Think Global World Christmas

opis:
Gazeta Wyborcza, 10/09/2008
Na polski rynek trafiają równolegle dwie znakomite serie z muzyką świata. Zarówno tą czystą, wypływającą wprost ze źródeł, jak i przetworzoną na modłę nowoczesnych klubowych klimatów. Prawdziwe rarytasy dla fanów world music.

W tej serii wydawniczej [Think Global] dostajemy muzykę wpisaną w określone miejsca tak mocno, że staje się ona ważną częścią tamtejszej kultury. Te dźwięki są tak samo ważne dla Brazylii, Afryki i amerykańskich bezdroży jak osobliwa kuchnia i tradycyjne stroje. Wydawcy postawili na wykonawców uznanych, renomowanych - prawdziwe 'firmy' muzyki świata (m.in. Miriam Makeba, Oumou Sangare, Chico Barque, Armando Marçal). Na zestaw składa się siedem albumów: od salsy i muzyki amerykańskich Indian, po tango, a na każdym krążku możemy posłuchać ponad dziesięciu wykonawców. Przez to można śmiało mówić o przekroju brzmienia i konwencji przy jednoczesnym uniknięciu 'dźwiękowej cepelii'. Tu pasja i szczerość wygrywają z komercyjną poprawnością, dostarczając muzyki, która nie zwykła gościć na radiowych play listach.
Nowości płytowe poleca Piotr Iwicki


Editor's info:
Whether decorating banana and mango trees in India, celebrating against the snowy backdrop of Moscow's Red Square or partying through the bright nights of Latin America's Navidad season, Christmas is recognised throughout the world as a time for joviality and reflection. From Italy to the Dominican Republic, Think Global World Christmas is a tribute to the worldwide celebrations of this joyful and unifying time of year.

You won't find a single high-speed, overly caffeinated sugary version of 'Frosty The Snowman' on this selection. What you will find is a remarkable variety of Christmas music from around the world, from the African-tinged parrandas of Venezuela to the haunting winter songs of Sweden.

Marta Sebestyen, aka the voice of the film The English Patient and the lead singer of Hungary's groundbreaking folk-revival ensemble Muzsikas, is one of the world's leading vocalists. She has performed for Queen Elizabeth II, the Japanese Emperor and Spain's royal family, and 'Betlehem, Betlehem' is from her album of Hungarian traditional Christmas songs. Featured on the film soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art Thou?, The Cox Family began performing together in 1976. Known for their instrumental virtuosity and spectacular vocal harmonies, here they perform the classic 'Go Tell It On The Mountain'. 'La Veille De Christmus' is from The Basin Brothers' Grammy-nominated album, Let's Get Cajun. From Louisiana, their repertoire includes infectious two-steps, graceful waltzes and swamp blues, spliced with the early sounds of Creole zydeco. Florant Vollant was one half of the internationally known Innu First Nations group Kashtin, from northern Quebec. His song included here, is from an album of winter and Christmas songs, which reflect the mood of the long, dark northern winter and that received the Apostolic Blessing from Pope John Paul II.

This album reveals a remarkable range of Christmas songs - deeply moving spirituals, wild carolling traditions of South America and the Caribbean, and a host of styles rooted in pre-Christian pagan traditions - and shows that the long December nights have been the inspiration of some of the world's best music. From the comic song by Joseph Spence to the haunting music of Triakel, there's something here to inspire Christmas thoughts for everyone.

Think Global: World Christmas has been produced in collaboration with Oxfam, with sales from the album raising money for the independent organisation and registered charity. They work at all levels from global to local, including international governments, global institutions as well as with local communities and individuals to ensure that everyone's rights are fulfilled and protected.