The Rough Guide to World Music Vol. 1

Once you start flipping through World Music, there's no stopping. Unlike other genres, world music spans so huge a territory that there are surprises and new pleasures for everyone. The table of contents sets the tone. Laid out as a map of the world, the chapters are located directly on the map. This is followed, however, by a traditional table of contents, laid out in linear one to 13 format for those who don't go for the visual approach. However you choose your dive-in point, you won't be disappointed. A tremendous amount of work has gone into this guide, covering a remarkable number of sub-genres and groups. Search for a group you've heard of, read up on a specific genre like klezmer or flamenco, get CD recommendations or troll for new finds like Altan, the Irish band of the 1990s, and Ibrahim Tatlises, the premier Kurdish performer. There's a wealth of sounds out there that Rough Guide makes accessible and with this exclusive book and CD package, you won't have to shift far from your front room to find them. --Stephanie Gold

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