3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Around the World in 48 Minutes & Yes, That's Kermit's Cousin on the Cover, June 7, 2009
This review is from: Music Rough Guide: Out of This World (Audio CD)
After a year long sabbatical from reviewing, during which I found myself walking the streets of Soho in the rain, honeymooning down by the Seine, drinking copious amounts of coffee, and conversing with the elders (even if only in my mind), I also packed in a lot of listening to great music and I am pleased to say that I'm back to share my curdled observations, interesting discoveries, and serendipitous epiphanies about the music I have heard. When I reviewed records and books as that other guy of the same namesake, I frequently waxed excessively verbose, but with received wisdom, I will now strive to craft concise reviews short enough to easily read in 1-2 minutes or less.
Out of this World is a world music sampler compiled by the very knowledgeable founders of Rough Guide, Phil Stanton and his wife, Sandra Alayon-Stanton. On this Rough Guide 10th anniversary disc released in 2004, the Stantons literally take one around the world of `world' music from the Afro-Cuban jazz of Mamborama, to the intricate and haunting West African guitar work of Sona Diabate, to the electronica influenced Arabesque of Aisha Kandisha's Jarring Effects, to the hip hop Bhangra dance of Bombay Talkie and to the down home blues/Cajun sounds of Buckwheat Zydeco. The ten songs on Out of this World represent the best of what's been happening in the world music scene during the past 15 years, as one can hear the fusion of modern pop beats and styles with traditional ethnic instrumentations and vocals. What emerges is a record brimming with a joyous melange of exotic sounds accompanied by generously informative liner notes that serve as a travel guide of sorts to this exciting and now very accessible music. Think world beat is only Paul Simon's "Graceland" or Peter Gabriel's "Security"? Both are excellent and classic rock-world fusion records to be sure, but think again. So much smart, interesting and vital contemporary world music is out there to discover and at $4.98, this Rough Guide sampler disc is a fine place to start. Maybe one of the featured artists might just turn out to be your future favorite musician. It's your oyster so go explore!
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