Caveat: This guide is a bit long in the
tooth, but hopefully you’ll still find it to be of some use.
Transpacific
Sound Paradise
World Music Shopping Guide
Transpacific Sound Paradise: Popular and Unpopular Music from Around the World is heard on Saturdays 6-8pm on on WFMU 91.1 FM in the New York Metropolitan area and 90.1 in New York's Hudson Valley. Or click here and you can listen to WFMU on the web through the wonders of RealAudio!
Transpacific Sound Paradise is now archived on the web -
that means you can listen to recent editions of the program at any time. Click here for Transpacific Sound
Paradise program archives and accompanying playlists.
See also: NYC World Music Concert Calendarand
Fun World Music Facts.
CONTENTS:
South Asian Popular, Traditional and Classical Music
East Asian Popular Music
Music of Africa and the Middle East
Music of Latin America and the Caribbean
Music from Europe and the Mediterranean
World Music Specialty Shops and Mail-Order Outlets
General Music Shops in New York City
World Music Record Labels and Distributors
Reading About the Music
Magazines and Web Resources
World Music Concerts and Festivals
World Music Radio Webcasting
Record Store Guides Worldwide
Film music, while having recently ceded a bit of its dominance over the market to stand-alone pop recordings and bhangra, is still the leading form of South Asian popular music. Some of the most creative film music comes not from Bombay, India's Hollywood, but from South India, where smaller budgets lead to greater experimentation. Luaka Bop, David Byrne's world-oriented label, has released a CD featuring South Indian music producer Vijaya Anand. Also look in Asian shops for recordings of the music producer Ilaiyaraaja. The first Indian film music composer to receive some attention in Europe and the U.S., A.R. Rahman, also hails from the south. Rahman's non-soundtrack CD Vande Mataram was released in the U.S. by Sony Music. Some other things to look for that you may have heard on TSP are recordings of ghazals, a type of sung poetry that has evolved into a popular genre, by Najma, Hariharan and others; and raucous brass-band film-music covers by artists such as Shyam Brass Band. A new type of South Asian pop developed in the UK, where young bands and singers updated traditional Punjabi harvest music, or bhangra, incorporating electric instruments and hip-hop and dancehall reggae beats. Look for recordings on the Multitone and Oriental Star labels. Recently a more self-consciously hip Anglo-Asian club scene has developed led by djs, most notably Talvin Singh. Singh's "Anokha" compilation on the Quango label is available at mainstream stores in the U.S. Another interesting fusion comes out of the West Indies where South Asian immigrants mix soca, reggae and film music to create the "Chutney Soca" sound. For a taste of Chutney, tune in WLIB (1190 AM) Sunday mornings, WRTN (93.5 FM) Saturday or Sunday mornings, or WNWK (105.9 FM) Sundays until mid-afternoon (all in New York).
VIDEOLAND 37-30B 74 ST JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS (718) 898-2233
MUSIC BLASTERS 73-06 37 AVE JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS (718) 429-6815
Top spots for bhangra and Punjabi trad music. Music Blasters has some bhangra vinyl. Lots of inexpensive S. Asian shops nearby; many post announcements of Indian concerts. Near Roosevelt Av. subway and Jackson Diner, a fine unassuming South Asian restaurant.
VIDEO PALACE 24 LEXINGTON AVE,MANHATTAN (212) 447-0434
Good source for filmi, qawwali, bhangra and more in Manhattan's first "Little India."
BUTALA EMPORIUM 37-11 74 ST, JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS (718) 899-5590
BUTALA EMPORIUM 1404 OAK TREE ROAD, ISELIN NJ (908) 283-2446
South Asian musical instruments and books, including books about music and biographies of Indian film stars, singers and music producers.
RAAGA 1655 OAK TREE ROAD, EDISON, NEW JERSEY (732) 494-7070
Large chain store with additional branches in Jackson Heights, Queens and South Jersey as well as in California. http://www.vistaindia.com/Outlets.asp
NEWARK AVE SHOPS, JERSEY CITY, NJ
MAIN ST SHOPS, FLUSHING, QUEENS
Many South Asian shops in these areas. Take PATH to Journal Sq. for the former; IRT #7 to Main St. for the latter.
NANDE GROCERY 181-14 HILLSIDE AVE, QUEENS
Try this and nearby shops in Richmond Hill, Queens for Indo-Caribbean Chutney Soca. If you like the wild and raucous film music of South India, try Indian shops on S. Washington Ave, Bergenfield NJ or Broadway in Yonkers.
There's some interesting
electric music coming out of Okinawa based on the traditional repertoire, shima
uta ("island
songs"). Artists of note: Shoukichi Kina, Rinkenband, Nenes, Parsha Club.
Tokyo's multifaceted Shang Shang Typhoon also incorporates traditional
instruments and techniques; Osaka's Kikusuimaru has mixedtraditional Japanese ondo with dancefloor grooves and Indian
bhangra. Tower Records' uptown NYC branch has lately begun stocking a small
selection of esoteric Japanese-label pop cds including the largest selection of
Shoukichi Kina imports ever spotted in these parts. Look for Kina's intriguing
remix album "Groove to Move." Singers like Chintara Phunlarb and and
groups like Morlamkuaek are updating the traditional northeast Thai mor lam style (see below for some audio links). Dangdut
and qasidah are Indonesian genres that blend
elements of Indian film music, Arabic pop and rock and roll. Sample songs from
Rhoma Irama and other dangdut stars can be found at http://xxx.itb.ac.id/~adnan/lifestyle.html
Vietnamese music-theatre (cai luong) uses a wild and woolly mix of traditional and pop sounds,
including the ever-popular tango. In Chinatown, look for vintage Chinese mambo
and rhythm and blues on the "Legendary Chinese Hits" series. In
addition to the shops listed below, more and more used Japanese CDs are turning
up in downtown NYC record shops - try Kim's on St Marks Place for starters.
JAPAN
BOOK-OFF 14 E41 ST, MANHATTAN (212)
685-1410
THE
place for used – often cheap! – Japanese cds, wide and varied selection. Also lots of books and manga.
KINOKUNIYA 10 W 49 ST, MANHATTAN (212) 765-7766
KINOKUNIYA SAN FRANCISCO (415) 567-7625; SAN JOSE (408) 252-1300; SEATTLE (206) 587-2477; LA (800) 59-JAPAN; COSTA MESA (CA) (714) 434-9986
Primarily a book and magazine store, but also a good place to find current Japanese pop and some enka and traditional CDs. You can special order discs from Japan, although you may need to provide a catalog number for your desired CD.
ASAHIYA BOOKSTORE 52 VANDERBILT AVENUE NY (212) 883-0011
Another big Japanese book and CD store, located near Grand Central
Station.
MITSUWA JAPANESE MALL, RIVER ROAD,
EDGEWATER NJ
Mitsuwa Japanese mall in Edgewater is worth a visit in and of itself, offering one-stop shopping for Japanese groceries, kitchen appliances, clothing, office supplies, auto accessories, and of course a wide range of Sanrio (Hello Kitty etc) Japanese cartoon-character-branded products... And some cds. Best of all, there's a great Japanese food court where you can sample not just the usual sushi and soba but many specialty snacks and regional dishes that aren't typically on Japanese restaurant menus in the U.S.
This website has a directory of book / cd
outlets in NY / NJ:
http://www.aozoranyc.com/directory/books.htm
KOREA
KORYO BOOKS 35 W 32 ST, MANHATTAN (212) 564-1844
Pretty big selection of Korean CDs and tapes. Other shops, restaurants nearby.
OPANE 2 W 32 ST (2ND FL), MANHATTAN (212) 643-9077
OPANE 40-34 UNION ST, FLUSHING, QUEENS (718) 358-5539
Youth-oriented shop with mainly pop-oriented Korean CDs and tapes. Also a big selection of Sanrio stuff and its Korean equivalent, Morning Glory. The Queens location is in (or near - I confess, I haven't been there yet!) New York's second Chinatown, near lots of other East Asian shops and restaurants. The Flushing-Main Street stop on the number 7 elevated train lets you off right in the heart of Queens Chinatown.
ART BOX 276 BROAD AVE, PALISADES PARK, NJ (201) 592-1559
Similar to Opane; on a large Korean commercial strip full of shops, restaurants, cafes.
CHINA
CHINATOWN CHINESE RECORD SHOPS
For starters: D and V at 210 Canal, and shops at 83 Bayard (which also has some mainstream Japanese pop cds on cheaper Chinese pressings), 2 Elizabeth, and 89 Bowery.
VIETNAM
SAU VOI 101-105 LAFAYETTE ST, MANHATTAN
(212) 226-8184
KHAI TRI 145-147 CANAL STREET, MANHATTAN (212) 343-2657
THUAN NGUYEN 84 MULBERRY ST, MANHATTAN (212) 964-6296
Vietnamese recordings. Thuan Nguyen and Khai Tri also have some Cambodian and Thai cassettes; Khai Tri also has a Vietnamese snack bar (!).
CAMBODIA
SAYONARA SOUND, 232 COIT AVE, W. WARWICK RI 02893 (401) 823-8772
CHLANGDEN PROD., 3291 WALNUT AVE, SIGNAL HILL CA 90807 (310) 427-8603
Mail-order sources for Cambodian and other Southeast Asian tapes.
THAILAND
LECK THAI CD AND BOOK SERVICE http://www.leck.com/
Thai CDs, videos and books online. Limited selection as of May 1998.
BANGKOK MARKET 10 MOTT ST, CHINATOWN, NYC (212) 732-4637
BANGKOK GROCERY 106 MOSCO ST, CHINATOWN, NYC (212) 349-1979
Bangkok Market has Manhattan's largest collection of Thai tapes and cds. If you've never heard the electrified 90s version of mor lam, a traditional theatrical music style from northeast Thailand - and a style that can still only be heard on cassettes produced by Thai record labels - this is the place to go for a sample. This music is down and dirty, raucous, raunchy, and absolutely explosive. It's music for the people: A typical title of a recent hit was: "Enough Already with your Love." And guitar players will surely get a kick out of the amazing solos played on the electric pin!
If you're able to use Real Audio, you can listen to examples of northeast Thai music. Go to the "Bangkok.com" website at http://www.bangkok.com/thaiaudio/ or go directly to the addresses below (because of the way this site is configured, you may need to enter the addresses directly into your Real Audio window in order to hear the songs in real time):
A pop mor lam vocal by the singer Chintara Phunlarb: http://www.bangkok.com/thaiaudio/rapitibks.ra
A theatrical mor lam vocal by the group Morlamkuaek: http://www.bangkok.com/thaiaudio/palaoraakluang.ra
A mor lam instrumental by the group Morlamkuaek: http://www.bangkok.com/thaiaudio/lailamtueisamjangwa.ra
INDONESIA
Dangdut and Indonesian pop cds on the web! I ordered cds by dangdut legends Rhoma Irama and Elvy Sukaesih here. (Based in Washington, D.C. area.)
INDONESIA, JAPAN / OKINAWA and MISC. ASIAN POPULAR
THE FARSIDE / RESPECT RECORDS http://www.farside-respect.com/
Farside is a Japanese based mail-order run by British expatriate Asian-roots-pop fanatic / journalist / dj Paul Fisher. Stock includes many impossible to find pop and folk-pop cds from Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and beyond including many cross-cultural crossover styles like "break-pong" (Indonesian jaipong / techno) and electric shima uta (plugged-in Okinawan folk-rock). Respect Records is an associated label specializing in Okinawan electric music, Japanese street-band music (chindon) and other Asian hybrids.
If you already have some familiarity with African musics but are ready for something a little different, try exploring the amazing world of Ethiopian popular music (see EthioSounds, below). And if you're new to African pop, several radio shows can help introduce you to the music. The wide-ranging Afropop Worldwide is syndicated on public radio stations in the U.S. and in other countries too, and on the web - call your station or check the Afropop website http://www.afropop.org . WNWK 105.9 in New York offers African Time, a music and news show with a French West African orientation, Sunday nights 11 to midnight. Columbia University's venerable radio station WKCR (89.9 FM in New York) http://www.columbia.edu/cu/wkcr airs African pop Thursday nights. Many university stations have similar programs, often broadcast on weekends; try spinning the dial or scanning the web to see what you can come up with. For Afropop contributor David Goren's guide to listening to African radio via shortwave and the web, go to http://www.echonyc.com/~dbgoren/AfricanDXtips.html.
STERNS MUSIC 71 WARREN ST, MANHATTAN (212) 964 5455 http://www.sternsmusic.com
(See also under world music - general.) A great selection of African records with an especially strong South Africa section.
SIKHULU'S RECORD SHACK 274 W 125TH ST, MANHATTAN
Uptown source for African, Caribbean, Soul and Gospel. Worth a visit to check out the selection of music from South Africa, owner Sikhulu's country of origin.
INTERNATIONAL MUSIC EMPORIUM 452 DEAN ST, BROOKLYN, NY (718) 636-5400
Small friendly shop off Flatbush Avenue, near Park Slope. Nice selection of Congolese Soukous hits, but the owner's from former English colony Sierra Leone so there's plenty of Anglo-African pop too. If you haven't heard Sierra Leonian music, ask to hear some - it's a pleasant, earthier alternative to the slick soukous sound.
DISCMART 610 NEW YORK AVE BROOKLYN, NY
AFRICAN RECORD CENTER 1194 NOSTRAND AVE BROOKLYN, NY (718) 493-4500
Wide selection of African, Caribbean music, maybe some vinyl left.
BANGALLY AFRICAN EXPO 30 GREENWICH AVE, MANHATTAN (212) 674 -1598
Best lower Manhattan source for the latest cassettes from Senegal, Gambia, Mali.
ETHIOSOUNDS 2409 18 ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC (202) 232-0076
Fun and friendly Ethiopian CD and cassette store - even if you're not shopping, stop in for a peek at the ultra-groovy 1970s Ethiopian 45 rpm record covers decorating the walls. There are several Ethiopian shops in this neighborhood, but Ethio Sounds has easily the best and broadest selection of CDs and tapes. If you haven't checked out Ethiopian pop music, you're in for a surprise. In particular, the 1960s and 70s produced some stunning fusions: Amharic-language songs in traditional Ethiopian tunings sung in a distinctly Ethiopian manner but with American soul stylings. Start with the 70s compilation "Ethiopian Groove" (which is also available in mainstream stores through the distributor Stern's; see below for Stern's info) or EthioSound's own production, the 60s compilation"Best of the Sixties" (which can only be found at Ethiopian shops). And with the political situation in Ethiopia improved, and many Ethiopian musicians now active in the U.S. (especially in the D.C. area), more and more new music is coming out as well. Call for mail-order info.
ABYSINNIA GROCERY 225 W 116 ST, MANHATTAN (212) 663-0553
Small selection of Ethiopian cassettes. On Harlem's mini African restaurant row.
NATARI 27 CHESHAM CLOSE, WORTHING, WEST SUSSEX, BN12 4BJ, U.K. (44+1903) 529468
Mail order. Huge African selection, many things rarely seen in U.S.
AFRICASSETTE PO BOX 24941 DETROIT MI 48224 (313) 881-4108
Another great mail-order source for African-label releases.
AFRISONG MAIL-ORDER (973) 373-3236 http://www.onlinenterprise.com/afrisong/africat.htm
Up-to-date mail order operated by TSP contributor Mannie Mensah.
MAKOLA
MARKET 1044 BERGEN ST, NEWARK NJ (201) 926-3919
KATAMANTO 65 EAST TREMONT AVE, BRONX, NY
WEST AFRICAN FARMS FLATBUSH AVE NEAR EMPIRE BLVD, BROOKLYN, NY
Compact discs and tapes from Ghana.
ZIMBOB MAIL-ORDER PO BOX 2421 CHAMPAIGN IL 61825
Current Zimbabwean pop cassettes.
RASHID SALES 155 COURT ST, BROOKLYN NY (718) 852-3295 or (800) 843-9401
Very reasonable prices, especially if you can make it to the shop in person. Adjacent to the Middle Eastern commercial hub along Atlantic Avenue near Brooklyn Heights.
MIDDLE EASTERN SHOPS: JOURNAL SQUARE, JERSEY CITY; BROADWAY, YONKERS
Groceries in these areas have cassettes and cds.
If you haven't yet done so, check out the wildly uptempo country merengue perico ripiao ("ripped parrot") style, or the earthy sounds of bachata, both from Dominican Republic. I also play a lot of boogaloo -- late 60s soul/bubblegum/salsa -- on my show; I recommend the "This is Latin Soul" series on the Caliente label out of the U.K. Other diversions from standard salsa fare are Latin Caribbean sounds such as Colombia's cumbia and punta rock from Honduras and Belize. Brass bands have made a comeback thanks to Mexico's banda boom; check the Mexican fanzine Furia for the latest on who's hot.
ROCK & SOUL 462 7TH AVE, MANHATTAN (212) 695-3953
Cheap spot for old Jamaican-label ska and rocksteady vinyl, plus dancehall reggae, soca and hip-hop on LP and CD. Also the place to go for all your dj gear.
COISSA NOSSA 70 ADAMS ST, NEWARK and 46 W 46 ST , NYC
Brazilian shops; Newark store is off Ferry St. in the Ironbound section near lots of Portuguese restaurants and bakeries.
RECORD MART, TIMES SQ. SUBWAY STATION, NYC (212) 840-0580
Convenient one-stop source for Latin, Haitian and African music.
SUPER POWER 4905 CHURCH AVE, BROOKLYN, NY (718) 282-7709
Caribbean music superstore; other shops nearby and on Nostrand Ave.
BATE 140 DELANCEY ST, MANHATTAN (212) 677-3180
Loisaida Latin shop.
SU MUSICA 3913 BERGENLINE AVE (39 ST), UNION CITY NJ
A favorite spot for Spanish-language music. Many Latin American and Spanish-Carib restaurants and more record shops nearby.
NEW YORK MUSIC DISTRIBUTION, 10 AVE AT 42 ST, NYC
Latin CDs, tapes.
NYC LIQUIDATORS 27 ST NEAR 7 AVE, NYC
Cheap Latin stuff, but the vinyl's all gone!
PHIL'S MELODY MAKERS 222-11 LINDEN BLVD, JAMAICA, QUEENS (718) 276-0400
French Caribbean music.
MUSIC PLANET 649 MANHATTAN AVE, GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, NY (718) 383-2051
BIT MUSIC RECORDS 735 MANHATTAN AVE,
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, NY (718) 389-4306 + 216 N WOOD AVE, LINDEN NJ (908)
587-5221 http://www.bitmusic.net
WIZARD ELECTROLAND 863 MANHATTAN AVE, GREENPOINT,
BROOKLYN, NY (718) 349-6889
All good sources for Polish traditional and popular music, near many Polish bakeries, restaurants and groceries.
VIDEO ULQINI 344 VICTORY BLVD, STATEN ISLAND, NY. (718) 448-3871
Albanian dance pop, folk-rock and gypsy music. A favorite of Transpacific Sound Paradise's renowned European correspondent, George Sempepos of the band Annabouboula.
BOGAZIÇI VIDEO 12 E. 37TH, MANHATTAN
(212) 213-1140
SUNNY GROCERY - SUNNYSIDE, NY (718) 937 6256 http://turkishconnection.com/sunny.html
ULUDAG VIDEO 922 AVENUE W BROOKLYN, NY (718) 934-6226
TURKIYEM VIDEO ELECTRONIC INC.,1089 MAIN ST. PATERSON, NJ (973) 684-8010
NY area Turkish music outlets - more listed at http://www.turkish-media.com/en/tur_bus_dir.htm
TURKISH MUSIC CLUB (800) TMC-1331 http://www.turkishmusic.net
Turkish Mail-order from California, with cd descriptions in English.
GREEK MUSIC AND VIDEO CYBERSTORE
25-50 31st Street, Astoria, New York (718) 932-8400 http://www.greekmusic.com
GREEK VIDEO, RECORDS AND TAPES (800) 473-3522
Mail-order source for music from Greece.
GREEK CITY VIDEO, RECORDS AND TAPES (416) 461-6244; (800) 463-9988 http://www.greekcity.com
Based in Toronto, Ontario but accepts U.S. funds.
BOSNIAN MUSIC AND VIDEO WORLD 338 1/2 Franklin Ave., Hartford CT (in Hartford's South End).
Wide selection of Bosnian recordings and videos. Look for tapes of rollicking dissonant (to Western ears) stringband music called "izvorna". An example of the style is found on the Globestyle Records1991 cd "Bosnian Breakdown" by the group Kalesijski Zvuci. I entered the shop with a list of artists culled from the Rough Guide and they were very helpful. Sorry I don't have more specific contact info yet.
CDROOTS
World music webshop (offshoot of Cliff Furnald's Rootsworld) is probably best U.S. source for progressive roots music from Scandinavia; but also a good general selection of world musics. http://www.cdroots.com/
LARK IN THE MORNING (707) 964-5569 http://www.larkinam.com
Mail-order source for traditional music and musical instruments from Europe and around the world. Also operates stores in San Francisco, Mendocino and Seattle.
STERNS MUSIC 71 WARREN ST, MANHATTAN (212) 964 5455 http://www.sternsmusic.com
Homey retail branch of major world music distributor and label. Broad selection with an emphasis on African pop, including all releases from the Sterns label and Sterns distribution catalogue. Very reasonable prices, and advance listening is allowed.
TRIBAL SOUNDZ 40 E6 ST NYC (212) 673-5992 http://www.tribalsoundz.com/
Musical instruments from around the world, cds, and performance and dance workshops..
MULTIKULTI 218 THOMPSON ST, MANHATTAN (212) 979 1872
New York's first and friendliest "world music" specialty shop. You can listen to CDs before buying. Ask for Ayo and tell him Rob sent you.orkshops..
JAMMYLAND 60 E3 ST, MANHATTAN (888) 664-7369; (212) 614-0185 http://www.jammyland.com
Good general world music selection, reggae, some vinyl.
WORLD MUSIC INSTITUTE 49 W27 ST #810, MANHATTAN (212) 545-7536
Good source for ethnographic recordings including all major European ethnographic labels, and some popular recordings too. WMI produces major world music concerts in New York City; a calendar of upcoming events is available at the website or via mail if you give them a call.
ROOTS & RHYTHM (888) ROOTS-66; 6921 STOCKTON AVE , EL CERRITO, CA 94530
Monthly roots-oriented annotated catalogue. "Ethnic" section includes hard-to-find imports from Japan and Europe. Good source for CDs on Arhoolie, a great North American roots (zydeco, Tex-Mex, Cajun, etc.) label. Also contains a catalogue of other catalogues.
ROUND WORLD MUSIC (415) 255-8411; 491A GUERRERO ST , SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Fine world music shop and mail-order.
TOMPKINS SQUARE BOOKS AND RECORDS 111 E7 ST (212) 979-8958
SKYLINE BOOKS AND RECORDS 13 W 18 STREET (212) 759-5463
ACADEMY BOOKS AND RECORDS 10 W 18 STREET (212) 242-3000
Closing September 2001
Manhattan used book/record shops where odd international things turn up on disc and vinyl. Academy has expanded and has enormous turnover; prices start high but items are marked down if they sit around for a while. Academy is also one of the few places left in NYC where Indian vinyl will turn up from time to time. While Academy is often overcrowded and impersonal, Tompkins Square is a very friendly shop. You can sample the records (vinyl-only, few if any CDs) on a record player in the back, and if you come back more than once chances are the proprietors will start knocking a little bit off the marked prices for you. I've turned up some interesting African records at Tompkins Square; it's also a good source for sixties jazz (although that's a little off-topic I suppose!).
ROCKS IN YOUR HEAD 157 PRINCE ST (212) 475-6729
Some fun used international stuff, but very expensive.
TOWER RECORDS OUTLET LAFAYETTE ST AT W 4TH ST (212) 228-7317
Cut-out CDs from all over the place. Import-label African pop discs and Japanese pop discs are among the things to look for here.
HOLY COW 442 9TH ST, PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN, NY (718) 788-3631
Lots of international used (and some new) stuff.
EAST VILLAGE RECORD SHOPS
Of the many East Village stores, KIM'S http://www.kimsvideo.com/ [(212) 260-1010 or (800) 617-KIMS] on St Marks Place is probably best for current world-ish releases and interesting used stuff. In particular more and more used Japanese discs have been turning up, thanks undoubtedly to the ongoing presence of young but perhaps slightly cash-strapped Japanese hipsters doing their East Village time. For Japanese noise, South American psychedelia and other outward-looking items, try Kim's, OTHER MUSIC [(212) 477-8150] on West 4th Street opposite Tower Records and ETHEREA [(212) 387-0558] at 66 Avenue A.
SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS
http://www.si.edu/organiza/offices/folklife/folkways/genrlist.htm
The entire back catalog of the legendary American grassroots / world music label Folkways is now available on demand on individually burnt cds. As of July 1999, it's $19 per disc (less if you prefer cassettes) - not cheap, but if you want to hear, say, "Music of the Russian Middle East" (recorded by Henry Cowell in the early days of the label, in the 1950's) and you don't have a couple of years free to search for the LP, this is the way to go. There's a full catalog at the website. The website may indicate that the discs are not available - but don't be discouraged; they are.
PIRANHA RECORDS SHOP/ HEIMATKLANGE MUSIC ARCHIVE
CARMERSTRASSE 11 BERLIN GERMANY 10623 [INT'L CODE +] 318 614-21/22
http://www.piranha.de/FIS/FIS_01.HTML
Fantastic German label has released classic albums by artists US labels have ignored, among them Nubian rootsmeisters Salamat and Indonesian qasidah queens Nasida Ria. Now Piranha operates a shop (you can order many items via e-mail) and, if you're in Berlin, visit their Heimatklange music archive - it's free and open to the public! This website also has European tour info including info on Berlin's Heimatklange festival, and info on the annual European world-music shmoozefest, WOMEX.
ROUNDER RECORDS 617-661-6308 (inquiries); (800-44) DISCS (orders); 1 CAMP ST, CAMBRIDGE MA 02140-1194
Great rootsy US label puts out superb stuff of its own and licenses material from excellent overseas labels such as World Circuit (UK) and Corason (Mexico). Latest coup: Rounder is reissuing one of the greatest collections of world music field recordings ever released, the Barenreiter-Musicaphon series.
SHANACHIE RECORDS (201) 779-7763; PO BOX 208, NEWTON, NJ 07860
GREEN LINNET (203) 730-0333; 43 BEAVER BROOK RD, DANBURY, CT 06810
These U.S. indie labels are exploring world musics. Lately Shanachie has released a number of theme-based world music compilations, most recently a series on female artists, and several region-based field-recording series (Madagascar, Norway, and now some of the most diverse recordings ever from Burma) as well as countless individual artist albums from around the world. Green Linnet's Xenophile division specializes in world music, with recordings from Cuba, Finland, Kenya and beyond.
GLOBAL VILLAGE PO BOX 2051 CATHEDRAL STA. NYC 10025
Along with nice recordings of klezmer and other immigrant musics, this label released "Flying Rock," a remarkable collection of 50s South African rock and roll.
NORTHSIDE 530 N3 ST, MINNEAPOLIS MN 55401 http://www.noside.com
Progressive folk, folk-rock, and folk-electronica (!) from Scandinavia, licensed from Scandinavian independent labels. Totally grooving stuff from The Land of the Midnight Sun!
STERN'S MUSIC 500 BROADWAY, NY (212) 925-1648
116 WHITFIELD ST LONDON W1P 5RW, UK [INT'L CODE +] (071) 387-5550
U.S. branch distributes European world music labels; write to UK address for mail-order including Zimbabwean and South African vinyl. Also operates shops in UK and US (see above for the latter).
Here are a few suggestions for
reading about the music. Many of these books can be borrowed from the New York
Public Library's Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center, or
purchased from the World Music Institute or at independent bookshops including
St. Marks Books on St. Marks Place and Coliseum Books at Columbus Circle, New
York City. On the Web, we recommend Powell's Books in Portland, Oregon. http://www.powells.com
(This section last fully updated in 1995.)
GENERAL WORLD MUSIC TOPICS
Broughton et al eds: THE ROUGH GUIDE TO WORLD MUSIC VOL 1
& 2, Penguin 2000
Sweeney, Phillip: VIRGIN
DIRECTORY OF WORLD MUSIC,
Henry Holt 1991.
Handbooks for world pop music explorations -- background, biographies, recommended recordings for many countries.
Manuel, Peter: POPULAR MUSICS OF THE NON-WESTERN WORLD, Oxford 1988.
Fine survey tying together much recent academic work. Great bibliography.
Marre, Jeremy and Charlton, Hannah: BEATS OF THE HEART, Pluto 1985.
Lively companion to Marre's series of quasi-ethnographic world-pop documentary films. [Book available from Powell Books, (503) 228-4651; films (on video) from Shanachie.]
Garofalo, Reebee (ed.): ROCKIN' THE BOAT: MASS MUSIC AND MASS MOVEMENTS, South End, Boston 1992.
Essays on relationship between popular musics and political struggles worldwide.
Frith, Simon (ed.): WORLD MUSIC, POLITICS AND SOCIAL CHANGE, Manchester U. (UK) Press, 1989.
Another socio-politically oriented collection; includes an intro to Indonesian pop.
Hanly, Francis and May, Tim (ed.): RHYTHMS OF THE WORLD, BBC 1990.
TV-series companion with enlightening articles (available as a remainder at Coliseum Books).
Malm and Wallis: BIG SOUNDS FROM SMALL PEOPLES, Constable 1984
MEDIA POLICY AND MUSIC ACTIVITY, Routledge 1992
Analyses of music business and broadcasting in small countries.
BOOKS ABOUT AFRICAN MUSIC
Eyre, Banning: IN GRIOT TIME: AN AMERICAN GUITARIST IN MALI, Temple Univeristy Press 2000.
Engaging account of Eyre's self-styled residency with accomplished Malian guitarist Djelimady Tounkara in Bamako, Mali. Learn about the musician's life in Mali and meet many of Mali's greatest stars.
Graham, Ron: THE DA CAPO GUIDE TO CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN MUSIC, Da Capo 1988
THE WORLD OF AFRICAN MUSIC, Pluto, 1992
These companion volumes are primary references for information on regional styles, artist biographies, discographies, etc. Africassette and Zimbob mail-orders carry the latter.
Stapleton, Chris and May, Chris: AFRICAN ROCK, Obelisk/Dutton1990.
Another good general reference - biographies, music history and background info.
Stewart, Gary: BREAKOUT,U. Chicago Press 1992.
14 magazine-style biographies of African pop stars.
Coplan, David: IN TOWNSHIP TONIGHT, Longman, NY 1985.
Excellent history of South African popular music and theatre.
Erlmann, Veit: AFRICAN STARS, U. Chi. 1991.
Academic social history of South African vocal styles - Ladysmith Black Mambazo's roots uncovered.
Bender, Wolfgang: SWEET MOTHER, U. Chi. 1991.
Academic yet readable survey of pop music culture in several regions of Africa. Waterman, Christopher JUJU U. Chi. 1990. Great social history of Nigerian Yoruba music and culture.
Zindi, Fred ROOTS ROCKING IN ZIMBABWE, Mambo Press, Harare 1985.
A rare peek at an African scene written by an insider. Available from Zimbob.
Dibango, Manu MANU DIBANGO, U Chi. 1993.
Cameroonian Afro-pop groundbreaker's autobiography.
BOOKS ABOUT ASIAN MUSIC
McClure, Steve: NIPPON POP, Tuttle, Tokyo 1998.
Colorful coffee-table survey of Japanese mainstream, fringe and regional pop including ethnic (Okinawa etc) scenes. High on visuals but text a bit thin.
Manuel, Peter: CASSETTE CULTURE, U. Chi. 1993.
Thorough study of the impact of audiocassettes in Indian music and culture; also surveys current trends in Indian folk and pop music.
Tharoor, Shashi: SHOW BUSINESS, Arcade, NY 1993.
A satirical novel set in the sizzling world of Hindi popular film! Also in this vein are "The Silver Castle" by Clive James and "Bombay Ice" by Leslie Forbes.
BOOKS ABOUT NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN MUSIC
Boggs, Vernon (ed.): SALSIOLOGY, Excelsior, NY 1992 and
Roberts,John Storm: THE LATIN TINGE, Original Music, Tivoli NY 1985.
Latino Music starters; the latter spotlights role in US.
Pea, Manuel: THE TEX-MEX CONJUNTO, U. Texas 1985.
Very readable historical study.
McGowan and Pessanha, THE BRAZILIAN SOUND, Billboard, NY 1991.
Genre-by-genre intro.
Guilbault, Jocelyn ZOUK,U. Chi. 1993
French-Antillean scene dissected.
FOLK ROOTS PO Box 337 London N4 1TW, UK http://www.frootsmag.com
Wide-ranging, enthusiastic, up-to-date as well as off the beaten path. Available in NYC from Sterns Music, 71 Warren St (see above).
SONGLINES
Another excellent UK magazine, but at least temporary discontinued. Available in NYC from Sterns and J&R.
THE BEAT PO Box 65856 Los Angeles CA 90065
Reggae and world music.
RHYTHM MAGAZINE
General world music coverage, leaning more heavily than Folk Roots on highly-promoted artists.
ROOTSWORLD http://www.rootsworld.com
Wide-ranging web-only world music zine. Features annual WWW Free Reed Festival. See also cdroots store, above.
WORLD MUSIC PORTAL http://www.worldmusicportal.com
Music news, artist bios, tour info, links, etc. (online only) http://www.worldmusicportal.com
DIRTY LINEN PO Box 66600 Baltimore MD 21239 http://www.dirtynelson.com/linen/
Folk music specialty magazine gets into European traditions and other world musics too.
Also recommended are the academic journals ASIAN MUSIC (which in recent years has included a good number of articles on popular musics including several about Indian pop), AFRICAN MUSIC, POPULAR MUSIC, WORLD OF MUSIC and ETHNOMUSICOLOGY, all of which are in the collection of the library at Lincoln Center. Most of these journals are connected to academic societies; become a member and get invited to thrilling academic conferences!
CONCERT
PRODUCERS AND VENUES
WORLD MUSIC INSTITUTE http://www.heartheworld.org
(212) 545-7536. Produces concerts by world traditional and art music greats.
CENTER FOR TRADITIONAL MUSIC & DANCE http://www.ctmd.org/
(212) 691-9510. Produces excellent multi-ethnic festivals in New York, emphasizing the music of immigrant communities.
SOBs http://www.sobs.com/ 204 Varick Street, NY (212) 243-4940.
Leading world pop nightclub.
SUMMER FESTIVALS
CENTRAL PARK SUMMERSTAGE
Central Park, Manhattan (212) 360-2777. June to early August.
CELEBRATE BROOKLYN http://www.prospectpark.org
Prospect Park, Brooklyn (718) 965-8999. Mid-June to mid-August. Lots of world music including an annual all-day African festival. A (very) small donation is requested, usually 3 dollars.
LINCOLN CENTER OUT-OF-DOORS
Lincoln Center, Manhattan (212) 769-3820. August and early September. Free.
SMITHSONIAN FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL http://web3.si.edu/folklife
Washington, DC (202) 357-2700. A free multi-culti jamboree on the mall in Washington, usually 4th of July weekend and the weekend before. Each year's festival has several themes based on musical and cultural traditions and geographic regions. In 2001, New York's own Center For Traditional Music and Dance will be producing part of the festival because New York and its immigrant communities is one of the themes. For daily schedule updates during the festival call (202) 357-4574.
WOMAD USA http://www.onereel.org/womad/
Marymoor Park, Washington (Seattle area). Mid-summer. (206) 281-8111.
HARBOURFRONT http://www.culturenet.ca/harbour/text/summer.htm
Harbourfront, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (416) 973-3000. Annual series of weekend festivals. Reasons to check it out: There's a great world music scene in Toronto, a lot of touring artists make it to Canada but not to the U.S., and the vibe at Harbourfront is wonderful.
EUROPEAN FORUM OF WORLDWIDE MUSIC FESTIVALS http://www.sfinks.be/efwmf/
A rundown of dates and lineups for most major World Music festivals in Europe, plus information on WOMEX, the annual European World Music conference and festival.
Sites hosting or linking to realtime webcasts and radio program archives:
RADIO LOCATOR http://www.radio-locator.com
Successor to the seminal MIT Directory of Radio Bitcasters, the first place to go in search of webcasting stations around the world.
BBC RADIO 3 WORLD MUSIC PROGRAMMING http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/world/
Several excellent programs, now available on demand; plus concert videos from WOMAD UK and elsewhere, artist information, etc. A fabulous site for world music buffs.
BBC RADIO 3: WORLD ROUTES http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/world/worldroutes.shtml
Especially noteworthy music and feature show hosted by Lucy Duran. Shows now can be heard on demand for the week following air date!
RADIO NOVA http://www.novaplanet.com
Ultra-cool French station, not world music per se but blends African and Middle Eastern music into broader R & B mix.
SECRET MUSEUM OF THE AIR http://www.citizenkafka.com/sma/main.html
WFMU-based theme-driven program of ancient, obscure and often amazing ethnic 78s curated by postman Pat Conte with help from Citizen Kafka.
TRANSPACIFIC SOUND PARADISE http://www.wfmu.org/Playlists/Robw
Archives and playlists from the show that brought you this guide..
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA (from Now Toronto magazine): http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2001-09-13/music_feature.html
Includes African and other international stores.