Various Artists Baila: A Latin Dance Party (Putumayo, 2006) It is hard to go wrong with a compilation of Latin dance hits, and this stellar…
Baila: A Latin Dance Party
Author: Madanmohan Rao
Madanmohan Rao is an author and media consultant from Bangalore, and global correspondent for world music and jazz for World Music Central and Jazzuality. He has written over 15 books on media, management and culture, and is research director for YourStory Media. Madan was formerly World Music Editor at Rave magazine and RJ at WorldSpace, and can be followed on Twitter at @MadanRao.
Rough Guide to Brazil
Various Artists Rough Guide to Brazil (World Music Network) Fans of the Putumayo and Petrol Records compilations of world music would appreciate some of the…
Indian Influence in Spice Groove
Various Artists Spice Groove (WorldWide Records, 2003) Legendary DJs like Ravin of The Buddhar Bar in Paris have put Indian sound firmly in the global…
Malaysia’s Shangyin Chinese Chamber Music Ensemble: Blending traditional Chinese music with Sarawak culture
Based in the eastern state of Sarawak in Malaysia, the Shangyin Chinese Chamber Music Ensemble performs a unique blend of traditional Chinese music along with…
Hipshaking Tambo
Al Santiago presents Tambo (Rykodisc, 1998) Al Santiago is one of the giants of salsa music, right up there with as a promoter and conductor…
16th Rainforest World Music Festival, Malaysia: Collaboration, Creativity and Community!
This is my sixth time at the Rainforest World Music Festival in Kuching/Sarawak, one of the top 25 world music festivals across the planet! 20…
World music bands address their role in social change, cultural preservation and creativity
One of the many interesting features of the Rainforest World Music Festival in Malaysia is the daily press meets featuring groups of musicians and the…
Mohsen Sharifian: Taking traditional music from Iran to new collaborative heights
Mohsen Sharifian is a musician and composer from Iran, and heads the troupe Lian Band. He has spent the last two decades immersing himself in…
Karmix: Kuon Ganjo, Urban Lounge and Fusion
Claude Challe Karmix: Kuon Ganjo (Worldwide Records) The driving force behind the Buddha Bar brand has put together yet another superb compilation of urban lounge…
Sakifo Music Festival 2013: A Celebration of Indian Ocean Music!
This is my first time in the amazing tropical island of Reunion, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, close to Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar…