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The Best of 2004

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The Beat, The Best of 2004 >>

In this annual feature, our columnists, contributors and other authorities and observers in the world music world select their favorite sounds of the past year, a year that once again demonstrated the urgent need to heed the call for world peace through world music.

Top of the Tens: As usual, our contentious panel of experts was all over the map with its choices, but it was the Saharan sands and songs from Senegal with strings from the Nile that carried the year.

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD!

(the picks)


IAN ANDERSON

Editor, fRoots Magazine, London, England

Top Ten World Roots

Aynur, Kece Kurdan (Kalan) (Turkey/ Kurdish)

Andrew Cronshaw, Ochre (Cloud Valley) (England)

Ross Daly, Microcnsmos (L'Empreinte Digitals)

Jaojoby, Malagasy (Marabi) (Madagascar)

La Talvera, Ponle Mon Poble (Cordae La Talvera) Occitan)

Various Artists, Mandekalou: The Art and Soul of the Mande Griots (Syllarl) (Mali)

Old Swan Band, Swan Upmanship (Wild Goose) (England)

Huong Thanh, Mangustao (ACT Music) (Vietnam/Various)

Think of One, Chuva Em Po (Zunl/LCM) Brazil)

Vahoka, Introducing (World Music Network) (Madagascar)

(Alphabetical) All the above are new single artist cds, so it omits reissues and compilations like Amparanoia, Rebeldia Con Alegria (CMI-Spain), Bemebeya Jazz, The Syliphone Years (Stern’s), The Mekons, Heaven and Hell (Cooking Vinyl), Tsapiky, A Panorama From Tulear (Arion), Suburban Bucharest (Trikont) and Zanzibar Soul and Rhythm (Jahazi) which were among the year’s most played, especially in the car. [www.frootsmag.com]

 

BANNING EYRE

Writer, producer, "Afropop Worldwide," senior editor, wvw.afropop.org

Afropop Top Ten

Ba Cissoko, Sabolan (Marabi) (Guinea)

Daara J, Boomerang (Wrasse) (Senegal)

Eva Ayllon, Eva! Leyanda Peruana (Times Square) (Peru)

Ganybe Brass Band, Whendo (Contre Jour) (Benin)

Lobi Traore, Mali Blue (World Village) (Mali)

Mory Xante, Sabou (Riverboat) (Guinea)

Papa Wemba and Viva la Musica, Hwana Molokai 1977-1997 (Stem's Music) (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Shiyani Ngcobo, Introducing Shiyani Ngcobo (World Music Network) (South Africa)

Tinariwen, Amassakoul (World Village) (Mali)

Youssou N'Dour, Egypt (Nonesuch) Egypt)

SID WHELAN

Columnist, The Beat

African Beat Top Ten

Shiyani Ncohn, Introducing Shiyani Nuobo (World Music Network) (South Africa)

Gangbe Brass Band, Whendo (Roots Racines) (Contre-Jour) (Benin)

Tinariwen, Amassakoul (World Village) (Mali)

Peru Negro, Jolgorio (Times Square) (Peru)

Mory Kante, Sabou (World Music Network) (Mali)

Bonga, Kaxexe (Times Square) (Angola)

Abdul Tee-Jay, Palm Wine A Go Go (Respect/ Far Side Music) (Sierra Leone)

Garifuna Music: Field Recordings from Belize (ARC Music)

Keletigui Diahate, Santliya (Contre-Jour) (Mali)

Vakoka, Introducing Vakoka (World Music Network) (Madagascar)

Comment: The first six selections are all number-one material.


RICHARD GEHR

Contributor, Village Voice, Blender, Tracks

Top Ten Reasons to Keep the Shortwave Wound

Mono Pause, Neung Phak (Abduction) (U.S.)

Various Artists, Princess Nicotine: Folk and Pop Music of Myanmar (Sublime Frequencies) (Burma)

Youssou N’Dour, Egypt (Nonesuch) (Senegal)

Various Artists, Cambodian Cassette Archives: Khmer Folk and Pop Music, Vol. One (Sublime Frequencies)

Various Artists, Lif Up Yuh Leg an Trample (Honest Jon’s) (Trinidad)

Kiran Ahluwalia, Beyond Boundaries (Kiran Music) (Canada)

Antibalas, Who Is This America? (Ropeadope) (U.S.)

Lo’Jo, Ce Soir La (World Village) (France)

Jaojoby, Malagasy (Discorama) (Madagascar)

Tinariwen, Amassakoul (World Village) (Mali)

TOM ORR

Contributor, The Beat, Global Rhythm, www.worldmusiccentral.org, www.rootsworirj.com and others.

Top Ten Movers, Groovers and Attitude Improves

Ska Cubano, Ska Cubano (Casinosounds) (Cub/U.K./Jamaica)

Youssou N’Dour, Egypt (Nonesuch) (Senegal/Egypt)

Lhasa, The Living Road (Warner) (Canada)

Antibalas, Who Is This America? (Ropeadope) (U.S)

Version City Rockers, Darker Roots (Antifaz) (U.S./Jamaica)

Emeline Michel, Rasin Kreyol (Times Square) (Haiti)

Groundation, We Free Again (Young Tree) (U.S.)

Keletigui Diabate, Snadiya (Contre-Jour) (Mali)

Mory Kante, Sabou (Riverboat/World Music Network) (Guinea)

Vakoka, Introducing Vakoka (World Music Network) (Madagascar)

Plus enough runners-up to get me in trouble. The United States seemed to have a hand in a lot of exceptional music in 2004; perhaps we’re not as screwy as we look to the rest of the world. Best trend of the year: Considerable improvement in the ethno/techno realm, seen in good works from Ex-Centric Sound System, Mercan Dede, Dzihan and Kamien Orchestra and Ojos de Brujo.



STEVE HEILIG

Columnist, The Beat; musical fundamentalist

Top Ten with No Borders/Apologies

Tinariwen, Amassakoul (World Village) (Mali)

Youssou N’Dour, Egypt (Nonesuch) (Senegal/Egypt)

Little Axe, Champagne and Grits (RealWorld) (U.S.)

Bonga, Kaxexe (Times Square) (Angola)

Poncho Sanchez, Out of Sight (Concord Picante) (Puerto Rico/U.S.)

Gilberto Girl, The Early Years (Wrasse) (Brazil)

Linton Kwesi Johnson, Live in Paris (LKJrecords.com) (U.K./Jamaica)

Gayan Uttejak Orchestra, Aeon (Arka Sound) (Hungary)

Issa Bagayogo, Tassoumakan (Six Degrees) (Mali)

Bobby Beausoleil, Lucifer Rising (Arcanum) (Prison)

Crucial reggae reissues: Burning Spear, Creation Rebel (Hearbeat), Upsetters, Super Ape (Hip-O), Upsetters, 14 Blackboard Jungle Dub (Auralux), Wailers, Baurnin’ (Universal), Retro-African: Papa Weba, Mwana Molokai (Stern’s). Onstage: Kekele, Bayanga, Easy Star All-Stars, Youssou N’Dour, Antibalas, Country Joe and the Fish!



BOB TARTE

Columnist, The Beat; slave to pet parrots, ducks, geese

Top Nine World Music Releases

Issa Bagayago, Tassoumakan (Six Degrees)

Charanga Cakewalk, Loteria de la Cumbia Lounge (Artemis/Triloka)

Shiyani Ngcobo, Introducing Shiyani Ngcobo (World Music Network)

Triakel, Songs from 63 Degrees North (NorthSide)

Various Artists, Afro Baby (Sound Way)

Various Artists, Singing in the Streets: Scottish Children’s Songs (Rounder)

Various Artists, This Is Reggae Music: The Golden Era 1960-75 (Trojan/Sanctuary)

Warsaw Village Band, People’s Spring (World Village)

Wimme Saari, Instinct (NorthSide)

Bob Tarte is the author of Enslaved by Ducks (Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill). Info at http://www.enslavedbyducks.com



BRIAN DRING

Columnist, The Beat

Top Ten Zouk/Compas/Soca/Other Caribbean

Kassav, Ktoz (Up Music)

Emeline Michel, Rasin Kreyol (Times Square)

Chris Combette, La Dense de Flore (Creon Music)

Izaline Calister, Krioyo (Network)

Mario Canonge, Rhizome (0+ Music/Network)

Various Artists, Soca Gold 2004 (VP)

Various Artists, Caribbean Grooves Vol. One (Victory/Rituals)

Talina, Je Suis Prete (Section Zouk)

Misty Jean, Plus Pres de Toi (Kreyol Music)

Spoity Boys, Gimi Wan Kans (Multitrack)



ROBERT(O) LEAVER

Columnist, The Beat; world and Latin buyer, Amoeba Music, Hollywood, CA; recovering record producer.

Top Ten Worldly Favorites

Manolito Simonet y su Trabuco, Locos Por Mi La Habana (Egrem)

Lhasa, The living Road (Warner)

Bebo Valdes and El Cigala, Lagrimas Negras (BMG)

Ojos de Brujo, Bari (World Village)

Los Lobos, The Ride (Universal)

Maria Rita, Maria Rita (WEA)

Anthony Blea y su Charanga, Virgen de la Caridad (Rumba Jams)

Bacilos, Sin Verguenza (WEA)

Tinariwen, Amassakoul (World Village)

El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Aqui Estamos y de Verdad (Sony Discos)

(In the order that I heard them) Reissue of the year: Bembeya Jazz, Syliphone Years (Stern’s)



JOHANNES THEURER

Radio presenter/producer, Berlin, Germany; secretary of World Music Charts Europe

World Music Charts Europe Top Ten

Lhasa, The Living Road (Warner Jazz) (Canada)

Youssou N'Dnur, Egypt (Nonesuch) (Senegal)

Rachid Taha, Tekitoi (Barclay) (France/Algeria)

Toto Bona Lokua, Toto Bona Lokua (Exil Music) (Various)

Te Vaka, Tutuki (Warm Earth) (New Zealand)

Huong Thanh, Mangustao (ACT Music) (Vietnam/France)

David Darling and the Wulu Bunun, Mudanin Kata (Riverboat) (Taiwan/U.S.)

Khaled, Ya-Rayi (Universal) (Algeria)

Omara Portuondo, Flor de Amor (World Circuit/Nonesuch) (Cuba)

Enzo Avitabile and Bottari, Save the World (Wrasse) (Italy)

The top 10 of 953 nominatedl records compiled by Johannes Theurer and Tobias Maier on behalf of the Worid Music Workshop of the European Broadcasting Union, [www.wmce.de ]

 

CC SMITH

Editor/Publisher, Beat Magazine; occasional radio host KPFK-FM, KXLU-FM, Los Angeles

Top Ten Global Grooves

Izaline Calister, Krioyo (Network)

Aurelio Marline;, Garifuna Soul (Stone Tree)

Youssou N'Dour, Egypt (Nonesuch)

Abdul Tee-Jay, Palm Wine A Go Go (Far Side)

Toots and the Maytals, True Love (V2)

Rokia Traore, Bowmboi (Nonesuch)

Monty Alexander and Ernest Ranglin. Rocksteady (Telarc)

Maria de Barros, Nha Mundo {Narada}

Sekou Diabate, Guitar Fo {World Village)

Orchestra Makassy, Legends of East Africa: The Original Recordings (ARC Music cd)

Just under the line: Enzo Avitabite, Save the World (Wrasse), Antibalas, Who Is This America? (Ropeadope). Reissues: Simare Massiya Lutumba, Faute Ya Commercant (Iigoyarto). Tiers Monde Cooperation Bowayo and Omesongo (Ngoyarto) Fond adieus to Brenda Fassie, Twahir Mhamed, Gnonnas Pedro, Coxson Dodd Ray Charles. Thank you for the music!




MARA WEISS AND NEGO BETO

Columnists, The Beat; Brazil Beat Sound System

Top 10 Brazilian Albums

Bebel Gilberto, Bebel Gilberto (Six Degrees)

Cabruera, O Samba da Minha (Terra Nikita)

Eletro Samba, Eletro Samba (Sony Intl.)

Rosalia de Souza, Garota Diferente (The Remix Album) (Schema)

Giramundo Fernanda, Porto (Trama)

Tribo de Jah, Guerreiros da Tribo (Indie)

Paula Morelenbaum, Berimbaum (Universal Latino)

Cidade Negra, Perto de Deus (Sony Intl.)

Ramiro Musotto, Sudaka (Fast Horse)

Bossacucanova, Uma Batida Diferente (Six Degrees)

In alphabetical, not hierarchical order. Compilations have not been included in this list, but very high mentions for the following: Rough Guide to Bahia, Brazil; Gilles Peterson in Brazil



EMMANUEL NADO

Producer/host, "Echoes of Africa," KKUP-FM 91.5, Cupertino, CA

African/World Top Teen

Sekouba Diabate Bembeya, Guitar Fo (Discorama/Harmonia Mundi) (Guinea)

Various Artists, Women of Africa (Putumayo)

Manu Dibango, Rough Guide to Manu Dibango {World Music Network) (Cameroon)

Various Artists, Music From the Chocolate Lands (Putumayo)

Mory Kante, Sabou (Riverboat) (Guinea)

Maika Munan, Congo Masters (NextMusic/Stem's) (RDC)

Daara J, Boomerang (Wrasse) (Senegal)

Various Artists, World 2004 (Wrasse)

Emeline Michel, Rasin Kreyol (Times Square) (Haiti)

Bonga, Kaxexe (Times Square) (Angola)

(In no particular order) www.echoesofafrica.com : e-mail: echoesofafrica@yahoo.com



DEREK RATH

Contributor, The Beat; Host, "Cosmic Barrio," KPFK-FM; club dj, Los Angeles

Cosmic Top Ten

Huong Thanh, Mangustao (ACT Music)

State of Bengal Vs, Paban Das Baul, Tana Tani (Real World)

Dhamaal Sound System, Dhamaal Sound System (Surya Vault)

Aldo Brizzi, Brizzi Do Brasll (Amiata)

Quantic, Mishaps Happening (Ubiquity)

Antibalas, Who Is This America? (Ropeadope)

Choyino Drolma and Steve TIbbetts, Selwa (Six Degrees)

Rokia Traore, Bowmboi (Nonesuch)

Tinariwen, Amassakoul (World Village)

Orchestra Makassy, Legends of East Africa (ARC Music)

(In no particular order)

 01/01/05
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