NEW ON CD
Sampler is great
introduction to
reggae worldwide
"World Reggae"
Various artists (Putumayo World Music)
The prevalence and popularity of reggae the world over is evident on this fascinating and ultimately rewarding sampler.
And the word "sampler" is an apt description for this multicultural collection of tunes chosen from Europe, Africa, South America and even the South Pacific. The French colony of New Caledonia is represented by Bernard Uedre's "Rawagu," singing and playing their own brand of Jawaiian hybrid called "kaneka," a more heavily syncopated take of the Caribbean rhythm.
While there is a widespread variation of the reggae riddim, some of the international artists on "World Reggae" infuse it with their own style, thereby making the music their own. Listening to this collection's lineup, it's invariably the veteran performers like English-East Indian immigrant Apache Indian and Nigerian Majek Fashek who put their indelible stamp on their songs.
Apache Indian (who was born and raised in Birmingham, hometown of UB40) offers a prayerful "Om Numah Shivaya" that combines Hindu chants and classical Indian flute with reggae. Fashek adds pan-African accents to his reggae-influenced music called "kpangolo" on the lilting "African Unity."
Both Fashek and Ivory Coast veteran Alpha Blondy's offerings are through the auspices of Tuff Gong, the late Bob Marley's production label. Blondy, a West African artist of international repute, sings the strongly stated "Lalogo" and is one of the three highlights of this collection.
The other two include the airy soulfulness of "O Si Keka," sung by Cameroon-by-way-of-New York City transplant Kaïssa, and my particular favorite, "Ya Laymi," by the Algerian-French band Gnawa Diffusion. With Arabic lyrics decrying the use of violence in the name of democracy, the music moves seamlessly between Arabic and reggae, and is a great example of how an indigenous music can adapt to outside influences without sacrificing its original power.
"World Reggae," like the other Putumayo World Music samplers, is a great way for neophyte listeners to delve deeper into the musics of the world.
Click for online
calendars and events.
