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INTERNATIONAL MUSIC: TOP 10 OF 1999

Editor, Karen K. Hugg

From the playful son music of "Havana Cafe" to the sweeping nostalgia of Ibrahim Ferrer's full-length debut, 1999 was an extraordinary year for Cuban music. Several releases from Mali were outstanding also, including Ali Farka Toure's "Niafunke." Here are the 10 best international albums of 1999.

1. "Havana Cafe"
Barbarito Torres
Veteran lute player Barbarito Torres pays tribute to traditional Cuban son music on the amazing "Havana Cafe." This spirited collection layered with rich percussion, acoustic tres, and joined voices sings with a playful, bright energy that's more infectious with each listen. It also features Cuban great Ibrahim Ferrer. Read more

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2. "Cafe Atlantico"
Cesaria Evora
Starting off the year with the U.S. release "Mar Azul," her European debut of sultry morna music that bewitched French listeners, Cesaria Evora closed 1999 with "Cafe Atlantico," a collection of Brazilian and Cuban standards that showed how versatile the barefoot diva's smooth, rich voice is. Read more

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3. "Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer"
Ibrahim Ferrer
With a romantic voice of yesteryear, singer Ibrahim Ferrer steps into the spotlight on this new CD from Ry Cooder and the Buena Vista Social Club veterans. Re-creating the son and bolero tracks that made Cuba famous in the 1940s, these veteran musicians play with passion and flair. Find out what everyone's been raving about. Read more

Our Price: $12.58 | You Save: $5.39 (30%)   


4. "Niafunke"
Ali Farka Toure
Guitarist (and farmer) Ali Farka Toure played music for several nights in an abandoned building while tending his rice fields in Niafunke, Mali, and--thanks to mobile recording gear--the CD "Niafunke" was born. This intimate disc captures Toure's sweet, ambling guitar along with sparse percussion and lovely choral voices. A beautiful music possessed by the gentle spirit of the Malian land. Read more

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5. "Tucuma"
Vinicius Cantuaria
Brazilian star Vinicius Cantuaria moved to New York in the '90s and has been keeping company with avant-popsters and jazzers such as Arto Lindsay and Bill Frisell, both present on this album. "Tucuma" is rivetingly beautiful from the first play, keeping its bossa nova rhythms light on their feet while sprinkling offbeat touches through the mix. Even more than Cantuaria's previous "Sol na Cara," this is a keeper. Read more

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6. "Shri Durga"
DJ Cheb i Sabbah
San Francisco's DJ Cheb i Sabbah bends and twists Hindustani ragas into the modern world of sequencing and sampling for an intriguing snapshot of ancient India through modern eyes. Plucking the sounds of drone, sitar, tabla, vocal, and other instrumentation from classic Indian recordings, DJ Cheb opens the modern universe of ambient and dance music through the gates of traditional masters. Read more

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7. "Cantinero de Cuba"
Cubamar
With lithe voices joined in yesteryear-style harmonies and a loving, light touch on guitars, Cubamar offer their own interpretation of Cuban romanticism to the world on "Cantinero de Cuba." With no veteran Cuban greats and no famous American producer, this guitar trio shines brightly on this enchanting pearl of intimate Latin ballads. A sweet album with timeless appeal. Also, check out our recently updated list of great Cuban titles. Read more

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8. "Yara"
Rabih-Abou Khalil
Over the years Lebanese oud player Rabih Abou-Khalil has collaborated with several jazz greats for spirited improvisation that blended sounds of East and West. His new release, "Yara," a soundtrack to the film of the same name, has a gentler, at times even classical, feel that mixes oud, cello, and violin for a melancholy Arabic music. Brilliant and highly recommended. Read more

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9. "Everything Is Possible"
Os Mutantes
If you're a fan of the "Sgt. Pepper"-era Beatles, you'll love "Everything Is Possible: The Best of Os Mutantes." This pop group, whose members at one time included Caetano Veloso, swirled together sounds of Hendrix, the Beatles, and John Cage with the samba and bossa nova of its Brazilian homeland. Many would argue Os Mutantes' brilliant psychedelic music out-innovates the greatest artists of the late '60s. An amazing collection from Brazil's "mutants." Read more

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10. "New Ancient Strings"
Toumani Diabate, Ballake Sissoko
The sons of the two greatest kora (harp-lute) players in Mali pair up to re-create the magic their fathers made in 1970 on the first all-kora recording, "Ancient Strings." Thirty years later "New Ancient Strings" vibrates with lovely, light tinkling, creating enticing rhythms and a gentle plucking interplay that bridges two African generations. An enchanting CD. Read more

Our Price: $12.99 | You Save: $3.98 (23%)   

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