International music reviews

Make no mistake, the pieces on this disk are no dusty museum curiosities. There are some lively masterpieces and virtuoso performances in this collection, representing a broad range of non-Western musical traditions. Since stumbling across the Central Asia disk, I have purchased the entire series, and Central Asia remains my favorite. As a musician, studying this music has helped me to become aware of some of the limitations of my own Western musical background. I've never written a music review on Amazon before, but I feel this series is very special and deserves a wide audience. So go buy it!

As the creaky melodies waft from my speakers I think of the wandering music collectors who between 1925 and 1948 assimilated these gems from a variety of locations throughout the Central Asian steppes. Often recorded on portable record cutters in regions devoid of electricity, the quality of sound is never perfect, but with these pieces the importance of audio fidelity seems to fall away. Through these recordings we are able to look into a not so distant past that has disappeared with the sweeping tide of globalization and industry. Not only are the 78 rpm records rare that comprise the tunes on this collection, but the musical styles presented are in most cases extinct if not severely forgotten only by a small few. The CD's musical contents flow from one region to the next with a fluidity that almost evokes a feeling of wandering through a museum showing relics of the musical past and rightfully so the series of discs that this volume is a part of is called The Secret Museum of Mankind. Culled by collector and enthusiast Pat Conte, the songs presented are all from discs of his own collection which numbers in the ten-thousands. Often the discs are of museum calibre, being only one or two copies left in existence. The music ranges from lustful ballads to moanful work songs, and is astonishingly real and touching. For those doubtful that their interests would fall into scratchy ancient music of distant lands, be forewarned, the emotional content of the music strikes a chord like nothing I have heard or hear in the modern era. In a way the recordings are shrouded in sadness, for there lies a knowledge in the listener that the artform being observed is gone. Extinct. But the feelings evoked by the musicians burns sheer light through any cloud of melancholy that hangs over the past. At least we have this CD to remember it by.

Not only the dissatisfaction of the proletariat class was burgeoning in Russia during the first decade of the 20th century. A recording industry was flourishing, one that was competing with western European companies for an "ethnic music" market. By drawing on the musicality of its neighboring central Asian minorities, this Russian industry was provided with the fuel to take off.

This superb CD is a compilation of 26 of these early recordings. Many of the ensembles heard on this release utilize highly developed vocal techniques, small bodied long necked lutes, reed pipes, and compact drums. The reason for this similarity in instrumentation is due to the fact that many central Asian cultures were nomadic, and thus required their belongings to be portable.

Because these recordings are old you may hear an occasional skip and crackle of the needle. These extrinsic characteristics do not take away from the beauty of the music. If anything, the minor pops and hisses serve to remind us of the historical import of these recordings.

I LOVE this album! Compre este album de canciones en 1983, cuando llego en venta. Hace algunos anos, lo compre en CD. I am never disappointed! Buy it! You will not be sorry!

Originally released in 1983, "Secretos" became Jose Jose's biggest-selling album and all 10 songs were hits (some ARE now Latin pop ballad standards). Produced, arranged and conducted by acclaimed producer/songwriter Manuel Alejandro this CD became one
of the most popular Latin albums ever. If you want to know why Jose Jose is known as "El Principe De La Cancion" get this CD and I guarantee you'll become a Jose Jose fan.

please I am very interested in jose jose music and life,I really love his songs,thats why,I will be grateful for all the news.
thanks.

if you are looking for unique music and a gorgeous voice akin to Clannad's Maire Brennan or Loreena McKennitt, Serah is the artist for you. the African drum rhythms will appeal to those who like a little fast and furious and the vocals will appeal to your softer sider. definitely check this album out.

This CD is a treasure! My heart, soul, and feet all respond to this amazing blend of sound and lyric! Gentle and strong......yet mystical and almost spiritual at times. Playful and happy, yet able to feel sadness also. "I'll find a song to wear with my dress!" That line says it all!

This CD is a treasure! My heart, soul, and feet all respond to this amazing blend of sound and lyric! Gentle and strong......yet mystical and almost spiritual at times. Playful and happy, yet able to feel sadness also. "I'll find a song to wear with my dress!" That line says it all!

As a boy in New York City, I went to the Spanish language Movies twice a week.I heard and saw the most famous of all the singing mexican Mariachi (Vaqueros), Pedro Vargas, Pedro Infante, jorge Negrete, and Tony Aguilar, but none could transmit the soul and passion for their songs like Aceves Mejia. his voice flowed from octave to octave without interruption. what ever the story in the song I did'nt just hear it, I felt it. I highly recommend this album to all of the incurable romantics, like myself.

I've loved this marvelous singer since childhood, but as I age my appreciation deepens for this incredible music. Few songs are as beautiful as "El Crucifijo de Piedra", and sung with as much soul. His "Malague�a" is a total delight, as are "Rogaciamo", "Tata Dios", and many more.

I'm not certain when exactly these were recorded...I first heard most of them in the 50's, and though the sound may be "old", this CD more than makes up for it in the sheer loveliness of the melodies and interpretation.

If you like Mexican music, Miguel Aceves Mejia is a must in your collection, and this is an excellent compilation of this extraordinary singer and his great songs.

A Nadie conoceran con mejor falcete que Miguel Aceves. Les recomiendo este disco por tener el mayor numero de canciones con falcete. Todas las conciones del disco son buenas pero por lejos mis dos preferidas son la Malague�a y El Pastor. Que sentimiento les pone.Compren el disco y no se arrepentiran.

I know that "All Mod Cons" will always be regarded as their masterpiece, but the follow up, "Setting Sons" is also very good and underrated in my opinion. Originally intended to be a concept album, only half the songs follow the story. Paul Weller continues in his storytelling mode throughout, and his narrative on "Private Hell" is powerful and a bit disturbing. Perhaps the slightly overpolished feel of the album production-wise is why Weller doesn't regard it as his favourite Jam album, but the quality of the songs can't be argued with.

"Setting Sons" is about the best The Jam ever did as far as consistency goes. Though each album has great tracks, especially my other favorite, "In the City," this one is more listenable because the songs sound more like they are part of a bigger composition (incidentally, this was intended to be a concept album, but the design fell through). I recommend the other version of the CD with more tracks. My first experience with the album came with what I believe is the U.S. version in which the first half of the album is the second half in the U.K., so I prefer it that way. "Burning Sky" is a beautiful song, and I think it makes a better opening than "Girl on the Phone," as well as "Smithers-Jones" which is a perfect follow-up to the opening track. The other way seems odd to me. This version also included "Strange Town," which would make any album a classic. This album has some incredible moments, and it's a shame that it does not get more recognition as a pivotal pop record, at least here in the U.S. where it gets no air play.

This collection of songs from 1979 hit me during my junior year in college, and I was hard pressed to decide what to put on my turntable -- Setting Sons, or London Calling. Lyrically and musically, these two albums represent the artistic height of the Punk/New Wave music that started around 1975-76, and ended with the music-biz backlash of the 80's. Setting Sons is a rich collection of beautiful words and melodic harmonies, interlaced with some heart-thumping rock chords. What a band! What an album!

Through a 2-disc compilation of music and a beautifully detailed insert, "Shine" leads the listener through the evolution of Stanford Talisman, America's most prestigious college a cappella group specializing in world music.
For those who, like myself, sing or have sung with a college a cappella group, the year-by-year account of the group's trials and breakthroughs resonates with familiarity and is quite inspirational. I couldn't help but thnk about how my group has been going through similar stages of rebirth recently.
The music also tells the story of the group. Fans of Talisman's recent album "Passage" will find "Shine" a much more humble album with most tracks having a traditional choral sound that in "Passage" is blended with more ambitious song choices and given more complex treatment.
But the simplicity of the songs in "Shine" does not imply a lack fo talent. Rather, it's a comforting album- the listener feels like the members of the group are friends from high school or from around the corner. You'll probably look back on the person who sang at your graduation or in all the school musicals and think, "They should join this group!". It's nice to listen to music with that kind of honesty and humility, when even the world of college a cappella is becoming overwhelmed with slick recording effects.

I have been involved in choral music all my life and have become super critical of how people abuse their voices. Talisman is a group that deserves the highest praises. Their close harmony and precision, melded with real feeling, make them a pleasure to listen to.

Absolutely the best a cappella group in the world! (In my humble opinion.) I've loved Talisman since 1993, and have watched them grow from a talented college group to one of the most decorated and recognized vocal ensembles in the country. They deserve the awards - their consummate musicianship, their soaring harmonies, their clever arrangements and their eclectic, intelligent choice of songs raises them far above the pack. I've seen them sing at the Atlanta Olympics and memorably, in a South African townships - one Xhosa woman grabbed me in amazement and yelled, "They sing Xhosa like Xhosa people!" The real thing. Do yourself a HUGE favor and buy this CD. Buy two, even. You won't regret it for a minute.

This CD IS AWSOME! Rosario is great! *_*

I knew about Rosario in 1994, I just herd her voice once at the tv and only after two years I could find and buy a CD from her. I love her music and her voice has so much feeling when she sing slow songs but she isn't sticky at the same time. Her music is very very rich, new sounds and much style. She is fresh, new and crazy sometimes. I'm sad it's so difficult to find her music and some time ago I saw a spanish movie (Cha cha cha ... el Novio de mi Mejor Amiga), at the end I herd her voice, she was singing a song called "Lucia" she and her song was amazing, I have tried to find that song but until now, I haven't find it yet. If you know her and want to share information about her, drop me a line... ROSARIO IS GREAT...!

ROSARIO is a fantastic Spanish singer. The music is fantastic!!! Rock, blues, slowly songs, rumba... Everything music!!!! I only can tell of Rosario that is fantastic!!!! She has published 4 cds: DE LEY (1992); SIENTO (1994); MUCHO POR VIVIR (1996) and JUGAR A LA LOCURA (1999). THEY ARE FANTASTIC!!!!! ROSARIO IS THE BEST!!!!!!!

Love in all of it's manifestations is what you will find in "Sin L�mite", the new effort from Ednita Nazario,one of the most important leaders of latin pop. This time the Puerto Rican singer offers a work in wich pop nad rock coexists in perfect balance, with some highligths of R&B, dance and even latin pop in the line of Marc Anthonny or Ricky Martin. Take special atention to tracks like "Despu�s de la lluvia" (After the rain), the amazingly performed "Hielo Bajo el Sol" (Ice under the sun-an epic;you will get goose bumps!), the dance/house oriented "Vida" and its english version "Having the time of my life", and "Toditas mis penas", an infectious track full of dance beats combined with Puerto Rican native rythms like "plena" and "aguinaldo". Simply awesome! "Sin l�mite", wich features work by such composers as Carlos Vives (Grammy Award winner), Ricardo Arjona and Tommy Torres (Ricky Martin), is definitely one of the most succesfull efforts of contemporary latin pop

Hola mi nombre es Hector soy de Puerto Rico, el disco cuando sali� el 27 de febrero de 2001 lo compre por aqu�, y me encant� me facsin� las canciones son muy rom�nticas y tiene muchos ritmos diferentes movidos, bueno el disco es un hit definitivamente, me alegr� haberme comunicado con ustedes gracias.

Believe it or not Ednita Nazario does it again bringing us an album with the usual powerballad but at the same time daring to go into new territory! This album once more proves why she's the number one diva in Puerto Rico! All tracks are great (especially Devuelveme and Bajo Cero) but it's in the other tracks where you kind of wonder where she's going! Some bomba, some dance-pop tunes, a song in english and even some computer alterated tracks (don't worry, no more than a verse or two) take Ednita into exciting new territory and will aid her to prove to the US once and for all why she's simply the best!!!! 5 STARS!!!

Petula made some good albums - more than some people knows! There are many albums out now, that you can order from her wer-page [...] - you can't find those rarities outside of this page! THE INTERNATIONAL HITS - long before this Album came to CD, I heard the LP up and down. I can't stop listening this powerful music with Petulas clear coice - for me, THE typically sicxties voice!

Great combination of previously released Pye (UK) and Warner Bros. albums that hold well up into the Millennium - contains a bevy of ear candy that will have you coming back to this fine disc again and again for repeated helpings of some fine 1960s songs done as only the inimitable Petula Clark can do. This is a CD to take in the car and sing along with; it's great fun to hear these memorable songs again and again. Includes a ballad rendering of the McCartney/Lennon monster hit "I Want To Hold Your Hand," as well as an well arranged and orchestrated cover (most of the songs here are covers, incidentally with the exception of the obvious hits)of the Honeycombs' "Have I The Right?" Three great bonus tracks are included, the best being "High," that was the "B" side of the U.S. Warner Bros. single, culled from the movie "The Cool Ones." These two albums plus the bonus cuts are a bargain at any price and offer over 75 minutes of music. Five stars to this one!

Some people don't like cover versions. If you're one of those, this will not be for you, as this CD is dominated by them. There are many other collections of Petula's music which will suit you better - try Beautiful sounds for obscure songs, else go for one of the hits collections.

I like covers, properly done, as is the case here. They show who really is the best singer, and they help carry music from one generation to another. Highlights here include Have I the right? and I want to hold your hand, both sixties pop classics which Petula re-interpreted, slowing them right down. I enjoy the originals, but these are superior. If there is a better cover of a Beatles song than Petula's I want to hold your hand, I'd like to hear it.

Other great covers include Groovin' and San Francisco (be sure to wear flowers in your hair), although Petula made no attempt to change these songs.

There are hits here (Don't sleep in the subway and This is my song) and some lovely but obscure original songs which suit Petula ideally.

This is my favorite Petula twofer, but the others are not far behind.

La musica de Victor Manuelle es floja y no se puede clasificar como Salsa. En realidad es un sonsonete recyclado en cada disco. Como Boricua e instructor de baile de salsa puedo decir que las personas se frustran tratando de bailar salsa con la musica de Victor Manuelle. Les digo que si quieren escuchar y bailar buena Salsa escogan la musica de la Sonora Poncena, Willie Rosario y El Gran Combo entre otros..........Eso si es musica de verdad y Salsa Boricua...........

Para mi es el mejor de su trayectoria. Esto es Victor Manuelle, los temas empiezan bien, muy buenos, pero despues que pases de la cancion 4, Solo Contigo, despues de aqui es que empieza la crema del disco, Solo Contigo, Mi Sudor A Tu Silueta, Voy A Prometerme y Por Ejemplo. No me confundan, las primeras 3 canciones son buenas, pero estas son las mas serias para mi.

I bought this cd from Victor Manuelle in 2001 and this cd is fanstic from him. Its not the first cd I have bought from Victor Manuelle and nor the last. I had bought four others befor this cd. And I am going to bye the other 3 cds I do not have from him. The whole cd is nice. And Victor Manuelle sings he sings from his heart and not his voice. I like Victor Manuelle very much. I think hes really cool. I mean don't get me wrong. I never have met the guy. He may just be another sonb with money with a bad attide to the world. I do not know. But what I do know is he makes very well cds. All 5 cds I have right now I like the whole thing. Fanstic cd!!!! Bye it. I am not from puerto rico nor is my mother. My mom is from Domcian Rupublic and I am from New York but I have lived in Florida for 18 years. I speak only a little bit of spanish. I never learned spanish but I understand it.