Exotica: World Music Divas

Amazon.com
This all-female collection opens with Mamma, a stunning group of six vocalists from all over the Mediterranean who collaborate with acoustic musicians to create a rich, pan-Afro-European sound. This one track makes the album worth having though all ten of the tracks are mostly excellent and many of the artists' recordings are unavailable in the US. Cesaria Evora, sings her classic "Miss Perfumado" and Ofra Haza is in full pop regalia on "My Ethiopian Boy." Smaller treasures include Xiradela, a Galician girls choir backed by the Carlos Nunez band, and a Latin tinged edition of Stevie Wonder's "Free" performed in Swahili by Khadja Nin, a husky singer from Burundi. Spanish Gypsy singer Nina Pastori is backed by Radio Tarifa. Rom singer Vera Kale does an over-the-top-pop gypsy song, Aine Minogue sings and plays a lush Celtic harp piece. Shai No Shai is Euro-African pop group. --Louis Gibson

Tracks:

Amaria - Mammas
Miro Rom Hin Ternoro - Vera Bila & Kale
Miss Perfumado - Cesaria Evora
Cantigueiras - Carlos Nunez
O Boro Braindi Braindi - Aine Minogue
Caravan - Shai No Shai
Como Se - Julieta Venegas
Tu Me Camelas - Nina Pastori
Free (Sina Mali, Sina Deni) - Khadja Nin
My Ethiopian Boy - Ofra Haza

Amazon.com

This all-female collection opens with Mamma, a stunning group of six vocalists from all over the Mediterranean who collaborate with acoustic musicians to create a rich, pan-Afro-European sound. This one track makes the album worth having though all ten of the tracks are mostly excellent and many of the artists' recordings are unavailable in the US. Cesaria Evora, sings her classic "Miss Perfumado" and Ofra Haza is in full pop regalia on "My Ethiopian Boy." Smaller treasures include Xiradela, a Galician girls choir backed by the Carlos Nunez band, and a Latin tinged edition of Stevie Wonder's "Free" performed in Swahili by Khadja Nin, a husky singer from Burundi. Spanish Gypsy singer Nina Pastori is backed by Radio Tarifa. Rom singer Vera Kale does an over-the-top-pop gypsy song, Aine Minogue sings and plays a lush Celtic harp piece. Shai No Shai is Euro-African pop group. --Louis Gibson

Customer Reviews:

A Treasure.......2006-08-02

I checked this out from the library because of the Ofra Haza track. The first time I listened to it all the way through it was obvious there were many catchy beautiful songs here. With each listening, I like it more and more. Track 8 is the only song I don't get into; I don't understand all the criticism of the Ofra Haza track, I think it's amazing. #5 is luscious, #6 is as catchy as they come, the latin sounds/vocals on #1,3,7 are irrestible, #4 is what you hope for when you seek out world music, #9 is a powerhouse production, thank you Stevie Wonder, did I mention #10 is fantastic, yeah I think I did
By the way, the sample tracks above aren't working for me (wmp links)

Simply Amazing.......2001-05-27

This is a fabulous collection of voice from around the world, I can't get enough. Now I have to find individual CDs for all the different women who sing on this CD!!

Feel good international mix.......2000-03-25

This c.d. was a wonderful surprise. I am always on the lookout for international music of all types. Favorite artists include Wasis Diop and Cesaria Evora. Seeing her on this album, I decided to try it and see which other artists I may like. I found myself liking every track (except for one - tu me camelas, the vocals are a bit nasal.)I put on this cd when I'm doing chores around the house and it always gives me energy. I find myself bebopping through my work, imagining myself in a Moroccan belly dancing club, a celtic hillside or a Spanish village. My favorite songs are #5,6,9 and 10. If you like world music, other cd's to try are Cesaria Evora's Cafe Atlantico (an automatic vacation every time I put it on) and Wasis Diop.

The title is very miss leading.......1999-03-14

It should be divas and a bit more up bea

Uplifting. Colourful. Pulse-quickening. Supreme!.......1998-09-19

From Portugal to Ireland to the Middle East, this CD takes you around the world in 10 songs.

"Exotica--World Music Divas" reminds us that there's more to this planet than what's within the little shell of our hometowns. At the same time, it brings a reminder that we are the same everywhere---we laugh, we cry, we love...we feel passion.

Forget the language barriers! The soul of each song comes through loud & clear. The best example would be from song #8---"Tu Me Camelas" by Nina Pastori. A song of love between two cousins. You can just FEEL the TENSION & DESIRE as you hear Nina's lilting & determined voice!

Although the selections do not do justice to the artists (for example, I've heard better from Ofra Haza), this is a superb sampling of introductory songs for the beginner fan of "world music."

The first song, "Amaria" by Mammas, seems to set the tone for the rest of the CD. The ending phrase in the liner notes for this song could very well have been the description for the entire compilation:

"...explore the common culture of Mediterranean women, 'daughters of the south you meet in every marketplace."

--Brie Gainer

World Music: