This collection of exquisitely chilled out global grooves is perfect ear candy for the armchair traveller. Designed in the form of a musical travelogue of ambient roots and subtle digital routes, it’s an ideal accompaniment to those moments of solitary calm amidst the heady rush of modern-day living. We travel from the heart of spiritual India to the delta blues of America’s deep south, from Malian sunrises to steamy Rio nights, from Moroccan moons to Senegalese sunsets. It’s quite a trip to be sure, but the gentleness of the music will ensure you arrive if not refreshed then certainly relaxed. For pure variety and intelligent world chill track selections from DJ Martin Morales, this album has to get your attention. World Chill sets out to prove that many of the globes finest down-tempo tunes can also amount to an exquisite chill-out, down-tempo collection.


Asian Lounge - Asia Flavoured Clubtones – various artists
Reviewed by Kushad

Another compelling compilation with strong Asian influences, this 25 track double CD brings a unique mixture of relaxed club grooves for optimal lounging or midnight groovin’. The superb track listing includes the current European and Asian elite of artists and producers of world-grooves-flavoured club music such as Badmarsh & Shri, Jazzanova, Talvin Singh and jazz wizard and founder of the electronic movement Herbie Hancock. Sweet Asian sounds and wonderful oriental melodies are sensibly incorporated into rhythm dives that go deep into the soul and make mind and body wander in faraway directions. This collection will transport the listener through all manner of exotic landscapes and straddle the continent and cultures in search of musical Nirvana.


Kamile Kapel - Kiss the Ground
Reviewed by Kushad

This varied collection of jazzy, latiny, gypsy, folky ballads is the debut CD from local chanteuse Kamile, and is to be released at a gala concert at the Heritage Hall on Thursday, 15 May. Kamile has attracted the collaboration of Pepe Danza and a full band of local greats to indulge in her passion and love for Rumi poems, as well as her own unusual lyrics and jazzy riffs. Both the CD and the event are a must-experience for those into our local world music scene, and the latest in what is becoming part of a distinctive Vancouver genre. www.kamile.com.


Colours of the World - Allegro label
Reviewed by Abheeru

A prize collection! So much so that we are giving away one complete set as a door prize at our upcoming 10th Anniversary Just Dance Celebration on Friday, May 23! If you don’t win, you can still be a winner for less than $10 at A & B Sound with these four beautifully collected and produced CDs! With its liner notes, pictures and info on 46 different source CDs this will get you started on your world music education.

Africa: Upbeat, great for listening and / or more mellow dancing, this collection honours many cultural and ethnic African traditions. It treats us to local acoustic instruments, as well as modern western, latin, reggae and other influences.

Latin: A favourite collection – I’m only just learning to appreciate Latin music – you can hear many of these tunes at World Rhythms Just Dance if you happen to arrive during one of my Latin intervals. Lively, passionate, sexy, cool, jazzy – all tempos and all regions – a full feast!

Reggae: Dedicated to the roots – so called classic reggae – this dancehall styled collection gathers songs from the ‘70s and ‘80s, including early Wailers. It is an appreciation of the cultural and religious Rastafarian heritage – laid-back, warm and open.

Celtic: This refreshing compilation presents artists playing so many beautiful traditional instruments, rhythms and forms, sometimes unchanged since the 1700s. Recent compositions combine regional authenticity, with slightly infused modern influences. A kaleidoscope of the Celtic world which takes in France and even Canada’s Cape Breton! From sweet and mellow a cappella to full and lively folk and instrumentals. Enjoy! www.allegro-music.com

This CD review column, written by Just Dance DJs Abheeru and Kushad, offers a taste of some of their favorite grooves that can be experienced at their bi-weekly non-smoking, non-alcohol dance event. See Just Dance in Resource Directory, Events section.