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Sing Out!, CD Review >>
VARIOUS
Sound of the World Presents: Beyond the Horizon
Warner Music UK 5144288632
Few humans have devoted so much time and energy into promoting international music as BBC Radio 3 personality Charlie Gillett. Expanding his 1970 rock music-focused book, The Sound of the City, into a one-man institution, Sound of the World is his show and, by extension, defines his investigative work. Since 2000, Gillett has released an annual two-album compilation highlighting what he feels to be the creme of the past year's releases. On this latest installment, he collects 34 songs representing 28 countries. As usual, his taste is excellent. He does not favor old or new, east or west, and so many other opposites that can easily skew a mind in one direction or another. So you'll find Israel's Yasmin Levy on the tender ballad, "Una Noche Mas," right before kora master Toumani Diabete expressing faith in Allah before launching into the acoustic "Ismael Drame." Senegal is well-represented; mbalax singer Youssou N'Dour and hip-hop star Awadi both appear, and the undeniably danceable Orchestra Baobab light up the floor with "Ndeleng Ndeleng." Next door in The Gambia, Juldeh Camera cooked up one of last year's finest albums with UK guitarist Justin Adams, Soul Science. "Ngamen" is a fine example of the duo's fascinating collaboration/ Ojos de Brujo is another band that interweaves many sounds, and former vocalist Palmoa Diaz has continued this evolutionary trend in flamenco with her group Almasäla, featured here with the light drum 'n bass undertones of "Els Nens Sens Memoria." Another artist to flip flamenco on its head was Manu Chao, who uses just about any sound imaginable in his sonic creations. "Me Llaman Calle," from his unfortunately lackluster La Radiolina, is a great choice. Brazil's CéU is also contributing to the progression of Latin sound; we see her softer side on "Bobagem." Gillett closes out with a tribute: Lucky Dube's 1983 hit, "Slave." The South African reggae singer was one of his continent's biggest stars until he was killed in a carjacking attempt in 2007. ---- DB 03/15/09
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