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Top WORLD Music Compact Discs for 2000

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WORLD
The Chieftains
Water From the Well
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Paddy Maloney's songs and passionate vocals once again bring the Chieftains to the forefront of Irish folk. The jig "Lots of Drops of Brandy" opens this Celtic storybook, leading through rough and ready ditties like "Jack of All Trades" and "An Poc Ar Buile."
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Rokia Traore
Wanita
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Followers of King Sunny Ade and Zap Mama are ready for the world beats of Rokia Traore, who has transformed the rich music of her native Mali into an international sensation. The fever is focused on Wanita, Traore's debut album that will lift the listener into worlds of rhythm and emotion.
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WORD FOR WORD
"I was never politically involved. People always think I'm political, but I'm not. I just speak the truth. When I say we're oppressed, I'm not lying. I'm glad I've been vindicated, in a way. I could have been in parliament, but I'm not a politician. I'm a singer. I love to sing. That's what makes me happy." --Miriam Makeba
Read more about Miriam Makeba and her new album, "Homeland," at:
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NEW AND NOTABLE
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"Kenza" Khaled CD on Sale
Algerian star Khaled returns with an album of finely woven rai music featuring Western instrumentation, memorable melodies, and infectious grooves. Though it pushes into modern, dance-pop territories, "Kenza" adeptly sustains an Arabic atmosphere with lush orchestral strings. Khaled's impassioned singing along with funky, fat rhythms reign supreme on this album, and it will get your body moving. His best yet.

"Tanto Tempo"
Bebel Gilberto
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In the late 1950s, Brazilian guitarist Joao Gilberto made the bossa nova his own through soft, sensual crooning and cool guitar work. Now in 2000 his daughter, Bebel Gilberto, continues the family tradition of musical innovation with "Tanto Tempo," a sophisticated collection of bossa nova that boasts Bebel's sultry voice and remakes such Brazilian classics as "So Nice."

"My Roots Are Showing"
Natalie MacMaster
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Following the success of her innovative album "In My Hands," fiddler Natalie MacMaster brings it back home with this lively collection of traditional Cape Breton tunes. Accompanied by piano, MacMaster dances and bops through jigs, reels, and strathspreys from the 1930s and beyond. Highly recommended for Celtic lovers.

"I Could Read the Sky"
Iarla O'Lionaird
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Afro Celt Sound System singer Iarla O'Lionaird follows up "Seven Steps to Mercy" with "I Could Read the Sky," an eerily atmospheric soundtrack to the film of the same name, chronicling a man's memories of pastoral Ireland while living a hard life in Britain. It's experimental and dark, buoyant and bright, and beautifully ambient with Irish instruments and O'Lionaird's traditional sean nos singing.

"The Very Best of Toots & the Maytals"
Toots & The Maytals
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big with ska songs that towered on top of Jamaican charts throughout the decade. It was their tune "Do the Reggay" that put the term in the public light, and it was their constant innovation and morphing of musical sound that influenced many ska and reggae groups to follow. Check out this retrospective, which musically chronicles key contributions from the 1960s to '80s.

EDITOR'S CHOICE: LES PRIMITIFS DU FUTUR
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"World Musette"
Les Primitifs du Futur
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Counterculture cartoonist Robert Crumb moved to France in the early 1990s and before long found himself playing banjo for the group Les Primitifs du Futur ("Future Primitives"). On their second release, "World Musette," the small combo of guitar, banjo, accordion, and piano plays old-timey string-band jazz with a touch of American blues. It's an absolutely charming album that will transport you to a 1950s Parisian cafe.

UNDISCOVERED GEM: MAMADOU DIABATE
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"Tunga"
Mamadou Diabate
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Kora player Mamadou Diabate comes from a rich lineage of kora masters in both his father and cousin. But on "Tunga" the 25-year-old proves he doesn't need famous musical relatives to make a successful album. He takes traditional Malian court music and paints a fresh face on it through modern interpretations and a unique playing style. Though Diabate has settled in the U.S., he thankfully stays true to his African roots with "Tunga."

"Buena Vista Social Club Presents Omara Portuondo"
Omara Portuondo
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If you were fortunate enough to see Ibrahim Ferrer and his orchestra live in 1999, you know that the vibrant woman who stole the show was 69-year-old singer Omara Portuondo. Known in Cuba for decades for her rich, distinct voice, Portuondo releases her strongest U.S. album ever on May 9. Pre-order a copy of "Buena Vista Social Club Presents Omara Portuondo" and find out why the Cuban music craze won't be ending anytime soon.

"Armenian Fantasies"
Djivan Gasparyan
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Following up 1999's stunning album "Heavenly Duduk," Armenian duduk master Djivan Gasparyan returns with "Armenian Fantasies," a lovely collection of ensemble pieces played by virtuosos brought together by the most respected musicians in Armenia.

"Bambay Gueej"
Cheikh Lo
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Senegalese artist Cheikh Lo blew listeners away with his debut, "Ne La Thiass," and now his eagerly anticipated follow-up will hit the Amazon.com shelves on June 6. Don't miss this rising African pop star's sophomore effort.

INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
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"Zero Accidents on the Job"
Various artists
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David Byrne's once fledgling label Luaka Bop celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year. From the Brazilian music that first impressed independent-music listeners to the recent success of Susana Baca, Luaka Bop has been trailblazing new avenues in world music since 1990. Explore the best of this respected label's canon of artists in our Luaka Bop Collection. CD on Sale

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