Originally Posted by Urban Hatemonger If you're looking for something good from Peru I suggest Los Saicos who were a pretty awesome 60s garage band.

Argentina

Soda Stereo - Sueño Stereo (1995)

And back in sunny Buenos Aires, in 1982, the brainchild of the trio of Gustavo Cerati, Zeta Bosio and Charly Alberti was formed. Soda Stereo had a regular spot in a joint called Bar Zero before being noticed by CBS records and snapped up on a contract on the back of their post-punk-afflicted, guitar-heavy sound. After a reasonably long and prolific career, as the band neared the end of its life, the time came to record what would be their swansong album (or at least it'd turn out that way after a couple more years of touring) - this one!

You remember that Mexican outfit I mentioned a few posts back, Caifanes? These guys sound a lot like them. With regards to their sound, I wouldn't say that there's one, definite generic label I could pin on them. There are a few hints of jangly, post-punk reminiscent guitars, moments of more stripped-down, acoustic-led rock and, given the time of release, a more clear-cut and slightly heavier sound which you could say owes no small favour to the indie and alternate rock of the day, or at least what British and American sounds the airwaves of Argentina were broadcasting at the time. There's also the odd dash of strings and synth to be heard as well. Bugger it, let's just call it indie ;-)

Dancing around labels aside, what matters is that we have probably my favourite album to come out of Argentina although, as I think I've said before, there are a few more I can think of that are just as worthy of a mention here. Certainly for now, I won't be mentioning more than one album from the same country. Anyway, this album's great stuff. The kind of vibe you can expect from in the main it is nicely summed up by the song in the video below. It's certainly very 'western-sounding', seeing as it seems heavily influenced by British and American rock and that it lacks the added spice of Latin American vibes that their sound-a-likes Caifanes can boast. Still worth a shot though.
The best bits: Disco Eterno, Ojo De La Tormenta, Paseando Por Roma


Netherlands

Junkie XL - Today (2006)

I'm not sure how many of you were expecting me to cover European techno when I started this thread but nevertheless, in my eyes, it also counts as a type of world music, and is therefore more than worthy of a mention here.

Basically, one reason I'm so apprehensive about continuing my top 100 thread is because, seeing as I now have this thread and the one I'm doing with Zarko (which you can expect another review for soon) to contribute to, a lot of the albums that'd be part of the continuation have already been/are going to be covered. This album is no exception, as it's not only an absolute belter and a favourite of mine, it's also one of the best albums of this last decade. I've already reviewed quite a bit of electronica in mine and Zarko's thread though so, in the interest of diversity, I think I can get away with it here!

Although I'd happily call Junkie XL one of my favourite artists making music today, this is without a doubt his best effort, and as close to a masterpiece as he'd get. There are moments which have a smattering of guitar-laden big beat about them, but in the main this is an album where IDM is the big thing, as there are a few ambient and progressive house influences mixed seamlessly together, with the sonic focus taken away from the breakbeat that the guy's more known for.

As I say, definitely a contender for album of the decade this. The song in the video's a bit of a stylistic standout, as most of the tracks don't feature vocals, let alone those big beat-esque guitars, but it's a keeper anyway!
The best bits: Youthful, Mushroom, Such a Tease

Originally Posted by Burning Down I really like the one from Argentina! Thanks for posting that.

Russia

Yat-Kha - Dalai Beldiri (1999)

In terms of ethnic musical traditions, throat-singing is something that a lot of people attribute to Mongolia and Mongolia alone. I was guilty of this for a while too. It's actually an ancient vocalising tradition that's been passed down by generations of native Tuvans - Tuva being a rather small corner of southern Siberia on the Mongolian border. So, while this album may not exactly sound like something you'd expect from snowy old Russia, take my word for it, it's Russian! For those of you who have no idea what I'm on about, chances are that'll probably still be the case after I finish this sentence, as it's quite hard to explain without actually (trying to) demonstrate an example for you. Throat-singing is a style of musical expression that's been practiced by the people of Tuva for centuries, and is a very unqiue way of singing multiple notes or pitches or whatever you call them at once using, of course, your throat, producing some very weird, mesmerising results. In other words, I can't really explain, so here's an exmple for ya.

There are different types of this of course, and kargyraa (a much deeper-sounding one than that of the video I just linked you to back there) is the one you'll hear lead singer Albert Kuvezin using. To say I think this is their best album would be a lie, as it's the only one of theirs I can call my own. But, this is definitely about as left-of-centre as musical experiences get if you've never heard this type of singing before. In terms of the actual instrumental backing, with its use of harps in tandem with acoustic guitars, there is still a very non-western feel to this album. The key to the album's appeal though is in the vocals, which not only show off this quite bizarre style of musical expression but, on top of that, the way it's harmonised with a 'normal' vocal track really does produce some pretty extraordinary results. Also, a lot of it, in particular the video below (wait 'til it really starts to kick in about half-way through), is very haunting and absolutely beautiful.

In other words, definitely worth your time.
The best bits: Dyngyldai, Charash Karaa, Sodom I Gomora


Tunisia

Anouar Brahem - Barzakh (1991)

Once again, I find myself making a post about a highly-respected-though-virtually-unknown-in-the-west oud player and composer, the one in question here being the Tunisian maestro Anouar Brahem. He's another fairly prolific fella, not to mention a man with his own slant on how music should be done given that he's a man who, upon all of a sudden being noticed in the late 80s, plays for jazz audiences as he mixes it up with authentically Arabic classical and folk music.

Unlike his fellow oud-wielding, already-mentioned contemporary Marcel Khalife though, there are no vocals on this album (given the guy's jazz influences and all). The best way to describe this album (and not the sort of general picture of his whole repertoire) would be as an Arabic slant on jazz. After all, the only musicians present on this recording are a trio of oud player, percussionist and violinist. All this makes for yet another incredibly fascinating and out of this world (for want of a better phrase) musical experience. After all, while it's basically an album's worth of jazzy improvisation, Brahem's oud really does give it a very unique flavour and a whole lot of colour, especially seeing as, like a lot of music you'll see me flag here, this isn't exactly something I listen to ad infinitum. Again, absolutely fascinating stuff.
The best bits: Barzakh, Kerkenah, La Nuit De Jeux

Originally Posted by Bulldog Kenya Matata - Feelin' Funky (1974)

Originally Posted by Flower Child Top notch thread, Bulldog. But this...this....Thank you, thank you! Consider me in love. If I ever get my boom box fixed, I plan on carrying it around all day with this playing. p.s. a link would be very much appreciated

Originally Posted by Schizotypic Great thread so far Bulldog, you'll be voted best 2009 member yet. By the way, could I get an up for Feelin' Funky by Matata? Also, any idea where the other UK-released album is, River Wild? Couldn't find the bloody thing.

Originally Posted by Bulldog Great to hear that Every so often there's an artist you come across who'd been ridiculously far off of your radar 'til the moment you hear them and when you do, you kinda wonder where they've been all this time eh. Matata certainly had that kind of effect on me. I'm 90% sure I've still got the album online. If I can find it, I'll drop you a PM...