Release Info

BBC radio program World Routes does things a little differently. There's studio time and music from well-known names in the genre, but there's also something more -- recordings made on the road in different countries around the globe -- and that's the focus of this excellent compilation. With 30 tracks culled from 18 different countries, it's the best, and most melodic, geography lesson anyone could hope to have. Even more interestingly, many of the musicians recorded for the show are unknown outside their immediate areas, and may not be well known even in their homelands. What they capture is the creativity and spirit of the people. So, alongside Toumani Diabaté, captured playing the kora in his home, there's the traditional ensemble Riho living deep in the country of Georgia, or Venezuelan Carlos Orozco. But whether famous or otherwise, the music is a delight, a mélange of global styles that can be breathtaking in its expanse. The quality of the sound is superb throughout, exceptional for what are really field recordings, and the extensive liner notes put everything in context. It serves as a very overdue reminder that not all the good music in the world makes it onto CDs, and that we can go out and listen and well as sit home with the stereo. ~ Chris Nickson

Tracks

1. Dilis Saari/Shushtari - Shoshitashvili, Eldar
2. Musu Maramba - Diabate, Toumani
3. Soloho Mahavelo - Samba
4. Themmangu - Murugesan, Meena
5. Ay Qiz Leyla - Qasimov, Alim
6. Baghdad - AlMadfai, Ilham
7. Vale do Jucá - Siba & Fuloresta
8. Mi Caballo - Ayacucho, Duo
9. Homi di Fora - Michel
10. Lweny Dong Pe - Watmon Cultural Group
11. Elif Dedim be Dedim - Ozkan, Cengiz
12. Rag Soohab - Langa Children of Rajasthan
13. Juni Juni - Nehedar, Maureen
14. Mariola - Chalkias, Petroloukas
15. Plum Tree Blossom - Shu-hong, Dai

1. A la Suegra - Orozco, Carlos
2. Mar Azul - Paris, Tito
3. Lazhghvashi - Riho Ensemble
4. Marcha do Donzel - Rosa, Renata
5. The Boatman - Haywire Family
6. Waire Nzira Nte - Nakibembe Village Musicians
7. Veloma - Vali, Justin
8. Naghmat Tahrir - Allami, Khyam
9. Bandishi Thumri in Raga Desh - Misra Brothers
10. Ay Qiz/Mugham Shahaz - Askarov, Gochag
11. Flor de los Glaciares - Prado, Manuelcha
12. Nakankari-Bushi - China, Sadao
13. Uruk - Gibran, Wisram
14. Samaja Vara Gamana - Sairam, Aruna
15. Jerusalem Llaqtaruna - Familia Pillco