richness and diversity of the vibrant underground Japanese scene, which draws on myriad influences from free jazz and electronica to Zen budhism. Pioneering artists who push the boundaries of Japanese music, whilst at the same time paying respect to their musical heritage. Featuring tracks by free-spirited Koto players Michiyo Yagi, Karin, as well as koto/guitar duo tsuMGuito.

Compiled by the renowned radio presenter, journalist, and Japanese music expert Paul Fisher.

Style: Avant-garde Jazz, Free Jazz, Free Improvisation

1 Michiyo Yagi– Rouge 5:57

2 Masanori Oishi– Syracuse Blues 3:48

3 Haco– Over The Unfinished Bridge 3:28

4 Cockroach Eater– Kyogen Qabbalah 5:49

5 Ken Sugai*– Daidai 4:11

6 Karin*– Uiteruyo? 3:13

7 Jittyaku Orchestra*– Suwarikome Koko E 4:43

8 Emiko Voice– Sanosa 4:53

9 Mutsumi Aragaki*– Nankuru Nankuru 5:08

10 Shibusashirazu*– Akkan 6:41

11 Shun Sakai & The Long Goodbye – Sukanpo No Sakukoro, Bengawan Solo, Kanpyo 6:04

12 A Mother Tongue Project*– Noosphere 4:30

13 tsuMGuito– fPB 11:02

14 Japanorama– Ensemble One 5:11

The Rough Guide To Avant-Garde Japan

The Chieftains – The Wide World Over: A 40 Year Celebration

 

1 The Chieftains– March Of The King Of Laois / Paddy's Jig / O'Keefes Chattering Magpie (Reels) 4:25

2 The Chieftains with Sinéad O'Connor–The Foggy Dew 5:01

3 The Chieftains with The Corrs–I Know My Love 3:28

4 The Chieftains with Ricky Skaggs–Cotton-Eyed Joe 2:46

5 The Chieftains with Joni Mitchell–The Magdalene Laundries 4:57

6 The Chieftains– Live From Matt Molloy's Pub 2:22

7 The Chieftains with Van Morrison–Shenandoah 3:52

8 The Chieftains– The Munster Cloak / An Poc Ar Buile / Ferny Hill-Little Molly 6:12

9 The Chieftains with Diana Krall & Art Garfunkel–Morning Has Broken 2:55

10 The Chieftains– Morning Dew / Women Of Ireland 2:58

11 The Chieftains with Sting–Mo Ghile Mear 3:20

12 The Chieftains with The Belfast Harp Orchestra– Carolan's Concerto 3:02

13 The Chieftains with Linda Ronstadt & Los Lobos– Guadalupe 3:31

14 The Chieftains with Chinese Ensemble–Full Of Joy 3:24

15 The Chieftains– Here's A Health To The Company 3:03

16 The Chieftains with Erich Kunzel & The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra*– Chasing The Fox 4:11

17 The Chieftains with Elvis Costello–Long Journey Home (Anthem) 3:21

18 The Chieftains with The Rolling Stones– The Rocky Road To Dublin 4:18

19 The Chieftains with Ziggy Marley–Redemption Song 4:23

The Wide World Over: A 40 Year Celebration

Hüsnü Arkan, lyricist, composer and author – Solo

 

Hüsnü Arkan, a lyricist, composer and author, released his first solo album, “Bir Yalnızlık Ezgisi” in July 1991, joined Ezginin Günlüğü as a vocalist, songwriter and composer with the album “İstavrit” in 1993 after Emin İgüs. Arkan, who is one of the architects of the Ezginin Günlüğü albums released since 1993 together with Nadir Göktürk, also published seven novels, “Ölü Kelebeklerin Dansı”, “Menekşeler Atlar ve Oburlar”, “Uzun Bir Yolculuknın Bitdiği Yer”, “Uyku”, “Mino'nun Siyah Gülü”, “Hırsız ve Bourjuva”, “Gülhisarlı Terziler”, as well as two poetry books, Hiçe Doğru and “Naş”.

Hüsnü Arkan also won the 44th Orhan Kemal Best Novel Award with his book The Thief and the Bourgeois, published in 2015. The artist, who left the group Ezginin Günlüğü in 2010, released his second album, "Solo", on January 13, 2011.

Hüsnü Arkan, who released his first single, May 5, in October 2011, made a name for himself with his third album, “Yalnız Değiliz”, on March 4, 2013. Reaching a wide audience with his fourth solo album, Kırık Hava, released in October 2015, Hüsnü Arkan continues his concerts and literary works without a break.

1 Ayar 3:20

2 Hürriyet 3:35

3 Hoş Geldin 4:22

4 Adile Hanım 3:46

5 Senin Gibi 5:11

6 Sol Yanım 3:13

7 Önce Sen Sonra Ben 4:09

8 İhtiyarlık 3:45

9 Anıların Yüzünden 3:16

10 Saki 3:19

Hüsnü Arkan – Solo

https://www.husnuarkan.com/

Celtic Spirit - Narada Collection Series

 

1 Connie Dover– Ubi Caritas 4:50

2 Aoife Ní Fhearraigh– Seacht Suáilcí Na Maighdine Muire 4:38

3 Áine Minogue– Kyrie Eleison, An Ghlóir, An Phaidir 2:58

4 The Anjali Quartet– Be Thou My Vision 4:38

5 William Jackson*– Salve Splendor 4:27

6 Groupe Vocal Jef Le Penven– Noelenn Brehed 2:05

7 Aoife Ní Fhearraigh– Mo Ghrá Thú 2:27

8 William Coulter– Bí, A Íosa, Im Chroí-se 3:16

9 The Baltimore Consort– Our Father, God Celestial 5:31

10 Áine Minogue– Puer Natus 3:20

11 Sheena Wellington– The Christ Child's Lullaby 3:46

12 Therese Schroeder-Sheker– Rosa Mystica 4:31

Celtic Spirit

Putumayo Presents ¡Mo' Vida! - Son Montuno, Cha-Cha, Boogaloo, Timba

 

A taste of Latin-flavored funk, hip-hop and soul that's perfect for a hip house party.

1 Sergent Garcia– Hoy Me Voy 4:18

2 Bombón*– Se Escaparon 4:14

3 Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca– Nganga Kisi 4:11

4 Patricia Melecio– Funky Latin Boogalú 4:18

5 Los Mocosos– Somos Los Mocosos 4:00

6 King Changó*– Melting Pot 3:34

7 Xiomara Fortuna– Juana La Loca 5:33

8 Menelik– Limbo Negro (Caliente Remix) 3:23

9 Alliance Ethnik– No Limites 3:04

10 Orishas– Represent 3:47

Putumayo Presents ¡Mo' Vida!

Arabica - Voyages Into North African Sound

 

1 Rachid Taha– Ya Rayah

2 Transglobal Underground– Pomegranate

3 Al-Pha-X– First Transmission

4 Pressure Drop– The Calling

5 Radar– Caravane

6 Nickodemus– Desert Dancer (Zeb's Slow Camel Ride Mix)

7 Digital Bled– Cairo Bar

8 Zöhar– Ehad

9 Omar Faruk Tekbilek– Shashkin

10 Cheikha Rimitti– Nouar

11 dZihan & Kamien– Just You & I

12 Djamal Allam*– Tiziri (Mandalay Remix)

13 Khaled– Didi (Didi Funk Club Remix)

14 Christophe Goze– Keep On

Arabica

1 Jah Wobble– Hayati 5:41

2 Al-Pha-X– Mad Keys 4:38

3 Us Conductors– Under Palms (Bar De Lune Original Mix) 5:15

4 Radar– Arabiant 3:35

5 Malik*– Deep Throat 6:48

6 Hamid Baroudi– Trance Dance (DJ Krush Mix) 4:12

7 Natacha Atlas– Amulet (Aywah Remix) 5:21

8 Momo – Digital Garab - Ministry Of Bullshit (The Steve Hillage Remix) 7:13

9 Oojami– Fantasy 5:03

10 Rachid Taha– Barra Barra 5:18

11 Digital Bled– Fonkarabic (Digital Bled Remix) 6:46

12 Enrico Macias– La Folle Esperance (Concorde Music Club Remix) 4:15

13 Zohar*– Sketches Of Egypt 5:24

14 Youcef*– Salam 4:09

Arabica II

Buena Vista Social Club - produced by Ry Cooder - Afro-Cuban Jazz, Trova, Son, Danzon, Bolero, Guajira, Ballad

 

Buena Vista Social Club is a studio album by Buena Vista Social Club, an ensemble of Cuban musicians directed by Juan de Marcos González and American guitarist Ry Cooder. Produced by Cooder, it was recorded at Havana's EGREM studios in March 1996 and released on September 16, 1997, through World Circuit internationally and Nonesuch Records in the United States. It is the only standard studio album exclusively credited to the Buena Vista Social Club.

The album was recorded in parallel with A toda Cuba le gusta by the Afro-Cuban All Stars, a similar project also promoted by World Circuit executive Nick Gold and featuring largely the same lineup. In contrast to A toda Cuba le gusta, which was conceived as a revival of the son conjunto, Buena Vista Social Club was meant to bring back the traditional trova and filin, a mellower take on the Cuban son and bolero, as well as the danzón.

1 Chan Chan 4:16

2 De Camino A La Vereda 5:03

3 El Cuarto De Tula 7:27

4 Pueblo Nuevo 6:05

5 Dos Gardenias 3:02

6 ¿Y Tú Qué Has Hecho? 3:13

7 Veinte Años 3:29

8 El Carretero 3:28

9 Candela 5:27

10 Amor De Loca Juventud 3:21

11 Orgullecida 3:18

12 Murmullo 3:50

13 Buena Vista Social Club 4:50

14 La Bayamesa 2:54

Buena Vista Social Club

The Most Beautiful Songs Of Africa - various artists - Folk,Traditional,Soukous,World,African

 

1 Orchestra Super Mazembe– Kasongo 5:22

2 Bomas Of Kenya– Raha Leo 4:19

3 Bomas Of Kenya– Karibuni Wana Wa Africa 4:06

4 Super Mazambe*– Shauri Yako 9:23

5 Super Mazembe* With Lo Six Orchestra– Bwana Nipe Pesa 4:29

6 D.O. Misiani & Shirati Luo Voice Jazz– Lala Salama 5:30

7 Miriam Makeba– Malaika (Live In Guinea) 4:26

8 Bopol Mansiamina And Mode Success*– Pitie 9:02

9 Afro 70*– Dirishani 5:07

10 Western Jazz Band– Rosa 5:19

11 D.O. Misiani & Shirati Luo Voice Jazz– Amuka 5:04

12 Moreno* And Orchestra Moja One– Dunia Ni Duara 9:34

The Most Beautiful Songs Of Africa

The Rough Guide To The Music Of Portugal - various artists compilation - Celtic, Fado, Folk

 

1 José Afonso– Saudades De Coimbra 2:54

2 Dulce Pontes– Fado Da Sina 3:15

3 Realejo– Canção Go Gaiteiro/Dança Do Gaiteiro/Marcha Dos Foli~oes/Murinheira 4:56

4 Teresa Silva Carvalho– Verdes São Os Campos 2:19

5 Carlos Paredes– Despertar 3:52

6 Amália Rodrigues– Ai, Mouraria 3:11

7 Vai De Roda– Contra-Dança I (Auto Da Floripes - Tema Dos Turcos) 2:52

8 Terra A Terra– O Rapaz Do Casaquito 3:21

9 V Império– Décadas 4:13

10 Lendas & Mitos– Barquinha Do Mar 3:50

11 Anabela– Avenidas 4:14

12 Maria Da Fé– Quem O Fado Calunia 2:22

13 Margarida Bessa– Fala Da Mulher Sózinha 2:53

14 Vitorino– Menina Estás À Janela 3:14

15 Maria Teresa De Noronha– Fado Em Cinco Estilos 3:00

16 Lenita Gentil– Sou Um Fado Desta Idade 2:28

17 Carlos Zel– Maldito Fado 4:18

18 Manuel De Almeida– A Alma Do Ganhão (Fado Do Alentejo) 3:27

19 Ronda Dos Quatro Caminhos– Cravo Roxo 2:24

20 Grupo Cantadores Do Redondo*– É Na Vila Do Redondo 2:00

21 José Afonso– Grândola Vila Morena 3:30

The Rough Guide To The Music Of Portugal