Dec

State of World Music in 2011

by Zakariya

No doubt about it, there’s a lot of good musical releases in any given year. And there’s a lot more good stuff that never even gets recorded, but let’s not worry about that for now. We’re going to count down 15 so-called ‘world music’ albums that came out this year, with a definite eye towards Oriental music, but a couple forays into Africa, Southeast Asia, and even Latin America. No, this list doesn’t presume to be ‘the best,’ so don’t feel cheated if your particular favourites get left off the list. Rather, I just want to give you a taste of some of the musical highlights of 2011. If you aren’t listening to these, you should be. And if you are, keep tuned for some really exciting stuff in 2012. But until then, enjoy these little gems…

15. ‘Tortadur’ – Sevara Nazarkhan
Following up the decidedly more pop oriented release ‘Sen,’ this album finds Sevara Nazarkhan returning to her Uzbek roots, exploring the ancient art of maqam. Stripped of much of the studio gloss, and backed by an assortment of classical and folkloric musicians, Nazarkhan explores the history of maqam. Her voice brings centuries of tradition to life.

14. ‘Heyma’ – Abir Nasraoui
Le Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris tends to put out some good releases culled from across the Arabic-speaking world of the Middle East and North Africa, and ‘Heyma’ is no exception. Based out of Tunisia, Abir Nasraoui is another one of those Arabic lounge singers whose art seems to straddle the Mediterranean. Backed by a talented orchestra, she sings the usual fare of love, loss and nostalgia for the homeland. Well worth checking out.

13. ‘Putumayo Presents African Beat’
World music label Putumayo finally entered the digital age, and one of their first digital releases is this collection of African-tinged electronica. Quite appropriate, no? This compilation includes everything from South African Zulu DJ Busi Mhlongo to the electric kora of Mali’s Issa Bagayogo to remixes of Vieux Farka Touré’s desert blues. This is an exciting collection that fans of Afropop won’t want to miss.