The Astounding Eyes of Rita

Album : The Astounding Eyes of Rita

Artist/Group: Anouar Brahem

Date: 2009

Label: ECM

Type:  Music

Genre : Alternative Jazz

Style : World music

Favorite Song :  The lover of Beirut


Musical performance: This new album is smooth, warm, mediteranean, between arabic style and jazz, very sensual. The atmosphere of this record is simply amazing. 

Sonic performance: The record's sound is natural, very musical. Each instrument is clear, in place in a intimate soundstage. It's not a huge audiophile record, but the sound is really good.

You don't have this album in your collection ? Buy it online with amazon :  CD version

Ragas and Sagas

Album : Ragas and Sagas (more about this album)

Artist/Group: Jan Garbarek

Date: 1992

Label: ECM

Type:  Music

Genre : Alternative Jazz

Style : World music

Favorite Song :  Saga


Musical performance: I must admit I was a bit depressive in recent weeks. I listened more than a dozen albums and none were good in an audiophile perspective. I hate those moments. Back to my personal music collection with an album of my ex girlfriend (too much information, right?). Anyway, the musical performance is really good. A incredible fusion between jazz and Indian/Pakistan music. This recording is : Wow !

Sonic performance: The sound is very natural. The soundstage is very well balanced. The recording lacks a bit of dynamic for an audiophile label but it is a real great album.

You don't have this album in your collection ? Buy it online with amazon :  CD version

From the mouth of the sun

Album : From the mouth of the sun

Artist/Group: Woven tide

Date: 2012

Label: Experimedia

Type:  Music

Genre : Ethnic pop

Style : meditation

Favorite Song :  Sitting in a roofless Room

Musical performance :  Sorry guys for the delay of this new post, but to be honest i had nothing to shared with you... until today ! I found this new record and it's really very interesting. Slow music, ethnic, mystical, melancolic with a delicate touch of electronic music. Wow !!!

Sonic performance: The sonic aspect is a also interresting. Sometime it's very acoustic, sometime more digital. The mix is based on the sound atmosphere. The soundstage is good but not exceptionnal.

You don't have this album in your collection ? Buy it online with Experimedia :  CD version

Paramita

Album : Paramita

Artist/Group: He Xuntian

Date: 2002

Label: Wind

Type:  Music

Genre : World Music

Style : World beat 

Favorite Song :  Earth Drums

Musical performance :  I discovered this album at an audio demonstration of the new Grand Utopia speakers. This album is dedicated to drum's music, and the music performance of this Chinese composer in simply amazing.

Sonic performance: This record is absolutly fantastic. Probably one the 10 best record that i never listened. The soundstage is fantastic, natural, depth, warm with a large stereo image's. This album have been recorded in Extended Resolution Compact Disc (XRCD) format using K2 technology. WWoowww. 

You don't have this album in your collection ? Buy it online with amazon :  CD version or Vinyl version

Second Nature

Album : Second Nature

Artist/Group: Minor Empire

Date: 2011

Label: World Trip record

Type:  Music + Lyrics

Genre : World Music

Style : World beat 

Favorite Song :  Second Nature

Musical performance :  I saw the band at the Festival du Monde Arabe de Montreal and it was really amazing. This group mix traditionnal arabian music with progressive rock and fusion Jazz music with an absolute perfection.

Sonic performance: The soundstage is good but the stereo image is a little tiny. The voice is really incredible. The sound is very natural, and each instrument have a good place. The record is very nice with a good mix between traditional instrument and electric sound.

The silver tree

Album : The silver tree (more about this album)

Artist/Group: Lisa Gerrard

Date: 2006

Label: Rubber records

Type:  Music + Lyrics

Genre : World Music

Style : Mystical

Favorite Song :  In exile 

Musical performance : Ethnic and bewitching this album is simply outstanding.

Sonic performance: The voice recording is exceptional. The instruments sounds are also good. The soundstage is large and depth. A real good recording.

Note : Lisa Gerrard was member of Dead can Dance.

You don't have this album in your collection ? Buy it online with amazon :  CD version or Vinyl version

Divine shadows

Album : Divine Shadows

Artist/Group: Youssef Dhafer

Date: 2006

Label: Jazz Land

Type:  Music + Lyrics

Genre : World music

Style : world beat

Favorite Song :  Cantus Lamentus

Musical performance :  Youssef Dhafer is a composer, singer, and oud player. This album is a mix of traditional and electronic music. The result is absolutely incredible.

Sonic performance: The sound is not exceptional but at a good level for an audiophile. The voice sound is very good.

Note : As you can see the criteria: Type of sound has two indicators, and not only one. This notation is justified by the fact that some songs are very electronic and other totally acoustic.

You don't have this album in your collection ? Buy it online with amazon :  CD version

Histoire de Melody Neslson

Album : Histoire de Melody Nelson (more about this album)

Artist/Group: Serge Gainsbourg

Date: 1971

Label: Light in the Attic Records

Type:  Music + Lyrics

Genre : world music

Style : French

Favorite Song :  Melody


Musical performance :  Gainsbourg is one of the most amazing French songwriter. This album created in the early 70s, is a musical master reference.
Sonic performance:  Just exceptional.
Note : History of Melody Nelson is the first album where the voice is the center of the recording. Review based on the remastered version 2009.

You don't have this album in your collection ? Buy it online with amazon : CD version or Vinyl version

The rain

Album : The Rain

Artist/Group: Ghazal

Date: 2001

Label: ECM

Type:  Music + Lyrics

Genre : World Music

Style : Persian

Favorite Song :  Fire

Musical performance :  An incredible live.

Sonic performance:  Just exceptional. Wow !!

Note : This album was nominated in 2004 for the Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album.

You don't have this album in your collection ? Buy it online with amazon : CD version