World Music Central’s music critics and special guest revealed today their lists of best world music albums of 2014. Although a handful of albums were released prior to 2014 in some territories, release schedules vary from territory to territory and the majority of these recordings were released in 2014.
Johannes Theurer (Germany)
Our special guest this year is Johannes Theurer, a radio broadcaster in the German capital, Berlin. He produces his radio show ‘Dschungelfieber’ on public service radio since 1987. Johannes’ radio show has been integral part of the World Music Charts Europe that includes 46 radio broadcasters in 24 countries, which he compiles monthly.
Johannes’ most played CDs this year were:
1 – Toumani & Sidiki (World Circuit) by Toumani & Sidiki Diabate (Mali)
2 – Landini (Real World) by Aurelio (Honduras)
3 – Queen Between (World Village) by Susheela Raman (UK)
4 – Feryad-I Kemane (Oenarth Records) by Cafer Nazlibas (Turkey)
This artist is a young extremely talented Kemanche player from Turkey – hope to hear more from him in the future!
5 – Linyera (World Village) by Melingo (Argentina)
6 – Transoriental Orchestra (Kayax) by Kayah (Poland)
7 – Symphonic Taraab (JARO) by Mohammed Issa ‘Matona’ Haji & Rajab Suleiman The Norwegian Radio Orchestra with Maryam Said Hamdun (Norway/Tanzania)
8 – Salvadora Robot (Soundway) by Meridian Brothers (Colombia)
9 – Sobre Noites e Dias (No Format!) by Luccas Santana (Brazil)
10 – San Augustin (Alex Wilson Records) by Edwin Sanz (Venezuela/UK)
Favorite Compilation:
Galiza (Folmusica) by Kepa Junkera and various artists from Galicia (Spain)
Favorite re-issue:
Les Ambassadeurs du Motel de Bamako (Stern’s) by Les Ambassadeurs du Motel de Bamako (Mali)
TJ Nelson (North Carolina, USA)
TJ Nelson is a regular CD reviewer and editor at World Music Central
TJ’s Top Ten World Music Albums for 2014 (in no specific order):
Dawn (HopeStreet Recordings) by Emma Donovan & The Putbacks (Australia)
Emma Donovan & The Putbacks – Dawn (HopeStreet Recordings)
Film of Life (Jazz village) by Tony Allen (Nigeria)
Ancient Sufi Invocations & Forgotten Songs from Aleppo (Electric Cowbell Records) by Nawa (Syria)
The Master by Warren Cuccurullo & Ustad Sultan Khan (USA/India)
Junkyard Ball (Lusti Music/Sibelius Akatemia) by Tero Hyvaluoma (Finland). A great 2013 CD reviewed in 2014.
Tzenni (Glitterbeat) by Noura Mint Seymali (Mauritania)
Abraçaço (Nonesuch) by Caetano Veloso (Brazil)
Viento y Marea by Jerez Texas (Spain)
Walking Through Clay (Sugar Hill Records) by Dirk Powell (USA)
Devil’s Tale (Asphalt Tango Records) by Adrian Raso and Fanfare Ciocarlia (Canada/Romania). Another fabulous 2013 CD reviewed in 2014.
Tom Orr (California, USA)
Tom is a regular CD reviewer at World Music Central
Tom’s Top Ten World Music Albums for 2014 (in no specific order):
Moving On by Roy and Yvonne (Jamaica)
The Birth of Jungle Cumbia by Juaneco y su Combo (Peru)
Calaita Flamenco Son by Calaita Flamenco Son (UK/Spain)
Afro-Colombian Sound Modernizers by Son Palenque (Colombia)
Current Affairs by Runa (USA)
Landini by Aurelio (Honduras)
Good Prevails by Alpheus (UK)
Konpa Lakay by Boulpik (Haiti)
Sunken City Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Next Level Sound System
Neva/Harmony by Olcay Bayir (Turkey)
Tony Hillier (Australia)
Tony Hillier is based in Cairns in far north Queensland. He writes for national publications such as the Weekend Australian and Rhythms magazine.
Tony’s Top Ten World Music Albums for 2014 (in no specific order)::
Baifang by Hanggai (China)
Oj Tak! By Chlopcy Kontra Basia (Poland)
Mortissa by Cigdem Aslan (Turkey)
Permission To Evaporate by Joseph Tawadros (Australia)
Lullaby and … The Ceaseless Roar by Robert Plant (UK)
Yo by Roberto Fonseca (Cuba)
A Long Way To the Beginning by Seun Kuti + Egypt 80 (Nigeria)
A Long Way To the Beginning
Bloody Rain by Sarah Jane Morris (UK)
Follow The Path by Shaolin Afronauts (Australia)
Wild Goats & Unmarried Women by She’Koyokh (UK)
Best compilation:
Various Artists – Real World 25 (various countries)
Best Reissue:
Grit by Martyn Bennett
Madanmohan Rao
Madanmohan Rao is a Bangalore-based music editor & DJ, specializing in World Music and Jazz. He is a regular contributor to World Music Central.
Madan’s Top World Music Albums for 2014 (in no specific order):
“Santie Papang” (Sakifo Records) by Maya Kamaty (Reunion Island)
“TransBangla” (BanglaNatakby) by East West Local (India)
“Gambia” (Joluv Arts Entertainment) by Jalimadi (The Gambia)
Jalimadi – Gambia
“Kashi” (White Swan Records) by Prem Joshua & Chintan (India)
“Tariq” (Arc Music) by Jaume Compte & Nafas Ensemble (Spain/Middle East)
The Rough Guide To The Music Of Mali (World Music Network)
Angel Romero Ruiz (USA/Spain)
Angel is World Music Central’s founder.
Angel’s Top Ten World Music Albums for 2014 (in no specific order):
Tzenni (Glitterbeat) by Noura Mint Seymali (Mauritania)
The Master (Six Degrees Records) by Warren Cuccurullo & Ustad Sultan Khan (USA/India)
Memoria (Schema) by Toco (Brazil)
Incantations (White Swan Records) by Sheela Bringi (USA)
Dos (Zoomusic) by Zoobazar (Spain)
Bailar En La Cueva (Warner Music Latina) by Jorge Drexler (Uruguay/Spain)
FBB (Siba Records SRCD-1012) by Sibelius Academy Folk Big Band (Finland)
Griot Classique by Mamadou Diabate (Mali)
Canción Andaluza (Universal Music Spain) by Paco de Lucía (Spain)
Planetary Coalition (Artist Share) by Alex Skolnick (USA and international guests)
Best compilation:
Real World 25 (Real World Records) by Various Artists (various countries)
Best reissue:
Les Ambassadeurs du Motel de Bamako (Sterns Africa STCD 3065-66CD) by Les Ambassadeurs (Mali)
Best packaging:
Razón de Son (Folmusica CD + book) by Raúl Rodríguez (Spain)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
