World music refers to local music from places where you don’t live. Specifically, in an American-centered musical world, it is music that has its local roots outside the mainstream. World music expresses the tradition of a country or region, and is usually related to that country’s sacred rituals, native dances, or politics. When listening to world music, you become aware of other people’s culture, you explore exotic sounds, and embark on a musical adventure. It is traveling by listening.
World music can take many forms - from ritual music to music influenced by pop, rock, hip-hop or electronica. You can start exploring world music by having a taste of the variety of sounds it offers. The following is a top list of accessible world music raved about by enthusiasts:
1. Tango: Zero Hour - Astor Piazzolla (Argentina)
This is considered to be Argentinian tango master Astor Piazzolla's single greatest album. Recorded with his legendary quartet in New York, it is recognized as a cornerstone world music album.
2009 is the year when the US welcomed its first black president, Barack Obama, who promised hope and change. People still suffered economic hardships that started during the previous year, although some signs of improvement appeared.
In the world of music, 2009 saw the death of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Taylor Swift’s popularity skyrocketed, thanks to various American Music Awards and Grammy Awards nominations. Lady Gaga dazzled with her crazy costumes, colorful wigs and bubbly pop music. Many indie music bands became mainstream stars. Singles continued to become popular because of the prevalence of iTunes and YouTube, which somehow replaced CD stores and music shops as the place to enjoy music.
"Crystalised" from The XX one of the best album of 2009
Below are the best albums of 2009, tallied from the best music magazines:
A movie soundtrack or motion picture soundtrack conveys emotions that the dialogues or the visuals of the film cannot. It adds texture to a specific scene, pumping it with energy, adding a hint of irony and humor, or punctuating its melancholy.
Many soundtracks feature original songs by established recording artists. Some of the best are compilation of songs that are surprisingly hidden gems, unearthed by the auteur director. The best soundtracks take you to the world that the movie inhabits. Many of them gives you pure listening pleasure, even without the movie context.
Although some of the most effective movie soundtracks consist of instrumental and classical music that enhances the film’s mood, many contain pop and rock music that help not only the movie’s artistic merit, but its commercial success as well.
Below are the best pop and rock movie soundtrack albums that should be a part of an enthusiast’s music collection:
"Born to be Wild" by Steppenwolf from Easy Rider Movie Soundtrack