Music from around the world has come a long way from its indigent roots. Since the eighties, with the proliferation of a global culture, there has been an increased interest and appreciation for sounds outside the mainstream of Western culture. With pop stars like Paul Simon and Sting corroborating with third-world musicians, an appreciation has grown for indigenous styles.
Often referred to as ethnic music, with a wide-ranging geography and instrumentation, it is not quite so easily categorized now. Musicians of wildly diverse cultures have managed to assimilate styles creating a profusion of sounds that have led to sub-categories. Compositions and harmonies have melded.
International artists now regularly tour England and North America. They may begin in small venues but are beginning to fill larger concert halls. They are opening for major recording acts, and with that exposure, acquiring new audiences.
Tibetan chants, Japanese koto, Indian raga, Eastern European folk have all been imported for a Western audiences. Tribal harmonies from the Middle East, Asia, Central and South America are now becoming familiar. The Celtic harp reached world-wide popularity in the previous decade. Reggae, perhaps the most well-known infiltration, is thoroughly saturated into the mainstream.
This genre has become a hybrid of assimilated styles. We now see categories called World Fusion, Global Fusion, Ethnic Fusion and Club Beat that all have similarities but the various strains are fusing into separate idioms. And it is only just beginning. They crossover into new age, pop, ska, jazz, lounge and blues. Eastern European folk evolves into American country and western.
Today, West and North Africans offer a thriving musical scene and nowhere is it more prevalent than in Paris. France offers support through its many cultural institutions that promote diversity in the arts. Algerian and Moroccan sounds are widely presented in this European capital. Middle Eastern groups tour the United States and Canada. South American rhythms are thrilling audiences everywhere.
There are many web sites dedicated to this genre and one of the better ones, The World Music Network, can begin your musical appreciation voyage. On this site you will find out the latest styles causing excitement, be able to access an archive the best indigenous groups and purchase CDs or MP3s. You will find links to radio stations. With stunning photography, this is user-friendly, professional site.
If those old Rolling Stone records are wearing thin, if you have heard Led Zeppelin one too many times, if you think Pink Floyd could use another brick in the wall, expand your horizons with exhilarating music from around the world. A jolt of unexpected rhythm may be just the thing to get your mojo working, your fingers snapping and your heart pumping. Globalization has its perks.
Often referred to as ethnic music, with a wide-ranging geography and instrumentation, it is not quite so easily categorized now. Musicians of wildly diverse cultures have managed to assimilate styles creating a profusion of sounds that have led to sub-categories. Compositions and harmonies have melded.
International artists now regularly tour England and North America. They may begin in small venues but are beginning to fill larger concert halls. They are opening for major recording acts, and with that exposure, acquiring new audiences.
Tibetan chants, Japanese koto, Indian raga, Eastern European folk have all been imported for a Western audiences. Tribal harmonies from the Middle East, Asia, Central and South America are now becoming familiar. The Celtic harp reached world-wide popularity in the previous decade. Reggae, perhaps the most well-known infiltration, is thoroughly saturated into the mainstream.
This genre has become a hybrid of assimilated styles. We now see categories called World Fusion, Global Fusion, Ethnic Fusion and Club Beat that all have similarities but the various strains are fusing into separate idioms. And it is only just beginning. They crossover into new age, pop, ska, jazz, lounge and blues. Eastern European folk evolves into American country and western.
Today, West and North Africans offer a thriving musical scene and nowhere is it more prevalent than in Paris. France offers support through its many cultural institutions that promote diversity in the arts. Algerian and Moroccan sounds are widely presented in this European capital. Middle Eastern groups tour the United States and Canada. South American rhythms are thrilling audiences everywhere.
There are many web sites dedicated to this genre and one of the better ones, The World Music Network, can begin your musical appreciation voyage. On this site you will find out the latest styles causing excitement, be able to access an archive the best indigenous groups and purchase CDs or MP3s. You will find links to radio stations. With stunning photography, this is user-friendly, professional site.
If those old Rolling Stone records are wearing thin, if you have heard Led Zeppelin one too many times, if you think Pink Floyd could use another brick in the wall, expand your horizons with exhilarating music from around the world. A jolt of unexpected rhythm may be just the thing to get your mojo working, your fingers snapping and your heart pumping. Globalization has its perks.
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