✅ The Obsever (UK) - 50 Essential World CDs (2008)

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Jeff
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✅ The Obsever (UK) - 50 Essential World CDs (2008)

Post by Jeff »

I searched and did not see this list posted. A poll of select "World" music critics and a few of the Observer's in-house staff from 2008. Presumably eligible? List is numbered, but unranked.

Africa
1 Oum Kalsoum - The Legend (2007)
2 Cesaria Evora - Miss Perfumado (1992)
3 Orchestra Baobab - Pirates Choice (2001)
4 Youssou N'Dour - Immigres (1988)
5 Khaled - Sahra (1996)
6 Salif Keita - Moffou (2002)
7 V/A - Festival in the Desert (2003)
8 Amadou and Mariam - Dimanche a Bamako (2005)
9 Toumani Diabate's Symmetric Orchestra - Boulevard de l'Independance (2006)
10 Fela Kuti - Zombie (1976)
11 V/A - The best of the Ethiopiques (2007)
12 Franco and TPOK Jazz - 1972/73/74 (2000)
13 Konono No.1 - Congotronics (2005)
14 Brenda Fassie - The Queen of African Pop (2004)
15 Thomas Mapfumo - Hondo (1993)
16 V/A - Kwaito: South African Urban Beats (2004)

Americas
17 Lhasa - The living road (2004)
18 Juan Luis Guerra - Bachata Rosa (1990)
19 Fania All-Stars - Live at the Cheetah (1972)
20 Lila Downs - La Cantina (2006)
21 Daddy Yankee - Barrio Fino (2005)
22 Orishas - A lo Cubano (2000)
23 Buena Vista Social Club - Buena Vista Social Club (1997)
24 Andy Palacio - Watina (2007)
25 V/A - Ola Latina: Grandes Exitos Discos Fuentes (2006)
26 Seu Jorge - Cru (2007)
27 V/A - Brazil Classics Vol. 1 (1989)
28 V/A - Tropicalia (2006)
29 V/A - Rio Baile Funk Vol 1 (2004)
30 Astor Piazzolla - Tango: Zero Hour (2003)

Europe
31 Mariza - Fado e Mim (2002)
32 Radio Tarifa - Rumba Argelina (1996)
33 Lo' Jo - Au Cabaret Sauvage (2003)
34 Manu Chao - Clandestino (2000)
35 Gotan Project - La Revencha del Tango (2001)
36 Varttina - Miero (2006)
37 Ojos de Brujos - Bari (2002)
38 V/A - London is the Place for Me Vol. 1 (2002)
39 Paolo Conte - The Best of Paolo Conte (1999)
40 Taraf De Haidouks - Band of Gypsies (2001)
41 Sezen Aksu - Deliveren (2001)

Middle East and Asia
42 Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - Musst Musst (1990)
43 Yat Kha - Dalai Beldiri (1999)
44 Yasmin Levy - Mano Suave (2007)
45 Omar Souleyman - Hightway to Hassake: Folk and Pop of Syria (2007)
46 Pandit Shivkumar Sharma - Call of the Valley (1968)
47 Lata Manngeshkar - The Legend (2006)
48 Zakir Hussain - Making Music (1986)
49 Ryuichi Sakamoto - Beauty (1989)
50 Takashi Hirayasu and Bob Brozman - Jin-Jin/Firefly (2000)

Link: http://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/jun/15/worldmusic

Note: I believe the years listed are the dates of the UK CD issue rather than their original release in some cases. At the very least, I know that that Astor Piazzolla album was released well before 2003.
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Blanco
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Re: The Obsever (UK) - 50 Essential World CDs (2008)

Post by Blanco »

Jeff wrote:Americas
21 Daddy Yankee - Barrio Fino (2005)
:angry-banghead: :angry-cussingblack: :angry-screaming:
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Re: The Obsever (UK) - 50 Essential World CDs (2008)

Post by Henrik »

Eligible. Thanks Jeff.

Blanco, I'm listening to Daddy Yankee for the first time in my life. For my ears, who aren't filled with this kind of music daily, it sounds quite fresh.

The Observer's review:
"Puerto Rico's biggest reggaeton star with the album that brought this local twist on hip hop to the world - spiced up further by sprinklings of salsa, Mexican and even Arabic styles in the mix."

I agree that it's a nice mix of styles. For sure it's not the best album on this list, but the superlow RYM ranking (1,72!) is not warranted. You Latin American hipsters sure hate your stars... ;)
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Blanco
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Re: The Obsever (UK) - 50 Essential World CDs (2008)

Post by Blanco »

Hahaha I do not know if I can say it is a Latin American star. Perhaps, in certain areas.
The case with Daddy Yankee is that he is heard only by those groups of people who call themselves "Chakas" (At least here in Mexico they are called that way). They are related to crime, informal trade, drugs and arms trafficking, etc.
And I know that you could argue that no matter who or how are the listeners, if the music is good. But here's the thing ...

The lyrics are very explicit. VERY explicit. And I say this even though I listen to music with enough profanity. Listen so repeatedly that a woman likes gasoline (semen); and that if we seek problems, one will end up being food for birds in the street, and so on... not to my liking.
Nor can we say that it is music made by talented musicians. At most, it's catchy music. Two chords that seem to be repeated until eternity in all the songs. And I mean, the same two chords in every song.
Lots of auto-tune, a lot of twerking, a lot of talk about drugs and a lot of sexism for my taste.

Anyway ... I could simply respect the dissemination of this music. What I do not like is that those who are not Latin Americans believe that that is Latin American music. Because it is not. Or at least, it's not just that. There is much more. There is music made by people who have dedicated their life to music. Music with good arrangements, good lyrics, good solos, music you can dance... whatever you want. We have something for everyone. You only need to look better.
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