There is a revival of all things worldly in music as musicians push the boundaries of experimentation. The world of music is small and large; small as in now more than ever, artists are collaborating to bring genres together and large because the possibilities are endless. Imagine the tabla (A South Asian set of drums) beating alongside the chant of African folk lyrics or the marriage of haunting Arabic rhythms with Spanish Flamenco.
These genres are not only culturally separated but geographically as well, often spanning thousands of miles. With the advent of the internet however, underground artists who ordinarily would have been hidden under the radar, now have a platform on which they can fuse music into sounds unheard of before. While world music seems distant to many who feel safer tuning into their local radio station, it [world music] is closer than most would think.
The year was 1968 and a little band by the name of the Beatles traveled to India in search of finding themselves. What they found was inspiration; an opportunity to introduce Indian instruments like the sitar in Lennon and McCartney's song Norwegian Wood. Some consider his use of the instrument the beginning of world music.
During their eight week stay in India, the Beatles wrote 48 songs, their most creative period. Not only was this period a pivotal experience for the most influential rock band of the 20th century, it opened a door of exploration in music unseen before. This year alone, R B and hip-hop artist Nelly collaborated with living country legend Tim McGraw and brought the world Over and Over-a ballad that won the hearts of fans from both genres.
If an angel had a voice, the sound would be that of Andrea Bocelli, a name synonymous with passion and emotion. In his new album Amore, Bocelli steps away from the opulence of 19th century European opera and collaborates with producer David Foster whose clientele list includes Babara Streisand, Celine Dion and Whitney Houston. In Amore, Bocelli brings Latin American ballads along with popular music that span from the 1920's to the 80's.
Featured artists on his new album include Edith Piaf, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and pop icon Christina Aguilera. Nelly, McGraw and Bocelli are only a small number of artists who are musically experimenting and crossing genres. While they are industry giants, other less known genres and musicians are gaining recognition.
Asian underground and new age music is one such example that has taken music to yet another level-fantasy and imagination. Amore by Andrea Bocelli - Bocelli collaborates with legendary producer David Foster in bringing the world's most beautiful ballads, spanning 60 years of popular music with featured artists such as Edith Piaf, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and pop icon Christina Aguilera. Buddha Bar Vol.
8 by Sam Popat - An album of collaborations inspired by Indian, Spanish and Vietnamese rhythms and artists. This form of music is known as Lounge music and mostly played in trendy restaurant and clubs. Paint the Sky with Stars: The Best of Enya by Enya - This is the best album for the novice who wants to explore the eclectic sounds of new age music.
Enya, the new age goddess, delivers Celtic-inspired rhythm that takes you to another time and place. L'Essentiel by Alabina - The spirit of Middle Eastern exoticism is embodied in lead singer Ishtar of Alabina, a group that combines Spanish flavor (the Gypsy Kings) with Middle Eastern vocals. Tala Matrix by Tabla Beat Science - If percussions are what you are looking for then look no further than Tabla Beat Science.
A group of Tabla gurus that create heart pounding beats with vocals in the traditional Indian raaga form. You've made excuses and put off your holiday shopping as long as humanly possible. Finally, you make the mad dash to purchase all the gifts at once, and get lost in a dizzying blur of choices.
Fear not, mall crusader; use this guide to help get through the electronics part of your coffee-stained list. For those on your list who need a new cell phone, many options are available, both inexpensive and extravagant. The LG Chocolate is one of the hottest phones available this year.
Designed to look like a thin chocolate bar, the phone slides up to reveal cool touch-sensitive buttons flush against the surface of the phone. The color screen looks great, and the camera takes both photos and videos. There's even a built-in MP3 player.
However, having a stylish new phone will hurt your wallet: it retails for $150, even with discounts and a new contract. LG's CU500 phone is a more inexpensive, but still sleek and functional, alternative. Like the Chocolate, you can expand the CU500's memory, making more room for music, pictures, and videos.
Call quality is great, and it includes a great built-in camera. Best of all, you can find it for less than $80, with contract. Gift givers looking for the perfect MP3 player are in luck.
Aside from Apple's highly popular iPod family, there are other good players available. Microsoft recently released its Zune, which features the iPod's music and video capabilities, but also includes a neat wireless transmission feature. Two Zunes can send songs back and forth, allowing you to swap music and sample brand new tunes.
The 30-gigabyte Zune retails for $249.99. Less expensive (but just as worthy) MP3 player alternatives include San-Disk's Sansa line, which features a color screen and solid sound quality for under $150, and Creative's well-received 1-gigabyte Zen V for under $100.
Looking for the perfect television? Why settle for a boring 20-inch TV when prices on high-definition televisions are plummeting? Samsung's 32-inch LN-S3251D LCD television can be found for less than $1,000, and delivers a quality HD picture with many of the bells and whistles of the more expensive sets.
For $999, Vizio offers the 42-inch VP42 plasma screen, a fantastic bargain for a big fancy television. If you're having trouble finding a good and affordable digital camera, HP's line of cameras is well reviewed and has a nice range of prices, from the inexpensive to the extravagant. The HP Photosmart R817 costs less than $150 and delivers an easy-to-use interface, crisp pictures, and intelligent design.
On the other end of the price spectrum, the $350 HP Photosmart R927 includes a docking base that plugs into your computer, and offers a wealth of excellent features, including amazing picture quality and high-tech options for professionals. Unload the pile of gifts from your trunk, pull up a chair, and grab your favorite beverage; the yearly ordeal is finally over. This guide to holiday gadget giving was with you every step of the way, and hopefully it was useful.
Enjoy your holiday! Only 11 more months until the whole process starts again. Whether it's an engaging nonfiction story or a compelling adventure novel, a book can make a great gift during the holiday season.
Of course, different genres appeal to different people, so buying your passive Aunt Clara the latest Stephen King thriller may not be the best idea. In other words, only the shopper knows best what books to give to which person. And, in an effort to help those looking for the best-selling or most gripping books this year I'm setting out a list of the top-ten books to buy this holiday season.
I've divided this list between five contemporary books and five classic books for the simple reason that the magic of classic novels never die. Although some may be familiar with some of these novels names or their overlying plot, surprisingly very few people have actually read many of the classics in their entirety. You don't have to be a mountain climber like author Ed Viesturs to appreciate the power of this book.
Viesturs' characteristics of persistence, determination, and discipline are relevant no matter what line of work you're in. In fact, this book is downright inspiring, serving as a metaphor for anyone wishing to achieve their personal goals, to climb their own daunting mountains. And if you're someone who appreciates the sport of mountain climbing, you'll enjoy this book even more.
In one of the greatest stories written by this iconic Russian author, Dostoevsky delves into the mysteries of life itself, attacking it from multiple perspectives. Although a lengthy read, the time put aside to read this novel is well worth it. One word can sum up the beauty of this work-multiplicity.
Unlike many one track authors, Dostoevsky artfully employs an array of personalities, perspectives, emotions, and situations. Books by Nobel Prize winners are generally worth the read, especially this insightful work by one of the world's greatest humanitarian's Mohammad Yunus. Unlike the stereotypical do-gooder whose unceasing love and empathy is checked by a deficit of ideas, Yunus-who won the Nobel Prize this year for his work developing the social and economic power of the Third World-stands as the brainchild behind one of poverty alleviation's greatest tools-micro-credit.
Yunus tells the reader, in straightforward, simple language, how his use of micro-lending has come to help many of the world's poor and starving obtain the tools to help themselves. Under the belief that no poor person wants to remain in poverty, Yunus explains how giving the poor the means to channel their creative, competitive drives can be beneficial to all. Written by a man with both a big heart and a big brain, Yunus' book is a great read for all.
It's always good to be reminded of the pains and struggles of our past-it helps us to remember where we came from and how we got here and humbly reminds us that our country had to work to get where it is now. Steinbeck's classic novel brings us all back to a time when people where living in desperate, seemingly hopeless poverty in the United States. It is a testament to the human capacity for survival, highlighting both the startling evil and redeeming good present in human nature.
Both inspiring and tragic, this depression-era novel transcends the confines of genres and possesses appeal for any reader. You may not agree with what renowned physicist Richard Dawkins has to say about religion, but for anyone-atheist, believer, or agnostic-interested in argument and debate, this scientist lays out a formidable treatise. For an atheist, this book may help solidify already held beliefs.
Yet, if you're a theist, this book elucidates the strongest arguments you can find against religious belief, and, thus, allows you to construct stronger rebuttals in defense of your religious beliefs. In stark contrast to Dawkins' contemporary treatise on the scourge of religious belief, this classic work by C.S.
Lewis presents a strong, rationalist foundation for religious belief that is still applicable today. Like Dawkins book, Lewis' writings appeals to anyone, whether atheist or theist. A work by a real literary master, Lewis is able to convey complex ideas through simple language.
The acclaimed author of Jurassic Park and The Sphere, is out with another sci-fi thriller, this time set in a frightening dystopia where gene manipulation is paramount. Critchon explores the possible horrors that can arise when scientific manipulation takes too prominent a position in society, above even morality itself. This latest Critchon novels plays on the fears of "gene theft"-a process where corporations can steal and claim ownership over the very foundations of life and personal identity.
If you're simply looking for an edge-of-your-seat thriller or if you're interested in the morality surrounding gene manipulation and corporate copyrights, go pick up Next. A novel from perhaps the greatest writer of the 20th century is always a great read. Hemingway's classic work is set during the era of WWI and explores realities and emotions that are still as strong and pertinent today as they were then.
Whether you enjoy war stories, the passion and tragedy of romance, or just a good story, Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises has something for everyone. Stories that draw elements from the author's own life can often be the most compelling tales. This newest work from Stephen King is just one of these stories-incorporating realities from King's own personal run-ins with death.
Following the story of a widow who delves into the often disturbing mind of her late husband, King takes his readers on a ride that is at times frightening, thrilling, and moving. Mark Twain once said, "My books are like water [while] those of the great geniuses are wine. Fortunately everybody drinks water.
" Twain may have been selling himself short but he was right about one thing-his books are fun for everyone. Arguably Twain's most famous work, this story can either be read as a simple adventure book or a clever critique of societal norms, some of which that still survive today. Whether you're buying a book for a child or an adult, this book is an adventure-packed journey for both young and old.
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