World Music Albums of the Year - 2016

[Lat-Literal]

While we wait:

I suppose I should also confess that I feel "Nothing More To Say" is a staggeringly beautiful track. Blue-eyed soul, whatever that is, I think not. All accompanied by a sad story. If the band is to be recognised at all, the time is now and possibly here as there is unlikely to be another record from them - http://www.npr.org/sections/therecor...nd-last-record.

Thank you very much!

(Re Wren, I won't be arguing that she should be included but I am very struck by the purity of her voice and she has spent some notable time in Galicia - two tracks on the CD are in Spanish - the obvious talent isn't yet wholly fulfilled - she will probably be another soon gone without trace - but I will certainly be watching this space, so to speak - I like her)

[Globaltruth]

This song is in the news at the moment. Quite right too. Rokia can usually be relied on for iconoclastic interpretations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmbmf-YVHoo

For which I am grateful.

I'd like to replace one, or go to 21 with Lee Scratch P's latest album Must Be free, first new album since 2014.The album finds him on good form, full of madness. Mentioning which, he is/was on tour with the Mad Professor, who I also considered nominating. In fact they had a joint live album out in 2016, from The Maritime Hall.

http://pitchfork.com/news/67107-lee-scratch-perry-announces-new-album-must-be-free/

Neither album seems to be on YT in any form. I'd expect nothing less.
Let's make the most of him while he's still around.

ps there are also a couple of 'Best Of' style albums from LSP that came out in 2016.

[Lat-Literal]

This song is in the news at the moment. Quite right too. Rokia can usually be relied on for iconoclastic interpretations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmbmf-YVHoo

For which I am grateful.

I'd like to replace one, or go to 21 with Lee Scratch P's latest album Must Be free, first new album since 2014.The album finds him on good form, full of madness. Mentioning which, he is/was on tour with the Mad Professor, who I also considered nominating. In fact they had a joint live album out in 2016, from The Maritime Hall.

http://pitchfork.com/news/67107-lee-scratch-perry-announces-new-album-must-be-free/

Neither album seems to be on YT in any form. I'd expect nothing less.
Let's make the most of him while he's still around.

ps there are also a couple of 'Best Of' style albums from LSP that came out in 2016.

"Strange Fruit" is indeed in the news. Has the invitation been withdrawn yet? I don't always "get" Rokia Traore but that is an excellent version. Hints of Billie and she makes it her own. LSP was on my mind, as always, but you look at key reggae sites and it is almost like he doesn't exist and ditto Mad Professor. I feel that much of the output in the West Indies and Africa is boy or girl band version. It needs to have something extra with it so as not to be excluded by me, not that I rule it out altogether. This is going well and it need not last an age. I'll be honest. The ones I'd really like your comments on (and I am grateful for what you have provided so far) - Chris Wood, Afro Celts, Ceu (which is hitting the top spot in a lot of polls), Aziza Brahim (which is also riding high), Noura Mint Seymali, Anoushka Shankar (which I thought you might well be pushing for) and the Afro-Haitian Experimental Orchestra (featuring Tony Allen). I might bag the Miramar, the Roberto Fonseca and the Frightnrs unless there are big objections. Thanks again for your contributions.

[johncorrigan]

"Strange Fruit" is indeed in the news. Has the invitation been withdrawn yet? I don't always "get" Rokia Traore but that is one excellent version. Hints of Billie and she makes it her own. LSP was on my mind, as always, but you look at key reggae sites and itis almost like he doesn't exist and ditto Md Professor. I feel that much of the output in the West Indies and Africa is boy or girl band version. It needs to have something extra with it so as not to be excluded by me, not that I rule it out altogether. This is going well and need not last an age. I will be honest on the ones I would really like your comments on (and I am grateful for wht you have provided so far) - Chris Wood, Afro Celts, Ceu (which is hitting the top spot in a lot of polls), Aziza Brahim (which is also riding high), Noura Mint Seymali, Anoushka Shankar (which I thought you might be pushing for),

I was OK about Ceu - I wrote down 'pretty pleasant but doesn't quite get there'. I didn't think that Noura Mint Seymali's was as good as her previous record which I liked very much...mind you I said the same about the Gloaming, though, on the other hand, their first record is probably my favourite record of the last 4 or 5 years so I was starting from up there. I thought a bit the same about Aziza's record as I did about Noura Mint Seymali's - great voice but either not as good as, or perhaps a bit too similar to 'Soutak' (her previous record) - 'Soutak' felt a bit less slick to me...it's opening track 'Gdeim Izik' is a beaut, I think, as is the whole record.
That was a sad story about the Frightnrs by the way, Lat...never heard of them before till you posted the tracks.

[Lat-Literal]

I was OK about Ceu - I wrote down 'pretty pleasant but doesn't quite get there'. I didn't think that Noura Mint Seymali's was as good as her previous record which I liked very much...mind you I said the same about the Gloaming, though, on the other hand, their first record is probably my favourite record of the last 4 or 5 years so I was starting from up there. I thought a bit the same about Aziza's record as I did about Noura Mint Seymali's - great voice but either not as good as, or perhaps a bit too similar to 'Soutak' (her previous record) - 'Soutak' felt a bit less slick to me...it's opening track 'Gdeim Izik' is a beaut, I think. That was a sad story about the Frightnrs, Lat...never heard of them before.

Well, this is great because we have a conversation going - that sounds patronizing but I don't mean it in that way at all. I really like this sort of thing. On Ceu, I think what I am thinking is that we expect the Brazilians to go this way and that - see Gilberto Gil etc - and she is a fan of Villa Lobos which is cool. BUT don't the post-tropicalismo people do an awful lot of this sort of thing, ie with electronica? Plus we need to be unique don't we which might mean not including what everyone else does? As for some of the other selections, they are worthy but are they stirring? I did think this when including the Greek selection and it can apply to the Middle East. I can enjoy them all but serious - and I am serious - doesn't always mean accepting everything that is ultra serious. In contrast, I love the vibrancy and diversity of Natacha Atlas. I'm obviously thinking aloud here. What do you think?

(I'm doing my best with my sort of character - hope it is more or less ok)

[johncorrigan]

Well, this is great because we have a conversation going - that sounds patronizing but I don't mean it in that way at all. I really like this sort of thing. On Ceu, I think what I am thinking is that we expect the Brazilians to go this way and that - see Gilberto Gil etc - and she is a fan of Villa Lobos which is cool. BUT don't the post-tropicalismo people do an awful lot of this sort of thing, ie with electronica? Plus we need to be unique don't we which might mean not including what everyone else does? As for some of the other selections, they are worthy but are they stirring? I did think this when including the Greek selection and it can apply to the Middle East. I can enjoy them all but serious - and I am serious - doesn't always mean accepting everything that is ultra serious. In contrast, I love the vibrancy and diversity of Natacha Atlas. I'm obviously thinking aloud here. What do you think?

(I'm doing my best with my sort of character - hope it is more or less ok)

Well Lat, after what I wrote I went and had a re-listen to Aziza's last record, and I'd go listen to it again...it's unusual and passionate - don't think that about Ceu, what I've heard of her...as I said I found it pleasant, she's got a good voice but I don't think I'd be rushing to play it again. However if you mean serious, I thought that Miramar were reminding me of Nina and Frederick or even Renee and Renata but maybe that was just the dodgy vids were reminding me of the Tonight programme or the like - I couldn't take them seriously.

[Lat-Literal]

Well Lat, after what I wrote I went and had a re-listen to Aziza's last record, and I'd go listen to it again...it's unusual and passionate - don't think that about Ceu, what I've heard of her...as I said I found it pleasant, she's got a good voice but I don't think I'd be rushing to play it again. However if you mean serious, I thought that Miramar were reminding me of Nina and Frederick or even Renee and Renata but maybe that was just the dodgy vids were reminding me of the Tonight programme or the like - I couldn't take them seriously.

[Lat-Literal]

Currently:

1. Baaba Maal - The Traveller
2. Kate Tempest - Let Them Eat Chaos
3. Calypso Rose - Far From Home
4. Elza Soares - A Mulher Do Fim Do Mundo
5. Various Artists - Songs of Separation
6. The Gloaming - 2
7. Shirley Collins - Lodestar
8. Djelimady Tounkara - Djely Blues
9. Papa Wemba - Forever de Generation En Generation

10. Washington Phillips - Washington Phillips & His Manzarene Dreams
11. Ólafur Arnalds - Island Songs
12. Cigdem Aslan - A Thousand Cranes
13. Rokia Traore - Ne So
14. Kristi Stassinopoulou and Stathis Kalyviotis - NYN
15. Bombino - Azel
16. Thrace featuring Jean-Guihen Queyras - Sunday Morning Sessions
17. Ana Moura - Moura
18. Imarhan - Imarhan
19. John Prine - For Better, or Worse
20. Chaim Tannenbaum - Chaim Tannenbaum

21. Lee Scratch Perry - Must Be Free
22. Aziza Brahim - Abbar el Hamada
23. Anoushka Shankar - Land of Gold
24. Afro-Haitian Experimental Orchestra - Afro-Haitian Experimental Orchestra (AHEO)
25. Roberto Fonseca (featuring Eliades Ochoa) - ABUC
26. The Frightnrs - Nothing More to Say
27. Lee Scratch Perry and Mad Professor - Live at Maritime Hall (1997)

........!

Possibly 3 from:

Noura Mint Seymali, Chris Wood, Ceu, Afro Celts, Konono No 1 and Miramar (or, late suggestions, Anthony Joseph, Loretta Lynn, Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker)

But not: Black Roots, Malcolm Holcombe, Wren, Tom Brosseau, Idris Ackamoor, The Devil Makes Three, Carrie Rodriguez and Ileana Cabra (a unilateral decision).

[Globaltruth]

I agree with your 'nots' Lat.

Chris Wood So Much To Defend - I bought the album, I continue to support him, however his latest is a bit too much 'business as usual' for me. I was looking at his FB page - he is surrounded by his tribe, hardly his fault and I like the sound of a lot of them as individuals, they are, of course in my demographic, but I do think he is at his best when more driven/inflamed, which, supported and patronised by his demographic bubble he isn't. Too comfortable. He was also incredibly grouchy last time we saw him live. That's fine, especially if the body of work stands up, but that particular night it didn't. So not a contender, maybe next time. With Hugh Lupton obv ;-]
Noura Mint Seymali- I was glad to read JC's comments, I agree.
Anoushka Shankar - again, just not quite good enough for me. One of the tests is 'Would I listen to the whole album?' not this one. I like some of the re-mixes (Shiva Soundsystem), wonder what the purpose of those are? Like me, did they listen to the album and wonder how they could spice (sic) it up?
AH Experimental Orchestra - they're having such a good time, Tony Allen is as solid as a rock. I think I have to vote for it.
I've been looking for something great from Mali in 2016; there wasn't really, so will plump for something from the Sahara instead - this does mean Aziza Brahim
Afro Celt Sound System have 'officially' resolved their problems, which means that Simon Emmerson keeps that band name. And the others don't....hmmm. Anyway, the album, The Source should be in there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIWmn__TN5k

I like it when you set homework Lat. Hope I haven't buggered it up.

I can tell you now that the Wayward Band will be a contender for 2017. Seen 'em a couple of times in 2016 in different incarnations - they are great live, and I think they have enough smarts to get it right in the studio.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65EUATYEAEc

'Things are made to fade and fall away'
Anyway that's the future...
Here's something to leave you feeling cheered up (a favourite)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb2r2uI3oQc

PS - Normafest has just finished in Whitby. Great performances - including Lynched (now confusingly renamed as Lankum), Stick in the Wheel and Alasdair Roberts. Including some upcoming Watersons and Carthy's.
We couldn't go, but apparently Norma Waterson was too ill to attend. I'm sure you'll join me in wishing her a v speedy and complete recovery.

[johncorrigan]

Here's something to leave you feeling cheered up (a favourite)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb2r2uI3oQc

PS - Normafest has just finished in Whitby. Great performances - including Lynched (now confusingly renamed as Lankum), Stick in the Wheel and Alasdair Roberts. Including some upcoming Watersons and Carthy's.
We couldn't go, but apparently Norma Waterson was too ill to attend. I'm sure you'll join me in wishing her a v speedy and complete recovery.

Yes indeed, Global...hope she continues to have enough energy to shout out the window at the blinkin' tourists in Robin Hood Bay when her daughter's imaginary festival is on.

Nice to hear Mr Walker - right cheery! Quality hats!

By the way Lat, somewhere recently you mentioned Susan Tedeski and I have to say that one of my favourite tracks from the most enjoyable Prine duets record is she and he doing George Jones' wonderful 'Blue must be the colour of the Blues'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhW1aX9l3fY

[Lat-Literal]

Yes indeed, Global...hope she continues to have enough energy to shout out the window at the blinkin' tourists in Robin Hood Bay when her daughter's imaginary festival is on.

Nice to hear Mr Walker - right cheery! Quality hats!

By the way Lat, somewhere recently you mentioned Susan Tedeski and I have to say that one of my favourite tracks from the most enjoyable Prine duets record is she and he doing George Jones' wonderful 'Blue must be the colour of the Blues'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhW1aX9l3fY

Yes indeed re the Susan Tedeschi duet.

The best fish and chips I ever had was in Robin Hood's Bay. A sit down meal upstairs in a pub. Think it was called The Ship. A very grumpy manager but quite nice with it.

A funny thing what with your sister being in Vanuatu. When I was about eight, I went to a birthday party. The party was for someone called Matthew Pollard who had been given a punch ball as a present - that's the only thing I remember about it. We weren't mates as such - not really the same sorts of people - but obviously friendly enough for me to have been invited. Anyhow, about a month later he and his family completely disappeared. We discovered on the grapevine that they had moved to the New Hebrides and, not being very worldly, believed for several months that they had moved to Scotland until we were advised otherwise. My mother said it all then made sense as his mother always looked a bit Maori or Aboriginal. That was, what, 1971 ish so he would be in his early 50s now. I went a-googling when you mentioned the place and incredibly I discovered him or did I? I have a good memory for how people were. I am in no doubt whatsoever that this is the man - via Australia not wholly unsurprisingly - who was that boy. Except the age is completely wrong unless he has worn extremely well and avoided participation in any sort of land diving. So perhaps it is his son who would also have to be called Matthew. Think it must be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jpdCzmNSlg

[Lat-Literal]

I agree with your 'nots' Lat.

Chris Wood So Much To Defend - I bought the album, I continue to support him, however his latest is a bit too much 'business as usual' for me. I was looking at his FB page - he is surrounded by his tribe, hardly his fault and I like the sound of a lot of them as individuals, they are, of course in my demographic, but I do think he is at his best when more driven/inflamed, which, supported and patronised by his demographic bubble he isn't. Too comfortable. He was also incredibly grouchy last time we saw him live. That's fine, especially if the body of work stands up, but that particular night it didn't. So not a contender, maybe next time. With Hugh Lupton obv ;-]
Noura Mint Seymali- I was glad to read JC's comments, I agree.
Anoushka Shankar - again, just not quite good enough for me. One of the tests is 'Would I listen to the whole album?' not this one. I like some of the re-mixes (Shiva Soundsystem), wonder what the purpose of those are? Like me, did they listen to the album and wonder how they could spice (sic) it up?
AH Experimental Orchestra - they're having such a good time, Tony Allen is as solid as a rock. I think I have to vote for it.
I've been looking for something great from Mali in 2016; there wasn't really, so will plump for something from the Sahara instead - this does mean Aziza Brahim
Afro Celt Sound System have 'officially' resolved their problems, which means that Simon Emmerson keeps that band name. And the others don't....hmmm. Anyway, the album, The Source should be in there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIWmn__TN5k

I like it when you set homework Lat. Hope I haven't buggered it up.

I can tell you now that the Wayward Band will be a contender for 2017. Seen 'em a couple of times in 2016 in different incarnations - they are great live, and I think they have enough smarts to get it right in the studio.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65EUATYEAEc

'Things are made to fade and fall away'
Anyway that's the future...
Here's something to leave you feeling cheered up (a favourite)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb2r2uI3oQc

PS - Normafest has just finished in Whitby. Great performances - including Lynched (now confusingly renamed as Lankum), Stick in the Wheel and Alasdair Roberts. Including some upcoming Watersons and Carthy's.
We couldn't go, but apparently Norma Waterson was too ill to attend. I'm sure you'll join me in wishing her a v speedy and complete recovery.

Thank you very much Global. A Plus! By my reckoning, that keeps us on 27 with one substitution (Afro Celts for Anoushka Shankar) although I could perhaps detect a hint for ditching a couple of others. I am not sure I can do it now that I have a bee in my bonnet about getting to 30. While you have been hard at work so have I in trying to discover ones that we might have missed. Among my discoveries are oddly low key releases from Hugh Masekela and Oliver Mtukudzi. Big names but I am not sure yet. The first is a sprawling affair with a lot of modern commercial elements and the second must be some sort of compilation. I can't quite comprehend it. If you know more about them, please shout.

Hugh Masekela - No Borders

Shuffle and Bow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOI6lXkczyM

Oliver Mtukudzi - Eheka! Nhai Yahwe

Bhiza raMambo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ngZq0IQ_zM

Currently:

1. Baaba Maal - The Traveller
2. Kate Tempest - Let Them Eat Chaos
3. Calypso Rose - Far From Home
4. Elza Soares - A Mulher Do Fim Do Mundo
5. Various Artists - Songs of Separation
6. The Gloaming - 2
7. Shirley Collins - Lodestar
8. Djelimady Tounkara - Djely Blues
9. Papa Wemba - Forever de Generation En Generation

10. Washington Phillips - Washington Phillips & His Manzarene Dreams
11. Ólafur Arnalds - Island Songs
12. Cigdem Aslan - A Thousand Cranes
13. Rokia Traore - Ne So
14. Kristi Stassinopoulou and Stathis Kalyviotis - NYN
15. Bombino - Azel
16. Thrace featuring Jean-Guihen Queyras - Sunday Morning Sessions
17. Ana Moura - Moura
18. Imarhan - Imarhan
19. John Prine - For Better, or Worse
20. Chaim Tannenbaum - Chaim Tannenbaum

21. Lee Scratch Perry - Must Be Free
22. Aziza Brahim - Abbar el Hamada
23. Afro Celt Sound System - The Source
24. Afro-Haitian Experimental Orchestra - Afro-Haitian Experimental Orchestra (AHEO)
25. Roberto Fonseca (featuring Eliades Ochoa) - ABUC
26. The Frightnrs - Nothing More to Say
27. Lee Scratch Perry and Mad Professor - Live at Maritime Hall (1997)

[Globaltruth]

Can I sneak in an album from Mali that was made in 2005 but released in 2016 then?
It's a cracker by Vieux Kante - The Young Man's Harp. Released by Sterns (who, as usual, merit a few extra plus points)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NWjgcW1P-w

For 11 minutes of fabulousness, albeit dodgily shot, with odd green flashes, click here Jimi Hendrix would love it.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/04/vieux-kante-the-young-mans-harp-review-long-lost-album-from-malian-instrumental-master

[johncorrigan]

A funny thing what with your sister being in Vanuatu. When I was about eight, I went to a birthday party. The party was for someone called Matthew Pollard who had been given a punch ball as a present - that's the only thing I remember about it. We weren't mates as such - not really the same sorts of people - but obviously friendly enough for me to have been invited. Anyhow, about a month later he and his family completely disappeared. We discovered on the grapevine that they had moved to the New Hebrides and, not being very worldly, believed for several months that they had moved to Scotland until we were advised otherwise. My mother said it all then made sense as his mother always looked a bit Maori or Aboriginal. That was, what, 1971 ish so he would be in his early 50s now. I went a-googling when you mentioned the place and incredibly I discovered him or did I? I have a good memory for how people were. I am in no doubt whatsoever that this is the man - via Australia not wholly unsurprisingly - who was that boy. Except the age is completely wrong unless he has worn extremely well and avoided participation in any sort of land diving. So perhaps it is his son who would also have to be called Matthew. Think it must be.

Understandable, Lat...my Brother-in-law was keen to see if the Hebs were anything like the New Hebs...just colder said he...with less trees...and no volcanoes...and fortunately no land diving...he didn't say that last one, I did. I think my nieces are happy it's a guy thing. People stay young there - it was happiest country in the world a few years back in the happiness index thing that David Cameron failed to get us to.

By the way, maybe not for the whole CD, but Furrow Collective's 'Wild Hog in the Wood' gets a nomination for vid of 2016 for this fun moominish effort. Great song too!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTbjwwWxLFA

[Globaltruth]

Yes indeed, Global...hope she continues to have enough energy to shout out the window at the blinkin' tourists in Robin Hood Bay when her daughter's imaginary festival is on.

It's a tradition up there. When we lived near a canal system there was a similar tourist-abusing tradition known as 'gongoozling'
I was surprised to find there is a definition on Wikipedia.

A gongoozler is a person who enjoys watching activity on the canals of the United Kingdom. The term is also used more generally to describe those who harbour an interest in canals and canal life, but do not actively participate.

Way too polite. It was only 'gongoozling' when it involved someone who had just hired a narrowboat, their first encounter with a lock gate, and a bunch of people sitting in a certain canal side pub which just happened to be exactly on the level where that first glorious collision took place. How we laughed.

I can find no musical entries for this list which tie back to that. Apologies.
But you're both a little wiser and will enjoy dropping it into conversation.
Alternatively, there are probably upcoming songwriters feverishly composing gongoozling and land diving ditties with a strong back beat even as we post.