World > North African World > A

Advantages: lots of variety, quality performing
Disadvantages: too much variety makes it a bit of a mess

...probably on here... Listening to Something Dangerous, I get the feeling that it is trying to jam as many different styles as it can onto one CD, which is a shame, because all the tracks are really very good, but they don't always go together very well. However, if any album were to earn the title of 'world music', this would be it. There is no way you're going to like every song on this album unless you have truly wide tastes and you don't mind ...
...the instrumentalists in particular is something to appreciate. You get 14 songs on the album, which is more than you get on most, and 72 minutes of quality music is giving you your money's worth. The album begins slowly with the haunting, acoustic "Adam's Lullaby", a favourite of mine, although it is not a good indicator of the tone of the rest of the album. "Eye of the duck", with its dance beats and rap, follows straight after it, possibly the ... Read review

Advantages: Ferrer's beautiful voice, simple arrangements
Disadvantages: None at all

"Mi sueno" is the final album recorded by much celebrated lead vocalist of the Buena Vista Social Club, Ibrahim Ferrer. In spite of being well-known among die hard fans of Cuban music, Ferrer was not even famous in Cuba let alone the world outside the isolated Carribbean island until American musician Ry Cooder discovered the veteran performers and made them into international superstars; Ferrer was 69 years old at the time. Cuban music includes ...
...of music that incorporates the Spanish 'cancion' style with African beats. Modern salsa music is derived from 'Son Cubano'. Guajira is derived from son and is distinct because of the arpeggiated guitar or piano parts; the Cuban classic "Guantanamera" is the best-known example of this style. Rumba is typified by call and response singing and this is something the Bueno Vista Social Club was particularly known for. Ferrer was best-known for being a ... Read review

Advantages: Inspirational playing, clever arrangements, and a purity of purpose.
Disadvantages: Probably not for everyone.

Nic Jones has always been in the background of my life. From my earliest days we had a cassette tape of this fine album on our trips to the Lake District, and Nic's sonorous tones make that landscape come alive. Regarded by many folkies as Nic's best album, this was recorded at the zenith of his career, just two years before his tragic car accident. Unable to play since then, subsequent releases have been taken from live recordings at gigs and festivals, ...
...and arrangements at their peak. On Nic's playing, I have to say something that may sound over-enthusiastic. His ability to play rhythm and melody simultaneously is hard to match, even today. The depth of sound his guitar style creates is simply spell-binding, especially on his Canadee-I-O. Much of this album is related to the sea in one shape or another, and creates highly evocative images of the hardships of cold (The Little Pot Stove) and the ...