Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Café Del Mar (The Best Of) - compiled by José Padilla

 


1-01 Paco De Lucia*– Entre Dos Aguas 5:59

1-02 Karen Ramirez– Troubled Girl (Spanish Version) 4:19

1-03 Ben Onono– Tatouage Bleu (Avec Chet) 3:58

1-04 Mari Boine– Gula Gula (Chilluminati Mix) 4:48

1-05 Lux– Northern Lights 5:33

1-06 José Padilla– Adios Ayer 5:32

1-07 Lamb– Angelica 3:42

1-08 The Sabres Of Paradise– Smokebelch II (Beatless Mix) 4:18

1-09 Phil Mison– Lula 6:30

1-10 Coldplay– God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (Def Inc. Remix) 5:28

1-11 Erik Satie– Gymnopedie No. 1 4:34

1-12 The Ballistic Brothers*– Uschi's Groove 3:25

1-13 New Funky Generation*– The Messenger 3:48


2-01 The Penguin Café Orchestra*– Music For A Found Harmonium 2:35

2-02 Tears For Fears– Woman in Chains (Jakkatta Awakened Remix) 5:17

2-03 Zuell– Olas De Sal 6:20

2-04 AR Rahman*– Mumbai Theme Tune 5:14

2-05 A Man Called Adam– Easter Song 8:03

2-06 John Martyn– Sunshine's Better (Talvin Singh Remix) 5:49

2-07 José Padilla– Come Back 4:59

2-08 U2– In A Little While (N.O.W Remix) 5:15

2-09 Moby– Whispering Wind 6:03

2-10 UKO– Sunbeams 4:22

2-11 Lamb– Trans Fatty Acid (Kruder & Dorfmeister Remix Edit) 6:46

2-12 Bush– Letting The Cables Sleep (The N.O.W Mix) 5:23


Café Del Mar (The Best Of)


Friday, June 13, 2025

André Gagnon – Impressions

 



André Gagnon OC OQ (2 August 1936 – 3 December 2020) was a Canadian pianist, composer, conductor, arranger, and actor, known for his fusion of classical and pop styles, including compositions Neiges, Smash, Chevauchée, Surprise, Donna, and Mouvements in the jazz, classical, new age and pop fields. Gagnon also composed for television, including La Souris Verte, Vivre en ce Pays, Format 60, Format 30,Techno-Flash, and Les Forges de Saint-Maurice as well as for theatre with such productions as La Poudre aux Yeux, Doña Rosita, Terre d'Aube, La Dame de Chez Maxim's, and Wouf-Wouf. Some of his most notable songs are "Pour les Amants", "Turluteries", and "Mes Quatre Saisons".

"Impressions", originally released in 1983, is an instrumental album combining elements of jazz, classical and new age.

Comme Au Premier Jour 3:50

Après La Pluie 4:17

Douce Amanda 3:08

Première Impressions 4:17

Un An Déjà 4:18

Déjà Septembre 5:21

Nouveau Départ 6:10

La Fin Du Jour 5:57

Dernier Rideau 1:42


Impressions



Sunday, May 25, 2025

Putumayo Presents Turkish Groove - various artists compilation

 


1 Bendeniz– Kirmizi Biber 3:36

2 Mustafa Sandal– Kalmadi 3:52

3 Sertab*– Buda 4:28

4 Nilgül– Piş Pişla 3:31

5 Tarkan– Dudu (Özgür Buldum Remix) 3:54

6 Gülseren– Şinanay 3:10

7 Emrah– Kusursuzsun (Acoustic Version) 4:00

8 Göksel– Ayrilik Günü 4:08

9 Tuğba Ekinci– Oha Falan Oldum Yani 3:47

10 Nazan Öncel– Atiyosun 3:17

11 Sezen Aksu– Şanima Inanma 3:54

Track translations :

1. Hot Chili

2. No More

4. Spoil Me

7. You're Flawless

8. Farewell Day

9. I'm Shocked

10. Making It All Up

11. Don't Believe In My Fame


Turkish Groove


Saturday, May 17, 2025

The Rough Guide To A World Of Guitar - various artists compilation

 


1 Debashish Bhattacharya & Friends*– Kirwani One.5+8.Five 6:31

2 Samba Touré– White Crocodile Blues (A song for M) 3:46

3 Bob Brozman Orchestra– Ska Waltz Train 3:08

4 Steve Tilston– Slow Air In Dropped D 1:42

5 Shiyani Ngcobo– Kheta Eyakho 4:01

6 John Renbourn & Wizz Jones– Hey Hey 3:00

7 Ramon Goose– Futa 2:21

8 Horacio Avilano And Martin Alvarado– Milonga De Corralon 2:23

9 Syran Mbenza, Ensemble Rumba Kongo– Infidelité Mado 5:51

10 Kolpakov Duo– Grushen’ka 4:05

11 Alhousseini Anivolla*– Kammo Tarhanin 4:30

12 Gustavo Pazos Conde– Campos De La Tarde 3:46

13 Ateshkan Yuseinov– Atesh's Balkan Flamenco 6:34

14 Pete Berryman– Albatross 4:51

15 Eduardo Niebla– Natural 5:30

16 Teta– Tsakorarake 3:56

17 Fabienne Magnant– Nordestine 4:12


The Rough Guide To A World Of Guitar

Friday, May 2, 2025

Mirror To The Soul: Caribbean Jump-Up, Mambo & Calypso Beat 1954-77

 


André Toussaint– Nassau Cha Cha
Cachao– Descarga Cubana
Carlos Malcolm– Filthy McNasty
Irakere– Bacalao Con Pan
Celia Cruz– Chango
Lord Brynner– The Queen Sings Calypso
Peanuts Taylor*– Canela
Mark Holder– Saturday Night Reggae
Edmundo Ros– London Is The Place For Me
Russ Henderson– West Indian Drums
The Duke Of Iron– Calypso Invasion
El Gran Combo– Baila Mi Shingaling
Slim Smith– My Conversation
Grupo De Experimentation*– Repentino
Bebo Valdes*– Mambo Caliente
The Duke Of Iron– Vitalogy
Conjunto Roberto Faz– Aprieta Suavecito
The Techniques– I'll Be Right There
Frank Ferrer – Pa' Los Obreros
Jose A. Fajardo– Pa Coco Solo
The Fabulous McClevertys– Don't Blame It On Elvis
Count Ossie & Mystic Revelation Of Rastafari– Way Back Home
Gina Martin– Elegua
Manuel Santos– Mira Como Los Pollos
Lord Flea– Calypso Be Bop
Grupo Cuba Afro Jazz– Gozar
Grupo Afro Cubano Oba-Ilu*– Chango
Gilla And The Wageira Le Drummers– Fiura
Drummers Of The Societe Absolument Guinin– Djouba
Tradition Gwo Ka– Beloka
Dugu Ensemble– E E Au Gayu
Grupo Oba Ilu*– Agayu Toque
Son Malagana– Rama De Tamarindo
Drummers Of The Societe Absolument Guinin– Africanadou
Tumba Francesa– Camaguey
Tradition Gwo Ka– Ola Ou Tu Ye
Bato Drum Group– Wanaragua
Societe Absolument Guinin– Agoue Dambala
Tradition Gwo Ka– Adan Et Eve
Rara Group– Pistache Grie Remon

Saturday, April 26, 2025

Steve Roach, David Hudson, Sarah Hopkins – Australia: Sound Of The Earth

 


Australia: Sound of the Earth is a 1991 album from Steve Roach, documenting Roach's second trip to Australia. David Hudson's didgeridoo and cellist Sarah Hopkins were also featured.

Just as the mythology of the Australian people and their continent was personified through the complex Aboriginal creation stories called The Dreamtime, the land also gave rise to a rich musical culture unlike any other. Australia: Sounds of the Earth captures the primordial hums and rhythms that have emerged from and moved across this continent in the four directions, like the winds themselves since The Dreamtime began. 

This recording features the didgeridoo, an Aboriginal wind instrument of remarkable flexibility and power, in traditional and innovative formats. Virtuoso solos by Aboriginal artist, David Hudson, are complemented by performances of up to four didgeridoo players accompanied by drums and electronics. Tracing the development of an indigenous music firmly rooted in patterns of existence dictated by the rhythms of the land, Australia: Sounds of the Earth embraces Australia's musical past and present. 

The riveting performance of cellist Sarah Hopkins, acknowledges the debt 20th century composers owe to the influence of Aboriginal music. By utilizing a combination of bowing techniques and overtone singing, the Australian cellist emulates sounds of the didgeridoo. Producer, Steve Roach, blends the recordings from the outback with their haunting modern echoes by creating evocative soundscapes and the illusion of a journey through time and space to the origins of these primal sounds.

1 Steve Roach– Red Dust And Sweat 10:45

2 David Hudson– Call To Kuranda 3:15

3 David Hudson– The Ancient Voice 3:10

4 Steve Roach, Sarah Hopkins– Atmosphere For Dreaming 7:52

5a Steve Roach, Sarah Hopkins– Darktime 7:09

5b Steve Roach– The Initiation

6 Steve Roach– Origin 4:48

7 David Hudson– Spirits 3:19

8 David Hudson– The Hunter 3:02

9 Sarah Hopkins– Awakening The Earth 14:10

10a David Hudson– Land Sound 5:14

10b Steve Roach– The Dreaming Place


 Australia: Sound Of The Earth

https://steveroach.com/


Friday, April 18, 2025

World Music Festival Chicago 2017 CD Sampler - various artists compilation

 


The World Music Festival Chicago is an annual musical event held in Chicago, Illinois, since 1999. It is organized by the City of Chicago. The festival takes place in September, usually runs 5–10 days, and has featured musicians from over 75 countries since its inception.

This sampler is from the 2017 festival.

1 Iberi Choir*– Khasanbegura 3:15

2 Tcheka– Strada 4:34

3 Los Hijos de La Montaña– La Bala 4:03

4 Beats y Bateria– Baile 3:42

5 Grand Tapestry– Brother 4:23

6 Mdou Moctar– Iblis Amghar 4:18

7 Feufollet– Questions Sans Réponses 3:49

8 Lúnasa– Ryestraw 5:27

9 Betsayda Machado, La Parranda El Clavo– Sentimiento 3:18

10 Vox Sambou– My Rhythm 4:15

11 Underground System*– Bella Ciao 8:31

12 Bitori– Bitori Nha Bibinha 5:38


Thursday, April 10, 2025

Putumayo Presents Yoga Lounge

 


1 Bahramji & Maneesh de Moor– Dreamcatcher 5:45

2 Jai Uttal & Ben Leinbach– Rama Bolo 5:21

3 Donna de Lory– Om Tare Tuttare 3:27

4 DJ Drez– Nectar Drop 4:01

5 Niraj Chag With Japjit Kaur– Sapano Se Pucho 3:51

6 Maneesh de Moor– Cosmic Flow 3:52

7 Reema Datta And Ferenz Kallos– Mahamrtyunjaya Mantra 5:45

8 All India Radio– Evening Star (Early Mix) 5:08

9 Sean Johnson & The Wild Lotus Band– Peace Song (Putumayo Version) 5:56

10 Stevin McNamara– Prajna's Dream (Remix) 5:05

11 Mirabai Ceiba– Ra Ma Da Sa (Putumayo Version) 6:14

12 MC Yogi– Shanti (Peace Out) 



Putumayo Presents Yoga Lounge

Sunday, April 6, 2025

Cuba: The Greatest Songs Ever - various artists compilation

 


1 Cuba L.A.– Guantanamera

2 Ricardo Lemvo, Makina Loca– Mambo Yo Yo

3 Afro-Cuban All Stars– Tumba Palo Cocuye

4 El Cuarteto Patria– Liego El Cuarteto Patria

5 Rubén González– Cumbanchero

6 Celina González– Pedacito De Mi Vida

7 Orlando "Cachaíto" López– Mis Dos Pequenas

8 Tito Gomez– Bilongo

9 Elio Revé Matos– Mi Salsa Tiene Sandunga

10 Septeto Nacional– Lagrimas Negras

11 Los Papines– Mi Quinto

12 Septeto Nacional– El Manisero

13 Beny More – Me Conoces Bien



Cuba: The Greatest Songs Ever


Monday, March 31, 2025

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



Monday, March 17, 2025

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

Friday, March 7, 2025

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