Ten Best World Music Artists

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By Deborah Demander

World Music is a catchall phrase for global folk music. It usually refers to non-western, ethnic or indigenous music. Listed below are the ten best world music artists, and some of their albums.

Listening to some of the following music is a great way to expand your musical library, and learn a little culture from some distant lands. Enjoy.

Namaste friends.

1. Andy Palacio & The Garifuna Collective: Watina. Catchy percussion and a fast, upbeat style emphasized the deep baritone of Andy Palacio.

2. Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba: Sega Blue. The best string picking you may ever hear, from the heart of Africa.

3. Bembeya Jazz National: The Syliphone Years. One of West Africa's best dance bands leaves you inspired to move all night.

4.Caetano Voloso: Cê. A brazilian standard, on par with Bob Dylan, Caetano Voloso still rocks.

5. Dee Dee Bridgewater: Red Earth. Dee Dee Bridgewater is an american, returned to Mali, to create some of the greatest jazz sounds around.

6. Puerto Plata: Mujer de Cabaret. A folk musician from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata delivers great acoustic work on this album.

7. Sergio and Odair Assad: Jardim abandonado. These brazilian born boys, infused with arabic blood bring the most beautiful, memorable guitar work of late.

8. Tinariwen: Aman Iman: Water is Life. With more music coming out of Mali, this work stands out as extraordinary.

9. Yousou N'Dour: Rokku Mi Rokka.  One of Africa's most popular folk singers, Youssou N'Dour brings an upbeat, lively work that makes you smile.

10. Ali Farka Touré: In the Heart of the Moon. A collaborative effort with Toumani Diabaté, this is one of my all time favorite albums.

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  • Music, Does it change your brain?

    Read an article on music suppose to change the way your brain reacts, some people think that if music is very interesting to a point where they need it on a daily basics. Does music need to be used on a daily basics tho? To my opinion I think it... - 17 hours ago

  • History and Markets for Gypsy, Arabian and Russian Circus Music Styles

    Music is a part of culture and identity that should not be lost. In searching for ethnic music, we often find that it intertwines among the cultures through which it passes, leaving part of itself behind as it takes part of those cultures with it around the world. - 2 weeks ago

  • Learning to play the Violin

    Have you ever thought about learning a new skill one in which can enlighten the souls of everyone around and bring peace and happiness? There is one way in which you can easily and cheaply learn to learn to play the violin and I shall be telling you... - 3 months ago

  • The Rock's First Ripple: The History of Rock Music in Mexico

    Wanna hear some new rock you'll never hear on Clear Channel radio? Interested in connecting with rock fans who can introduce you to new sounds? Guess what! Those fans could be right in your neighborhood, and that new music could be in a whole other section of your record store. Discover rock music, old and new, made in Mexico. You don't need to know a huge amount of Spanish to get started, but it only gets cooler when you do. - 4 months ago

  • Rock Music in Spain: An Intro to Rock History in Western Europe's Youngest Democracy

    Are you an aficionado of music from all over the world? Are you visiting Europe's second-most-picturesque tourist destination or studying there? Are you, in the words of Hoyt Axton, someone who's "never been to Spain, but kind of like the music"? If so, get a crash course in everything from the oldies to the indie scene in Spanish Rock 101. - 4 months ago

  • Rockin' in the Land of the Rising Sun: A Beginner's Intro to J-Rock

    J-Rock: Where does it come from and what's it about? Get an education in classic J-rock and find out where that band on your favorite anime or RPG soundtrack is coming from. - 4 months ago

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    A Sinking Spring store jam=packed with African goods hosted a new drum circle. This gathering of west African drumming was so successful, it will continue every First Friday of the month at Spears-Harambee Company. It is worth visiting for the store and the drumming! - 4 months ago

  • Music In Every Language

    A compilation of music sung in languages other than English. Includes Japanese, Arabic, Finnish, Korean, Turkish, Hindi, and more! - 4 months ago

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Comments

viking305 profile image

viking305 Level 6 Commenter 21 months ago

Great selection of music here and some of the music videos are very good. I enjoyed the Ali Farka Toure one

msorensson profile image

msorensson Level 3 Commenter 21 months ago

Forgive me ...I did not know any of these artists until I came here. Thank you, Deborah

billyaustindillon profile image

billyaustindillon Level 2 Commenter 21 months ago

Great hub I have quite a selection of world music and a big fan of what Peter Gabriel does there. You have introduced me to a lot of new stuff here. I am a big fan of Yousou N'Dour and that Senegal and Mali sound and Ali Farka Touré also. Dee dee bridge water is an interesting story being an American in Paris etc

Maggie-May profile image

Maggie-May Level 4 Commenter 21 months ago

Love, love, love the last two music clips! fantastic!!

Pamela99 profile image

Pamela99 Level 7 Commenter 21 months ago

Nice selection of great music.

Pro Design Source profile image

Pro Design Source 21 months ago

Lovely hub to read and listen to. Thanks!

Mutiny92 profile image

Mutiny92 21 months ago

I love listing to music from around the world...outstanding job putting these together.

Deborah Demander profile image

Deborah Demander Hub Author 21 months ago

Thanks everyone for stopping by. I am glad to be able to share these great artists with you, and I hope you enjoy listening to something new.

Namaste friends.

akirchner profile image

akirchner Level 4 Commenter 21 months ago

Interesting choices - I will have to check them out. I love 'world music' because I never have to get the words right!

Wendy Krick profile image

Wendy Krick 21 months ago

I've never heard of these artist. I enjoyed listening to the clips you have.

LeanMan profile image

LeanMan Level 4 Commenter 21 months ago

A great selection of artists, I spent a few months in East Africa several years ago and really enjoyed the music and dancing there..

Deborah Demander profile image

Deborah Demander Hub Author 21 months ago

Akrichner, that's one of the reasons I like it, I can make up my own words.

Wendy, glad you enjoyed the clips.

LeanMan, what a great opportunity you have.

Namaste friends.

Kevin Schofield 17 months ago

Hi Namaste. Thanks for this great hub. I remember hearing the beautiful voice of the great Miriam Makeba back in the 1960s, and realising what a vast wealth of music we never get to hear in the insular West. World music is a fantastic phenomenon. Kindest regards, Kev.

tonymac04 profile image

tonymac04 17 months ago

Africa rocks! The music that comes out of this great continent is always interesting and vibrant.

Thanks for sharing these.

Love and peace

Tony

Deborah Demander profile image

Deborah Demander Hub Author 17 months ago

Kevin, thank you for your kind comments. We are still pretty isolated, here in the west, despite what many think.

tonymac, thanks for stopping by and reading.

I appreciate your comments.

Namaste.

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