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© REVIEWS descendants are famous for their unique M U Ss | C rhythmic style of dhrupad singing and their Reviewed by Richard Giles expression of northern Indian classical music. A collector's album. SECRETS OF SEDUCTION by Enigmatic Obsession WEST AFRICAN GOLD Globe Entertainment, 2005 (49mins) by various artists ; Distributors: Aust—MRA, tel (07) 3849 Rough Guides/World Music Network, 6020; Eur—Globe Entertainment, web- UK, 2006 (72mins) site http:/www.globeentertainment.de Distributors: Aust—MRA, tel (07) 3849 emember the amazing 1990s music of 6020; UK—World Music Network, tel nigma with their brand of electronica (0) 20 7498 5252, www.worldmusic.net and voice fusion? Enigmatic Obsession is he golden period of West African music Jens Gad, one-half of Enigma, the biggest- was the 1950s-1980s when indepen- selling Gregorian chant/electronic dance dence arrived for many countries and was group ever. He utilises and explores the expressed in joyous musical styles. These same types of sounds and melodies that include "highlife", the jazz-influenced style from Ghana and Nigeria, the griot tradition of Guinea and Mali which was touched by Latin and jazz, rumba in the Congo, and Latin/soul sounds in Senegal. All these styles are featured here. The artists include the Rail Band of Bamako, the Baobab Orchestra, Bembeya Jazz, the Horoya Band, ACOUSTIC AFRICA Geraldo Pino and the Heartbeats, and more. by various artists Putumayo, USA, 2006 (46mins) Classic gold from West Africa. Distributors: Aust—MRA, tel (07) 3849 6020; UK—Putumayo, tel 07759 by AeA 600495; USA—Putumayo World Music, Six De . grees Records, 2006 (53mins) tel 800 955 9588, www.putumayo.com Distributors: Aust—MRA Entertainment, his Putumayo release features the intro- . spective side of African music, focusing Hedords tel (£15) GOB 6908, weal on melodic songs with meaningful lyrics. : , Included among the artists are singer/song- http://www sixdegreesrecords.com Life of Burin Diegal Salo oF See, throaty, ethereal voice that lends itself to Eneida Marta of Guinea-Bissau, Vusi the ambient ethnotechno style that she's Mahlasela of South Africa, Faya Tess of the een tor asa menor oa (see Congo and Laye Sow of Mauritania. Their solo album iets Desrees eflects hoe sweet ballads and romantic acoustic music cultural influences including her adaptation make this a captivating collection. to two decades of life in the West. The songs are written by Azam, in collaboration IN PRAISE OF THE GODDESS with friends Carmen Rizzo, Tyler Bates, from the Mallik Family . Trey Gunn or Loga Ramin Torkian, except Celestial Harmonies, 2006 (73mins) for the track "Abode" with original Persian tal (02) 9283 past ue caution: lyrics. Honest music with spiritual clarity. le ; — Celestia Harmonies, tel (520) 326 4400, website http://www.harmonies.com compilation of traditional Indian song from the Mallik family (see NEXUS 12/04), this album venerates the mother goddess Durga. The Mallik family line goes back to 18th-century Bihar in northern India where it was founded by singers Radhakrishna and Kartaram, who studied under the renowned teacher Bhupat Khan. When called upon to end a severe drought plaguing the region, they sang the Megh, the raga of rain, bringing a downpour. Asa reward they were given land and were appointed chief court musicians to the Maharajas of Darbhanga. Today their made Enigma a genre all of its own. The perfect soundtrack for lounging around or for a romantic evening, Secrets of Seduction will please those looking for Enigma with a twist. Fascinating sound, fresh as ever. ACOUSTIC AFRICA by various artists Putumayo, USA, 2006 (46mins) Distributors: Aust—MRA, tel (07) 3849 6020; UK—Putumayo, tel 07759 600495; USA—Putumayo World Music, tel 800 955 9588, www.putumayo.com his Putumayo release features the intro- spective side of African music, focusing on melodic songs with meaningful lyrics. Included among the artists are singer/song- writers Habib Koité of Mali, Angélique Kidjo of Benin, Diogal Sakho of Senegal, Eneida Marta of Guinea-Bissau, Vusi Mahlasela of South Africa, Faya Tess of the Congo and Laye Sow of Mauritania. Their sweet ballads and romantic acoustic music make this a captivating collection. IN PRAISE OF THE GODDESS from the Mallik Family Celestial Harmonies, 2006 (73mins) Distributors: Aust—Planet Distribution, tel (02) 9283 8250; USA—Celestial Harmonies, tel (520) 326 4400, website http://www.harmonies.com compilation of traditional Indian song from the Mallik family (see NEXUS 12/04), this album venerates the mother goddess Durga. The Mallik family line goes back to 18th-century Bihar in northern India where it was founded by singers Radhakrishna and Kartaram, who studied under the renowned teacher Bhupat Khan. When called upon to end a severe drought plaguing the region, they sang the Megh, the raga of rain, bringing a downpour. Asa reward they were given land and were appointed chief court musicians to the Maharajas of Darbhanga. Today their NEXUS = 75 DECEMBER 2006 — JANUARY 2007 www.nexusmagazine.com