How to Start a World Music Collection

Posted by Anonymous , 9/4/2007 Tags:StartWorldMusicCollection

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Introduction In a way, the very phrase “world music” shows America at its navel-gazing worst;

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Introduction

In a way, the very phrase a??world musica?? shows America at its navel-gazing worst; after all, to the Bedouin tribesmen of the Arabian peninsula or the priests of a Javanese temple, what we label a??world musica?? in record bins is a treasured, indigenous way of expressing their culture. Now that the political rant is over, how does one go about collecting the music of other nations? Here's a good way to start.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Steps

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Step One

Don't be afraid to explore. Because world music encompasses such a vast range of styles and cultures, the best path for a true novice it to buy regional compilations, the best of which are the a??Rough Guidea?? and "Putumayo" series (which have hundreds of titles ranging from a??The Music of Indiaa?? to a??Arabian Beat Boxa??). If you discover a special affinity for, say, Parisian caf?? music, you can seek more CDs in this genre.
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Step Two

Aim for authenticity. Thanks to 21st-century postmodernist culture, it's hard to find an indigenous musical style that has been left completely untouched by rock or rap. If you're lucky, a CD's cover will provide hints about the provenance of the music insidea??a phrase like a??this blend of ancient Balinese gamelan and West Coast old-school hip hop gives new meaning to the word a??funky'a?? is a sure sign to stay away.
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Step Three

Go back to the roots of music; try authentic field recordings. A five-disc series called a??The Secret Museum of Mankinda?? is an irreplaceable sampler of world music as it existed 60 or 70 years ago, before the Internet (or jet travel, for that matter) came into being.
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Step Four

Visit record storesa??in other countries. Sure, the CD store at Bangkok International Airport will be crammed with the usual assortment of westernized garbage, but you're likely to find authentic Thai music as well (although you'll probably have to ask a clerk for translation help). If you can't find a good selection of native music in the record stores of the country you're visiting, ask your cab driver or the hotel staff; they'll know where to send you.
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