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Music CDs
THE ROUGH GUIDE TO THE MUSIC OF MOROCCOMusic CDs
Total Playing Time: 71:16 Morocco is a musical wonderland, stuffed with a bewildering surfeit of sounds; raw, sophisticated, ancient, modern, acoustic, electronic, mellow, fierce, deeply spiritual and extravagantly hedonistic. Culturally fed by rivers flowing in from all directions, its musical gene pool is rich and diverse, although the unique legacy of Morocco’s own native Berber culture remains more rooted than any imported influences. This album features two of Morocco’s musical giants, Jil Jilala and Nass El Ghiwane, the best-loved Moroccan female group, Bnet Marrakech and the greatest al aita star of modern times, Fatna Bent El Houcine. Delving into some of Morocco’s musical traditions, such as melhoun and gnawa, The Rough Guide To The Music Of Morocco also features some of the more contemporary and electronic sounds to have emerged out of this culturally rich country. ‘As Andy Morgan points out in his excellent sleeve-note, Morocco’s musics draw on Jewish and Arabo-Andalusian styles as well as the indigenous tradition of the Berbers. This Rough Guide – the best in the series for a long time – has been put together with love and respect rather than with a meretricious eye on what will go down well in the clubs: the tracks are of such generous length that we really can get into the mood. There’s a lot of discreet instrumental virtuosity here, and some genuinely great voices: Nass El Ghiwane’s prayerful growl among them.’ Independent On Sunday Five*****stars » read more | add to cart |
THE ROUGH GUIDE TO CLASSIC JAZZMusic CDsTotal Playing Time: 71'36" The 1920's and early 1930's was the great era of Jazz. Produced to accompany the Rough Guide To Jazz book, this album spans the period, showcasing the big names, as well as some lesser known gems. '...an admirable starter pack, covering good examples from most of the big names as well as works by important secondary figures. Concise, informative liner notes provide further edification ****' Q Artists include: Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, Jelly-Roll Morton, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Bix Beiderbecke, and The Original Dixieland Jazz Band » read more | add to cart |
THE ROUGH GUIDE TO NATIVE AMERICAN MUSICMusic CDs
Total Playing Time: 68'09" Native American music is remarkably disparate and varied with tribal backgrounds and regional and climatic distinctions augmenting the differences brought about in all of us by personal experience, taste and character. In this collision of sounds and styles however, a new impetus is emerging. Native Americans are reaffirming the music they have inherited. Native American creativity not only perseveres but thrives. 'Recommended. A splendid assortment of...Native American music - a real eye-opener ****' Classic CD » read more | add to cart |
THE ROUGH GUIDE TO AMERICANAMusic CDsTotal Playing Time: 72:29 The Rough Guide to Americana, compiled by Mojo magazine's Sylvie Simmons, is the definitive guide to the growing genre of Americana – a new grittier dimension to country music. Taking their inspiration from old country, blues and the American roots scene, musicians have created a modern and unique sound, on the margins or almost entirely outside the mainstream music business. The weird and the wonderful come together on this perfect introduction to the key names of the new Americana scene. 'an enjoyable and varied gallery' Q » read more | add to cart |
THE ROUGH GUIDE TO THE MUSIC OF MADAGASCARMusic CDs
Total Playing Time: 65:41 Madagascar, the world’s fourth largest island, has incredible ethnic diversity and rich history. The Rough Guide To The Music Of Madagascar features music across the broad Malagasy spectrum – from the island’s spicy dance music to the purest music from the highlands. Featuring the valiha (a tubular bamboo zither) and lokanga (three-stringed fiddle), among other instruments specific to the island, this album explores the diverse Malagasy culture that has been influenced by Arab, Persian, Chinese, Indian and European societies over the years. ‘A long overdue addition to the Rough Guide series… rounds up good choices of tunes from all the names that you’d expect… But as is often the case with the best of these Rough Guides, the real gems are to be found amongst the internationally lesser known artists… There’s a good spread of styles too, everything from Teta’s rough, hot tsapiky party sounds of the south western Tular region to Ny Sakelidana’s old-timey kalon ny fahiny harmonies of the central highlands.’ fRoots, UK Artists include: Jaojoby, Ny Antsaly, Vakoka, Hazolahy, Toto Mwandjani, Monja, Tarika, Vilon’Androy, Mahaleo, D’Gary, Koezy, Rajery, Teta, Daniel Tombo, Ny Sakelidalana and Régis Gizavo » read more | add to cart |
THE ROUGH GUIDE TO AMERICAN ROOTSMusic CDs Total Playing Time: 66:38
The wealth of music that has developed and grown in the United States cannot be underestimated. It is the birthplace of jazz, blues, gospel, bluegrass, old-time, Cajun, zydeco and countless other folk styles. Ranging from the early folk sounds of the Great Depression to the twangs of bluegrass and the soul of blues and gospel, The Rough Guide To American Roots is an indispensable collection of the giants of American roots music and introduces some of the finest musicians and the legendary performers that have contributed to the scene in the USA. » read more | add to cart |
THE ROUGH GUIDE TO THE MUSIC OF AFRICAMusic CDs Total Playing Time: 77'10" Fasten your seatbelts for a whirlwind trip across the African continent. Exploring the hypnotic sounds of the Algerian desert and infectious dance rhythms from around the continent, taking in Mali's most brilliant kora virtuoso and the urban sounds of South Africa, this Rough Guide focuses on some of the stars and styles of what is arguably the richest musical landscape in the world. '15 of the most infectious rhythms have been collected on a new CD, The Music of Africa, which includes the great dance music of Zimbabwean Oliver Mtukudzi' Daily Express » read more | add to cart |
