Foreign music recommendations

[NWP]

I think it would be interesting to hear about some artists that people really enjoy, but aren't from their homeland and don't speak their primary language.

I'm from the USA, and people here tend to ignore any music that isn't from the USA or England/Ireland.

My favorite foreign band is Almamegretta from Napoli, Italy. I'm not too into the electronic direction they've been taking in recent years, but I absolutely love two of their earlier albums: Animamigrante and Sanacore.

Here are two examples:
http://media.putfile.com/01---O-Bbuono-e-o-malamente
http://media.putfile.com/08---Nun-te-scurda

I have also been enjoying Orishas lately too. I don't know their whole story, but apparently thay are a bunch of Cubans that grew up in France. They have an interesting mix of hip-hop and traditional cuban music.

http://media.putfile.com/01-orishas-naci_orishas-wwwmp3-escom

[tomsi42]

I visited Cuba a few years ago and have become fond of their music. The soundtrack from "Buena Vista Social Club" is a good starting point. My favourites would be Isaac DElgado and Ibrahim Ferrer.

[Siduhe]

You might want to check out Nacional Records http://nacionalrecords.com/2005/ which has some interesting Latin stuff on - may be a bit too electronic for you. At the moment I'm really into Sara Valenzuela.

I find http://www.emusic.com a really great resource of (legal) world music downloads and once you've downloaded a few things, the recommendations for me have been pretty spot on. There's a free trial which lets you keep about 25 mp3s even if you decide not to subscribe.

And if you like Orishas, what about Ozomatli (home grown USA) ?

[snarlydwarf]

My personal obsession is Brazil: I blame David Byrne.

Around the time he release Rei Momo (latin-inspired music), he also released the first two Brazil Classics albums. (And made a lot of reviewers mad: "Oh, no, he's just taking Brazilian musc and stamping his name on the compilation! What a ripoff!") The beauty of his plan was that with his name on it, record stores started filing it under David Byrne instead of burying it under World Music, which in the late 80's was death.

Brazil Classics 1 and 2 are still definite must-haves. A great variety of music and artists. Brazil Classics 3 you have to be in the right mood for ... Forró is almost an acquired taste (think Zydeco). And #4 is great if you love experimental music.

Or if you see anything by: Jobim, Caetano Veloso, Elis Regina, Marisa Monte, Gilberto Gil... buy it. Most of them do have videos on youtube if you want to sample.

If you're more into rock-n-roll, Skank, Jota Quest and Nação Zumbi are all great.

Oh, yeah, and try to listen to Radio David Byrne at least once or twice a month. He runs a 3-hour-repeat cycle every month and often has a world music theme. (Though this month it is what he calls "Avant Pop".)

Irony of life: in the 60's, Caetano and Gilberto Gil were exiled from Brazil for protesting the dictatorship in power at the time. And now: Gilberto Gil is the Minister of Culture. (Which says interesting things about Brazil: why doesn't the US have a Secretary of Culture? Because we value media-mind-meld more than culture.)

[Patrick Dixon]

If you are interested in 'world music', you should listen to 'Late Junction' on BBC Radio 3 (which is available on listen again, via the web or Alien BBC). It contains a mixture of all kinds of things some of which may well inspire you to investigate further.

[rocky2889]

I find http://www.emusic.com a really great resource of (legal) world music downloads and once you've downloaded a few things, the recommendations for me have been pretty spot on.

Is Emusic provide any lossless files or only MP3? I cannot find any information unless you join them.

[Siduhe]

Only MP3 (VBR though, usually about 192kbps) - see the About Emusic section about halfway down under Flexibility.

http://www.emusic.com/about/index.html

[Khuli]

I saw Spanish band Amparanoia a couple of years ago and they were excellent.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000244PUK/sr=8-2/qid=1150187021

A sort of 'urban' salsa...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/world/reviews/amparanoia_rebeldia.shtml

[tomsi42]

As many of us forum members are from non-UK speaking countries, we should recommend some of our stuff!

As a starter, I will recommed these norwegian artists:

- Kari Bremnes
- Gåte
- Mari Boine

Cheers,
Tom.

[TCM]

As many of us forum members are from non-UK speaking countries, we should recommend some of our stuff!



And one group from Sweden

bob hund [ http://www.silence.se/bobhund ]

/Håkan

[Nikhil]

As many of us forum members are from non-UK speaking countries, we should recommend some of our stuff!



OK how about something from India. I know a lot of people, myself included, don't like the high pitched Indian female vocals that are typical of Indian film music. This is different. Shweta Jhaveri is an Indian classical vocalist, and this album is based on the traditional raga structure but incorporates modern western elements through the use of violins, guitars, bass and percussion. Its one of my favourite albums, check it out (especially track 5)

http://www.jennyscheinman.com/cds_shwetajhaveri-anahita.html

Cheers,

Nikhil

[drewe181]

try Tobias Froberg. he's a swedish pianist and guitarist. a bit folky. very cool.

A french group called Nouvelle Vague do some awesome cover versions of classic songs with a bossa nova, lounge music twist such as Dead Kennedy's song too drunk to fuck. the Clashs Guns of Brixton...

[tomjtx]

check out Manu Chao, his best cd is Clandestino

[slimjim]

I enjoyed listening to Clandestino as well.

I found these two entertaining:
Pepe & the Bottle Blondes -- Late Night Betty
Lhasa -- La Llorona

------
Ken

[Paul Webster]

If you point your Squeezebox at Internet Radio - and look for Radioio - and then for RadioioWorld you will get a pretty good selection.
It is where I tend to go when I can't summon up the energy to browse and select from my own collection.

When I do go to mine, it tends to be Africa, "Gipsy" and Cuba that I turn to.
Some of the less well known include: Afrissipi, Goran Bregovic, La Caravane Electro, Orchestra Baobab, Issa Bagayogo, Kaouding Cissoko, Konono Nr. 1, Renaud Garcia-Fons ...

another idea - have a listen to the artists that Ry Cooder has recorded with.

See my played tracks on LastFM for an unusual mix.

[adamslim]

another idea - have a listen to the artists that Ry Cooder has recorded with.

Yeah that would work :)

Some random ideas from the hip:

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan sang Islam (Sufi) devotional music, and was amazing. A true great, should be heard by all.

There's loads of excellent African stuff that is 'poppy' but great to dance to or listen to - Salif Keita, Youssou N'dour, Geoffrey Oryema and Angelique Kidjo are some of my favourites.

I have a curious predilection for Tuvan throat-singing - Shu-De is great, but kinda odd...

Ali Farka Toure. You must get some (see Ry Cooder...!)

Mariza is very big at the moment - sad Portuguese music, lovely voice.

Buena Vista Social Club seconded; great party music. I like Orchestra Baobab too.

All good stuff :)

Adam

[lrossouw]

Quite a coincidence: As i'm currently listening to my foreign playlist. I'm from south africa, so some of my non-foreign music should be foreign to you, but here is some mutual foreign singers in this playlist: (i provide the last.fm links)

Césaria Évora (http://www.last.fm/music/C%C3%A9saria+%C3%89vora) - Lovely Portugese songs. Very chill. She's from Cape Verde islannds.

Henri Salvador (http://www.last.fm/music/Henri+Salvador) - Also chill. Bit romantic maybe but not bad. Originally from French Guiana.

Buena Vista Social Club (http://www.last.fm/music/Buena+Vista+Social+Club) - Can't go wrong here... Cuba calling.

Youssou N'Dour (http://www.last.fm/music/Youssou+N%27Dour) - Probably one of the best known African singers. (Seven Seconds is his famous track). Seen him perform this duet with Annie Lennox. Brilliant stuff. From Senegal.

Baaba Maal (http://www.last.fm/music/Baaba+Maal) - Another great African. Lovely sound. Haven't listened to his albums yet, but live his voice is beautiful. Also from Senegal.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo (http://www.last.fm/music/Ladysmith+Black+Mambazo) - from my country but have performed everywhere and with everyone. Made famous by Paul Simon (they performed extensively on Graceland). Lovely male vocal group. Had to do one South African group.

Clicking on similar artists in last.fm should bring you more good music.

[CardinalFang]

I think it would be interesting to hear about some artists that people really enjoy, but aren't from their homeland and don't speak their primary language.

The new CD by Rodrigo y Gabriela is two Mexican thrash metal fans who play a mixture of Flamenco and other percussive jazz techniques. It sounds stunning when cranked up - great imaging and dynamics and some of the guitar thumps sound so real. If you are quick, there's a limited eidtion with a DVD where they show you how to play...

[totoro]

Radio Tarifa -- interesting Spanish group who mix in some Middle Eastern Music, as well as old Spanish influences and flamenco

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan -- I second Adam's recommendation

Arild Andersen -- Norwegian bass player

Gianluigi Trovesi -- Italian sax player (there's a pretty vibrant Italian jazz scene right now)

Rabih Abou Khalil -- oud player who plays a sort of combination of jazz and world music (but without sounding like New Age music).

Mystere de Voix Bulgare -- really interesting female chorus music from Bulgaria

[tomjtx]

Vicente Amigo is a modern flamenco guitarist who has carried on the Paco de Lucia innovation.

Ketama is another interesting group mixing flamenco with world music.

If your ever in Madrid check out Casa Pata , one of the most non commercial and inovative flamenco bars in Spain

[ob_kook]

Since there is nothing from Japan posted yet, I figured I'd throw a couple up here.

Love Psychedelico - If you like Sheryl Crow, give her a listen.
Bonnie Pink - female vocalist. Best CD: Evil and Flowers
Rip SLyme - Japanese Hip Hop.Tokyo Classic is their best CD
Yoshida Brothers - modern music played on very traditional Shamisen instruments. Very cool.
Thee Michelle Gun Elephant (TMGE) - raw rock/punk/blues - shades of the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
THe Surf Coasters - some of the fastest surf guitar ever. Really impressive!

Hope you enjoy!

Kook

[chrysalis]

This Head-Fi thread has world music recommendations: http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=146597

Ken

[gusi]

Kanda Bongo Man - Amour Fou makes it frequently to my playlist. Funky and upbeat.

Cheik Lo - Ne La Thias is more loungy but very nice too.

Leo Bukky(?) and black egypt he played at womad this year. He used to be in Fela Kuti's band and has a similar style.

Natacha Atlas has an arab fusion thing going. Trans global underground is not bad either but the albums tend to be a bit harshly recorded. Their rythm section went on as temple of sound.

Afro Celt sound system volume 2 goes off as well. You can't sit still when that is on.

Jesus Alemanie is a Cuban muso his albums are great too and have a more modern sound than th BVSC albums.

For 70's rock that never quite made it in the US and UK check out Herman Brood from Holland, Street and Spritz are classic and any Cold Chisel, East from Australia (played to death over here). Both are contemporaries of the Police.


Buena Vista, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Ali Farka Toure, Cesaria Evora are all seconded. I like the two Ruben Gonzalez Albums the best out of that series.

A good way to work on your "local" collection is to go to a record store with a few hundred bucks each time you are overseas and get the staff to recommend the best local music. You may not like everything but you always get a few gems.

If the womad festival comes to your home town (or nearby) that is really worthwhile too.

Happy Exploring.

[DerekDenyer]

I think it would be interesting to hear about some artists that people really enjoy, but aren't from their homeland and don't speak their primary language.


I've discovered lots of gems by subscribing to a magazine called songlines. It comes out 7 times a year and there is a cover mount CD on each with at least 10 new tracks. The magazine is worth a read too. Check out www.songlines.co.uk. They do do US subscriptions.

I'd tell you what I liked, but musical tastes are so varied, that I think it best to listen to as much different stuff as you can, then delve deeper into genres or artists that grab your attention.

Derek

[adamslim]

I've discovered lots of gems by subscribing to a magazine called songlines. It comes out 7 times a year and there is a cover mount CD on each with at least 10 new tracks. The magazine is worth a read too. Check out www.songlines.co.uk. They do do US subscriptions.

Well thanks I'd forgotten about Songlines - I got a few issues many years ago. Just subscribed - thanks for reminding me!

Adam

[reverber]

I second the Manu Chao and Mystere de Voix Bulgares.
The Bulgarian choir is highly recommended to fans of Dead Can Dance/Cocteau Twins.

Ivo Papasov (also Bulgarian) - Clarinet-weilding Gypsy wedding band leader who leads his band through a workout like a rabbit leading a pack of pursuing hounds.

Vlatko Stefanovski and Miroslav Tadic (Macedonia) - Krushevo is an album recorded straight to two track in a Macedonian War Memorial. Like Friday Night in San Francisco, but with the unusual Balkan time signatures.

Telek (PNG) - Slow, simmering tribal atmospherics on Peter Gabriel's Real World label.

Also, check out the Rough Guide and Putumayo series. They provide nice (but sometimes cheesy) samplers of non-English musics.

Cody

[bephillips]

If you like Cuban Music, check out Orchestra Baobab from Senegal in the early '80s when there was a Cuban music craze in Senegal. Good Album: Pirate's Choice.

Rock en Español: Julietta Venegas, Café Tacuba, Molotov, Los Fabulosas Cadillacs, Todo Tus Muertos.

African:
Nigerian Juju: King Sunny Ade, Chief Commander Ebeneezer Obey.
African Jazz: Fela Kuti, Hugh Masekela,

Rai, North African-French music like Khaled, Cheb Mami, Cheb Sabah, Rashid Taha

Pakistani Qawwali music: The great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

Enjoy

[richidoo]

This is cool!
http://www.fimpression.com/detail.aspx?ID=35
Sample online.

Rich

[Havoc]

Laika & The Cosmonauts (instrumental), Loïtuma (excellent finnish folk), Nightwish (finnish gothik), Stratovarius (finnish rock), Jaques Loussier Trio (french classical inspired jazz)

[RalphO]

I have to support everyone who has receommended Cuban music. I recently picked up a CD called Cuban Nights (Compilation). It is great.

I really like exploring Latin stuff but it is a bit hit or miss.

I also have a recommendation that moves away from the original post. Kirsty MacColl (before her tragic death) got into Brazilian music. Her last album was called Tropical Brainstorm, some really good stuff on it.

[adamslim]

Please can we stop this thread as it's getting too expensive ;)

Ravi Shankar - great sitar player. He taught George Harrison how to play the sitar, for which he can now be forgiven, and fathered Norah Jones, which is probably something of interest to the lawyers at the Hague. Portrait of Genius is probably a good place to start.

Adam