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- Released: May 2006
- Format: 3-disc Boxset
- Rating: 10/10
With the FIFA World Cup fast approaching, out come the predictable musical soundtracks.
Away from the ubiquitous fast buck trend of forthcoming singles releases, andterrace anthems, comes the bona-fide crème-de-la-crème of world music.
It celebrates cultural diversity as well as highlighting shared musicalvisions and philosophies. Unless youre a multi-linguist, youre going tohave some comprehension problems, not that it actually matters – this is afeast for the ears anyway.
With a bumper 32 tracks straddling across a 3-CD boxset, making it awelcomed and refreshing release. The CD sampler of 11 tracks gives an insightinto the massive talent that doesnt normally get an airing on such globaloccasions.
Legendary rootsman Lee Scratch Perry joins Dutch-Brazilian trio Zuco 103,fronted by Lilian Viera on a lightweight reggae beauty.Ghana is represented by Captain Ya with a sassy Afro-funk dance orientatedIsaac Hayes sounding boogie. Ivory Coast star Dobet Gnahore, 23, now aMarseille resident shows her sublime vocals on the lightweight sways of Youne.
Multi-award winning 35 year old actor-singer-dancer Ayaovi King Mensah,known as The Golden Voice of Togo, leads with a cultured vocal display on afloaty melody laden gem – Nana Benz. Italian folk legend Riccardo Tesibacked by his evergreen band Banditaliana is featured by his diatonic accordionsojourns on the uplifting Justin.
Berlin based 17 Hippies, who historically mix a blend of Cajun and Baroquemusic, stomp through a bright and breezy Hotel Cazane. Tunisian MC Rai,who specialised in native chaabi folk music in his early years, now embracesrai music, indigenous to neighbouring Algeria, fusing hip-hop and othermodern electronica.
A writer of more than 600 songs, wild gypsy abandonment follows with Serbianlegend Saban Bajramovics pulsatingly feisty Pena. Tango Negro Triobring some smouldering Argentinean tango via Paris based Juan Carlos Carceresrusting ramblings, proving to be one of the major highlights.
Afro-Latin combo Cantoamerica, based in Costa Rica, and influenced by CubanSon, Salas and Calypso, delivers some sublime gentle Santana-like sways onCancion Del Oficio. Home-grown folk star Richard Thompson, formerly ofFairport Convention, adds his mercurial musicianship to self-penned gemOld Thames Sid from his 2005 release Front Parlour Ballads.
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The full list of tracks included are :
1. Love Is Queen Omega (Feat. Lee Scratch Perry) Zuco 103 (Holland)
2. Yaba Funk Captain Ya (Ghana)
3. Youne Dobet Gnahore (Ivory Coast)
4. Nana Benz King Mensah (Togo)
5. Justin Riccardo Tesi & Banditaliana (Italy)
6. Hotel Cazane 17 Hippies (Germany)
7. Rana Ca Va MC Rai (Tunisia)
8. Pena Saban Bajramovic (Serbia)
9. Viva El Candombe Negro Tango Negro Trio (Argentina)
10. Cancion Del Oficio Cantoamerica (Costa Rica)
11. Old Thames Side Richard Thompson (England)
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.