Top 10 World Music Albums

This is a list of the Top 10 World Music albums I have compiled based upon other Top 10 countdowns in addition to albums I have heard tossed around at local record stores and concert venues. Feel free to comment or create your own. I’m always looking for suggestions on tunes to listen to.

1. Aman Iman by Tinariwen from Touareg tribe from Mali

2. Watina by Andy Palacio and the Garifuna Collective from Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras

3. Segu Blue by Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba from Mali

4. Dijn Dijn by Angelique Kidjo from Benin
5. Guiding Star by Vusi Mahlasela from South Africa
6. Cafe Noir by Papa Noel with musicians from the Congo and Cuba
7. Red Soil In My Eyes by Somi (An American with Rwandese and Ugandan heritage and an absolutely stunning voice. Her website is a wonderful way to start exploring her music.)

8. Security by Antibalas Afropop / Jazz / Funk from the U.S. by way of Africa and beyond
9. So the Journey Goes by Autorickshaw (Indian-influenced jazz and electronica from Canada)
10. Momento by Bebel Gilberto from Brazil

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K’naan – Free Tracks

K’naan, the dusty foot philosopher as he’s nicknamed, was originally born in Somalia and fled to North America with family at the age of thirteen. He lived in New York City and now resides in Toronto, and has a great story to tell through his lyrics. I mentioned him earlier in talking about the emergence of hip-hop worldwide, especially in eastern Africa.

“An elegant ambassador of peace, K’naan rhymes against violence because he has never forgotten the good fortune he had to escape death in his home country. From a personal and cultural history rooted in poetry (his grandfather is one of Somalia’s most famous poets), K’naan is widening the global hip-hop perspective.”

Calabash Music talked about K’naan earlier this week and are offering two free tracks from his newest album. Calabash is a unique music site offering free music from international musicians on a weekly basis.

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