Sound of the World 2007 (Warner Classical Jazz)

[NormanD]

And one from The Observer, 19/08/2007, which the reviewer subtly combines with his other occupation:

Various
Sound of the World
(Warners) £12.99

The annual compilation from radio DJ and writer Charlie Gillett cannily divines 'world' music's mercurial spirit, which seems to find different hotspots each year. Cape Verde is one; the islands have three fine tracks here, two featuring singer and emerging star Mayra Andrade. Belize's Andy Palacio offers another example of a tiny place with its own distinctive style. Many of the 33 tracks here feature displaced artists (Ethiopians in Amsterdam, a West African from Mallorca) and music that is hybrid going on mutant - the avant-garde sounds of Fiona Soe Paing's 'No Man's Land' are a case in point.

Neil Spencer

[Rob Hall]

You mean the part about "divining"?

[joel]

I'm after more of this. Can anyone suggest the best Abida Parveen CD to go for? Or even a general Sufi compilation? (the best bet appears to be Network's 'Sufi Soul'). Who said the Devil has all the best tunes?

There's a great album on Ocora that I think is long out of print, otherwise on the usually excellent (excepting the odd licensing lapse) Inedit there is this:
http://www.mcm.asso.fr/site02/inedit/cd260003.htm

I'd be very happy to start a sufi thread if anyone is interested and there's a chance it doesn't veer off into the usual mindless "electro-sufi" kak.

[Dayna]

I was thinking of buying this CD from Borders again. Will it be there this time?

[Des]

Youtube selections of artists featured on this compilation can be found on the 'Youtube Recommendations' thread.
Des

[Charlie]

I was thinking of buying this CD from Borders again. Will it be there this time?

It is scheduled for a conventional US release this time, on Rhino in November

[Charlie]

review in the Independent by Howard Male:

Title - Sound of the World

Artist - Various compiled by Charlie Gillett

Label - Warner Music

From the Argentinean stand-up comic turned melancholy electronica merchant (Juana Molina) to the Mauritanian political activist mixing her own traditional music with rock and blues (Malouma), as usual Gillett has come up with the goods. Thirty-three disparate tracks happily cohabiting thanks to the BBC broadcaster's astute sequencing. As usual, along with much you may not have heard, there's a few big names like Tinariwen and Gotan Project. But it's all captivating stuff, making clear that whatever you're thoughts on the label 'world music,' under its umbrella you'll find the most forward-looking and surprising sounds.

Download the dark but warm 'Soberbia' by Laxula.

[Charlie]

The album is released by Rhino in the US today, Tuesday 13 November, retail and online.

rhino.com: http://tinyurl.com/yt9fle
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/2ap8qz

[c hristian]

i must say, that like Gordon, I think track 4 of CD 1 is the most mezmorizing track that lingers in the brain. My wife just drove me to work and to my surprise and delight, she wanted to borrow the CD. This only happens with my Pink Martini CDs. With my son in the back , we are all transfixed and into the groove with track 4. That isn't going to leave for a while. Being the American, I said that I could see people with hands in the air, swaying back and forth to this track, maybe with their lighters lit. My wife said she could see people doing their traditional dance (which ever people and tradition and dance she is talking about. I didn't tell her the musician's orgins until after). I think that one could have been the opener, but I agree, usually I like an upbeat, lively sounding song to begin things off. The Colombian track obviously fits that bill, but you are correct, that's best used for the climax. I did find myself skipping track 1 today to go right to track 2. Track 1 sounds like she is trying to copy the sound of Bebel Giberto (whom I like). But I much prefer her reggaeish, second appearance on the first CD. My wife is really attracted to the Bulgarian track.

I can't say anything about the second cd yet.

I must say though, this compilation is much much better than the 2006 SOTW. 2006 has some very good tracks, but in the final analysis, that CD hasn't been played for a few months, and is and will collect dust until I return to it in search of the 1 or 2 tracks that I will need for an upcoming gig. Plainly put, as a whole, it seemed boring. 2007, on the other hand, is EXCELLENT and will be played more or less constantly for years, I'm pretty darn certain. One of those that make the favorites list for long car trips. And again, this is only refers to CD1 so far.


I am never keen on paying $25 for a single release, but I do sometimes, in special situations, if the release warrants it. Buying this for $25 was a gamble, but it paid off. It's worth every penny. I just hope you and the musicians behind it see at least 5 of those pennies.