Afro Classics

Cold Heat: Heavy Funk Rarities 1968-1974, Vol. 1
The Funky 16 Corners
Congotronics 2: Buzz 'n' Rumble from the Urb 'n' Jungle
Congotronics
World Psychedelic Classics 1: Brazil: The Best Of Os Mutantes/Everything Is Possible!

ASIN: B0007NMKSK
Release Date: 2005-03-08

Tracks:

Minsato Le, Mi Dayihome - Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou Dahomey
Love's a Real Thing - Super Eagles
Keleya - Moussa Doumbia
Ceddo End Title - Manu Dibango
Porry - Sorry Bamba, Sorry Bamba
Guajira Van - No. 1 De No. 1
Better Change Your Mind - William Onyeabor
Allah Wakbarr - Ben Ofoedu, Ofo & The Black Company
Awon-Ojise-Oluwa - Gaspar Lawal,
Zinabu - Bunzu Sounds
Ifa - Tunji Oyelana & The Blenders
Sanjina - Orchestre Regional de Kayes

Amazon.com

The American psychedelic movement was bound to produce unexpected progeny--including the 1970s, which began as a mainstream attempt to absorb the "free love," recreational drug use, and sartorial eccentricities of the previous decade. But there were parallel repercussions elsewhere in the world, and nowhere was this phenomenon more fascinating than in West Africa. As LPs became cheaper and readily available, local musicians began to incorporate the fuzz and wah-wah guitar vamps, cheesy organ riffs, blatting saxes, and fat, funky bass lines of sixties R&B plus Santana-influenced Latin rhythms and the extended, destination-free guitar solos typical of the San Francisco sound. These were not emulated by rote but freely adapted by younger Africans, mostly students, whose own acoustic traditions had already been transformed by exposure to urban technology. The resulting amalgams, whether they evolved in Benin, Nigeria, Gambia, Cote d'Ivoire, or Mali, remain incredibly lively, funny, inventive, and surprising. --Christina Roden

Customer Reviews:

Neat Collection.......2006-12-16

I won't say this is the best "world music" CD I've ever heard, or even the best Luaka Bop production, but it is very good and very unusual. Let's say certainly well above average - as are the lengths of many of the songs. The music is hard to compare to anything else... maybe psychedelic reggae? Maybe not. Anyway, if you're broad-minded, musically speaking, chances are you'll like it, so buy it.

Love it love it love it love it.......2006-09-21

This is a great album. I bought the first week it came out and still have not tired of it a year and a half later. Get it! You will put its songs on mix tapes and people will think you're awesome for having found these rare but outstanding songs!

Funky and Original.......2006-08-10

This is a great CD. Even richer and more nuanced than I expected.

Real Music.......2006-04-19

This is the best 12 song compilation cd I've ever experienced in my life. Anyone who votes anything less than 5 star is obviously a cheap wad or doesn't know anything about music.

Funky For the Money.......2005-10-19

If you like funk, or rock, or jazz, or just love good music you will like this CD. It is like a mix between James Brown and Jimi Hendrix. Every song is amazing and they are all different. Sure you may not understand the language, but funk is international. Hands down worth the price.

Average customer rating:

Nostalgia Done Well!!
Xavier Cugat--a classic film favorite!

Golden Classics
Xavier Cugat & His Orchestra
Manufacturer: Collectables
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Mambo | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Rhumba | Latin Music | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Lounge | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Instrumental Pop & Lounge | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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South America, Take It Away: 24 Latin Hits
Best of Xavier Cugat
Cugat's Favorite Rumbas / Mambo at the Waldorf
The Very Best of Xavier Cugat
Cocktail Hour: Xavier Cugat

ASIN: B0000008Z9
Release Date: 1995-10-20

Tracks:

Tico Tico
Chiquita Banana (The Banana Song)
Babalu
Copacabana
Mambo At The Waldorf
Mambo #5
The Peanut Vendor (El Manisero)
A Weekend In Havana
Cachita
Duerme (Time Was)
Yo Ta Namora
Anna Boroco Tinde
Acercate Mas (It Must Be A Dream)
Lamp Of Memory (Incertidumbra)
Negra Leono
La Cumparsa (Carnival Procession)
Brazil (Aquarela Do Brasil)
La Cucaracha
Toca-Tu Samba
Linda Mujer (You Never Say Yes! You Never Say No!)
Miami Beach Rhumba
Orchids In The Moonlight
Walter Winchell Rhumba
Jack, Jack, Jack (Cu-Tu-Gu-Ru)
Adios Muchachos (Farewell Boys)

Customer Reviews:

Nostalgia Done Well!!.......2006-08-30

The music on this CD is extremely well produced. Nostalgia from early music, the vocals performed in orginal spanish by early spanish stars of their day.
Some music on this disc might be remembered being used in the film, "Bye Bye Brasil." No punchy studio posturings, just simple elegant music performed at first part of his career.

Thomas Lee

Xavier Cugat--a classic film favorite!.......2000-08-18

If you have watched a lot of classic films from the 40s you have probably seen Xavier Cugat and his band appearing in some of them (like "A Date With Judy," "Mexican Holiday," and some of the Esther Williams movies). You will also have heard some of the music from this CD. If you like the latin nightclub scenes from 40s classic films, you will probably like this CD as well. Sure, the music seems kind of campy now, but listening to this CD is kinda relaxing -- a remnant from a simpler time (at least on celluloid). Tune into that Hollywood Golden Era vibe.

I recommend this CD, it's one of my favorites. It is also good for ballroom dancing (vintage rhumba, tango, mambo, samba) since Xavier Cugat played mainly for dancers and uses even tempos.

Afro-Peruvian Classics: The Soul of Black Peru
Average customer rating:

Absolutely unstoppable listening

Arrived quickly,

Nostalgia for Peruanos-- and Good Music for Everybody Else

Afro-Peruvian Classics: The Soul of Black Peru
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Luaka Bop
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Brazil | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music
Peru | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music
General | International | Styles | Music
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The Rough Guide to Afro Peru

Sangre de un Don

Eva! Leyenda Peruana

Jolgorio

Lamento Negro

ASIN: B0007XT84Y
Release Date: 2005-03-22

Tracks:

Maria Lando [Land Susana Baca
Yo No Soy Jaqui (I Am Not Jaqui) [Land Manuel J. Donayre
Canterurias (Songs) [Land Cecilia Barraza
Samba Malato [Land Lucila Campos
Enciendete Candela (Light the Flame) [Ing- Conjunto Gente Morena, Roberto Rivas
Azucar de CaSugarcane) [Land
Prendeme la Vela (Light My Candle) [Alcatraz]
LandChabuca Granda
Toro Mata (Bull Kills) [Land Lucila Campos
Son de los Diablos (Dance of the Devils) - Peru Negro
No Me Cumben (That's Not for Me)
Una Larga Noche (A Long Night) [Land Chabuca Granda
Lando [Land Peru Negro
Maria Lando [Land David Byrne
Zapateo en Menor [Instrumental]

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely unstoppable listening.......2007-02-23

I LOVE this cd more than any other that I own, and that is saying a lot. The diversity of sound, the pulse of rhythm and fantastic assortment of artists makes this one of the best CD's I have ever listened to!! NO KIDDING!
I very highly recommend this cd to anyone even remotely interested in latin american music. The depth of expressiveness will move you, in your heart and in your heels - as you will certainly not be able to resist the duende!
P.S. This is not what you think of when you think of Peruano music...pan pipes, etc. Just as soulful, but a completely different sound sphere.
Marni Benavides

Arrived quickly, .......2007-02-06

My parents said that they liked this gift very much and they know Peruvian music quite well. It also arrived quickly.

Nostalgia for Peruanos-- and Good Music for Everybody Else.......2005-08-25

Wonderful stuff here-- smoky, sexy music from coastal Peru. I lived there for three years, and the clubs sometimes featured these performers-- especially the sublime Susana Baca. She peformed in her bare feet, her face upraised as if she were communicating with angels.

This is authentic fun from start to finish-- though the last cut, a vanity item from producer David Byrne, is a bit off-- his Spanish is... not comfortable. But the song is good.

Average customer rating:

Brazil Samba
Quintessential Samba

Brazil Classics, Vol. 2: O Samba
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Luaka Bop
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Brazil | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

Samba | Latin Music | International | Styles | Music

Afro Brazilian | Latin Music | International | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music
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Brazil Classics, Vol. 1: Beleza Tropical
Pure Brazil: Caipirinha
Samba de Carneval de Brasil
Beleza Tropical 2: Novo! Mais! Melhor!, Compiled By David Byrne
Samba Brasil

ASIN: B0007XT83K
Release Date: 2005-03-22

Tracks:

Deusa Dos Orix- Clara Nunes
LjexFilhos de Gandhy) - Clara Nunes
S.P.C. - Zeca Pagodinho
Sufoco - Alcione
Formosa - Ciro Monteiro
Oleramar Alcione
O Encanto Do Gantois - Beth Carvalho
Aldeia de Okarimb - Neguinho Da Beifa Flor, Neguinho Da Beija-Flor
E Preciso Muito Amor - Chico Da Silva
Caxambu - Almir Guineto
Quem Me Guia - Almir Guineto
Ela Nao Gosta de Mim - Agep
Claustrofabia - Martinho Da Vila
Batucada No Ch- Martinho Da Vila
Sosou Para Ramad- Paulinho da Viola

Customer Reviews:

Brazil Samba.......2005-10-06

Many loath this collection and say it is dated and that David Byrne did not make the best possible selections to represent classic Samba music. But this is one heck of a CD. The two opening tracks by Clara Nunes will leave you mesmerized by those vocals and sad over what could have been if not for her tragic death. Beth Carvahlo on track 7 is one of the best Samba numbers from the 80s I've ever heard. Many other big name artists from Samba's past are represented here and while maybe they aren't represented by their best works, they are displayed well and this is one nice collection.

Quintessential Samba.......2005-07-07

A masterpiece released in 1989, and probably the reason why David Byrne kept pushing the exploration of world music. A Must Have.

Average customer rating:

Such a magnificent touch on the fretboard.
great playing
Bach at its best
An Instant Classic in the Segovia Tradition
An indispensible CD to any music collection

Artistry of Christopher Parkening
Christopher Parkening , Johann Sebastian Bach , and Andres Segovia
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

In the Spanish Style / Christopher Parkening
Christopher Parkening - A Tribute to Segovia
Christopher Parkening plays Bach
Simple Gifts: Christopher Parkening
Christopher Parkening Plays Vivaldi Guitar Concertos & Warlock Capriol Suite

ASIN: B000002RTK
Release Date: 1993-05-11

Tracks:

Prelude For Lute
Fugue From Violin Sonata No. 1
Prelude From Cello Suite No. 1
Courante From Cello Suite No. 3
Chaconne From Violin Partita No. 2
Saltarello: Two Renaissance Pieces For Lute
Preludio
Scherzino From Cavatina
Danza Pomposa From Cavatina
Estudio No. 3 In A Major
Melancolia
Andante Cantabile
Cuna
Gymnopedie No. 1
Gymnopedie No. 2
Gymnopedie No. 3
The Girl With The Flaxen Hair
Pastourelle
Pavane Of The Sleeping Beauty
Empress Of The Pagaodas
Afro - Cuban Lullaby

Customer Reviews:

Such a magnificent touch on the fretboard........2006-10-12

Parkening has such a sensitive touch. He can make the softest song come alive into a world of its own with simple picking techniques. Or, on faster pieces, his brilliant interpretation and dexterity are truly amazing. You'll experience a wide range of emotions when listening to this CD, and you'll be in awe of Parkening's mastery of the classical guitar.

great playing.......2005-09-17

this is one of the best recordings on any instrument. Parkening is a truly great artist.

Bach at its best.......2003-04-24

The best part of this CD is the Bach recordings. I could listen to the Fugue from Violin Sonata No. 1 over and over without let up--it's astounding. The Chaconne is one of the best recordings of that most exalted work by Bach. The main reason I didn't give this CD a 5-star rating are the non-Bach selections, which although played brilliantly, are not among my favorite compositions. The exceptions are the charming Renaissance pieces for lute and the impressively transcribed and skillfully performed "Empress of the Pagodas." To be sure, there are some beautiful and dazzling passages within many of the other pieces, which makes this CD definitely worth it. However, the best Parkening release is "The Great Recordings," which is a double-CD set with a greater variety of music and includes the Fugue and a few other recordings from this CD.

An Instant Classic in the Segovia Tradition.......2000-02-18

Christopher Parkening's work has always been nothing less than stellar. This particular collection of works is drawn from four previous releases (and also includes unreleased recordings), and is exemplary of his artistry and talent. The recordings are as crisp and clear as the day they were set down on tape. His expression and tone are without comparison. The selection of works on this particular CD show his ability to perform classics in the broadest range imaginable, and does so with ease.

The liner notes give great detail on each piece, including a brief history on Parkening himself. If nothing else, this brings the listener even closer to the performer, something I find rare in the classical music genre.

I once attended a concert given by local artists in a small church in Germany many years ago, and whenever I listen to this CD, it brings to mind memories of that afternoon. Parkening makes you feel as though you are in the room with him, listening in awe; you are never aware that he is playing in a studio at all.

Overall, this is a great example of one of the world's greatest classical guitarists (he's number one on my list).

An indispensible CD to any music collection.......1999-08-26

This cd is a fine collection of some of the works released on Parkening's first four recordings, "In The Classic Style", "In The Spanish Style", "Romanza", and "Parkening And The Guitar". The music itself spans more than three centuries and effectivly demonstrates what the guitar is capable of in the hands of a great master. The disc begins with some of the better known transcriptions of Bach,and then moves on to some rarly heared guitar transcriptions of Mompou, Satie, Poulenc and Ravel. The entire album is wounderfully played, technically flawless and very expressive. As always Parkening plays with a beautiflly warm tone and a poetry reminiscent of Segovia's playing. I give this cd my highest recomendation.