Experiments in World Music

OK so in my last post I said I'd wait for my brother to do this but then I realized that I had some input of my own to get started anyway so I'm going to go ahead and take this on my own.

So for me, child of the the late 80s, the popular (or more correctly, 'pop') concept of world music was framed by 1985's We Are the World choir of stars. Luckily my father a product of the Woodstock area and older jazz influences, and my mother who was born with travelling feet ensured that I was also raised on Etta James, Frank Sinatra, the Stones and some African beats and Indian sitar. And while my horizons have been definitely broadened I am always being introduced World Music as an ever-changing and highly interpretative concept, that is today's small, small global world a hybrid not only of cultural instruments but of more daily sounds as interpreted and reimagined by new artists and imaginaries of the day.

Below is a list of some music 'projects' completed and ongoing that are looking to capture the essence of our world in various interpretations of harmony.  

1. Laya Project - captures music from the "coastal and surrounding communities in the 2004 tsunami-affected regions of Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar and India"

2. Playing For Change - (So  I first heard about this through my brother). Playing for Change is a project compiled by a small group of documentary filmmakers who set out to capture the music of the streets on a global scale. The music features artists of 'every level of renown and has resulted in a foundation that works to "ensure that anyone with the desire to receive a music education would have the opportunity to do so."

3. World Remix - This 'remix' is by artist Pogo (Nick Bertke) from Perth Australia and was funded via Kickstarter. He is travelling to various locations (Jo'burg and Tibet completed) capturing a variety of sounds (musical and mundane) and mixing them together to create a mixes such as the one linked to. Pogo's site is down but his music, which includes some amazing Disney remixes can be found on his Youtube channel and Last Fm.

4. Putumayo - "Putumayo World Music was established in 1993 to introduce people to the music of the world’s cultures. The label grew out of the Putumayo clothing company [and over the past 18 years]the record label has become known primarily for its upbeat and melodic compilations of great international music." Sample of all their compilations can be found on the site.

At Present Listening to, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - 40 Day Dream  Wishing I was, sleeping. Seriously. ( and it's only 6 pm so I'm started to wonder if I'm sick...)