CD-Charts Position 41
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The Mande Variations

CD-Charts > Music > World and Folk
by: Toumani Diabate

Release Date February 25, 2008
Toumani Diabaté, the kora guru of Africa, has outdone himself with this collection of solo instrumental pieces. The virtuosity in fingering the kora, the richness of the rhythms and range of melodies is unmatched by anything this Malian musician has done previously. I enjoyed his earlier solo collection, "Kaira", produced twenty years ago and his "New Ancient Strings" (1999), with which he and the younger Ballake Sissoko paid homage to their fathers' musical genius. Yet now, with this CD he has reached a level of maturity, depth and musicality not previously achieved. For fans of the West African kora, this is a must in their collection; for the "newbies", this is a great introduction into a mesmerizing aspect of Malian music and treat to ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 42
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Still On Top: The Greatest Hits

CD-Charts > Music > World and Folk
by: Van Morrison

Release Date October 22, 2007
This is great! There is not ONE song that isn't worth five stars. I have loved Van Morrison's music since the 60's & this compilation shows just how great a writer & performer he is. He might be a bit of a miserable sod most of the time, but I wasn't inviting him for dinner so that isn't a problem. Add this to your CD collection. You will love it.

CD-Charts Position 43
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Ceu

CD-Charts > Music > World and Folk
by: Ceu

Release Date April 07, 2008
Could this be the most interesting singer to come out of Brazil since Bebel Gilberto? For some reason, this album, which has been bubbling around the transatlantic charts for a couple of years, has taken a long time to reach these shores. It's certainly worth the wait. The eccentrically named Ceu - real name Maria do Ceu Whitaker Pocas - possesses a strikingly pure voice, and her tastes are unfailingly ecclectic. Oddly enough, one of the most potent numbers is her sinuous cover of Bob Marley's Concrete Jungle. Electro influences are discreetly scattered around; there's even a hint of fado on Valsa Pra Biu Roque. Add some elegant jazz lite and soul textuers, and you have all the makings of a summer hit. Classy, very classy. [Clive Davis, Sunday ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 44
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The Harder They Come

CD-Charts > Music > World and Folk
by: Jimmy Cliff

Release Date July 30, 2001
This is a brilliant introduction for anyone who thinks Jamaican music begins and ends with Bob Marley. From the ska of Desmond Dekker ("Shanty Town") and The Maytals ("Pressure Drop" - later covered with less success by The Clash) to the more soulful efforts of the magnificent Jimmy Cliff (his three most classic tunes are included here, two of them twice for some reason), there isn't a dud track on offer. Possibly the finest reggae album of all time.

CD-Charts Position 45
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Proxima Estacion Esperanza

CD-Charts > Music > World and Folk
by: Manu Chao

Release Date June 30, 2008
If like me you used to dismiss music that was not sung in English, then buy this now and change your view on the music out there in the wide world. I got into Manu Chao by chance when I spoke to a very knowing person who advised me to try him out. Not many people have heard of Manu Chao presumably because he is just not written about in the British music press. The music itself as described by others is a mix of world music, sung in several languages including English. The songs just bring joy and addiction. I haven't stopped listening to this album since buying it. It is hard to describe what the music brings to me, but a smile to my face. I know that you don't need to know what is being sung about as long as the music is good, the music is great. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 46
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The Very Best Of Cat Stevens

CD-Charts > Music > World and Folk
by: Cat Stevens

Release Date October 30, 2006
Classic and timeless stuff, a collection of all the good old songs. The technical quality is higher than you would expect in view of the vintage of some of these recordings, so the transfer has ben really well done. For 6 quid, you can't go wrong.

CD-Charts Position 47
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Best of Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour

CD-Charts > Music > World and Folk
by: Bob Dylan

Release Date October 01, 2007
Theme Time Radio Hour is one of the most original and enlightening music programmes on the air. It's brilliantly presented by Bob Dylan who plays an eclectic mix of often obscure records all linked by a theme. Dylan's knowledge of American popular music is immense and each programme is peppered with his unique combination of wit and wisdom. So, Chrome Dreams are to be congratulated for issuing this double album containing 52 wonderful tracks of the kind of music to be heard on TTRH. The only thing missing is the man himself but that shouldn't deter anyone from acquiring this marvellous and wide-ranging compilation of great music.

CD-Charts Position 48
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Low Culture

CD-Charts > Music > World and Folk
by: Jim Moray

Release Date July 14, 2008
Like the new record by Eliza Carthy, 'Dreams of Breathing Underwater', this is for me perfect modern folk music, bringing to it vibrancy and innovation without sacrificing its earthy, local nature. Unusual instruments work very well; and who would have thought (certainly I would never that believed it) that rap could find its way onto a record like this and somehow work. The problem with music like this is its classification, because it transcends labels like 'folk', whilst 'Modern folk', or 'new folk' seem contrived. Well, that is another problem; but anyone with an open mind should enjoy this.

CD-Charts Position 49
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The Complete Greatest Hits

CD-Charts > Music > World and Folk
by: The Eagles

Release Date March 17, 2008
There have been Eagles compilations before but this by far the best. It contains all the songs that could be found on earlier British (Very best of) and American (Greatest hits) compilations, plus a few songs never before included on any of them. And everything has been digitally re-mastered, sounding better than ever.

All the famous songs are here including Desperado, Take it to the limit, Lying eyes, Hotel California, Tequila sunrise, New kid in town and Best of my love to name just a few.

Aside from the obvious songs, you also get Please come home for Christmas (a song that has since become a standard), two songs from their Hell freezes over album (Love will keep us alive and Get over it), their recently recorded Hole in the world ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 50
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You've Got A Friend: The Best Of James Taylor

CD-Charts > Music > World and Folk
by: James Taylor

Release Date April 02, 2007
This is a great album; as soon I listened to the first song I was hooked on this man, I listened to this cd for a month non-stop; his voice has something in it which I could never tire of hearing again and again; every song on here is a gem; Steamroller and Mexico spring to mind as two of the best on this cd; an utter joy to listen to anytime of the day.