Grahams World

Graham's World

World Music ... and more reviewed by World Unlimited's Graham Radley

I love Gutbucket, they  rip up the genre description text book and just go for it big style, yes you can hear jazz in there but it rolls and bustles around with a punky edge that gets down to some dirty funking or maybe a touch of edgy latin grooving but with a chaotic edge. Gutbucket by name and nature. The live shows are reportedly even wilder and  one listen to this not only confirms that potential but also adds them to your 'must see' list.

First release in this series  uniting master musicians with the best remixers by New York's 5 Point Records. Ustad Sultan Khan is a sarangai master who has worked with names as diverse as Duran Duran and Ravi Shankar.We start with one of two mixes by  Joe Claussell  'Aja Maji'  (the other 'Sayaji' is my favourite track here) followed by the superb Thievery Corporation deep mix of Tarana, there's 3 mixes from Radar One (Jana, Meher Ali, Don't Run Away) two from Brainpolluter (Majhi Re, Caravan) Ralph Rosario (Maula) and Nickodemus & Osiris (Jaadu). Superb.

Further Latin adventures with the range of traditional source material including son, cumbia, bossa nova, tango and the input of new wave covering everything from hip hop to punk. Amongst the innovators are Kad Achouri (Mi Negra) Raul Paz (Mulata) Javier Alvarez (Por Que Te Vas) and the mighty Los De Abajo (El Indio) who are in the UK this summer including the final date of Sounds In The Round in Birmingham on August 13th, if you've never seen them live join the queue now as this is Latin music as exciting and progressive as it gets. Dance yourself into the future.

Sub-titled 'Fado & football, ceramics and sun' this taste of Portugese cafe culture is focused on Lisbon and features 18 fado tracks that travel across the years from 1953  with tracks from Amalia Rodrigues through to 1998 and Anabela. Wonderfully evocative it's one for a summers day in the garden and a chance to escape via  some Portugese blues.

Superb double CD that brings us something old & something new, Gnawa Diffusion start things off with the reggae meets gnawa of 'Ya Laymi, lots more great tracks follow with my picks being Digital Bled - trip hop Arabian style 'Cairo Bar' , classic rai from Cheb Kader 'H'Mami' Burhan Ocal & The Trakva All Stars awesomeTurkish/Gypsy traditional roots vibed up by Smadj. Of course I must mention Khaled featured here on the track he did with Amar 'El Harba Wine', a classic Arabic salsa track from Nawal Al Zoughbi 'Toul Omay' well the list just goes on, 29 tracks in all and every one a winner.

In the same way that contoversy was caused by Astor Piazzolla in the 50's so the new wave of tango meets the techno age is causing similar waves. My view is always that there is room for both and the new actually creates interest in the old so if it's good then welcome it and this is very good. 2 CDs and 29 tracks, Gotan Project are of course in there with 'Santa Maria' there's 5 different remixes of Astor Piazzolla tracks including Nuspirit Helsinki's remix of 'Verano People' and my particular favourite which is Ramiro Gallo featuring Wynton Marsalis with 'El Sur'. As the saying goes 'Tango is the vertical expression of a horizontal desire'

I got so engrossed watching this I forgot I was supposed to be reviewing it ! The names are enough to tell you all you need to know about this DVD of the week long concerts at Dublin's Point Theatre in 1997 where Ireland's finest musicians gathered under the Gael Force banner. So here you go: The Chieftains, Sinead O'Connor, De Dannan, Maura O'Connell, Clannad, Afro Celts, Brian Kennedy, Sharon Shannon, Nomos, Mary Black, Sineah Lohan, Eleanor Shanley, Frances Black, Altan and Christy Moore plusa couple of Celtic guests from further afield in Ashley MacIsaac and Carlos Nunez. Superb.

Budget priced compilation that brings you the cream of Foot Stompin's catalogue with 14 tracks of Scottish traditional music with a new edge. Featured are Birlin Fiddles, AnnaMassie, Filska, Back of the Moon, Finlay MacDonald Band, Cantrip, Emily Smith, Corrina Hewat, Keep It Up, Croft No Five, Fine Friday, Martyn Bennett, Claire Mann and Simon Thoumire/David Milligan. Enjoy.

First album from this meeting between Skyedance fiddler Alasdair Fraser and 16 year old American cellist Natalie Haas. Natalie discovered both Celtic music and Alasdair at the Valley Of The Moon Scottish Fiddling School when she was12. Alasdair encouraged her to look at how the cello can rhythmically accompany the fiddle and this CD shows she certainly got to the heart of the dynamics and spirit of the collaboration. It's fresh invigoratating and excellent.

Lead fiddler from ace Shetland's band Fifddlers Bid,  who was given the chance by Greentrax to mix new ideas into a traditional format as well as come up with new compositions with a similar feel. He's joined by Euan Vernal (double bass) Catriona McKay (piano & harp) Fraser Fifield (sprano sax) and Malcolm Stitt (guitar)  who have now become The Chris Stout Band & are well worth looking out for.

Double CD with 40 tracks taken from his recordings for the Savoy and Dial labels between 1945 and 1948. The CD works it's way through the period starting with 6 tracks from 1945 when Charlie Parker's Reboppers were Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Argonne Thornton, Max Roach and Curly Russell going through to Charlie Parker's All Stars in 1948 with Miles Davis (shortly before he left to form Birth of The Cool), John Lewis, Culy Russell and Max Roach.Excellent collection

Second release for one of the new names of fado,this new release sees her using the sea as a journey from Brazil to Portugal with a mix of tracks from both countries and bringing  obvious influences like samba to the folkoric melting pot. A lovely  voice and some inspiring arrangements.

Cellist David Darling joins with the eight-part harmonic singing of the Wulu Bunun, normally only used to singing a cappella, here layers of voices are thoughfully augmented, embellished and supported by David Darling's cello with an end result that  makes it sound thouroughly natural.  . Recorded amongst fields in a valley with insects and birds joining in this is a delightful collaboration.

Once of Dublin but now based in New York Susan McKeown is very much rooted in Irish traditional music but she has a fresh approach to the material which breaths fresh life into it. She's joined by Flook on the opening track ' 'The Wee Birds All Have Gone/Fisherman's' but the real stunner is 'Oro Mhile Gra (A Thousand Times My Love') where she works with Ensemble Tartit, spellbinding. More to come too with Mariachi Real de Mexico guesting on 'Eggs In Her basket'. Highly recommended.

33 tracksfrom the 80's and 90's with a mix of old and style. Amongst the offerings are General Levy (The Wig) Gregory Isaacs (The Ruler) Sanchez (My Girl)wo tracks from Cutty Ranks (The Stopper and The Cutter) Top Cat (Request The Style) and Winsome & Frankie Paul (Let's Start Over). Dancehall style.

Reggae's influences around the world  taking in France, India, Algeria, Nigeria, Cape Verde, Brazil, Spain, French Guiana, Ivory Coast, New Caledonia and Cameroon. Africa has long been inspired by reggae, here there are tracks from Alpha Blondy (Lalogo) Maria de Barros( Riberonzinha) Majek Fashek (African Unity) and Kaissa (O Si Keka). Also featured are Apache Indian, Gnawa Diffusion and Mas y Mas with the range of countries reflecting a range of influences from Chris Combette's zouk influenced reggae to Ale Muniz's reggae meets Brazil. Ever evolving always inspiring.

Gorgeous box set that has within in 4 CDs, a DVD (Travelling For A Living documentary) discography poster and a sperb 52 page colour book. This is a Mighty River Of Song that flows through four decades and includes the extended Waterson family, so we have tracks from The Watersons, Mike Waterson, The Folksons, Lal & Mike Waterson, Lal & Norma Waterson, Peter Bellamy, Martin Carthy & Mike Waterson, Norma Waterson & Martin Carthy, The Waterdaughters, Blue Murder, Oliver Knight, Eliza Carthy covering 86 tracks including 40 which had previously not been released. A big slice of UK folk music history, rich and fruitful.

Double CD with 18 of his finest, CD One covers 1977-1983 and CD Two 1984-1997. His career actually started in 1969 with Orchestre Belguid who evolved into the brilliant Zaiko Langa Langa where he stayed as a lead singer and songwriter until 1974, then followed Isifi Lokole and then Yoka Lokole before he formed Viva La Musica in 1977. Soon the music was linked to fashion, each of the vocalists wore a different coloured beret which became a fashion necessity for Kinshasa's young dudes. CD One starts with 'Mere Superieure' originally a 7" single which topped the annual music awards and set them up for many more great successes (amongst those included here are Amina, Analengo and  Mi Amor) music that makes your feet smile. Quality.

From Paris Combo's 'Fibre de Verre' you are soon sat at that table on the street soaking in the feel of cafe life, where music forms such a historical part of the culture. The other tracks here are from Serge Gainsbourg, Barbara, Enzo Enzo, George Brassens, Jane Birkin, Coralie Clement, Mathieu Boogaerts, Brigitte Bardot, Sanseverino. Baguette Quartette and Polo. Mixing the old like Georges Brassen's 'Je M'Suis Fait Tout Petit' from 1955 with Coralie Clement's 'La Mer Opale' from 2002  showing that the spirit lives on, combining music with style in a perfect marriage.

Fabulous Cuban big band founded by Adalberto Alvarez  in 1978 and soon the saviours of son asthey revitalised this essential Cuban music form. 'Fuego en laMaya' captures the essence of the band live, 14 brilliant musicians not afraid to embrace layers of interactive playing that seemlessly fuses the horns to the percussion to the vocals to piano guitar to produce a full on sound. My favourite track here is 'La fiesta es en las casa de Juan' everything you want or need from music wrapped up in 5 minutes of grooves and moves. Not to be missed if you ever get the chance of catching them live but in the meantime wear down the  carpet pile with those dance moves and a smile.

Celebrating tango, including a track here from its greatest star Carlos Gardel (Tortazos) but also beyond to less obvious Andean folkloric styles  like chamame. Tango has moved on from its origins in the brothels and bars of Buenos Aires in the late nineteenth century to the stylish and glamorous tango we see today. Lined up here amongst 19 tracks Hugo Diaz 'Volver') Cacares (Triste Febrero') Roberto Grela ('Triste') Astor Piazzolla y su Quinteto Tano Nueva ('Verano Porteno') and newer names on the scene like Cuarteto Almagro ('La Siciliana') and La Chicana ('Oro Y Plata'). Look out for accordion player Chango Spasiuk on tour in UK this year with his fresh version of chamame. Another great Rough Guide.

Born in Portugal but very much reflecting her Cape Verde heritage, this is her third album but the first one released in the UK. Lura has all the ingredients to be a big name, mixing her musical heritage with current sounds of r'n'b and hints of jazz. There's constrasts within too, the opener is full on and rips you along at speed with Lura's voice often quite harsh (but in a very melodic and invigorating way) whereas the next track 'So Um Cartinha' is almost chilled by comparison with her voice taking on a more husky, sulty feel wafted along by violins and percussion. For starters try 'Man Ba Des Bes Kumida Da' but be prepared to get physical on the dance floor. Superb.

Yet more delightful music from Cape Verde this time from Bau (Rufino Almeida) one time band director for Cesaria Evora. He plays cavaquinho (4 stinged guitar) guitar and violin,this is an atmospheric, elegant  collection with Bau's playing lightly embellished by sax and flute. Chilled.

From the Costra Negra region of Peru, a wonderful voice full of expression and emotion that perfectly suits this album of Afro-Peruvian roots. Inspired by Cesaria Evora and produced by her producer Jose da Silva the CD was recorded in Mexico, Paris and Senegal. The duet of 'La Hisoria De Un Amor' betwwen Tania and Cesaria is simply divine but this is brimming over with class tracks including some further collaborations including my current favourite 'LaMulata' with Ousmane Toure. Totally brilliant.

A retrospective with new takes on some of his classic songs, this is only the eigth album from a career that goes back about sixty years but more known for composing than getting out there himself. He wrote alot of commercial sambas during the 50's and then moved into bossanovas in the 60's, on this compilation  he takes lead vocals on six of the 15 tracks with stars like Paulo Jobim and Leila Pinheiro guesting on the rest. From what I've read the final track 'O Boto Falou' has some very questionable anti ecological politics which is unfortunate to say the least especially as the rest is excellent and a real slice of Brazilan musical history.

Aimed at children but  nothing to stop anyone joining in especially when there's plenty to get the tonsils warbling. Arlo Guthrie gets us on the way with 'Bling Blang'  tracks followfrom Rhonda Vincent (Bananaphone) Tim O'Brien with Bob Dylan's 'Man Gave Names To All The Animals'  a brilliant 'Old MacDonald Had A Farm' from Rufus Thomas plus tracks from Keb' Mo' , Taj Mahal, Rosie Flores, Dan Zanes, Music For Aardvarks, Eric Bibb, Guy Davis and avery fitting 'You Are My Sunshine from 'Elizabeth Mitchell & Daniel Littleton. A good excuse to buy the kids a present.