World music is a genre that many shy away from, either because of perceived language barriers, or perhaps simply because much of the music from around the world is not promoted here, so they don’t know about the wide and exciting variety of talented artists that are out there. Music truly is a universal language, so if you are worried about not understanding the words, don’t let that stop you from enjoying the sounds of another country and culture. Be bold and take a dive into the genre of world music by sampling some of the artists that I have discovered…. you may well be surprised at the gems you will find!
Latin music is on the upswing in the United States, due to the influx of immigrants from Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries like Mexico and Brazil, but Latin sounds go far beyond such pop sensations as Ricky Martin and Julio Iglesias. More and more music lovers are discovering the amazing fluidity of Ottmar Liebert’s flamenco guitar, and the rustic, hand-clapping beats of the Gipsy Kings. Liebert, who is actually German born, has collaborated on his albums with the likes of rock great Carlos Santana and trumpeter Jeff Elliott to create a sound that is distinctly Hispanic, with all the drama and romance that this culture brings to its music. Float away to another place on Liebert’s soaring flamenco tunes, to where palm trees sway and drinks are served in frosted glasses! The Gipsy Kings, who hail from the south of France (France’s southern border flanks the northern border of Spain) will get your blood pumping with their raw and rhythmic renditions of traditional folk music, as well as some more well known Spanish language tunes like “Volaré”. Their guitar playing, combined with traditional instruments such as timbales and cabasas makes you want to get up and dance, and the vocals are typically passionate and almost rough in tone – a quality that takes getting used to for some, but it grows on you very quickly! My recommendations for Liebert and the Gipsy Kings are two of my favorite Latin albums, Nouveau Flamenco (Liebert) and Mosaique (Gipsy Kings).
Another sub set of the world music genre that has gained quite a bit of popularity in the U.S. is Celtic music. Many have enjoyed the likes of the ethereal Enya, or the beauty of the Irish Tenor’s rich voices. If you have not gotten into Celtic music yet, you may want to start with Clannad, whose haunting sounds take you off to the misty green of the Emerald Isle. Much of their music is taken from traditional Irish folk tunes, and Clannad was featured in the movie Last of the Mohicans, whose main theme, “I Will Find You” will be familiar to most listeners. Another Irish group whose music was featured on the big screen is Gaelic Storm. Their rollicking toe-tapping sounds graced the third-class party in the movie Titanic. Herding Cats is my personal favorite album of theirs, but all of them display the energetic mix of rowdy voice and dance-able instrumentals, which they play with considerable talent. Both Clannad and Gaelic storm sing both in English and in the Irish Gaelic language. Personally, I prefer the Irish, it has a lilting, almost mystical quality in the slower tunes, and lends a touch of bawdy humor to the faster tracks. If you’re already familiar with these two groups, I would suggest a more obscure Irish artist named Kieran Fahy. His CD entitled The Woman from Tuam, mostly instrumental, truly captures the Celtic spirit, both with his heart-pumping reels and jigs and his soulful renditions of some traditional Irish folk melodies.
But don’t stop with Latin and Celtic music, there is a whole world out there of fantastic and unique artists to explore and enjoy! I recently bought a terrific album by Bembeya Jazz. a West African group from Guinea who started out in the 1970’s as a local pop sensation. Talk about wanting to get up and dance! You can hardly keep still, listening to swinging sounds of Bebeya’s lively tunes, rich with a variety of horns and vocals that weave in and out in various interesting harmonies. The album I bought is Bembeya, but I will most certainly be purchasing some more of this wonderful group. Another sound out of Africa is an artist by the name of Angélique Kidjo, who is from the West African nation of Benin. Her full throated voice lends its sultry sound to tunes that run from rhythm and blues to jazz to folk, all with an exotic African flavor. A good one to start with would be her “best of” album, entitled Keep Moving On. A little closer to home, I have recently discovered a French Canadian group, La Bottine Souriante. The album that I purchased, La Mistrine, is a wonderful mix of Celtic sounds combined with a French flair and even a touch of Latin rhythm. The effect is a collection of infectious tunes that you find yourself humming all day long. It is truly a unique sound, unlike anything I’ve heard before, and well worth checking out.
I wouldn’t be able to complete a piece about world music without mentioning the Putumayo label. Putumayo is a good resource for those just venturing into the world music genre, as they offer numerous albums designed to introduce their audience to the music of different cultures and countries the world over. I know most people frown on compilations, but I have found several of their albums to be quite enjoyable, such as Arabic Grooves, which features native artists from the Arabic-speaking world, and a World Lounge album, which treats the listener to chill out sounds from around the globe.
Whatever world music most interests you, don’t be afraid to try it! The language is really not a problem and many CDs that are marketed in the U.S. include inserts with the lyrics in both the language they are sung in as well as an English translation. But you honestly do not need to understand the lyrics to fully enjoy the sounds, moods and unique musical excursions you will take when you explore the world music genre.