A massive 28 tracks full of Cuban and West African favourites that we have featured many times in the past. So there’s a guarantee in itself that there’s not one duff track.

Hard to pick out any particular track as they are all so good. Even so, there are some superb highlights like the guitar solo on ‘El Son Te Llama’ by Orchestra Baobab.

The second CD contains some previously unreleased tracks such as the eight minutes of Ali Farka Touré’s ‘Amandrai’ — that is what the blues is all about.

Over in Cuba (sort of), Buena Vista’s ‘Candela’ was recorded live at Carnegie Hall and exudes all that a party is all about; blow that horn! From the extreme of a packed and excited Carnegie Hall, there’s the sublime field recording of Afel Bocoum’s ‘Fafaye Yo’ complete with the sound of crickets in the background.

Also there’s a previously unreleased track by the late Ali Farka Toure with Toumani Diabaté who had their critically acclaimed album out in 2005, In The Heart of The Moon.

And it’s Toumani Diabaté’s Symmetric Orchestra that starts the second CD off in typically exciting fashion. ‘Tapha Niang’ is a gorgeous big sound.

Exclusive, see Ali Farka Touré performing ‘Soukora’ : Quicker (56k Dial up WMV) / Slicker (Broadband WMV)

The one for the jazz heads is the version of ‘A Love Supreme’ that reaches an afro-chill-lounge with big strings and some hip hop scratchin’ by Miguel ‘Anga’ Diaz. This track is taken from the album Echu Mingua and stands as a suitable tribute to the percussionist who made his name in Irakere and passed away recently, (Fly News, 10.08.06).

Back on CD1, in a similar mode, Orlando “Cachaíto” López’s ‘Tumbanga’ even finds a little dub action. Again there’s some huge starts on here but apart from the obvious ‘big names’, fans of layered harmonies from Ladysmith Black Mambazo should not miss Black Umfolosi. I saw this group some years ago and they were brilliant live.

All in all, a very accomplished compilation which you’d expect after 20 years. If you’re old to World Circuit, worth getting for the exclusive tracks. If you’re new to World Circuit this is an ideal introduction.

Links:
www.worldcircuit.co.uk

Reviewed: Various — World Circuit Presents…. (World Circuit) Cat. No: WLWCD 076 Release date: 16th October 2006. Notes: 2-08, 2-11, 2-14 Previously unreleased 2-10 First time on CD2-12 Previously unreleased location recording

Tracklisting:
1-01 Buena Vista Social Club — Chan Chan (4:19)
1-02 Ali Farka Touré — Soukoura (6:02)
1-03 Cheikh Lô — Boul Di Tagal (6:08)
1-04 Radio Tarifa — Rumba Argelina (3:31)
1-05 Bellemou Messaoud — Rire Zarga Ouana (5:37)
1-06 Afro Cuban All Stars — Amor Verdadero (6:37)
1-07 Nico Saquito — Al Vaivén Mi Carreta (5:57)
1-08 Oumou Sangare — Mogo Ti Diya Bee Ya (4:08)
1-09 Orlando “Cachaíto” López — Tumbanga (4:26)
1-10 Mustapha Baqbou — Yumala (8:03)
1-11 Omara Portuondo — Flor De Amor (3:05)
1-12 Black Umfolosi — Bazali Bhetu (3:41)
1-13 Abdel Gadir Salim — Mal Wa Ihtagab (4:11)
2-01 Toumani Diabaté’s Symmetric Orchestra — Tapha Niang (6:53)
2-02 Guillermo Portabales — El Carretero (3:09)
2-03 Dimi Mint Abba — Song 4 (4:03)
2-04 Sierra Maestra — Juana Peña (4:02)
2-05 Orchestra Baobab — El Son Te Llama (5:25)
2-06 Rubén González — Central Constancia (5:54)
2-07 Rubén González — Si Te Contará (1:27)
2-08 Ali Farka Touré — Amandrai (8:01)
2-09 Angá Diaz — A Love Supreme (5:52)
2-10 Shirati Jazz — Dr. Binol (5:24)
2-11 Buena Vista Social Club — Candela (Live At Carnegie Hall) (6:22)
2-12 Afel Bocoum — Fafaye Yo (5:16)
2-13 Los Zafiros — La Luna En Tu Mirada (2:36)
2-14 Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabaté — Du Du (4:55)
2-15 Ibrahim Ferrer & Omara Portuondo -Silencio (4:37)