Customer Reviews

World 2003

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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I didn't need to be told that the person who compiled this 2-CD album (Charles Gillett of the BBC) was European--the cuts on this album have lots of the World-Pop that is big overseas but not in the US. Actually, the pop-fusion is controversial in among World Music artists; I know one musician who was asked to record with Peter Gabriel and gets more techno-pop with every CD he puts out; another musician however just hates the modern mix and wants to hear the traditional music, no matter if from Tuva or Slovakia. It's a matter of taste. I had plenty of favorites here, Nazarkan's Yol Bolsin from Uzbekistan, Kasse Mady Diabate from Mali, and a Neopolitan street-music flavored romp by Eugenio Bennato that blended that catchy Naples sound with Algerian rhythm and Arabic language. And there is a song by that wonderful Fadista Mariza (O Silencio da Guitarro) and a great piece by a group from Rebecca Malope of South Africa. Sadly, there is a wonderful cut by the late Joe Strummer of England. He passed away in 2002, and this is one of his last. The talent in this song makes you want more, more, and well, he's gone. Too sad.

I liked about fifty percent of each CD. If you like more traditional World Music, this CD set may not appeal-- the 2002 compilation was certainly modern World sound. However this 2003 set is very much an international fusion of hypno-, techno, rap and reggae. If you had a hard time getting into World Music and you love the current pop trends, you should try this album because it's an excellent cross-section of World Pop and World Modern, well, Folk, I guess. I found a lot to like here, but it was a bit much pop for me in places.

and let the rest of the 25 grow on you.
J'adore absolument Rebecca Malope, l'Orchestre Baobab, et Samira Sa'id. Shukran yaa Charlie, for your part in making this wonderful music available at such a bargain price.
All the songs are well-produced (not a given, in my experience),
and all the artists technically proficient. So whether the individual listener likes a particular song is gonna be a personal thing.

It's extroardinarily difficult to put together a coherent mix of world music on one cd--I usually cringe at the idea of trying to do this. I've listened to many world compilations, but none of them flow as effortlessly from one country to another as this one does. There is definitely a little for everyone on these albums--the first album is more hip hop and techno infused, while the second is more rock/pop/folk. I love the second disc, but am not as crazy about the first--but you can't complain b/c of the price! While some of the music is more traditional, much of it is influenced by Western rock/pop/etc music. I'm mostly upset that I can't easily buy several of the cd's off of this album as they are not released in the US!

but this one is mostly hits. For the eclectic-minded, the range is wide and it's lured me into finding CD's I never would have sought otherwise. Isn't that what compilations are for, really?

A well diversified selection. It's between pop and traditional. Most of them are not for dancing. Some of the songs are very catchy at the first time, but others take couple of times to get in to the rhythm. Good, but not great.

I heard clips from this CD on NPR and decided to buy it. From the first time I listened to it I was excited. There were so many great songs from all over the world. An upbeat thread goes through the entire CD. I bought 5 more for friends and have bought a bunch of CDs from artists on the World 2003 CD. You won't be disappointed!! Hurry out and buy this today!