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Voices of Forgotten Worlds: Traditional Music of Indigenous Peoples

 
Album Review: Voices of Forgotten Worlds: Traditional Music of Indigenous Peoples
 

  • Artist: Various Artists
  • Rating: StarStarStarStarHalf Star
  • Release Date: 1993
  • Total Time: 109:40
  • Type: Collection (various artists)
  • Genre: World

Review

Concentrating on vocal traditions, the two-disc set Voices of Forgotten Worlds delivers cut after cut of wonderful music, frequently in stunning high-fidelity recordings. Producer Brook Wentz' sensitive sequencing minimizes the inevitable discontinuity from one cut to the next. The only flaws would seem to be unavoidable with such a diverse and wide-ranging collection: Individual pieces are too short, and they bear no real relation to one another. Things get off to a rousing start with a Tuvan (south Siberian) song in which the singers form a melody of whistling overtones that careens above their voices. From there the set skips through Japanese, South American, Northern European, Chinese, South Seas, and Australian examples before settling into an insistent Afghan ghazal and a glorious instrumental Newar celebration from Nepal. Performances from Greenland, Mexico, and Azerbaijan give way to the surprising choral singing of the Maori of New Zealand, which seems to bend local tradition with harmonies learned from church hymns. Among the more familiar patterned bells of the Balinese gamelan and otherworldly chanting of Tibetan monks, unique highlights include a hypnotic pan pipe ensemble from the Solomon Islands; a surprisingly gentle chant from the Kayapo (notoriously warlike denizens of the Amazon jungle); a compelling rapid-fire pulse of drums, bells, and a double reed from the Batak people of Sumatra; and a Wodaabe chorus from Niger, whose sinuous, irregular vocal phrases suddenly take form with the addition of hand claps. Rather than displaying various traditions as artifacts to be studied, Ellipsis Arts presents them as music to be enjoyed, an approach that has borne fruit in several of the label's top-notch collections. ~ Ted Greenwald, All Music Guide

Tracks



CD 1

Track TitleComposersPerformersTime
Tuva Kozhangnar Tuva Folk Ensemble (5:04)
Sitting Song Nakamoto Matsuko Nakamoto Matsuko (1:41)
Ayoro Kotan Nakamoto Matsuko Nakamoto Matsuko (:46)
Busigan Traditional Las Golondrinas Viajeras (4:36)
Kantus de Apacheta (3:22)
Mahte Lemet Elle (1:29)
Migal Elle Garen Sara Eira, Inga Elen (1:19)
Bisitaita Bunun People of Taiwan (2:40)
Danse des Toka Nod (4:20)
Dalubun (A Love Song) Tjoli Laiwongka, Tom Yorkdjanki (2:06)
Pashtu Ghazal Zahir Jan (4:44)
Marsi Malasri (4:27)
Imina Imina (3:24)
Navssapaluk Sadorana (:31)
Son Sventa N'Ahual San Lorenzo Lol Gomez, Mariano Santis Hernandez (2:26)
Koroghlu Ashiq Hasan (4:57)
He Toa Takitini/Ka Tohia Atu Koe/Ki Okoiki
Rashaida Dance
Gyuto Tantra (3:58)
Ghungsgot Thonpo (4:33)


CD 2

Track TitleComposersPerformersTime
Mbumbusa (1:25)
Vinango Villagers from Panueli, Island of Savo (3:45)
Ejengi Ceremony (3:52)
Nazirkhom Raman Sawut (3:20)
No Ok a Mor (4:49)
Akuka (3:52)
Gending Sekar Gadung (4:14)
Turkmen Folk Song (2:43)
Batara Guru Rozado Soagian (5:40)
Lelore Niger Wodaabe of Dakaro (4:40)
Stick Game Song Bad Canyon Wellpring Singers (3:28)
Navajo Squaw Dance Ed Lee Natay (3:07)
Squaw Dance Song Northern Cree Singers (2:15)
Sote Tulifurahia Kama Siku Ya Arusi Hukwe Zawose (6:07)

Credits

Gyuto Monks Tantric Choir (Performer), Bad Canyon Wellpring Singers (Performer), Ed Lee Natay (Performer), Northern Cree Singers (Performer), David Lewiston (Recording), David Lewiston (Foreword), Hukwe Zawose (Performer), Santos Alvarez (Vocals), Ezequiel Castillo (Drums), Cristobal Fuentes (Vocals), Lol Gomez (Flute), Mariano Santis Hernandez (Drums), Kaigal-Ool Khovalyg (?), Tjoli Laiwongka (Vocals), Tjoli Laiwongka (Performer), Tjoli Laiwongka (Clapping Sticks), Magdalena Lopez (Vocals), Cristobal Martinez (Drums (Bass)), Julian Martinez (?), Mario Martinez (Vocals), Kongar-ol Ondar (Vocals), Tashi Palikit (Vocals), Xun Perez (Drums), Lorraineprd Sakata (?), Elen Inga Eria Sara (Vocals), Gennadi Tumat (Vocals), Roman Witey (?), Tom Yorkdjanki (Didjeridu), Tom Yorkdjanki (Performer), Larry Blumenfeld (Compilation), Larry Blumenfeld (Editing), Larry Blumenfeld (Text), Nakamoto Matsuko (Performer), Tuva Folk Ensemble (Performer), Villagers from Panueli, Island of Savo (Performer), Karen Michel (Producer), Karen Michel (Field Recording), Las Golondrinas Viajeras (Group), Las Golondrinas Viajeras (Performer), Julian Burger (Foreword)
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Album Review. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more