Search - Various Artists :: Global Rhythm Presents: Planet Buzz

Female Domination

Joanna Daneman | Middletown, DE USA | 03/10/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This compilation of global (world) pop and jazz from Narada World is interesting: of the eleven recordings, the ones that shine are the Spanish, Brazilian, Uzbeki and Argentinian female vocalists. From the soft but most definitely hip Bossa Nova of Juju Stulbach (The Mosquitos "Boombox") to Juana Molina's softly tragic "Quien", to Cibelle's meditative "Deixa" and Estrella Morente's legendary flamenco, the Latin women shine. But the album isn't all Latin; there are several interesting Indian and Pakistani cuts, as well as Nigerian Tony Allen's "Home Cooking" (from the album of the same title) and Claude Challoub's classically inspired but Arabic-sounding violin. But again, the women steal the show. Usmanova, aptly called the "Madonna of Uzbekistan" sings a slow ballad "Schoch Va Gad" that is exotic Central Asian mixed with yes, a Madonna-style ballad in an exquisite blend. Her voice is hypnotic. The album ends with a French carnival pastiche from street theatre group Lo'Jo (think "Amelie") and a Reggae send-up by Perry Farrell. These individual works don't form much of a theme or a whole--this is definitely a sampler and quite varied. But as an introduction to some excellent female vocalists from the world scene, this is an eye-opener. I found quite a bit to like on "Planet Buzz.""