Wayne Bledsoe
Run Date	1/25/2004
Body Text	One of the commonalities between cultures all over the world is music. The languages are different, but the emotions and the notes are there. Years ago, finding good music from various parts of the world might mean that you actually had to visit different parts of the world. Today, it's easy to find world music at CD stores and on the Web. One of the most familiar music exports is South Africa's Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Since being featured on Paul Simon's 1986 album "Graceland," the group has taken its soothing a cappella combination of gospel and indigenous South African music across the world. The group's latest, "Raise Your Spirit Higher (Wenyukela)" (Heads Up Records), is a beauty. Inspired somewhat by the loss of the wife of group leader Joseph Shambalala, the disc is filled with songs (sung in Zulu) that address faith, respect and understanding. The 10 voices combine in a sort of call-response form accented by clicks, pops and trills. In contrast, "The Rough Guide to African Rap" (World Music Network) may surprise both rap and non-rap fans. The compilation makes stops in several African countries. While several of the tracks are in English, the rhythms and unusual instrumentation belie the songs' origins. The same can be said of "The Rough Guide to Brazilian Electronica." While all of the elements are there -- dance beats, samples, keyboards and trippy effects -- the Latin and jazz influence is far heavier than in most American electronica, and the European influences are different European influences. And sometimes it doesn't hurt that you can't understand the words. The Rough Guide series, overall, is one of the coolest sources for any World Music. Other recent releases include collections dedicated to the music of Morocco, Venezuela, Arabia, Colombian salsa and Bollywood movie goddesses Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle (the latter the subject of the Cornershop pop hit "Brimful of Asha"). "Oxfam Arabia" cuts a wide swath across the region with plenty of folk mixed in with the pop. "The Music of China" runs the gamut of Chinese pop from charming numbers by 1930s movie musical queens to the fun of the all-teenage-girl, Beijing-based punk band Hang on the Box to more traditional modern artists. When it comes to music that makes you want to move and dance, "The Music of Egypt" is inspirational. Ali Hassan Kuban's "Henna" (taken from his album "Walk Like a Nubian") is can't-sit-still stuff. It's followed by Mohamed Mounir's "Sala Fi Serri We Gahri" -- sort of Egyptian chill-out music. There are similarities to the Egyptian music in "The Music of Morocco." However, it still has its own flavor. It may sound exotic to ears accustomed to Top 40 radio, but it can be entirely entrancing. "Bollywood Legends: Asha Bhosle" and "Bollywood Legends: Lata Mangeskar" are actually a little more disconcerting. "Bollywood" refers to the Indian movie musicals that often mix American- and European-influenced music with more traditional Indian folk. The movies' grandiosity and implausibility could make "Singin' in the Rain" seem like a documentary. The Bhosle disc begins with a jump-blues/rock 'n' roll number from 1956 and follows with a slightly techno number from 1990. Bhosle's voice, even into old age, is high and girlish. Mangeshkar's voice is slightly sweeter and her accompaniments a little less wild. Both can be oddly addictive. It's always tempting to bemoan the loss of innocence that the modern age continually brings. And something may be lost by the musical cross-pollination that comes from such easy access to music from around the globe. But then again, it is wonderful be able to hear all of these sounds and know that there is something that connects us all. Wayne Bledsoe may be reached at 865-342-6444 or bledsoe@knews.com.