Sounds of a Better World

Small Voices Calling | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 2, 2000)
• Original Release Date: January 4, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Vital Records
• ASIN: B000040OB9
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #336,583 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Is It Hope

2. Listen to the People

3. Feel the World Dancing

4. Stand Up

5. Give Us Hope

6. Open My Heart

7. Reach Out

8. Be With Me

9. History's Doorstep, Pt. 1

10. Are We Gonna Find

11. It's You

12. History's Doorstep, Pt. 2 [Instrumental]

13. Open My Heart [*]

14. Listen to the People [Middle America Radio Mix][*]

15. Listen to the People [Anthem Radio Edit Mix][Edit][*]

Editorial Reviews

Newsday

"Pop music & goodwill come together"

Product Description

A journey through various genres of music from African world-beats to folk to classical to R&B/dance to gospel, woven together by a message of hope and inspiration for all children around the world. Features the vocal talents of Martha Wash (Weather Girls fame), Phoebe Snow ("Poetry Man"), (Queen of Folk) Odetta, the Celebrated Boys Choir of Harlem, the Grammy Award Winning New York Voices, The Queen of Duets Wendy Moten, newcomer Matt Goss and several talent singers and choirs. Narrated by (Classic James Bond Villain of Live and Let Die) Geoffrey Holder. Sales proceeds of this album benefit the Foundation For Small Voices, a non-profit organization devoted to supporting children’s charities and causes in the USA and abroad.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful blend of world music, pop, rock, spoken word..., June 10, 2000

By 

Peter Z "Peter Z" (Westport, CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sounds of a Better World (Audio CD)

Conceived by award-winning composer Jim Papoulis, Sounds of a Better World = small voices calling is a unique collection of songs that examines the dawning of a new millennium through the eyes and voices of children from around the world.

This beautiful blend of world music, pop, rock, spoken word, classical, gospel and R&B was designed to bring children's issues to the forefront, and features the narration of Tony-Award winner Geoffrey Holder.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NAJM's Dance Music Network Review, April 26, 2000

By 

M. Hagan (Wellington, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sounds of a Better World (Audio CD)

Sounds of A Better World - Small Voices Calling (The Album)

"Sounds of a Better World" is not your typical dance music compilation, but it has spawned one of this year's best dance singles, Martha Wash's "Listen To The People". Actually "Sounds of a Better World" is not a dance album at all, in the traditional sense of the word. "Sounds of A Better World" is far more a world beat gospel inspired theatrical release from the creative mind of Jim Papoulis who composed it.

Both the sales of the recordings and the benefit concert earlier this year at Carnegie Hall in New York will support The Foundation For Small Voices, which plans to bring both awareness and funding to programs focusing on the importance of child development as a key to our global future. Such charities include "Side By Side", a NY based organization designed to cultivate leadership skills and foster social awareness; "Tomorrow's Children", a NJ based organization that provides programs and services to children with cancer; and "St. Christopher's, Inc." whose goals are to provide family reunification for foster children.

The album opens with "Is It Hope" that features Geoffrey Holden, Phoebe Snow and Odetta. "Is It Hope" sets the mood of the album with its anthem like tone. Martha Wash's gospel rock version of "Listen To The People" follows and quickly lifts the recording into an inspired and hopeful collection of songs centered on awareness.

All of the tracks are inspirational in nature and feature an eclectic mix of voices that include Martha Wash, Wendy Moten, Matt Goss, David Baker, and a myriad of various choirs from all over the world. There is even a symphonic performance by the University of Miami Symphony Orchestra (my alumni, Go Canes!).

The last three tracks are labeled as bonus tracks and contain a radio friendly version of "Open My Heart" featuring Matt Goss and Caryl Papoulis. The last two tracks are dance remixes of "Listen To The People", the first being the "Middle America Radio Mix" (4:49) by Micheal Castaldo and Elliot Thomas. Unlike previous remix versions, this one includes additional vocals that make it stand apart. Last, but not least, is the "Anthem Radio Edit Mix" (4:09) by Keith Haarmeyer. This mix is a shortened version of his very successful club track available on the "Remix Collection".

"Sounds of A Better World" accomplishes many things in terms of bridging the gap between hard hitting vocal house music and the more traditional gospel flavored world beat music. More importantly, the album will open the minds and the hearts of its listeners.