World Music

The 2012 world, roots, and reggae music Grammy Awards were, as always, announced in an afternoon ceremony before the major pre-televised portion this year, along with dozens of other awards. The ceremony was actually quite a lot shorter this year than it has been in years past, due to a massive restructuring of the Grammy categories that slashed and distilled the categories from 109 to 78, a move that many (including rock legend Carlos Santana) accuse of being overtly racist and unfairly targeting musicians of color. I'm not sure I necessarily agree or disagree -- I think the number of categories was too large, but I'm not sure the restructuring was anywhere near as fair or as graceful as it could've or should've been.

Of the categories under my purview that still exist, though, we have a couple of deeply deserving winners to announce! Desert blues stars Tinariwen took home the Best World Music Album Grammy for their outstanding Tassili. Stephen Marley was the big winner in the Best Reggae Album category, with his wonderful Revelation Part I: The Root of Life. In the Best Regional Roots Music category, where Cajun, Zydeco, Polka, Hawaiian music, Native American Music, and others have all been grouped together, the Rebirth Brass Band won with their Rebirth of New Orleans. As the great world and roots music writer Steve Hochman pointed out, New Orleans brass band music was a genre that, until the creation of Best Regional Roots, did not really have a comfortable home among the categories, so it's nice to see the deeply deserving Rebirth Brass Band (who also performed at the pre-televised awards ceremony) take home the award. Bravo, everyone!

Read the full list of 2012 nominees in the World, Reggae, and Regional Roots Grammy categories.

I'm so pleased and proud to welcome Dorothy Johnson-Laird to the World Music at About.com team. Dorothy is a wonderful writer whose reviews, interviews, and long-form pieces have appeared on Afropop Worldwide and World Music Central, among others, and who is a font of knowledge about African music, as well as music of the African diaspora.

Dorothy's first contribution to the site is an interview with Gambia-born kora player Surahata "Sura" Susso. Susso is based in England at this point, but his music, which is fairly traditional but with his own modern touches, is turning heads on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as in Africa. Have a look, and if you get a chance, a listen! Read more: Interview with Sura Susso

Image (c) Francois Kong, Provided by Artist

It's Carnival season throughout the world, including here in Louisiana, where I live (though we call it Mardi Gras, of course), and parties and parades and all sorts of revelry are gearing up in Brazil, Italy, throughout the Caribbean, and elsewhere. One of the most vibrant Carnival celebrations in the world, and the one that's perhaps the most intrinsically musical, is the celebration in Trinidad, home of calypso. If you're trying to get into the Carnival spirit (or simply looking for great Mardi Gras music from around the world to soundtrack your party), you really can't go wrong with some hip-shakin' Vintage Calypso.

Read more:

• 5 Great Vintage Calypso Music Compilations
• Music for Mardi Gras From Many Cultures
• What is Carnival, Anyway?
• Mardi Gras Munchies: Recipes for Fat Tuesday

Image (c) Arc Music, 2003

One of Brooklyn's worst-kept secrets happens every Tuesday night at a tiny little Park Slope club called Barbes. Approximately 60 people, a large number of whom seem to be holding horns or drums, cram into a space that barely fits 30 comfortably, and Brass Band Bacchanalia breaks out. Slavic Soul Party! is the band, though they're barely distinguishable from the fans, and the volume is legendary. It's an amazing, visceral musical experience, and one that I recommend everyone take in at least once (cheating and bringing earplugs won't ruin it for you, I promise). Should you not be in the New York area regularly, though, chances are good that Slavic Soul Party! will be coming your way sooner than later, and they're just as fabulous on a big stage as they are crammed into a tiny room. Keep your eyes peeled!

Image Courtesy Slavic Soul Party!

I have a love/hate relationship with writing "... for Beginners" or "... Starter CDs" lists. I love being able to help people find new music that they will love, and opening a door to a whole new genre of music. I hate narrowing the lists down, though.

If this was real life and not the internet and you came knocking on my door and said, "Hi! I don't know a darned thing about Arabic music, but I'd like to, so where should I start?" I'd start up the old iPod and jabber on for hours, eventually sending you home with an enormous bag full of CDs and live concert DVDs and you'd wisely never ask me for advice again. Since this is the internet, and brevity is a virtue here, I've just come up with a tidy list of ten -- more convenient for you, I suspect, but sheer agony for me. Have a look: 10 Arabic Music Starter CDs

Image (c) Fairuz Productions, 2010

I just started getting back into yoga, after a break of almost two years (I have an almost-two-year-old; no big coincidence there), and I'm still in need of pretty serious inspiration. Since most of what I'm doing at this point is still basically advanced sitting, standing, and laying down, and even that leaves me sore, it's hard to really get motivated to practice every day. Since I mostly practice alone (I used to be pretty good at this stuff, and I'm not attempting any advanced asanas, so don't worry about me), I get to pick the music, and having some great music to choose from makes all the difference in the world. I compiled this list of excellent modern yoga music, figuring that I might not be the only one who can't stand the goofy MIDI flutes and raindrop noises that are clearly beloved by every yoga teacher I've ever had. And hey, if you're more of an aerobic exerciser, a lot of these albums make for good warm-up and cool-down music, so they're good for you, too. Read more: Contemporary Yoga Music (That Doesn't Suck)

Image (c) White Swan Records, 2008

It's time once again for the annual About.com Readers' Choice Awards, and nominations are open. This year will be the first that the World Music Site will be taking part, though, so let's make it a great one! We've got eight great categories, and we're looking forward to honoring not only artists, but live music venues, radio shows, and even record labels with the tremendous honor of being chosen by you as their favorite. Nominations are open until February 15, and nominees will be announced (and voting will commence) on February 22. Winners will be announced on March 30. What are you waiting for? Go forth and nominate!

Youssou N'Dour has announced that he'll be seeking the office of President of Senegal. As the country's most famous citizen, N'Dour is known both domestically and internationally for his vibrant music, which frequently speaks to social and political issues in Senegal and throughout Africa. He's also a fairly astute businessman, and is the owner of several media companies, including a newspaper and a radio station. Thus far, his candidacy seems to have been received with mixed emotions. Read more, from the Washington Post: World Music Star N'Dour Challenges Aging Leader with Presidency Bid

Some other world music stars have been making headlines in the political sector, as well. Afro-Peruvian songstress Susana Baca, who was only recently appointed as Peru's Minister of Culture, was relieved of her post in a major cabinet shake-up, wherein President Ollanta Humala replaced at least 10 cabinet ministers in what seems to be a reaction to major protests surrounding a large mining project.

In Nigeria, afrobeat musician Seun Anikulapo Kuti (son of Fela) is taking part in major protests over the ending of fuel subsidies, the absence of which brings gasoline prices to nearly the same as those in the United States, but in a country where the average citizen makes $2 a day.

Youssou N'Dour Image (c) Dan Kitwood / Getty Images, 2008

Happy New Year! 2011 was a great year for world music (see my Top 11 of '11 CDs for proof), but 2012 looks to be even better. On my list of bands to watch is an Afro-hip-hop trio from Mali called SMOD. Their eponymous international debut, produced by Manu Chao (who the band met because he produced Dimanche a Bamako, an international hit album by Amadou and Mariam, who happen to be the parents of SMOD member Sam), made quiet waves among critics in both Europe and North America, but their recent much-talked-about performance at WOMEX, soon to be paired with their U.S. debut at globalFEST, are what really have people's ears perked up. My prediction? You'll be hearing a lot more from them, and you're gonna love it. In fact, if you haven't heard their music yet, why not make it a New Year's Resolution? It's an easy enough one to keep, after all...

Once again, I've been hard at work transcribing old folk songs for your viewing (and singing) pleasure. What fun these old songs are! If you need a bit of poetry in your life, they're not a bad way to go, that's for sure. Have a look:

Tim Finnegan's Wake
The T'read on the Tail o' Me Coat (Mush Mush Mush)
The Galway Piper (Piping Tim)
Lanigan's Ball
The Banks of Claudy
The Spanish Lady
A Pretty Girl Milking Her Cow
The Wearing of the Green