"World Music" Personal Page by Jim_Eliason

I have always been a music lover. I like great music regardless of the style. One of the joys of travelling I have found is to find new musicians that due to language or other cultural barriers are not knwon outside their own countries. Here are a few of my favorites.

I have to give credit to VT Member Jennifer Chin for inspiring this page with her own music pages.

Bjork-
Her music was a little far out to me until I heard Vespertine. This CD is really a masterpiece of classic/electronic fusion. You can honestly say there is nobody out there that sounds even remotely like Bjork.

Mana

This is a Mexico's premier rock band. I suggest checking out their new greatest hits CD's SOl or Luna.

For a sample check out http://launch.yahoo.com/ar-256678---Mana

Mariza

Portugal's premier signer of FADO. This woman has one of the most powerful voices I have heard.

For a sample try http://www.rockpaperscissors.biz/index.cfm/fuseaction/current.media/project_id/91.cfm

Souad Massi

An Algerian born folk singer now living in Paris, her music is a combination of Arabic and French. She is one of the most talented and unique song writers I have heard in a long time.

Check out http://souadmassi.artistes.universalmusic.fr/new/index_fla.htm

EGE

Another folk singer who combines pop melodies with traditional turkish instruments and themes.

http://www.egemusic.net/index.php?c=2&p=0

Bebel Gilberto

This Brazilian jazz singer is from Brazil's most famous family of jazz musicians.

See http://www.bebelgilberto.com/disc/bebel.asp

By now most of the world knows this South American artist. However most do not know that she was a superstar in SA long before the American music companies turned her into a Britney wannabe.

Check out her original Spanish language music for the true Shakira.

Brazil

I would be remiss if I did not give recognition to what I think is the most musical country on the planet, Brazil. Putumayo has some excellent collections or try out

http://brazilianmusic.com/

So this is my best of. I would love to hear yours!