World music albums of the year

Monday, 8th December 2008

My 2008 choices, as they appear in the Sunday Times. I'm going to try to post video clips of as many as possible in the run-up to Christmas. The jazz top ten follows shortly.

1 THE GARIFUNA WOMEN’S PROJECT Umalali (Cumbancha) Ivan Duran burrows into Central America’s Afro-Latin tradition in this survey of a community that flourishes on the margins.

2 BUIKA Niña de Fuego (Warner) The charismatic flamenco-meets-jazz diva gets better all the time. Javier Limon’s sumptuous production work is even more assured and varied this time around.

3 WASIS DIOP Judu Bek (Wrasse) A hint of Serge Gainsbourg and a Leonard Cohen adaptation from the Senegalese singer, a brooding weaver of dreams.

4 OTIS TAYLOR Recapturing the Banjo (Telarc) The trance guitarist’s excavation of early African-American music receives rousing studio support from the likes of Keb’ Mo’ and Corey Harris.

5 MELINGO Maldito Tango (Mañana) A Buenos Aires Tom Waits? The eccentric singer adds his bewitching Paolo Conte growl to defiantly off-the-wall numbers.

6 OMARA PORTUONDO/MARIA BETHANIA Omara Portuondo e Maria Bethania (Discmedi) The greatest Cuban singer of our times finds common ground with one of Brazil’s most serene vocalists.

7 ROKIA TRAORE Tchamantché (Nonesuch) A wash of understated electric guitars brings a contemporary sheen to the Malian singer’s mesmerising soundscapes.

8 VARIOUS ARTISTS The Complete Motown Singles, Vol 9: 1969 (Motown/Hip O-Select/Universal) Ah, the days when soul music had soul. A multidisc celebration of the Motor City’s heyday, from Marvin to the ill-fated Shorty Long.

9 MARIZA Terra (EMI) The fado queen stylishly incorporates a touch of jazz and Cape Verde’s version of saudade.

10 BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB At Carnegie Hall (World Circuit) While Gonzalez, Ferrer and Segundo may no longer be with us, we finally get to savour that famous 1990s date in Manhattan.