World Wide Music

One of the great thrills, and souvenirs of travel, is not only the experience of different foods, sights and smells, but sounds. The author (Brent) of this text tries to collect a sample of local music from places he visits. I have collected tapes/CD's, from Nepali flute players to African drummers.

'Jamming' (1979) and learning the Suz from the
lead guitarist (Ohannes Kemer) of
Turkeys top rock group - Kurtalan Express (1973-1977).
Mixing western music base with Eastern patterns.
 

Over the last 20 years there has been a growth on the merging of western and 'other' genres of  music. Ohannes and I (above picture) were doing this in 1979! One of the first commercially successful examples would have to be Paul Simon and the album 'Gracelands'. From this point on there have been many examples where mainstream western artists joined foreign styles to their recordings. In addition, many of these 'foreign' artists recorded in their own right and the term 'World Music' now defines this genre.

A good shopping site for this style of music is via OXFAM. Naturally your dollar also does great work in developing nations.Whilst traveling purchase some musical recordings in the countries you are visiting. There is a high chance that these local artists are not signed to multinational labels and so your funds have a greater chance of staying in the region where you spend them.  Listen to the World

World Music Festivals