World Music: Some Recommendations from BikeHike Adventures

1) Amadou and Mariam, featuring Manu Chao: Dimanche A Bamako
This musical duo from Mali, known as the “blind couple of Mali” met at Mali’s Institute for the blind and were later married. Their shared passion for music led to their eventual collaboration with Manu Chao, a world Latin music star. This album is instantly infectious with its mélange of styles ranging from pop to afro-blues and African jazz. Crank up this CD and you’ll find yourself dancing around the room and bopping to the beat.



2) Lhasa de Sela: La Llorona
Lhasa was born in New York to a Mexican Father and American Mother. Her childhood was spent traveling with her family in a converted school bus. She started singing in cafes at 13, and by 19 she was singing regularly at bars in Montreal. Her distinct haunting voice led to her first album called La Llorona, which mixes together Eastern European gypsy music, traditional South American songs and Mexican sounds. The CD went on to win the Juno award for Best Global Artist in 1988. If you ever have the chance to see her live, don’t miss out! She is a great storyteller and her passionate intensity on stage is captivating to watch.

3) Ali Farka Touré: Talking Timbuktu
Ali Farka Touré was a singer and guitarist from Mali, and one of Africa’s most internationally renowned musicians. His music, sung in several different languages, is a fusion of traditional Malian music and North American blues. He has even been referred to as the African “John Lee Hooker”. In 1994 he collaborated with Ry Cooder, an American singer and guitarist, to produce the award-winning album Talking Timbuktu. This album was one of the longest-running number one albums in the history of Billboard Magazine’s World Music charts.

4) Mariza
Mariza, a two time Grammy nominated singer was raised in Portugal and began singing as a child. She is a Fado singer, a musical genre that can be traced back to the early 19th century. Fado, translated as “fate”, is a form of singing characterized by melancholic lyrics and ballads, often about the life of the poor, but can really be about anything as long as a certain structure is followed. She has released 5 albums and is recognized throughout the world for her talents and dedication to preserving Portuguese culture through the arts.

5) Putumaya World Music Compilations
If you are like me, when I first started to really get into jazz music, I found it overwhelming and didn’t know where to start. How do you know what to buy? Compilations can be a great start for getting to know what you like and dislike, without committing yourself to an entire CD of one singer or band. The Putumaya Compilations are known for their diversity and contain mostly upbeat songs of international music characterized by their company’s motto “guaranteed to make you feel good”. The compilations cover a wide range of genres, including Latin Reggae, Mississippi Blues, Turkish Groove, Women of Africa, and Samba Bossa Nova.

Happy Listening,
Meg