International music reviews

The radio stations in the US only play "Pictures of Matchstick Men." That song had me curious enough years ago to read the article in my Harmony Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock about Status Quo. There I saw that "Down Down" was a number 1 tune in England, and I had never, ever heard it! Couldn't convince the dj to play it, either. So, after years of wondering, I took a chance and bought this anthology with everything on it.

For those others who are curious, but have no clue, just like me before cracking this baby open: The album reminds me of Thorogood's greatest hits, and the J. Geils Anthology: Song after song of boogie and blues, all in the exact same style. Sound-wise, the album graduates from "classic rock" sounding to somewhat electronic and progressive. Add a mix of "poshness" and over-production to the later tunes, and you're there. Honestly, the common driving beat became a little incessant after 2/3 of the first CD. (There are a LOT of tunes here, 41 in all, keep in mind.) Non-stop. Love it. Hate it. But you can take a long trip, and play this collection as traveling music, and not get bored anywhere along the line. While at home, you'll be selective and play the top rated tunes. Aside from so much great traveling music, I feel like I've bought a giant slice of England's landscape. I hear all these top rated tunes that have escaped America's radio. I had to do it to "figure it out." Glad I did.

Two cd's and 41 tracks cover the career of enduring rock legends Status Quo.I't's interesting to hear their sound develop from the bubble-gum 1968 hit "Pictures of Matchstick Men".Presented in chronological order,classics like "Down Down","Caroline","Rocking All Over The World","Paper Plane",and "Whatever You Want" still sound great.Francis Rossi & Rick Parfitt and co. have sold over 120 million records and notched up 55 British hit singles to date,a record in UK chart history.Also included are their most recent hits thru 1996.A MUST for committed Quo fans,and a great choice for the casual fan as well.

rossi at his best...all their best song

I have owned this CD since the year that it came out - over a decade ago now. Yet again and again when it goes into my player I hear something new. More often than not it makes me stop what I am doing and listen, eyes closed, to something beautiful I have never noticed before. This innovative and varied collection gets better and better with each listen.

Ethnomusicology suffers from one of the diseases of Western science... the idea that you can, and *should*, observe without contact. They go out with the best intentions, do their field recordings of genuine peasants, and go home, with no more emotional contact than a hooker and a john.

This album (and others from the World out of Time and Sweet Sunny North series) is different. Henry Kaiser and David Lindley aren't scientists - they're musicians, adventurous ones with profoundly personal styles and great ears. They don't just record the proceedings, they participate as well. But they don't just use ethnic musicians as spices for their own recipes, a la Paul Simon or David Byrne. Instead, they adapt themselves to the local music - or stay out of it altogether, when appropriate. I have never heard a field recording with so much *respect* for the musicians being recorded, much less such excellent taste.

When i got this album a few years ago, i called it the best album i bought that entire year. It might just be the best album i've bought since then.

This is the album that started it all, that brought dozens of Madagascar musicians to Western attention. Guitarists Kaiser and Lindley brought a digital recording deck to Madagascar and spent two weeks recording as many top musicians as possible, sometimes joining in with them. They recorded five full CDs, including the first two "World Out of Time" compilations. This one is easily the best of the three CDs in the series (it got way more of the 'A' material than Volume 2.) Almost every track is a gem, ranging from true revelations to the merely very good. My favorites are Tarika Sammy's "Hana", a Malagasy translation of an Okinawan pop song (probably Kaiser's idea) with phenomenal singing and great kabosy playing, and Rossy's rocking "Ambilanao Zaho". There is dance music from Roger Georges, folk from Dama Mahaleo (perhaps the most famous Malagasy musician), valiha music (a native instrument, a tubular zither) from Sylvestre Randafison, Tovo, and Voninavoko, blues from the 70-year-old flute player Rakoto Frah, virtuoso guitar playing from D'Gary, and a closing cover of "I Fought the Law" from Rossy. The only track that's hard to take is by Mama Sana, an elderly woman who sings in the Malagasy equivalent of a very raw blues style. Following the success of this album, many of these artists got the chance to release their own albums in the U.S. Sadly, everyone seems to have now moved on to the next big world music thing, and no Malagasy band except Tarika (a Tarika Sammy spinoff) gets their albums released here anymore. If you like this album (and you will), check out anything you can find by Rossy, Tarika Sammy, or Mahaleo.

Este es segundo disco de la merenguera Ashley. Ya Ashley adquirio la experiencia que necesitaba. Ya no es la mujer que al cantar se notaba su timidez. Ahora Ashley llega llena de ritmo, sabor y mucha energia en el disco "Yo Soy La Reina". En este CD la voz de Ashley se escucha mas segura y llena de confianza. Ashley llego para quedarse en un abiente que esta lleno de talentosas merengueras como Jessica Cristina, Milly Quezada, Olga Ta�on, Gisselle, Melina Leon y Daniela Droz entre otras. Este disco tambien fue producido por Guillermo Torres para Sony Tropical. En este disco los temas que mas resaltan son "Mala", "El Nene Sexy", "Todita Tuya" y "La Chica Del Swing".

ASHLEY--THE BEST IN MERENGUE..THIS ALBUM IS FULL OF GREAT DANCING TUNES..MALA,LA CHICA DEL SWING ALSO CHECK OUT OTHER ALBUMS BY HER, YO SOY LA BOMBA & ABRAZAME AND HER NEW CD SABOR A DULCE..ASHLEY,AQUI SI HAY!

Ashley is the greatest latin diva around ,,,i first heard her on some else car radio and had to stop them to ask who is that singing ,,,and they said the one and only LA REINA ASHLEY......

I would like to have the lyrics to your song called "Un million de Rosas" Do you have this on-line, if not, how can I obtain the lyrics.

Thank you

I have really enjoyed your music and personally i dont want you to stop singing because i have always dreamt of going to your concert and I still never been to one, but I agree with what ever makes you happy. Good luck in your lives!Your Fan, Leighann Rodriguez

to all the group members in la mafia i went to see one of the last conserts you give in laredo texas and you had invited ricky from intocables and i was so happy to see him there alive well about your group i just wish that you will keep on singing because i really injoy your music and in memory of my bestfriend that he would always listen to your music his favorit song was "vida" please don't stop singing you have gone very high in life

I'm going to dress up like Jorge for Holloween.

There will never be another authentic Mexican singer to equal his charisma and ability to sing corridos, rancheras and ballads. He could sing everything, as I can best remember. I remember his movies and his singing from the 40's and 50's. Whenever I listen to his Exitos Inmortales, I can go back in time to re-live and experience the Golden Age of the Mexican Charro.

Jorge Negrete was the most sexiest man around back in the early fifties, and soromantic too. He knew exactly how to treat a woman, he was such a gentleman and handsome too, I was only a child then, but I remember all the women going crazy over him. I used to wonder why, but after I see the men of today I feel sad. It was very nice to look up to your man. I understand that some women had something to do with it. But do the rest of us have to pay for it.?

I'm an Anglo guy raised on British blues music. But Los Ponchos is the greatest. The guy who plays guitar is the just the greatest team player. His fills are so tasteful and his trills are just crisp and exact. He doesn't really stand out and play in your face with his great technique. He's playing to make the music in total sound good. Great. But I don't want to overlook the great harmonizing and singing that is on the CD. Good stuff!

Los Panchos are the most famous trio of bolero music. This Mexican-Puerto Rican trio (two were Mexican and one was Puerto Rican, even though the majority of their songs were Mexican) has been the standard of trio-bolero music. Many have come after them but many have lacked their magic. This is a CD one has to listen to at dinner. This Cd has great musical arrangements, The guitars and the voices all synchronize into one. The Panchos always showed great balance in their songs. This CD is a must buy. You must not buy any other Trio if you don't buy Los Panchos first!

I was truly amazed to find many Los Panchos CD's here at Amazon but not one review! Why this is so amazing is that these guys were so good as well as originals that have often been imitated but never duplicated. In the realm of Mexican music this trio stands alone. The style is quite music that is simple with three acoustic guitars and harmonizing vocals. This is the music to try and win a heart with at a streetside cafe. This is the stuff you request street musians in Mexico to play for you as you carry on with that special friend you're with. The songs included here are the ones they made most famous, beautiful music to help you win a heart. The guitar work is spendid, simple but elegant. The vocals are in perfect harmony, three voices singing as one. This is just good stuff to throw in the carousel while sitting out back in your own paradise, sipping a Maragarita, maybe reminicising or contemplating. Granted this music is from a bygone era but the true classics of any genre live forever. This is some of the best music ever laid down by the premier trio from Mexico's past.

Having never heard this woman sing I had only seen her name. With the plethora of female artists around it is hard to sort out the mediocre from the outstanding without breaking the bank. I was turned on to this artist recently by a good friend and have since listened to Tania sing incessantly. Perfect for those quite moments, this CD has accompanied me on my mornings hikes. By the time I reach the 1500 ft. elevation I am soaring well beyond the clouds on the wings of Tanias lovely voice. Since this is a collection of hits the arrangements are all very different but all outstanding. There are minimilist accompanyments but it works well because her voice is so lovely. At other times the songs have a jazzy flow to them, puntuated by sexy sax that further adds to her seductive voice. Often the songs have a Mexican flavor, complete with mariachi. At other times they bear testement to her own ethnicity with a Peruvian sound. Whatever the arrangement it is superably done, with lush accompanyments, including strings and harp, befitting an angelic voice for the ages. She reminds me of Lila Downs but much more sophisticated and polished. There is not a dog in the bunch, nothing but winners on this CD. This is one of those CD's that sounds better and better with each listening, as you become more familiar with the voice the message becomes clearer and clearer. It is hard to pick favorites but without doubt the four Jose Alfredo Jimenez penned songs are outstanding, particularly one of my all time faves "Cuando Sale La Luna." Her version gives me goosebumps, it is hauntingly beautiful. An interesting number is the Sting pop tune from a few years back entitled "Fragile"...........with it's repetitive phrasing "how fragile we are".... only this is in Spanish. It is beautiful just as so much of this CD is. I look forward to exploring more of this artists music but for starters this is an outstanding representation. This CD is guarateed to take you to heaven and back with Tania's beautiful voice.

I first heard this amazing singer a few weeks ago on a "Mexico, Voz y Sentimiento" CD that had the exquisite "Cuando Sale la Luna" on it, and immediately bought this great compilation, which has 19 additional songs that are a joy to hear.

"Concierto para Una Voz", with a piano and strings accompaniment is a rare gem, as is the long (7:51 minutes) "Alfonsina y el Mar" sung to a harp solo. "Tres Palabras" is a fabulous duet with Miguel Bose, and her interpretation of "Gracias a la Vida" is a marvel...but in nearly 75 minutes of music, there isn't a dull moment on this CD.

I've never enjoyed listening to a female voice as much as Tania's, not only for the beauty of her sound, but also for the artistry of her style, and I can't conceive of anyone on the planet not being captured by the magic of it also. This is heavenly music for the whole world, whether you understand Spanish or not.

There is only a song/composer/time list on the insert, but the guys will like the cover photo...she looks like a sultry belle, but wait 'til you hear the loveliness of her voice.

Concierto Para Una Voz (a capella), Gracias a La Vida, and Alfonsina y El Mar alone make this CD a Tour-de-Force for anyone who likes superb chanteusses and their great performances.

A Peruvian gift, Miss Libertad enfuses her songs with a whole rainbow of subtle emotions.

You'll find very few CDs like this where every song is great. Jose Jose is one of the best Mexican singers ever. His voice was so powerful and the lyrics of these songs made this CD an instant classic. I owe over 200 CDs but this is on my top 3.

it`s a shame he wasted his prodigious voice in alcohol, since he was able to hit both high and low notes with incredible smoothness. So great that Sinatra called him "The prince", and still now, after years of abuse, he still can be considered one of the greatest voices in Spanish music.

THIS IS WHERE MY LOVE OF SPANISH MUSIC BEGAN. AT AN OUTDOOR MUSIC STAND IN ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO (COMPLETE WITH A BOOM-BOX TO TRY OUT ANY OF THE HUNDREDS OF CASSETTES ON DISPLAY). I LOOKED IN BEWILDERMENT AT THE VARIETY OF ARTISTS ON DISPLAY AND THE NAME 'JOSE JOSE' KEPT POPPING UP. I ASKED THE ATTENDANT TO PLAY "20 TRIUNFADORAS" AND THE REST IS HISTORY. MY LATIN MUSIC COLLECTION HAS GROWN TO INCLUDE MANY OTHER ARTISTS BUT, I STILL LISTEN TO THE "PRINCE" ALMOST EVERY DAY (ESPECIALLY THIS TAPE). I WILL NEVER FORGET MY GOOD FORTUNE THAT DAY IN 'ZIWA'.

Ivonne is very talented. This CD was the best one ever! I can't wait to buy her next alblum.

This was an awesome CD!Ivonne sings great.She is very talented.I highly recomend this CD to anyone who likes latin pop.

Very catchy songs. My native tongue is not Sapanish, but her songs are very influrnced me. The first plased Dance music album in 2000. One of the best fusion of Mexican sound and Euro-beat. She is young, so she has many opportunities in the near future. Keep up your job! Thank you Ivonne!

There are 6 different versions on this single:
1- Radio Version
2- Boogiesoul Remix
3- Simon Vegas Remix
4- Album Instrumental
5- Boogiesoul Remix Instrumental
6- Simon Vegas Remix Instrumental

All remixes clock in under 4 minutes. This may be a minus for club fans but for fans of pop music in a general sense, this is a plus as they don't have to wait for length intros and breaks to enjoy the song in it's different variations.

This new single from pop starlet Brandy has a real R&B edge to it that was absent on her earlier material that relied more heavily on soul. At first this may sound clunky but the hooks on `What About Us' are completely irresistible and even if the lyrics are a little too similar to the `woman power' made famous by Destiny's Child and TLC, the tune itself is a mild breakthrough of its own kind. Brandy has managed to garner credibility with her lush, individual vocals and a tune that you can dance to and this is a good thing; she deserves it.

`What About Us' is different musically to a lot of R&B and is particularly irresistible coming from Brandy. Even if the lyrics aren't especially meaningful, their jocular tone suggests that she's in on the joke too. To conclude, this is a fantastic comeback from a formidable artist.

This is just the kick in the a** modern R&B needs! From producer Rodney Jerkins' off-kilter, bass heavy, slippery track (this sounds like a producer having the time of his life twiddling knobs and finding his sound) to Brandy's newly deepened and mature vocals (notice how she sings about 1/2 a beat behind the track?) this song fairly bursts with feelings of 'the new'! If the rest of the forthcoming "Full Moon" LP is as good as this astounding and wholly unexpected masterpiece then our heroine will not only have another hit on her hands, she'll finally be a creative force to be reckoned with!
A brilliant and thrilling single, Brandy, it's good to have you back.