Music critics and special guest at World Music Central today unveiled their list of the world’s best music albums of 2014. Although a handful of albums were released before 2014 in some territories, release schedules vary. from one territory to another and the majority of these recordings were published in 2014.
Johannes Theurer (Germany)
Our special guest this year is Johannes Theurer, a radio host from the German capital, Berlin. He has been producing his radio show ‘Dschungelfieber’ on public service radio since 1987. Johannes’s radio show is an integral part of the World Music Charts Europe which includes 46 radio broadcasters in 24 countries, which he compiles monthly.
Johannes’s most played CDs this year were:
1 – Toumani & Sidiki (World Circuit) by Toumani & Sidiki Diabate (Mali)
2 – Landini (Real World) by Aurelio (Honduras)
3 – Queen Between (World Village) by Susheela Raman (United Kingdom)
4 – Feryad-I Kemane (Oenarth Records) by Cafer Nazlibas (Turkey)
This artist is an extremely talented young Kemanche player from Turkey – I hope to hear more from him in the future!
5 – Linyera (Village of the World) by Melingo (Argentina)
6 – Transoriental Orchestra (Kayax) from Kayah (Poland)
7 – Symphonic Taraab (JARO) by Mohammed Issa ‘Matona’ Haji & Rajab Suleiman The Norwegian Radio Orchestra with Maryam Said Hamdun (Norway / Tanzania)
8 – Salvadora Robot (Soundway) by Meridian Brothers (Colombia)
9 – Sobre Noites e Dias (No Format!) By Luccas Santana (Brazil)
10 – San Augustin (Alex Wilson Records) by Edwin Sanz (Venezuela / United Kingdom)
Favorite compilation:
Galiza (Folmusica) by Kepa Junkera and various artists from Galicia (Spain)
Favorite reissue:
Les Ambassadeurs du Motel de Bamako (Stern’s) by Les Ambassadeurs du Motel de Bamako (Mali)
TJ Nelson (North Carolina, United States)
TJ Nelson is a CD reviewer and regular publisher at World Music Central
TJ’s Top Ten World Music Albums for 2014 (in no specific order):
Dawn (HopeStreet Recordings) by Emma Donovan & The Putbacks (Australia)
Film of Life (Jazz village) by Tony Allen (Nigeria)
Ancient Sufi invocations and forgotten songs from Aleppo (Electric Cowbell Records) by Nawa (Syria)
The Master by Warren Cuccurullo & Ustad Sultan Khan (USA / India)
Junkyard Ball (Lusti Music / Sibelius Akatemia) by Tero Hyvaluoma (Finland). An excellent CD from 2013 reviewed in 2014.
Tzenni (Glitterbeat) by Noura Mint Seymali (Mauritania)
Abraçaço (Nonesuch) by Caetano Veloso (Brazil)
Viento y Marea de Jerez Texas (Spain)
Walking Through Clay (Sugar Hill Records) by Dirk Powell (United States)
Devil’s Tale (Asphalt Tango Records) by Adrian Raso and Fanfare Ciocarlia (Canada / Romania). Another fabulous CD from 2013 reviewed in 2014.
Tom orr (California, United States)
Tom is a regular CD reviewer at World Music Central
Top Ten Tom’s World Music Albums for 2014 (in no specific order):
Moving On by Roy and Yvonne (Jamaica)
The Birth of Jungle Cumbia by Juaneco y su Combo (Peru)
Calaita Flamenco Son by Calaita Flamenco Son (United Kingdom / Spain)
Modernizers of Afro-Colombian sounds by Son Palenque (Colombia)
News from Runa (USA)
Landini d’Aurelio (Honduras)
Good Prevails by Alpheus (United Kingdom)
Konpa Lakay from Boulpik (Haiti)
Sunken City Original Soundtrack by Next Level Sound System
Neva / Harmony by Olcay Bayir (Turkey)
Tony hillier (Australia)
Tony Hillier is based in Cairns in the far north of Queensland. He writes for national publications such as Weekend Australian magazine and Rhythms.
Tony’s Top Ten World Music Albums of 2014 (in no specific order):
Baifang by Hanggai (China)
Oj Tak! By Chlopcy Kontra Basia (Poland)
Mortissa by Cigdem Aslan (Turkey)
Permission To Evaporate by Joseph Tawadros (Australia)
Lullaby and… The Endless Roar by Robert Plant (United Kingdom)
Yo by Roberto Fonseca (Cuba)
A Long Way To the Beginning by Seun Kuti + Egypt 80 (Nigeria)
A long way to the start
Bloody Rain by Sarah Jane Morris (UK)
Follow The Path by Shaolin Afronauts (Australia)
Wild Goats and Single Women by She’Koyokh (United Kingdom)
Best compilation:
Various artists – Real World 25 (different countries)
Best reissue:
Grit by Martyn Bennett
Madanmohan Rao
Madanmohan Rao is a Bangalore-based music publisher and DJ specializing in world music and jazz. He is a regular contributor to World Music Central.
Madan’s Best World Music Albums for 2014 (in no specific order):
“Santie Papang” (Sakifo Records) by Maya Kamaty (Reunion Island)
“TransBangla” (BanglaNatakby) by East West Local (India)
“Gambia” (Joluv Arts Entertainment) by Jalimadi (Gambia)
“Kashi” (White Swan Records) by Prem Joshua & Chintan (India)
“Tariq” (Arc Music) by Jaume Compte & Nafas Ensemble (Spain / Middle East)
The Rough Guide To Music In Mali (World Music Network)
Angel Romero Ruiz (United States / Spain)
Angel is the founder of World Music Central.
Angel’s Top Ten World Music Albums for 2014 (in no specific order):
Tzenni (Glitterbeat) by Noura Mint Seymali (Mauritania)
The Master (Six Degrees Records) by Warren Cuccurullo & Ustad Sultan Khan (United States / India)
Memoria (Diagram) by Toco (Brazil)
Incantations (White Swan Records) by Sheela Bringi (United States)
Dos (Zomusic) by Zoobazar (Spain)
Bailar En La Cueva (Warner Music Latina) by Jorge Drexler (Uruguay / Spain)
FBB (Siba Records SRCD-1012) by Sibelius Academy Folk Big Band (Finland)
Classic Griot by Mamadou Diabaté (Mali)
Canción Andaluza (Universal Music Spain) by Paco de Lucía (Spain)
Planetary Coalition (Artist Share) by Alex Skolnick (USA and international guests)
Best compilation:
Real World 25 (Real World Records) by various artists (various countries)
Best reissue:
Les Ambassadeurs du Motel de Bamako (Sterns Africa STCD 3065-66CD) by Les Ambassadeurs (Mali)
Best packaging:
Razón de Son (Folmusica CD + book) by Raúl Rodríguez (Spain)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has been writing about world music for many years. He founded the worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com websites. Angel is also a co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart.
Angel has also produced and remastered world music studio albums and compilations for labels such as Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts and Music of the World.
