Music
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What
happens when Carlos Santana invites a few friends to his latest
album? POWER! Featured singers on Santana's new Shaman
CD include: Musiq, Michelle Branch, Macy Gray, Seal, Citizen
Cope, Dido, and Placido Domingo, among others. Seal's
Latin-flavored 'You Are My Kind' is sensual, sexy and sizzling,
but Shaman has so many exemplary tracks, it's easy to imagine
any of them getting air time as hit singles. Michelle Branch's
song, 'The Game of Love,' is already on its way to becoming
a worldwide hit single and the video is getting plenty of airplay
on MTV and VH1. Shaman is a celebration that rocks the house!
Get your Latin groove on here!
Kasse Mady Diabate's new CD, Kassi,
Kasse, is subtitled: 'Music from the Heart of Mali's
Griot Tradition.' A griot is a storyteller who conveys oral history
and musical heritage. Diabate is considered one of Mali's national
treasures for his expansive knowledge of West Africa's griot tradition.
In Kassi Kasse, he sings these ancient songs in a modern
manner. These songs will make you smile even if you don't understand
a word of Mali. The beat and the incredible African instrumentation
are hypnotic and joyful! If you like Damon Albarn's Mali Music,
Salif Keita, Ayob Ogada, and African Voices, you'll love
Kassi, Kasse!
Planet Earth, by various artists including Peter
Gabriel, I Muvrini, Sting, Youssour N'Dour, and Bebel
Gilberto, may be my favorite of a really great crop of CDs this
month. Planet Earth is so habit-forming, I've played it
over and over again. I particularly love Johnny Clegg's Amakhosi,
the first track. This collection of music was contributed by artists
from five continents who are concerned about our planet and its people
and want to call attention to its dire straits. It's music that
speaks to the heart, and though the words carry a serious message,
the music rocks. The artists, producers, and record companies have
waived their royalty rights so that the funds can be allocated to
bring relief to third world countries. It's the very thing for
Earth Day Celebrations. If you love world music, you'll adore
this outstanding recording.
Kathryn
Sargent is the (very blessed) editor of Aquarius.
Music