World music beyond Graceland
For those who love the other-worldiness of Graceland, yet wonder where to find more of that, here are a few essential non-Western titles
Ali Farka Touré Niafunké The essence of American blues from one of Mali’s greatest guitarists and singers. His soul is deep, his playing declarative. Essential.
The Very Best of Ethiopiques A highlight disc from the great Ethiopiques series of mainly older Ethiopian and Eritrean records. Guitars and piano, rather than synthesizers. Jamming and spiritual rolled into one.
Milton Nascimento and Lô Borges Clube da Esquina Brazil’s Tropicalia movement turned ethereal in this 1972 album, drawing on influences from bossa nova to the Beatles.
Streets of Lhasa Any disc from the label Sublime Frequency, which specializes in field recordings from far-off lands and audio montages from the radio and other sources, is worth checking out. This beautiful album features songs recorded on the street of the Tibetan capital.
The Tahitian Choir Vol. 2 Rapa Iti South Pacific choral music both sunny and utterly haunting. The descending lines are like nothing in Western music and are guaranteed to give anyone chills.