Smadj - Take it and Drive (2004)

This was Smadj's 4th album.
Very interesting material that will probably appeal to fans of Talvin Singh & Co.

Jean-Pierre Smadja (Smadj) Tunisian born, Parisian musician grew up listening to Oriental, Brazilian, funk, soul, and folk music.
Entering a jazz school at age 15 due to his intense interest in the guitar, Smadj's musical development came to be characterized by transforming traditional jazz styles into eclectic sounds.
This interest in the mechanics of making music led Smadj to pursue a degree in sound engineering, which led to a fruitful career as a recording & sound engineer for famous classical and folk musicians.
Releasing his first album in 1994, it wasnt until 2000 that Smadj became recognized on an international scale for his signature blending of acoustic and electronic sounds on Equilibriste, which would ascend on the European World Music Charts to the number 4 position.
In 2002, Smadj joined fellow ud magician, French musician Mehdi Haddab, for a special project that would transport the oud to the 21st century in DuOuD.
Supporting their triumph of an album with a 2 year world tour, the album also received 2nd place in the Best Album category at the prestigious BBC World Music Awards.
In 2003, Smadj joined master percussionist Burhan Öçal for the Kırklareli İl Sınırı and in 2005 he stepped behind the scenes to serve as artistic director for Burhan Öçal's New Dream.
He recorded his last album S.O.S released in december in turkey with 2 turkish virtuosos Savas Zurnaci and Orhan Osman. (Taken from Discogs)

Sheila Chandra - Nada Brahma (1985)

Lately, I've been revisiting a lot this record, which was Chandra's 3rd solo album.
Great voice, great record, great cover photo (if you know what I mean!).
So, here it is.
Hope you like it!

Bhundu Boys - Friends on the Road (1996)
Well, I must confess that I first took acquaintance with this zimbabwean band on a MTV show presented by the late John Peel back in 1993 or 1994 and these guys surely captured my attention then.
The record begins with a wonderful track - "Radio Africa" - and it has a very amusing cover version of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire".
Collaborations of the country singer Hank Wangford and of the Latin Quarter.
Hope you like it!

The Bhundu Boys - Friends on the Road (1996)

Jordi Savall/Hespèrion XXI - Ludi Musici [The Spirit of Dance 1450-1650] (2007)

Wonderful collection of traditional music, composed between 1450-1650, wich includes works from the Middle East to Europe and South America.

In all cultures, an essential focus for social gatherings and interaction is found in folk music, of which dance is often the most immediate and richly significant natural extension. This selection presents a collection of pieces which were either intended as dance music or whose purpose links them directly to the world of folk music; music which, through the carefree and spontaneous nature of that social dimension, embraces and synthesises various traditions. This is popular music from the past, but which has close links with the present. (Taken from ArkivMusic.com)