CD-Charts Position 11
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Mali Music

CD-Charts > Music > African
by: Afel Bocoum & Damon Albarn, Toumani Diabate & Friends

Release Date April 15, 2002
Being a post punk indie kid this album is very different to anything else I own.

However if you like laid back Damon Albarn & proper tunes this album is very good. Personally I think better than any of the Gorillaz material.

CD-Charts Position 12
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In the Heart of the Moon

CD-Charts > Music > African
by: Ali Farka Toure, Toumani Diabate

Release Date June 27, 2005
I know little about world music and came to buy this having heard Toumani Diabaté's contributions to the Damon Albarn's co-authored Mali Music. I can see that some of the reviews here from the world music community have levelled accusations that this album is rather bland and that it has been watered-down to render it inoffensive for the wider music-buying community. Others have said that it is background music and that the musicians' playing is quite average and uninspired by their standards. From a layman's point of view, I cannot question the authenticity of the recording but can attest to the beauty of the music. If the accusation is that it is too simple, then my argument would be that simplicity is not necessarily a bad thing. The interplay ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 13
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Watina

CD-Charts > Music > African
by: Andy Palacio, The Garifuna Collective

Release Date April 23, 2007
Simple lyrics written in a complicated language - so just listen. You are left with a most beautiful, enchanting collection of music. And listening to it for the 20th time this week...it just gets better.

CD-Charts Position 14
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New Ancient Strings (Nouvelle Cordes Anciennes)

CD-Charts > Music > African
by: Toumani Diabate

Release Date April 01, 2002
Listening to Toumani Diabaté's NEW ANCIENT STRINGS is the next best thing to sitting in the audience of one of his concerts in Bamako (the capital of Mali and Toumani's hometown). Toumani has become one of the world's leading interpreters of the 'kora', a 21-string, traditional African harp-lute, which originates in Mali. The string arrangements around the body of the instrument and along the long neck make it a complex instrument to play. At the same time, it allows the musician to create complex harmonies ideally suited for a solo instrument. It was the favourite instrument at the courts of the kingdoms of Mali, going back to at least the 13th century.

The melodies in this collection, passed down from the rich Malian music traditions ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 15
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Savane

CD-Charts > Music > African
by: Ali Farka Toure

Release Date July 17, 2006
I have not heard any of this kind of African blues music before and I have to say I am intrigued - is this what blues was originally like, or something that has evolved as a fusion of blues and african music, or something different entirely.

Whatever it is, what is true is that listening and making music is worth more that analyzing it and writing about the results.

Ignore the reviews about it being the best blues album ever etc etc and just buy it and listen to it. It's a good, atmospheric, interesting record.

CD-Charts Position 16
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Mama Africa - The Very Best of Miriam Makeba

CD-Charts > Music > African
by: Miriam Makeba

Release Date October 23, 2000
Years ago a friend made a tape with Miriam Makeba's songs for me and I listened to it to the point of tearing it. It is great to know that my favourites are other people's favourites and this collection is just that. All my favourite Miriam Makeba hits and many more.

She is arguably the best female African singer there is and she is not stepping away yet. This is the CD you that will keep me warm and dancing around the Xmas tree this year and probably many years to come.

It is also the CD I would want my children to listen to one day, to see that African music has been amazing from its very begining.

CD-Charts Position 17
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Miss Perfumado

CD-Charts > Music > African
by: Cesaria Evora

Release Date January 06, 2003
Cesaria Evora is one of the great stars of world music, and this CD is on many lists as an "essential recording" in this genre. Born in 1941 in Sao Vicente (Cape Verde Islands), Cesaria has known the toughest of times in her youth, and was a mature woman before reaching the recognition she so richly deserved. "Mis Perfumado" was recorded in 1992, and is one of her very finest albums; with her soft, warm honey voice, and a heart well acquainted with the sorrow of lost love, she is undoubtedly the quintessential interpreter of "morna", a style of song reminiscent of the Portuguese fado combined with the rhythms of West Africa.

The songs on this CD are lilting, melodic gems, most with a nice slow swing to them, with a few that are more up-tempo, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 18
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In My African Dream: the Best of Johnny Clegg & Savuka

CD-Charts > Music > African
by: Johnny Clegg

Release Date February 25, 2002
I was a Clegg virgin. I'd never even heard of him before I bought this CD. Well Scatterlings of Africa is a good track but there are so many more. I love the fusion of African and western music, the creative use of drums, the vocal choruses and harmonies, the use of instruments I had never heard before, the blend of exotic with familiar. My favourite track? Third world child. Anyone who can get the line "Keep away from controversial politics" into the lyric of a popular song deserves massive respect. Buy this album. It's great. If you too are a Clegg version just lie back and think of Africa.

CD-Charts Position 19
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Putumayo Kids Presents African Playground

CD-Charts > Music > African
by: Various Artists

Release Date March 17, 2003
I bought this CD when my daughter was only 3 months old - she loved it then and still loves it now at 8 months. When we travel in the car and she starts to get bored and fractious, this CD always calms her down - without fail. I like the fact that I can put on a CD that my husband will enjoy too - he tolerates nursery rhyme CDs but wouldn't choose to put them on - this is music he likes!! We listen to a lot of world music anyway but it's good to have this CD for our baby as we can singalong and the tunes are great.

CD-Charts Position 20
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The Best of Ladysmith Black Mambazo: the Star and the Wiseman

CD-Charts > Music > African
by: Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Release Date September 21, 1998
This is a wonderful album that has some fabulous songs on, especially the different versions of popular songs we know and love, such as "Swing low". It's great for those long drives too as it takes the boredom away! :-)