Reviewed by Sadie O., 5/16/07
Compilation of eclectic “non-Western sounds” from Crammed Disk. Very diverse, although Brazil and the Balkans are probably better represented than elsewhere. Most of this is not new to us, but taken altogether it’s pretty mind-expanding.
Some tracks run together and overlap, so there may be odd moments at start or end of tracks.
No FCCs detected. I like 5, 7, and 18 best. None of it is bad – your taste may run towards stuff I don’t care for…
1. 2:55 **spacey electronica, low level intro, then slow floaty dance with female vocals in Brazilian Portuguese, with acoustic guitar.
2. 3:21 ***Tuareg music, loping camel-walk beat with a wailing male lead and droning female chorus. Chord never modulates, but plenty goes on.
3. 3:38 *acoustic guitars, scratching and a bit of electronica, low-key male vocals.
4. 3:17 **hyperactive drumming, formless violins, resolves in the last minute into a wild romp. Whee!
5. 3:55 ****infectious Brazilian dance beat with female vocal duet. Ends with a bit of male talking.
6. 4:11 *starts with street noises and acoustic guitar, jazzy female vocals in English. Very 60’s samba feel. Last minute is pretty devolved.
7. 4:02 ****uptempo unusual syncopation with distinctive vocals from Macaco, jazzy sax, very interesting stuff.
8. 3:44 ***hurdy-gurdy intro, building into energetic midtempo Gypsy… cumbia? I’m not going to argue! Enjoy the ride!
9. 2:56 acoustic guitar, very high male vocals. Apparently interesting lyrics in French…
10. 3:03 ***sitar drone, unique female vocals, tabla and other drums… Cool midtempo beat, sweet Persian vocals – interesting and beautiful.
11. 3:18 ***bizarre strings, electronics, horns, sort of creepy rubbery beat. Male vocals in English (and a bit of French). Unclassifiable, but way cool.
12. 4:20 *bubbly noises, single hand percussion and pretty male vocals in Brazilian Portuguese, bossa nova acoustic guitar. Pretty and relaxed.
13. 3:12 **electronic martial beat with bits of Gypsy strings, then pretty and relaxed guitar groove with only bits of electronica. Applause at end, runs into next track.
14. 5:06 ***starts with applause, then great thumb piano and drums, chanted vocals. Congotronics collective.
15. 3:06 ***way groovy downbeat, semi-funky electronic beat. Rather low-key and lower register, but extremely compelling. Builds layers and energy.
16. 2:36 **wild horn intro, jazz-avant-chacha big band. A bit avant-jazz for my tastes, but really interesting stuff.
17. 3:46 ***manic guitar and drums, adding a fine horn section after a bit – can’t place the rhythm, but it’s definitely good for a party. (Cuica!)
18. 5:09 ****lovely wailing vocals and horns – sounds Middle Eastern but again is Balkan Gypsy. Turns into slow gypsy brass band march/waltz. Switches up completely halfway through into a rather funky bop…
19. 4:52 ***cool and complex thumb piano and Congolese vocals. Electronic distortion after a couple of minutes.
20. 4:19 *slow funky beat, then downbeat and groovy jazz groove with female vocals in Brazilian Portuguese.