One of the most important albums to present the sounds of Bali to the world at large – not just because the set perfectly captures the sharper, more bracing sound of Balinese gamelan, but also because it includes an extended recording of the famous "monkey chant"! The first half of the record features two long gamelan passages – "Golden Rain" and "Bumblebee" – both somewhat frenetic, and quite different than some of the slower, more spacious gamelan sounds you might be more familiar with – as the Balinese approach can be quite driving and dynamic, with many changes in tempo and tone! The second half is even more amazing – the 20 minute "Ramayana Monkey Chant" – which features a group trading staccato vocals back and forth in an even more frenzied way – building and building as the track goes on, with an intensity that's gone onto make this album the stuff of legends! LP, Vinyl record album

A compilation of the Nonesuch Explorer series. It's split up into The Far East, which features "Ketjak", "Baris", "Frong Song", "Ketawang", "Echigojishi", and "Shrine Music"; India, which contains "Ni Ri Ni Ri Ga Ma", "Jogia", "Yaman", "Banturiti", and "Telisi Rama Chintanato"; Africa & The Americas, which contains "Me Voy A Belen", "Candomble", "Gumbukumbu", and "El Perro"; and Continental Europe, which includes "Krivo Horo", "Sto Limani Tou Piraea", "Ladarke", "Gaida Avasi", and "Sinoc M I Je Lane Mojo Dolazio Mile". LP, Vinyl record album

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A mellow but striking blend of world and jazz styles – featuring Walcott on a variety of Indian instruments, Cherry on trumpet, flute, Doussn'Gouni, and voice, and Vasconcelos on berimbau, cuica, and percussion. Titles include "Codona", "Mumakata", "New Light", and "Colemanwonder", a blending of Stevie Wonder and Ornette Coleman tunes! (Jazz, Global Grooves) LP, Vinyl record album

A sublime blend of Caribbean roots and contemporary soul – and a set that's even more fantastic than the previous album from David Walters! Walters is one of those globe-trotting talents who manages to pick up all sorts of great inspirations along the way, then forge them into something that's all his own – music that would certainly live up to the heritage of his roots in the West Indies, but with a global current that really fits the best spirit of the Heavenly Sweetness label and their excellent legacy of crossing boundaries with effortless ease! If the world were a better place, this album would be huge – showing up in all sorts of scenes and charts – yet we don't mean that in any sort of commercial way at all, as Walters has a way of being a really unique superstar without any sort of pretense or ego. Titles include "Soul Tropical", "Don't U", "Light", "Toxic Tropic", "Vanse Carnival", "An Lot Soley", "La Vi A Bel", "Gimme Love", and "No One (Captain Planet disco edit)". LP, Vinyl record album

Pretty great work from Toure Kunda – one of the best of the New Africa acts to record for Celluloid during the 80s! The album's got a bit of electro modernism in the mix, thanks to production by Bill Laswell – and guest keyboards by Bernie Worrell. The overall sound is very tight, and very catchy – with a few tunes that really predate the Afro pop/world music style by a number of years. Tracks include the leadoff monster "Toure Kunda", plus "Fode", "Natalia", "M'Barring", "Babacady", "Nidiaye", and "Duunya" LP, Vinyl record album

A pretty compelling batch of tracks, featuring the guitar, trumpet, and vocals of Olu Dara – a rootsy player who'd first come to fame in the avant scene of the 80s, but who also has undergone an incredible transformation over the past few years. Although the album is only the 2nd to be released under Dara's own name, he's had over 20 years of experience in the music business – as you'll clearly hear in the record's unique blend of New Orleans funk, delta blues, and African rhythms. It's hard to pinpoint this one exactly – but it's sure to be a favorite with the world music crossover scene. Guests include Dr John and Cassandra Wilson – and titles include "Massamba", "I See The Light", "Out On The Rolling Sea", "Strange Things Happen Every Day", and "Bell & Ponce". CD

This group is probably best known to the world by their name Lafayette Afro Rock Band – which was their first incarnation, when they were turning the Paris funky jazz scene on its ear in the early 70s! This album's of a later vintage, and the band's tightened up their act a bit – but the groove is still quite strong, and all the right elements are firmly in place. Lafayette Hudson's still on funky bass, Frank Abel lays down wonderful keyboards – and tracks include "Hi Fi Woman", "The Gap", "Funky Bunch", "Funky Lovin", "Quick", and "Passing Dreams". (Soul, Global Grooves) LP, Vinyl record album

Three lengthy pieces from Shankar, accompanied by Alla Rakha on tabla: "Tabla Solo In Shikhar", "Dhun (Based On the Morning Raga In Sindhi-Bhairavi)" and "Raga Bhupal Todi". LP, Vinyl record album