Drop the Debt [Import]

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 12, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: World Village USA
• ASIN: B00008CQR2
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #570,648 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Baba

2. Quem Pode

3. Il Faut Payer (Devo E Não Nego)

4. Tudo Vale a Pena

5. Cosas Pa' Pensar

6. Boor-Yi

7. Cadeau Empoisonné

8. Assez

9. Osca Sankara

10. Tilma [Remix]

11. The Third World Cries Everyday

12. Rosebud [#]

13. Bana

14. Murimi Munhu

15. Argent Trop Cher

16. Gracias a la Vida

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This CD compilation is a musical proposal to cancel the debt with which many so-called third world countries are saddled. According to the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, 38% of the budget of African countries is devoted to debt servicing of loans from the World Bank and IMF; this is more than the amount these countries allocate for education, health, and other social services. Put together by Lusafrica label head François Mauger, the 16-track collection features mostly unreleased music from Cesaria Evora, Lenine, Massilia Sound System, Oliver Mtukudzi and others. Highlights include the Chico Cesar & Les Faboulous Trobadors’ hyper-modern café amalgamation "Il Faut Payer" and Sally Nyolo and Shingo’s hand drum-driven "Tilma." An artful argument against a crippling economic ailment, it's hard not to agree with the message when it is so eloquently put forward by musicians who actually come from the countries in question. No "We Are The World" crap from the sidelines here. --Tad Hendrickson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Bouquet from the Third World, August 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Drop the Debt (Audio CD)

This fantastic singing, dancing album is composed of 16 songs from musical artists from around the world, all raising their voices against the grinding poverty that is the result of their nation's efforts to repay interest on development loans dating back to the 1960s. The CD, which was featured on NPR in an interview with producer Francois Mauger, offers gorgeous melodies, great polyrhythms, and incredibly poetic lyrics, many focusing on hopes for their children's future. Many of these musicians are little known in the U.S., but big stars at home. They include Zedess from Burkina Faso, Cape Verde's Cesaria Evora, Brazil's Chico Cesar, Lenine, and Fernanda Abreu, Zimbabwe's Oliver Mtukudzi, Cameroon's Sally Nyolo, Colombia's Totó La Momposina, and the incredible El Hadj N'Diaye of Senegal. His "Boor-yi" is my choice for the CD's most haunting, evocative song. All have donated their talents to spread their beauty, harmony, and "Drop the Debt" message around the world.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Drop the Debt," a bouquet of songs from the Third World, August 21, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Drop the Debt (Audio CD)

"Drop the Debt" is a superb anthology of 16 heartfelt songs by some of the greatest popular artists of Africa and South America. I bought it right after hearing a track from it on NPR and it more than fulfills its promise. With beautiful melodies, great polyrhythms and instrumentation, and touching lyrics, all the songs address the most unpoetic subject imaginable -- the crisis of Third World Debt. And yet they do so poetically; all the lyrics are amazing. My favorites include "Cadeau Empoisonne" (Poisoned Gift), "Dolores dollares" (Dolorous Dollars), and "This land belongs to our children, It's in their name that we demand the debt be cancelled." Parisian Francois Mauger commissioned the songs which are sung in French, Portuguese, Spanish, and several African languages. All the musicians have donated their talent and proceeds from sales benefit an international Debt & Development Organization. Support the cause and enjoy the music!