America - Enter Tribal - Various Artists

Advantages: The antithesis of commercial rubbish.
Disadvantages: Very few.

...Deewana". The recordings include the unsung masters Pathane Khan and Allan Fakir as well as various tribal instrumentals from Sindh and Baluchistan. The second CD also includes a recording of the virtuoso performance of Muhammad Fakir on the Sarangi or Pakistani short-necked lute and the drug induced drumming of Lahore's Pappu Sain. On the whole the content is spiritually invigorating, calming and an ideal purchase for the more discerningly cosmopolitan as well as connoisseurs of the genre.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Original, multi-cultural tunes and exotic interludes
Disadvantages: Occasionally sounds repetitive, bland product design

...not to appeal to anyone. The Richest Man In Babylon is, in my opinion, one of their best offerings. Rolling Stone gave it 4 out of 5 stars, and for me this still doesn't justify how good this album is. It features live instrumentation, and incorporates the diverse voices of various artists from many countries - including Iceland's Emiliana Torrini and various jamaican rappers. The album is arranged meticulously. It's dreamlike opening track "Heaven's Gonna Burn Your Eyes" (perfect relaxing music) drifts into more upbeat tracks such as "Meu Destino" and "Liberation Front" (reminiscent of sexy 60's tunes). Best listened to late in the evening, or on a hazy summer day, the album's main influence is Indian music; exotic traditonal melodies, as well as heavier tribal bhangra. Tracks such as "Facing East", "Interlude" and "Exile" all feature Indian... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Interesting departure from usual format
Disadvantages: none

...Brand New day is a bit of a departure for Sting as he experiments with a whole host of different styles and buzzing harmonies. Jazz, rock, tribal and even western tunes al blended with a unique style that makes this album a winner. I was particularly surprised and please to find that he has used Katherine Tickell on Northumbrian pipes and fiddle and a number of new unknown artistes on the ensemble of vocal styles. The title track ‘Brand New Day’ wasn’t the track that sold the album, I think it was ‘Desert Rose’ which comes through with vocals that sound a mixture of ethnic and tribal but work to tremendous effect and have you bouncing along with the rhythm. There is something for everyone on this album, Sting fans will take to it immediately.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful