Customer Reviews

New World Party

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album just makes you wanna get up and dance. A fabulous mix of dance music from Senegal, Algeria, Brazil, South Africa, Mali, Haiti and even San Francisco's Mission District this is the perfect party album. It makes a refreshing change from the usual radio dance 'music' such as the Backstreet Boys et al. Includes not only lesser known artists but also bigger names such as Wyclef Jean and Miriam Makeba. The colourful 23 page booklet contains a page devoted to each artist, with a photo and artist and track information. Plus an essay about world dance music.

Over 4 years later and this music is still fresh! If you don't want to move, don't buy this CD. If you don't miss the groove, put your fingers in your ears. "Pata Pata" starts this party on the right foot (the "good foot" for those versed in the funk) and each song takes you to places in the world, your body finding new ways to move to the rhythms.

It's a shame this album is no longer in print.While I wasn't impressed with the album's first two tracks (Miriam Makeba's 'Pata Pata' REALLY didn't need 'updating'&'Lobster Song' is slightly annoying),the rest goes from strength to strength.

Hamid Baroudi's "Caravan II Baghdad" is wonderfully funky.Aby N'Dour (sister of the famous Youssou N'Dour)sings the great hip-hop tune "Xel." Even if you don't like hip-hop (I'm not a rap fan),N'Dour's song is powerful.Ramata Diakite (who is now known as Ramatou Diakite&is on Putumayo's recent "Mali" compilation)has a wondrous ode in honor of her mother,mixing Malian traditional music with technology.Gal Costa's "Habib" is light,infectious fun.Chico Cesar&Zeca Baleiro,the misfits of Brazilian pop,provide fun tracks.Los Mocosos&Wyclef Jean round it out with Latin flavors&Haitian hip-hop.Lauryn Hill sings with Wyclef Jean,providing a powerful narrative.The album ends with the seductive Brazilian Daude singing "Vamos fugir" with Djavan.Daude's song isn't technically dance music,but it is perfect for chill-out&romancing.

If only this album were back in print!It's one of Putumayo's best.

This CD is great. I listened to it three times straight when I first opened and I had never even heard of this CD before. It is defintely worth every penny!

Boy, you can't help but move something when you hear this. Check out the Lobster Song by Dissidenten, what a groove!