Rough Guide to World Music

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"I hate world music," wrote David Byrne, who went on to explain that he disliked a vague marketing label that ghettoized the majority of the world's music. The Rough Guiders who compiled this insanely far-flung anthology, conversely, apparently adore the term's catchall nature. Which is why you'll find everything from Colombian salsa fireball Joe Arroyo to the Gaelic "mouth music" of Scot singer Talitha MacKenzie here and a whole lot more. World music usually signifies roots less than fusion, which is why Mali singer Oumou Sangare's electrified traditionalism sounds just fine beside the avant-psychedelic guitar of Henry Kaiser and Malagasy singer Roger Georges. A certain disproportion is probably inevitable. Africa, with its incomparable dance rhythms, weighs in heavy with contributions by Youssou N'Dour (Senegal), Zaiko Langa Langa (Zaire), and Cecile Kayirebwa (Rwanda), while Asia is represented only by Guo Yue and Joji Hirota's flute duo. Irish folk, Louisiana zydeco, and Nubian blues are also represented here. But anyone interested in learning more about these artists will have to refer back to The Rough Guide to World Music for more information. --Richard Gehr

Rough Guide to World Music,Various Artists,World Music Network,Africa,Afro-Pop,Bombara,British Folk,Celtic Rock,Colombia,Congo,Contemporary Celtic,Egypt,Hungarian Folk,Hungary,Int'l & World Music,Japan,Madagascar,Mali,Mambo,Mbalax,Merengue,Nubia,Pan-Global,Pop,Rwanda,Salsa,Senegal,Son,Soukous,Sudan,Traditional Middle Eastern Folk,Tuva,Tuvan Throat Singing,World General,World Music,Worldbeat,Zaire,Zydeco

Average customer rating: Vibrant Vocals and Versatile Vibes from Vietnam

The Rough Guide to the Music of Vietnam Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: Rough Guide to North African Cafe Rough Guide to Bollywood Gold Rough Guide to World Music: Africa & Middle East The Rough Guide to African Blues Rough Guide to Salsa: Second Edition ASIN: B000PHW2JU Release Date: 2007-06-05

Tracks:

1. HUONG THANH - Crossing The Valley
2. THAN QUY - Ngoi Tua Song Dao (Sitting By The Peach Mullioned River)
3. CAM LY - Em Gai Que
4. BLUE ASIA - Blue Requiem
5. THU HIEN - Cau Doi Cau Cho
6. KIM SINH - Li Giao Duyen
7. KHAC CHI ENSEMBLE - On The Bamboo Bridge
8. TRANH SAO BAO - Ly Con Sao
9. HUY DU, TUYET TRING - Kim Trọng Tuong Tu Thuy Kieu
10. NGUYEN THANH THUY - Luyen Nam Cung
11. VAN KHANH - Dem Phuong Nam Nghe Cau Ho Hue
12. QUANG LINH - Toi Yeu
13. CHAU DINH & CA HUE ENSEMBLE - Ten Reasons Why We Love Hue Girls
14. DAN BAO VIETNAM - Rider In The Sky (Live)

Album Description

The apocalyptic image of Vietnam in the movies is a far cry from the reality of later-day Vietnam - a dynamic country with an ancient and vibrant culture combining Eastern, and in recent years, Western influences. Featuring some of the biggest stars of contemporary Vietnamese music, key regional styles, popular folk songs and ancient court music, The Rough Guide To The Music Of Vietnam offers a unique insight into one of the world's least understood nations.

Artists include - Huong Thanh, Than Quy, Cam Ly, Blue Asia, Thu Hien, Kim Sinh, Khac Chi Ensemble, Tranh Sao Bao, Huy Du, Tuyet Tring, Nguyen Thanh Thuy, Van Khanh, Quang Linh, Chau Dinh & Ca Hue Ensemble, Dan Bao Vietnam

Customer Reviews:

Vibrant Vocals and Versatile Vibes from Vietnam.......2007-07-15

On the Rough Guide musical tour of the world, next stop is Vietnam! And as usual they've excelled in offering a CD full of great music that's evocatively representative, widely ranging, and eminently listenable. From contemporary pop songs to time-honored folk lyrics, from popularly traditional melodies to globally-influenced innovations, this CD will take you on a crash tour of one of the most exciting musical landscapes on the planet (and the stuff people in Vietnam are really listening to). If you've never heard Vietnamese music before, you can't find a better intro than this album. On the other hand, if you've been a big fan of Vietnam's incredible music for years, you'll appreciate this fine selection and find a few surprises--Vietnamese Blues? "Rider in the Sky" on the dan bao recorded poolside in Saigon? You'll only hear it here! But every track is golden in its own way, lovingly handpicked by the compiler as is standard practice with Rough Guide CDs.

Speaking of the compiler, Paul Fisher's liner notes are well-written and do the job nicely of introducing each performer and singer while contextualizing and placing the music within the overall musical culture of Vietnam--no stuffy musicological details, just the right amount of background so that the listener can pretty much know and appreciate what's playing. And the tracks are introduced in the order that they appear on the CD (a common sense arrangement that some Rough Guide CDs have gotten a bit too fancily experimental with), so it's easy to follow along with the music--at least the first time, and with this music, it'll be the first time of many!

Average customer rating:

The Rough Guide to African Blues Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Blues | Styles | Music Acoustic Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Modern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Africa | International | Styles | Music Africa | Compilations | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: Rough Guide to World Party Rough Guide to World Music: Africa & Middle East Rough Guide to Bellydance Cafe Rough Guide to the Blues Rough Guide to Bollywood Gold ASIN: B000OONP3G Release Date: 2007-05-08

Tracks:

1. MARIEM HASSAN - La Tumchi Anni
2. NURU KANE - Goree
3. COREY HARRIS - Special Rider Blues
4. BOUBACAR TRAORE - Mariama Kaba
5. OUMOU SANGARE - Mogo Ti Diya Bee Ya
6. ETRAN FINATAWA - Iriarer
7. AFEL BOKOUM - Jaman Moro
8. ROKIA TRAORE - Kele Mandi
9. AYALEW MESFIN & BLACK LION BAND - Feqer Aydelem Wey
10. DJELIMADY TOUNKARA - Sigui
11. BOB BROZMAN & DJELI MOUSSA DIAWARA - Maloyan Devil
12. RASHA - Azara Alhai
13. DABY BALDE - Waino Blues
14. BAABA MAAL & MANSOUR SECK - Bibbe Leydy

Album Description

Nowadays it is almost universally accepted that the DNA of the blues can be traced back to Africa. Featuring significant collaborations which explore this link - including Corey Harris and Ali Farka Toure - alongside pivotal artists such as Afel Bocoum, Oumou Sangare and Boubacar Traore, The Rough Guide to African Blues examines this complex and fascinating musical connection.

Artists include- Mariem Hassan, Nuru Kane, Corey Harris with Ali Farka Touré, Boubacar Traoré, Oumou Sangare, Etran Finatawa, Afel Bocoum, Rokia Traoré, Ayaléw Mèsfin & Black Lion Band, Djelimady Tounkara, Bob Brozman & Djeli Moussa Diawara, Rasha, Daby Balde, Baaba Maal & Mansour Seck

Average customer rating: Hi! Hi! HI! great intro to bhangra Complex, lively music for listening or dancing

Rough Guide to Bhangra Dance Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: Bhangra Beatz The Rough Guide to Bhangra Bhangra Fever Bollywood Dance: Bhangra Beware ASIN: B000E41KQA Release Date: 2006-02-17

Tracks:

1. Rail Gaddi - Four Of A Kind
2. Dil Tera - Soni Pabla
3. Captain Bhangre Da - Ravi Bal
4. Dil Nai Lagda - Aman Hayer
5. Gal Sun - Partners In Rhyme
6. Sajna - Veronica
7. Chal Hun (Get Up Fix) - Malkit Singh
8. Billo Raneeay - Binder
9. Akheer - Juggy D
10. Paisa - Manak-E
11. Mahndi/Madhorama Pencha - Madan Bata Sindhu
12. Lakh Hilda - Indy Sagu
13. Taweet - Daljit Mattu
14. Apna Sangeet - Taz
15. Nain Preeto De - Panjabi By Nature

Amazon.com

The follow up to 1999's Rough Guide To Bhangra, Rough Guide To Bhangra Dance focuses on recent mutations of this flexible music genre also known as "desi beats." Originally brought to England by North Indian Punjabi immigrants and their children, bhangra mutated in cities like London and Birmingham in the 80s to reflect the new surroundings of the artists and audience. The barrel-shaped dhol drum is still at the center of the clattering bhangra sound, but the 15 tracks here range from Four Of A Kind's boy-band leanings to Veronica's modern R&B-ish grooves to the traditional-minded Daljit Mattu & Ravi Bal. The music's party vibe works surprisingly well in conjunction with the strict aesthetics of hip-hop, dancehall and dance music, and has actually been incorporated by artists in those genres (Missy Elliott being a notable example). Nonetheless, this is an excellent line-up of artists coming out of the Indian tradition looking to Western forms in search of new fusions. --Tad Hendrickson

Album Description

From its humble beginnings as a folk dance in northwest India, the British-Asian phenomenon of bhangra has incorporated Western instruments, such as the electric guitar, bass and keyboards, and evolved into the energetic and highly popular club and dance music it is today. This album features some of the hottest bhangra beats and the funkiest names on the British-Asian scene.

Customer Reviews:

Hi! Hi! HI!.......2006-10-03

this is the music to accompany a dance craze that is going to the big urban centers in the USA right now after having been a euro- phenom. I first heard about it when I was doing a websearch on music of India, then ordered the CD. My daughter hwo lives in DC was surprised to hear that I had gotten this, and she had just been to a Bhangra event at a a club there. The tracks are danceable and really really fun. some of it has a hip hop beat but the harmonies and melodies are so wonderfully fresh that you will find yourself humming along after on ly a listen or two....

great intro to bhangra .......2006-06-14

being born in the states to bengali parents, there isnt as much popular music thats influenced by indian culture (bad rap looping aside). mostly, we (as in first generation americans) usually have to turn to british stuff for that crossover. bhangra is, for us, what rock en español or reggetón is for latinos.... its dancable and familiar. this cd, i think, has some awesome tracks on it... there is a whole spectrum of bhangra types- from the reggae-inspired to the more 'hip-hop' flavored stuff to the calm, religious 'akheer' (which is totally my favorite). you dont have to understand punjabi to enjoy it (i mean, i dont and nor do most of my indian friends... but we connect with it even though bhangra is a regional punjabi phenomenon... then again, reggetón is supposedly a puerto rican/caribeño thing and even argentinians and spaniards can dig it). anyway, the point is this cd has a good collection of songs that is very cool regardless of your background. neat songs, a lot of indian backgrounds (with traditional instruments like the veena and harmonuim) and pulsing dhol/syth rhythms. it makes you want to get up and dance, which is exactly what bhangra is for!

Complex, lively music for listening or dancing.......2006-05-22

I stumbled across this CD on a display rack at Borders and listened to a few minutes and then bought it. I fell in love with the complexity and liveliness of the music. Most of the tracks have complex percussion of standard 4/4 count dance music but with lots of other percussion rhythms thrown in with various instruments. I can't identify many of the instruments but I certainly enjoyed them. The singing was also excellent and sometimes quite intricate.

This music is good for driving or anytime when you want to get into a happy energetic mood. It's also great for organized dancing. Most of it will work with salsa, hustle, or west coast swing. The energy of the music encourages a lot of improvisation and messing around. It is nearly perfect dance club music.

This is fun, lively, interesting, and enjoyable music. I highly recommend it. It inspired me to rip it to mp3 at a much higher quality level than I usually do. Usual is variable @ 192 kbps. This one rated averaging @ 256.

Average customer rating: La Cumbia no esta herida! FANTASTIC! Cumbia Perfect! Amazing! Excellent overview of music frim Cumbia's "Golden Era"

The Rough Guide to Cumbia Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Colombia | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Africa | Compilations | International | Styles | Music Colombia | South & Central America | Compilations | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music Cumbia | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Greatest Cumbia Classics of Colombia The Rough Guide to Salsa Colombia Putumayo Presents: Colombia Musica de Colombia Oye... Cumbia Caliente ASIN: B00004SCES Release Date: 2000-08-01

Tracks:

1. Cumbia Gienaguera - Alberto Pacheco
2. La Luna Y El Pescador - Romulo Caicedo
3. Cumbia De Colombia - Henry Castro
4. Colombia Tierra Querida - Lucho Bermudez Y Su Orquesta
5. Maria Candela - Tamara
6. Yo Me Llamo Cumbia - Leonor Gonzalez Mina
7. La Banda Borracha - Alfredo Gutierrez Y Sus Estrellas
8. Fiesta En Corraleja - Chico Cervantes
9. La Pollera Colora - Corraleja 71
10. Guepa Je - Romulo Caicedo
11. Cumbia Sobre El Mar - Edmundo Arias
12. Salsipuedes - Lisandro Meza
13. Cumbia En Azul - Jaime Llano Gonzalez
14. La Negra Celina - Cristobal Perez Y Su Conjunto
15. Cumbiambera - Pepe Molina
16. Navidad Negra - Leonor Gonzalez Mina
17. Atlantico - Los Hispanos
18. La Piragua - Los Black Stars
19. Tolu - Guillermo Gonzalez Y Su Orquesta
20. Cumbia De Sal - Los Falcons
21. Cumbia Sampuesana - Jaime Llano Gonzalez
22. Danza Negra - Lucho Bermudez Y Su Orquesta

Amazon.com

Cumbia is one of the world's great dance grooves. It is made up of merry guitars and accordions, torrid brass, and insistent, deep-toned drums and percussion, pounding out a lopsided, strutting 4/4 rhythm with a kick like nitroglycerine. Cumbia is the result of three colliding cultures that settled in Colombia at different times. Indigenous peoples were followed by the Spanish conquistadors, who added on Moorish influences from the sack of Granada. Finally, African slaves were brought in, and they supplied both the rhythm and the means to bring it forth. From its beginnings as a courtship dance among the slave population, cumbia gradually became the soul of the entire nation. The tunes on this compilation make it easy to understand why. They were licensed from the Sonolux label and date from the '60s through the '90s. Uniformly infectious and compulsively danceable, this is an essential party album, a good time on a disc. --Christina Roden

Album Description

Cumbia is one of the great Latin rhythms and Colombia's most popular dance music. The Rough Guide To Cumbia highlights the golden age of this infectious dance rhythm, exploring its folkloric roots in the rural communities of Colombia's Caribbean coast, and featuring tracks from the biggest cumbia stars.

Artists include: Alberto Pacheco, Corraleja 71, Lucho Bermúdez, Lisandro Meza, Leonor González Mina, Edmundo Arias, Los Hispanos and Los Black Stars

Customer Reviews:

La Cumbia no esta herida!.......2006-02-18

This is truly an excellent cumbia collection. Every song is beautifully arranged and evokes a kind of nostalgia for this "music of the coast." If you are someone who values variety in a CD compilation, however, you might want to give the samples on this amazon website a good listen before you purchase the CD. While the cumbia songs are wonderfully pure and truly representative of this fantastic music, they do sound very similar (which isn't a surprise, of course, because this is a CD of cumbia!). If you like what you hear, then you should certainly get this disc. The music is rhythmically infectious, romantic and will definitely survive many rotations in your CD player. If you enjoy this kind of music, I also have to recommend the "Colombia" CD by Putumayo and any album by Toto La Momoposina, a fantastic Colombian singer, especially "Carmelina" and "Pacanto."

FANTASTIC!.......2002-07-27

I'll make it short-this is truly the best collection of authentic Cumbia out there. Well done Rough Guides! If you're interested in Latin music, you some times come upon a couple of tracks with this infectious beat and wonder where you can get more. Well, here it is! This CD has all the great Cumbia bands of the past and present. Every single track is a gem in it's self, and is guarenteed to make you dance, sing (even if you don't understand a word, like me), and feel fantastic! Buy it, you won't regret it!

Cumbia Perfect!.......2001-10-03

The "Rough Guide to Cumbia" CD is more than I hoped for. It is absolutely perfect. It is so good that the painter (from Colombia) who is painting our hallways rang my doorbell to ask about it. He wants a copy too. He danced out the door. These are some the older and great performers with an authenticity that is obvious. My only small complaint is the selection by Lisandro Mesa. I think he has better recordings of this song. The range of artists and forms of cumbia is extensive and, as I said, perfect.

Amazing!.......2001-01-11

This is my second purchase of a "Rough Guide" world music cd, and both have been stellar (the other is the Hawaiian music compilation). This cd is a delightful addition to my music collection. The music is expressive, colorful, and rhythmic, without any cheesy over-production or invasive pop-culture influences. Those of you who enjoyed Buena Vista Social Club will love this! I would highly recommend this compilation to any music fan.

Excellent overview of music frim Cumbia's "Golden Era".......2000-08-02

When buying the CD one realizes that this is just not another hastily-compiled Cumbia compilation. The beautiful cover art and lengthy liner notes indicate that there is some direction to the piece. The writer of the liner notes obviously knows a very good deal about cumbia in general and great songs in particular. Just about every song in here is a keeper, I especially enjoyed "La Cumbia en Azul" By Jaime Llano Gonzalez. Anyone used to traditional cumbia arrangements will be blown away by hearing his Hammond B3 ordan work. A Wonderful, democratic collection!

Average customer rating: DURAZNO SALSEANDO Ya Wanna Dance?

Rough Guide to Salsa Dura NYC Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Salsa | Latin Music | Styles | Music Salsa & Merengue | Compilations | Latin Music | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Rough Guide to Salsa Dance: Second Edition Rough Guide to the Blues Rough Guide to World Party The Rough Guide to Salsa Colombia Rough Guide to Merengue ASIN: B000M4RDGS Release Date: 2007-02-20

Tracks:

1. Lo Que Traigo Es Sabroso II - Eddie Palmieri
2. Estamos En Salsa - Wayne Gorbea
3. Babaila - Los Soneros De Barrio
4. Naci Rumbero - Jimmy Delgado
5. Aqui Cada Uno Viene Con Lo Suyo - Chino Nunez
6. Oigan Mi Rumba - Chico Alvarez
7. El Embajador - Jimmy Bosch
8. Mi Ritmo Llego - George Delgado
9. Don Ramon - Las Estrellas Cobo
10. Mi Rumba Es Candela - Ricky Gonzalez
11. I Get A Kick Out Of You - Joe Quijano And His Conjunto Cachan

Amazon.com

"Salsa dura" isn't simply a genre of music. It's a feeling, born of a certain people in a certain time. In this case--the sounds of dancehalls and hotel ballrooms of the Bronx, Spanish Harlem and Brooklyn in the 1970's. The lively Rough Guide to Salsa Dura NYC attempts to encapsulate that energy in an hour's worth of music. A heady task, but the collection does a good job of highlighting the premiere showmen of the genre. It's being kept alive today by all the classic and contemporary artists featured on the disc. Los Soneros Del Barrio, who formed in 1999, showcase tight grooves during "Babaila;" and bandleader Eddie Palmieri, whose career spans more than half a century, offers the sublime "Lo Que Traigo Es Sabroso II." Elsewhere, Jimmy Bosch's appropriately titled "El Embajador" ("The Ambassador") commands respect; and Joe Quijano & His Conjunto Cachana do right by the standard "I Get a Kick Out of You." Horns blare, voices wail and you can practically see the twirls across the dance floor.The only quibble is a common one in the genre: a lack of female voices. Thankfully, Las Estrellas Cobo's "Don Ramon" features the confident swagger of Yousie Barbara. --Joey Guerra

Album Description

With its thrilling, fast paced energy and hot-blooded spirit, Salsa Dura NYC is music made for dancing. Born in the nightclubs of the Bronx, Spanish Harlem and Brooklyn of the 1970's this is the no-frills, hard (dura in Spanish) Latin music whose revival is filling Latin clubs around the world.

Artists include - Eddie Palmieri, Wayne Gorbea, Los Soneros Del Barrio, Jimmy Delgado, Chino Nuñez, Chico Alvarez, Jimmy Bosch, George Delgado, Las Estrellas Cobo, Ricky González, Joe Quijano & his Conjunto Cachana

Customer Reviews:

DURAZNO SALSEANDO.......2007-06-24

This is a compilation of what I consider the dancing side of this style. Salsa Dura: the real sound that had been eclipsed by "salsa romántica" and "salsa erótica" since the '80s. ¿What`s "salsa romántica"?: romantic-pop-songs with a soft air of guaracha in the background, just to be used in TV novels. ¿And why "salsa erótica"?. ¿Because of the lyrics, meaning love and sex?. ¡¡¡Here is the erotic explossion, giles!!!. Here in the tasty rythm, in the piano riffs, in the powerful horns, in the soulful vocals and in the "descargas". Eddie Palmieri, ¡un capo!. Para gozar y bailar... ¡HARD SALSA for ever!

Ya Wanna Dance?.......2007-04-25

Ok! So you thought that salsa was dead and gone in NYC... but you're wrong. Salsa is alive and well. This compilation cd is a great example. This release, Rough Guide to Salsa Dura NYC, more than lends itself as proof solid that you don't have to go to France or Japan to enjoy salsa. All the musicians in the cd, with perhaps the exception of the ever travelling Eddie Palmieri, regularly play in NYC. The tracks are all well chosen and lend themselves well to the dance floor. If you are new to salsa you'll pleasantly surprised, if you're already musically baptized, jump in the waters once again. Recommended

Average customer rating: Not enough variety for my liking A must for beginners !

Rough Guide to Bellydance Cafe Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Middle East | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Belly and the Beat Bellydance Superstars, Vol. 4 Tribal Derivations The Rough Guide to African Blues Rough Guide to Latin Arabia ASIN: B000OONP3Q Release Date: 2007-05-08

Tracks:

1. JALAL JOUBI ENSEMBLE - Marmar Zamani (Syria)
2. NAZARETH ORCHESTRA FEATURING LUBNA SALAME - Al-Atlal (Israel)
3. ENSEMBLE HÜSEYIN TÜRKMENLER - Söleyin Yildizlar Sevegilim Nerde (Turkey)
4. MOHAMMED ALI ENSEMBLE - Enta Omri (Egypt)
5. SAMI ALI - Ashshimtini (Egypt)
6. MOKHTAR AL SAID - Tabla Solo (Egypt)
7. SELIM SESLER - Gözyasi (Turkey)
8. GLYKERIA - Min Perimenis Pia (Greece)
9. SALATIN EL TARAB ORCHESTRA - Helm (Intro Taksim) (Syria)
10. SALATIN EL TARAB ORCHESTRA - Tahtihou Dajha (Syria)
11. SALATIN EL TARAB ORCHESTRA - Awazil Yabou Ziloof (Syria)
12. MAYODI - Habibi Ya Eini (Morocco)
13. UPPER EGYPT ENSEMBLE - Mazamir Holiday (Egypt)
14. SAMI NOSSAIR ORCHESTRA - Mawwal Al Hawa (Egypt)
15. SAMI NOSSAIR ORCHESTRA - Ala Nar (Egypt)
16. GIASEMI (YASMIN) & NIKOS SARAGOUDAS - Tsahpinoula Moy (Greece)
17. MOKHTAR AL SAID & EL FERKA EL MASAYA - Souhair's Tabla (Egypt)
18. MOHAMED ISKANDAR - La Tsalouni (Lebanon)

Amazon.com

This collection could be described as "bellydance with twist" as every track is energetic, catchy and lusty but also chilled-out and mysterious. While the rhythm sections certainly let it all hang out, there's just a bit held back, whether in the vocals, strings or woodwinds, not unlike the way a female raks sharki (the traditional name for the genre) dancer will flaunt undulating hips and six-pack abs while veiling her face or upper body. Historically, while no family celebration or evening in a café was complete without them, women who plied this trade faced varying degrees of social ostracism. This was partly because their profession gave them a certain degree of independence, which threatened the status quo of the male-dominated cultures they hailed from. But in modern Syria, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Greece, Lebanon and other countries, these ladies are for the most part recognized as the rigorously trained, exquisitely disciplined artists they have always been. Their relationship with the musicians they work with is one of equals, an uncommonly empathetic, shared act of creation not unlike that of flamenco dancers and their bands. Perhaps this is why, while listening to the tunes, sinuous, gyrating figures continuously appear at the corner of the mind's eye, fashioning wave-like susurrations around complex syncopations, goading their collaborators to ever more feverish heights. --Christina Roden

Album Description

Late night get-togethers at an outdoor café, hookah pipes, chatter and the strong smell of coffee, are all part of the distinct flavour of Middle Eastern street life. As is the shimmying, hip-shaking music phenomenon best-known as `bellydance'. From Selim Sesler and the Salatin El Tarab Orchestra to Mokhtar Al Said and Sami Ali, The Rough Guide to Bellydance Café provides a comprehensive insight into the seductive sounds of the Orient.

Artists include- Jalal Joubi Ensemble, Nazareth Orchestra Feat. Lubna Salame, Ensemble Hüseyin Türkmenler, Mohammed Ali Ensemble, Sami Ali, Mokhtar Al Said, Selim Sesler, Glykeria, Salatin El Tarab Orchestra, Mayodi, Upper Egypt Ensemble, Sami Nossair Orchestra, Giasemi (Yasmin) & Nikos Saragoudas, Mohamed Iskander

Customer Reviews:

Not enough variety for my liking.......2007-06-27

I did not particularly enjoy this CD. I was looking for something with more variety and found there to be not enough of the gentler, more mysterious & earthy music that I personally enjoy listening to and dancing to.

A must for beginners !.......2007-05-16

It's really difficult to find a good compilation and that one seems to be a good one! I don't buy this CD because I still have most of the tracks. But for begginers in bellydance and for people who wish to discover the different styles of the music from Middle East, it's a good choice.

Average customer rating:

Rough Guide to North African Cafe Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music Africa | Compilations | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Rough Guide to the Music of Vietnam Rough Guide to World Music: Africa & Middle East The Rough Guide to African Blues Arabic Groove Rough Guide to Bollywood Gold ASIN: B000QEILTW Release Date: 2007-06-26

Tracks:

1. Barman - Akli-D
2. Rai Rock Rumba - Roberto Rodriguez
3. Salam - Barrio Chino
4. O Ellelli - Madioko
5. Hat - Smadj
6. Ben Melamet Hirkasini Guydim - Orient Expressions
7. Wayak - Les Orientales
8. El Dia - Cheb Balowski
9. Sar a Lay - El Tanbura
10. Lemon Bara - Abdel Gadir Salim
11. A Chaque Instant, Oran - Akim El Sikameya
12. Dorbiha Zina - Less Boukakes
13. Halawa Ya - Mahmoud Fadl
14. La Foule - Tarik

Album Description

Amble down the narrow walkways of a North African medina past the cafes filled with the aromatic smoke of hookah pipes and hum of local chatter all around. The Rough Guide To North African Cafe is a musical journey through the bustling backwaters of Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt, featuring artists from Algeria's legendary Maurice El Medioni to French-Tunisian oud master, Smadj. Welcome to North Africa's most intoxicating sounds.

Artists include- Akli D, Maurice El Medioni & Roberto Rodriguez, Barrio Chino, Madioko & Rafika, Smadj Presents S.O.S. Project, Sahabat Akkiraz & Orient Expressions, Les Orientales, Cheb Balowski, El Tanbura, Abdel Gadir Salim, Akim El Sikameya, Les Boukakes, Mahmoud Fadl, Tarik

Average customer rating: The Diverse sounds of East African civilization

Rough Guide to the Music of Tanzania Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Africa | Compilations | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Rough Guide to the Music of Kenya Rough Guide to the Music of Madagascar The Rough Guide to the Music of Nigeria and Ghana The Rough Guide to the Music of Sudan The Rough Guide to the Music of the Sahara ASIN: B000EHQ7NS Release Date: 2006-03-17

Tracks:

1. Tambiko - Vijana Jazz Band
2. Dunia Dudumizi - X Plastaz
3. Omukaile Kilinjwi - Saida Karoli
4. Vingaravyo - Ikhwani Safaa Musical Club
5. Rehema - Mlimani Park Orchestra
6. Lukunzi - The Master Musicians Of Tanzania
7. Msumeno - Mohammed Issa Matona
8. Nimlilie Nani? - Ndala Kasheba
9. Mume Wa Mtu - Dataz
10. Kibati - Nia Safi & Imani Ngoma Group
11. Piga Ua - Ottu Jazz Band

Album Description

Tanzania is the new music capital of East Africa and from the spice islands of Zanzibar to the shores of the great lakes, The Rough Guide To The Music Of Tanzania explores the diversity of the country's culture as expressed in its popular music. This album features hip-hop with a Maasai tinge, Haya vocal rhythms from Lake Victoria, acoustic taarab sounds from the Indian Ocean, together with the guitars and horns of Dar Es Salaam's most famous dance bands.

Customer Reviews:

The Diverse sounds of East African civilization.......2006-04-19

The East African nations of Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda and Southern Somalia were all either a part of or heavily influenced by the Swahili civilization, whose prototype emerged as an indigenous civilization as early as 100 BC.

The civilization flourished independent of foreign political domination until 1500 AD, when the combination of European Imperialism and Middle Eastern expansionists raped and pillaged the Swahili and forced them into a cycle of destruction against themselves and their neighbors inland.

Regardless, the East African spirit has perservered and found independence through unity. If you want to hear the development of such unity in the form of classical Swahili music alongside Maasai youth embracing African American culture through Hip Hop, then there is no better place to start than this compilation.

Normally, I'm not a fan of The Rough Guide to "This Oppressed Country's Music" brought to you by their exploitative oppressors, but it is difficult to find East African music outside of such compilations in the United States. Unlike Western Africans, who are arguably the most influential people in modern music (via African Americans as well as contemporary "World Music" charts), Eastern Africa has not produced the equivalents of Fela Kuti or Salif Keita.

However, this region of the world has a rich musical heritage. The ancient combination of East African musical arrangements with the traditional Afro-asiatic style that emerged with Islam is noticable on several of the songs. Like it has in most of the world, West African sensibilities have also influenced the music of the Tanzanian people.

Like Mali, whose ancient heritage has created a sophistication in their music that they lead Africa's musical creativity, the combined legacy of Tanzania's Swahili civilization and their remarkable inland people such as the Maasai can bring forth this country for the rest of the world to hear.

Average customer rating:

Rough Guide to Salsa: Second Edition Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music Zaire & Congo | Africa | International | Styles | Music Soukous | Africa | International | Styles | Music Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music Afro-Cuban | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music Salsa | Latin Music | Styles | Music Mambo | Latin Music | Styles | Music Salsa & Merengue | Compilations | Latin Music | Styles | Music Rhumba | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: United We Swing Rough Guide to Salsa Dura NYC The Rough Guide to Salsa Dance: Second Edition The Greatest Salsa Ever, Vol. 1 The Greatest Salsa Ever, Vol. 2 ASIN: B000PHW2JK Release Date: 2007-06-05

Tracks:

1. MACOLLA - Homenaje a la Música Latina
2. JIMMY BOSCH - Que Bonito Es Soñar
3. WAYNE GORBEA - Prakatun!
4. CUBANOSON - Recordando a Cuba
5. SONORA CARRUSELES - El Gato Boogaloo
6. KEKELE - Consequence
7. RICARDO LEMVO & MAKINA LOCA - Papa Na Bana
8. ANGEL MELENDEZ & THE 911 MAMBO ORCHESTRA - Ven Pa' Que Goze
9. ALEX WILSON R&B - Latino
10. GRUPO CARIBE - Sombre Una Tumba Una Rumba
11. YUMURI Y SUS HERMANOS - Mi Salsa Tiene Candela
12. BIO RITMO - Atrevete
13. FRUKO Y SUS TESOS - La Máquina Del Sabor

Album Description

Salsa is the smouldering, up tempo Latin dance style that has taken the world by storm. Rooted in Africa and honed in South America, salsa has become an institution - danced everywhere from Havana to Helsinki and from New York to New Zealand. In The Rough Guide To Salsa (Second Edition) compiler Pablo Yglesias has selected tracks guaranteed to get your feet spiralling round the dance floor and especially sequenced to simulate an evening at a salsa club, with the pace ranging from beginner's lessons to strictly professional, all in one incredible flow.

Artists include - Macolla, Jimmy Bosch, Wayne Gorbea, Cubanoson, Sonora Carruseles, Kekele, Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca, Angel Melendez & The 911 Mambo Orchestra, Alex Wilson, Grupo Caribe, Yumurí Y Sus Hermanos, Bio Ritmo, Fruko y Sus Tesos

Average customer rating:

Rough Guide to World Party Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Compilations | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music | Ambient | Dance Pop | Disco | Drum & Bass | Electronica | Freestyle | Techno-House | Trance | Trip Hop General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | International General | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | International General | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Dance & DJ | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 International | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Rough Guide's Off the Beaten Track Music Rough Guides: Out of This World Rough Guide to the Blues Rough Guide to Bollywood Gold Rough Guide to Salsa Dura NYC ASIN: B000M5AKJE Release Date: 2007-02-20

Tracks:

1. Conjunto Imagen - Ave Maria Lola
2. Chichi Peralta Y Son Familia - La Ciguapa
3. Moises Santana - Alegria
4. Canal - Mud Madness
5. Lopez Walker - Fly Away
6. Tinarawen - Alkhar Dessouf
7. Mohammed Issa Matona - Msumeno
8. E.T. Mensah - Menzi Menzi
9. Musafir - Hanji Mara Lalou Sa
10. Diego Carrasco - Aserejé
11. Deaf Shepherd - Millenium Village
12. Ringsgwandl- Heavy Metal Landler
13. The Prodigals - The Morning After
14. Dr. Michael White - Louisina-i-a

Album Description

The Rough Guide to World Party is the perfect soundtrack to some of the world's most spectacular festivals and celebrations. From the swinging jazz of New Orleans Mardi Gras to the African blues of the Festival in the Desert, and from the driving samba rhythms of Brazil 's Rio Carnival, to Pushkar's amazing camel fair, this release features a stunning selection of tracks from the critically acclaimed Rough Guide series.

Artists include - Conjunto Imagen, Chichi Peralta Y Son Familia, Moisés Santana, Canal, Lopez Walker, Tinariwen, Mohammed Issa Matona, E.T. Mensah, Musafir Diego Carrasco, Deaf Shepherd, Ringsgwandl, The Prodigals and Dr. Michael White

Pop Music:

1. Round Dance in Beauty
2. Sambas De Enredo Inesqueciveis II [Import]
3. Schnee [Import]
4. Songs of a Macedonian Gypsy [Import]
5. Songs of WWII Jewish Resistance
6. Su Majestad la Cumbia Andina
7. Talents du Siecle, Vol. 1 [Import]
8. The Following Generation
9. The Rough Guide to Scottish Music
10. The Rough Guide to The Music of India & Pakistan

Pop Music