The Rough Guide music division
By ADAM GOLD | June 5, 2007
Asha Bhosle |
The Rough Guide series has long been a staple of the travel publishing industry; less well known is the company’s music division, the compilations of which are worthy to the extent that any “best of” can be. This summer’s new releases include The Rough Guide to Salsa (Second Edition) and The Rough Guide to the Music of Vietnam, both out June 5 through World Music Network. For a taste, you can stream clips of the new releases at www.worldmusic.net. Or you can check out tracks from past Rough Guides at iTunes.
Joe Arroyo, “La guerra de los callados”
This one, from The Rough Guide to Salsa Colombia, begs to be cranked up, preferably in a convertible or on a stoop. It’s textbook salsa all the way, from the bass player’s tumbao jumping off the conga pattern to the screechy horn stabs, flashy piano licks, and call-and-response vocals.
Darde Eshgh, “O-Hum”
The low drone and wailing Middle Eastern instruments that characterize the first 60 seconds of this track from The Rough Guide to the Music of Iran make the true beginning of its Persian pop song that much more surprising. A rhythm guitar with heavy distortion comes blazing out of the desert soundscape, followed by an ’80s racing-video-game rock beat and lyrics drawn from the works of a 14th-century Iranian poet.
Asha Bhosle, “Jawani Jan-E-Man”
Until the vocals of Asha Bhosle enter on this track from The Rough Guide to Bollywood Legends: Asha Bhosle, the intro sounds like a blues guitarist jamming on a Broadway overture. The rest of the tune is carried by the Bollywood diva’s seductive voice, which skips playfully over a clip-clopping vamp and high-pitched orchestral fills.
Yabby U meet King Tubby, “Conquering Dub”
Does dub really need a Rough Guide? If so, the first 10 seconds of this track from The Rough Guide to Dub are all you need to get fully caught up. The beat is exactly what you’d expect — slow and repetitive, with muted guitar strums on the upbeats and occasional horn licks with tons of delay. Perfect for getting stoned — and little else.
Related:
Kronos Quartet with Asha Bhosle, Kronos Quartet with Asha Bhosle, Got live if you want it, More 
- Kronos Quartet with Asha Bhosle
A string quartet playing with backing tapes? Blame Bollywood.
- Kronos Quartet with Asha Bhosle
The Kronos Quartet has long been classical in format only — recent projects have included work with Café Tacuba, Taraf de Haïdouks, and the Tiger Lillies.
- Got live if you want it
Mai Cramer was a beloved figure in local roots-music circles. For 24 years she hosted the popular show “Blues After Hours” on WBGH radio and was a tireless champion of the music.
- Doin’ it live
The winter concert scene’s got something for everybody, from Averi to Zakir Hussain. Okay, I couldn’t resist that bit of alphabetical hackery, but it’s true.
- Festival of the book
If you want to be closer to Ethan Hawke, mark your calendar to attend the second annual Maine Festival of the Book, to be held this Thursday through Saturday in Portland.
- Starting over
The news that one of our homegrown talents, guitar hero Johnny Maguire, is jumping back into the music business should warm the hearts of many on the local scene.
- Diamond Sharp
The Sharp are dead. Long live the Sharp.
- The best and worst of David Cicilline
As he heads into the home stretch of his first term, Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline couldn’t have asked for a better seal of approval.
- Honey Clouds
At last! Honey Clouds, an indie-rock four-piece full of familiar faces, emerged from their year-long gestation to play their first show.
- Roaring back
Rumors of a Rash of Stabbings reunion are not, in fact, greatly exaggerated.
- Sticking with it
One day in the fall of 2003, Ron McLarty was driving along in Arizona when he got a phone call and was told to pull over.
- Less
Topics:
Download
, Entertainment, Music, New Music Releases, More
, Entertainment, Music, New Music Releases, King Tubby, Regional Music, World Music, Asha Bhosle, Less
