Best albums of 2008!

[Ian A.]

compilation: Amazon surf music ! (ok - I'm putting that one together myself..)

You mean that The Roots Of Chicha on Barbés Records? Good, innit? And Chicha Libre's Sonido Amazonico on the same label is pretty darn hot too . . .

[Gordon Neill]

I'd assumed that Peter was referring to some work-in-progress but, courtesy of Howard, I've heard bits of both The Roots Of Chicha and Sonido Amazonico. Meticulous in my research, I found that they sounded really good when I was slightly drunk, and really good when I was perfectly sober and with a mild headache. I've ordered the former from Amazon (where else?) and I'm ticking off my advent calender in anticipation of the latter's UK release on 7 July. File under 'Surf Cumbia'?

[Jonathan E.]

The vagaries of personal taste! Sonido Amazonico struck me as somewhat ersatz, campy and lightweight. Not unlistenable, but far from a contender for high placement in year-end lists. The Roots Of Chicha seemed to have a bit more charm, but I can't say it really grabbed me.

Rigorous statistical analysis of actual listening hours indicates that Homenage by Brownout should garner a high place in my year-end list, assuming I actually get around to making one. Thanks to matsuli for the tip on that.

Brief, but not exhaustive, listens to Moonshout by TransGlobal Underground and Futurismo from Kassin+2 show potential promise of placement among best albums of 2008.

[Charlie]

The vagaries of personal taste! Sonido Amazonico struck me as somewhat ersatz, campy and lightweight. The Roots Of Chicha seemed to have a bit more charm, but I can't say it really grabbed me.

My sentiments too. Roots of Chica is OK a track-at-a-time, but is hard going as an album. The revival album is the equivalent of Brits singin' da blooze.

[Peter Culshaw]

actually, with the wind in the right direction, I'm putting another comp together, of Surf Music from Belem in Para ( a state full of music we hardly hear)
At the full moon there are huge waves down the amazon called the Pororoca people surf down and a cool, charming scene there..

having some probs getting permissions etc, but will kepp y'all posted

[Charlie]

to be upgraded

June update

1. Umalali: The Garifuna Women's Project
2. Nina de Fuego, by Buika
3. A Mad & Faithful Telling, by DeVotchKa
4. 03, by Son of Dave
5.
6. 3MA, by Sissoko, El Maloumi, Rajery
7
8. The Edge of Heaven - soundtrack
9. Tchamantche, by Rokia Traore
10. Flavour, by D.J.Click

[Rod B.]

1. Niña de fuego by Buika;
2.
3.
4. Maldito Tango by Melingo;
5. Suonoglobal by Roy Paci;
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

[howard male]

Three new entries!

1. A Mad & Faithful Telling by DeVotchKa
2. D'ici Et D'ailleurs by Soha
3. 03 by Son of Dave
4. Congotronics 3 (Kasai Allstars)
5. Mali Koura - Issa Bagayogo
6. 1. Real by DJ Dolores
7.
8.
9. Ten Thousand - Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir
10. Yael Naim & David Dontien

[Charlie]

to be upgraded

August update

Noting Howard's new ones, I'm bringing Issa into mine too.

I'm still undecided about the Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir, but liked the track played by Tom Robinson while i was waiting to be a guest on his 6 Music show on Friday night.

If I had to close down my top 10 now, I would reinstate Soha, but I'd better wait and see what the rest of the year brings.

1. Umalali: The Garifuna Women's Project
2. Nina de Fuego, by Buika
3. A Mad & Faithful Telling, by DeVotchKa
4. 03, by Son of Dave
5.
6. 3MA, by Sissoko, El Maloumi, Rajery
7. Mali Koura, by Issa Bagayogo
8. The Edge of Heaven - soundtrack
9. Tchamantche, by Rokia Traore
10. Flavour, by D.J.Click

[Rod B.]

Update:

1. Buika: Niña de fuego
2. Enrique Morente: Pablo de Málaga
3. Mariza: Terra
4. Natacha Atlas: Ana Hina
5.
6. Roy Paci: Suonoglobal
7. DeVotchKa: A Mad and Faithful Telling
8. Melingo: Maldito Tango
9. Goran Bregovic: Karmen (with a Happy End)
10. Figli de Madre Ignota: Fez Club

I see there's a new Calexico CD out in September, and they've returned to the mariachi sound so if it's up to their usual standard that should fill a vacant slot.

[howard male]

Another new entry! I'm not sure exactly when Dub Colossus's debut 'A Town Called Addis' hits the shops (there's a sample EP available now) but I think it's around October. The production is perhaps a little too reverby (clarity sacrificed in order to emulate the aircraft hanger ambience of the likes of King Tubby and Lee Scratch Perry) but the music itself is wonderful. A meeting of Ethiopiques-style funk and melody with Jamaican dub reggae and a little of Taxi Driver-era Bernard Hermann in the sophisticated semi-dissonant brass arrangements. Although it's also a little over-long (what a classic it would have been if some of the fat had been trimmed off) every time I play it, it grows in stature.

1. A Mad & Faithful Telling by DeVotchKa
2. D'ici Et D'ailleurs by Soha
3. 03 by Son of Dave
4. Congotronics 3 (Kasai Allstars)
5. Mali Koura - Issa Bagayogo
6. 1. Real by DJ Dolores
7. A Town Called Addis by Dub Colossus
8.
9. Ten Thousand - Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir
10. Yael Naim & David Dontien

[CantSleepClownsWillGetMe]

1. Kiran Ahluwalia - Wanderlust
2. The Garifuna Women's Project: Umalali
3. Ankarali Namik: Hadi Cikta Gel
4.
5. Devotchka: A Mad & Faithful Telling
6. Cheb I Sabbah: Devotion
7. Zola: Ibutho (2006)
8. Son of Dave: 03
9.
10. Melingo: Maldito Tango

[Chris P]

I've gone and filled up too early, so with 3+ months to go (and being behind with existing releases), there'll be some thinning out to come.


1. Sevval Sam - Karadeniz (BlackSea) (Kalan label)
2. Buika - Nina de Fuego
3. Kasai Allstars - In the 7th Moon ...
4. Mariza - Terra
5. Dem Trio - The Fountain
6. Huong Thanh & Nguyen Le - Fragile Beauty
7. Wasis Diop - Judu Bek
8. Mor Karbasi - The Beauty & the Sea
9. Burkina Electric - Reem Tekre
10. G Love & Special Sauce - Superhero Brother

[Jonathan E.]

Interesting lists. Time is passing slowly out here on the perimeter and not much of the music is getting here, at least over the past two months or so. And, I have to say, not much of what is getting here is really wowing me.

[Charlie]

to be upgraded

This looks the year's top 10, unless something unexpectedly arrives in the next week or so:

1. Umalali: The Garifuna Women's Project
2. Nina de Fuego, by Buika
3. A Mad & Faithful Telling, by DeVotchKa
4. 3MA, by Sissoko, El Maloumi, Rajery
5. Ceu, by Ceu
6. Mali Koura, by Issa Bagayogo
7. 03, by Son of Dave
8. Rebel Woman, by Chiwoniso
9. Tchamantche, by Rokia Traore
10. The Edge of Heaven - soundtrack