Here's more of my all-time, favorite 'world music' -which can either be jazz, Brasilian, Latin, pop, rock, OPM , New Age, chill or, even classic -collection in the very popular MP3 format, for your listening pleasure only. Simply choose the desired song from the drop-down box below & click to listen! (please note: These are copyrighted materials & downloading is strictly prohibited)!

  Artist: Eric Clapton (Rock/Blues -G.Britain) Song: PLEASE BE WITH ME

From the Yardbirds, to the Bluesbreakers (w/ John Mayall), to Cream (w/ Jack Bruce & Ginger Baker), to Derek & the Dominos (w/ ill-fated drummer, Jim Gordon)...and finally, a hiatus in the music world to battle his heroin addiction. As if to signify his comeback & that he had mellowed-out, the legendary blues/rock guitarist, released this 1974 album, which emphasized his songwriting abilities rather than his guitar-playing.

Artist: Rinocerose (Electronic/Instrumental/Chill - France)  Song: HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN

Two French psychologists, John-Philip Freu & Patrice Carrie turned to music to cure their self-inflicted,"schizophonia".  The result was the loosely-formed group (1994) with an eclectic name,  Rinocerose.  Their music is basically electronic with a mish-mash of guitar riffs and indie rock. Most of their concerts/performances they would like to call "installation sonore" or, as they would put it: "electromind, rocksoul". "Highway to Heaven' was from their 1992 release, "Music Kills Me" which paid homage to 1970s rock, "under the theme of death".

Artist: Gordon Lightfoot (Country/Folk - Canada)  Song: BEAUTIFUL

Probably best known for his original 1970 hit, "If You Could Read My Mind", Gordon Lightfoot is Ontario, Canada's gift to the music world via his melodic songwriting which ordinary folks could easily relate with.  This cut was taken from RHINO's (a division of Warner Records) collection of this once choirboy's best five music ever.  Just sit back, listen and enjoy this wonderful composition... which is indeed, beautiful. 

Artist: Capercaillie (Folk/Chill/World - G.Britain)  Song: M'IONAM (MY THOUGHTS)

Featuring vocalist, Karen Matheson, Capercaillie (yes, the group's name is spelled the same as the "grouse", a group of birds from the order Gallifomes) is one of Britain's more popular Celtic music-playing group that mixes contemporary, as well as, other traditional world music beats.. The cut -from their 1997 "Beautiful Wasteland" release -featured here was sung in the traditional Gaidhlig (Scottish-Gaelic) language.

Artist: Caldera (Jazz/Fusion - North/South America)  Song: ANCIENT SOURCE

An almost unknown band but which featured some of the best studio musicians from South America, notably, Eduardo de Barrio (keyboards/arranger/composer), Jorge Strunz (guitars) and Carlos Vega (drums).  Caldera was a obscure group who probably released just 2 or 3 LPs during the popularity of jazz/fusion in the mid 70s. Their music -in digital format -are so rare on the web that this track actually came off Diane Reeves' "The Palo Alto Sessions" CD. You can read more about Caldera from my old blog here.   

Artist: Willie Bobo (Latin/Jazz - America)  Song: DINDI

Born Willie Correa in NYC in 1934, Willie Bobo lived a short (he died in 1983) but well-fulfilled life as one of Latin jazz best percussionists specially during mambo's popularity in late 50s.  He had been associated with virtually all of the "who's who" in the world of percussion: Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente and Cal Tjader. But, it was also during the 60s when samba/jazz was permeating the air with the fresh sounds of Tom Jobim, Stan Getz, Gilberto and others, that Willie Bobo's star shined with his brilliant improvisations on his favored instrument, the "timbales".    

Artist: Toninho Horta (Jazz/Fusion - Brasil)  Song: SHE'S LEAVING HOME

This beautiful guitar rendition of the Beatles' hit showcased Toninho Horta's talent for harmonization which had made him one of the most sought-after guitar session man in Brasil, as well as, in the world.  A native of Belo Horizonte (the capital of Minas Gerais), Brasil, it was Toninho's association with Milton Nascimento and the rest of "Clube da Esquina" (literally: "corner club musicians from Minas Gerais, Brasil"), that developed and gave notice to the music world of his great skills.  

Artist: Everything But The Girl (Rock/Jazz/Pop - G.Britain)  Song: CROSS MY HEART

An elegant crossover of pop/jazz combined with deft electronic orchestration plus the lush voice of Tracy Thorn (w/ keyboardist Ben Watt, they are EBTG) made this release a refreshing new sound in the early 80s which was then dominated by funk and rock.  It was the astounding production - the duo made use of a full orchestra - that made this track stood out and oh, so memorable because of Thorn's almost nostalgic yet vibrant vocal rendition. This was from their 1986 CD, "Baby, The Stars Shine Bright".