Congo To Cuba - Various Artists

Advantages: Hugely varied. Wide cultural influence. James Newton Howard. 16 tracks.
Disadvantages: None.

...I watched Collateral for the first time in Hong Kong and I thought it was fantastic. I was also really impressed with the way the music was used in the film, and I immediately bought the soundtrack when it was released here in the UK. Los Angeles is a very diverse city - as was illustrated in the film. Mexico, Cuba, Korea, the ghetto - it's all represented in this film. And of course America. You get a real feel of the dark slightly shady tone for the film with the opening track 'Briefcase' by Tom Rothrock. Not much going on musically in this track - but it sets the tone well. Most of this soundtrack is the actual songs that were used in the films. The artists include Groove Armada, Audioslave, Miles Davis, Paul Oakenfold and Calexico. The Paul Oakenfold track in particular is excellent and features during the excellent Korean... Read review

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Advantages: chilled sound for fans of zero 7
Disadvantages: might not suit everyone, few weak tracks

...absolutely love Zero 7, who has released two albums of their own material called 'Simple Things' and 'When it Falls', plus some compilation albums including the late night series. One of the members of Zero 7 releases his own material under the name 'Fragile State' and when my brother bought me this CD, I had high expectations for it. The track listing is as follows; 1. Venice Beach - The Egg 2. Best Days of Our Lives - Rachel Foster 3. Bubble Love 4. Get Misunderstood [Album Mix] - Troublemakers 5. Soul for Your Soul 6. Eponymous - Echo & the Bunnymen 7. Heaven's Gonna Burn Your Eyes - Thievery Corporation 8. Keep You Kimi - Yukimi Nagano 9. Wesley Music - Audrey Hermitt 10. Pablo's Blues 11. U Bring Me Vibes [Original Mix] - Amp Fiddler 12. Lazy Calm - Cocteau Twins 13. Congo [Fragile State Main Mix] 14. Every Day a Story - Fragile... Read review

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Advantages: Compiled for kids
Disadvantages: None

...This is a compilation CD, part of proceeds of which go to the non-profit makig charity Putuymay Cross-Cultural Initiative - see www.putuamayo.org for more information on their work. It is a collection of tracks of music from different artists in different continents around the world that have been recorded to appeal to children. The cover notes say that the '12 Tracks take children and their fmailies on an inspiring musical and cultural journey around the world'. It is guaranteed to make you feel good, they add. The tracks are as follows: 1. Toure Kunda (Senegal) - I am Fatou 2. Colibria (Bolivia) - The Buttefly 3. Cedella Marley Booker and Taj Mahal ( Jamaica) - Three Little Birds 4. Trevor Adamson (Australia) - Waltzing Matilda 5. Tera Doyle (Canada) - Home by Barna 6. Buckwheat Zydeco (USA) - Mardi Gras Mambo 7. Glykeria... Read review

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