Best New Music from Around the World -- 2-15-09

1. “Jailer” -- Asa [1-27-09]. NIGERIA. A smooth and modern fusion of R&B, soul and African jazz.

2. “ABC’s” – K’naan [1-27-09]. SOMALIA. Punchy and aware, this hip-hop track by rising Somalia-born star is filled with old school backbeat -- raps traded with Chubb Rock -- and a big back-up chorus.

3. “Black Velvet” – Ferry Corsten [1-27-09]. NETHERLANDS. One of the founding fathers of Dutch trance launches this clubby melodramatic electro-dance track.

4. “Advent in Ives Garden – Sin Fang Bous. ICELAND. A punchy, high-energy synth pop track.

5. “Wake Up – It’s Africa Calling” – Youssou N’Dour [2-11-09]. SENEGAL. A sweeping, smooth remix with big percussion, horns and synthy sounds from the OPEN REMIX, a consciousness-raising track regarding the plights of Africa, benefitting IntraHealth.

6. “Jai Ho” – Feauturing Sukhvinder Singh, Tanvi Shah and Mahalaxmi from MUSIC FROM the MOTION PICTURE SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE [11-24-08]. INDIA. A throbbing and soaring and inspirational electro-combo of sounds and voices overseen by A.R. Rahman, the Indian film composer who wrote 11 of the 13 tracks on this soundtrack (including this one).

7. “Walking on a Dream” – Empire of the Sun [un-released]. AUSTRALIA. Aussie duo pumps out an upbeat electro-charged pop dance tune.

8. “Conchaperla” – Novalima [1-13-09]. PERU. Showcasing their Afro-Peruvian groove, this quartet rings in soul and groove on this lead track from their most recent album.

9. “Beijo De Saudade” – Mariza [1-27-09]. MOZAMBIQUE/PORTUGAL. A duet featuring the sultry alto, empress of old school fado, born in Mozambique and raised in Lisbon, which is often considered the birthplace of dado.

10. “Walking on Air” – Kerli [7-8-08]. ESTONIA. On her debut album, this blonde bombshell from Estonia churns out a pop tune that combines dance beats with stints of creepy emo disharmony.

11. “Tuve un sueno” – R.K.M. & Ken-Y [9-9-08]. PUERTO RICO. A reggaetón hit from hip-hop duo out of Puerto Rico.

12. “El Vestido” – Juana Molina [10-07-08]. ARGENTINA. With its soft percussions and ethereal, atmospheric presentation, one gets lost in the whimsy of this Argentine’s artist’s musical re”rendering.

13. “The Show” – Lenka [9-9-08]. AUSTRALIA. Sweet, whimsical, crème pouf-of-an-indie female vocalist.

14. “Luna” – Eddy Lover [8-12-08]. COLUMBIA A smooth and happy dance track with a saucy south of the border sound from reggaeton Columbian cowboy.

15. “Young Folks” – Peter Bjorn and John [3-18-08]. From “21” Soundtrack. SWEDEN. Peter takes vocals and guitar, John takes drums and Bjorn covers the keyboards in this whistling, new age-punk track.

16. “CobraStyle” – Robyn [4-29-08]. SWEDEN. This striking, blonde Swedish bombshell lays out a unique electronica pop sound that pulses with big dance club backbeats.

17. “Mad Pursuit” – Junkie XL from “21” Soundtrack [3-18-08]. NETHERLANDS. Glassy female lyrics bounce along contemporary, sometimes wacky guitar riffs and snappy backbeats.

18. “Chan Chan” -- BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB (Live @ CARNEGIE HALL) [10-14-08]. CUBA. A powerful landmark performance, particularly the kick-off treasure of a track from this old school Cuban band guided by Ry Cooder.

19. “Entoto Dub” – Dub Colossus [10-7-08]. ETHIOPIA. Co-founder of Transglobal Underground, Nick Page teams up with Ethiopian and English artists to create intriguing, atmospheric and exotic groove dubs.

20. “Na Hay Nadie Como Tu” – Calle 13 feat. Cafa Tacuba [10-7-08}. PUERTO RICO. Reggaeton group featuring two brothers rips out a danceable track with traditional instruments.

21. “Ha Ha” – Emiliano Torrini [9-9-08]. ICELAND. This Singer-songwriter, a more mainstream Bjork, uses simple melody as a showcase for her almost child-like voice.

22. “Little Bit” – Lykke Li [8-19-08]. SWEDEN. The EP hit her debut album, minimalist arrangement coupled with a pixie voice makes for an appealing pop tune.

23. “Those Girls” – Kinky [10-7-08]. MEXICO. A slickly produced 80’s-new-wave-sounding track from hipsters out of Monterrey, Mexico.

24. “La Paloma” – Sidestepper from THE BUENA VIBRA SOUND SYSTEM [8-5-08]. COLUMBIA. Free form jazz track from a blend of Afro-Columbian tracks.

25. “Sunday Bloody Sunday” – Bas Cissoko from the album VARIOUS ARTISTS – IN THE NAME OF LOVE: AFRICA CELBRATES U2 [4-1-08]. AFRICA. An original, African take on this rock classic with fore and background singers, bongos and guitars.

26. “Foux du Fafa” – Flight of the Conchords from FLIGHT OF CONCHORDS [4-29-08]. NEW ZEALAND. Created by a goofy duet who won the Grammy for Best Comedy Album, this lounge track makes fun all things French.

27. “Merua” – from UMALALI: THE GARIFUNA WOMEN’S PROJECT [3-18-08]. CENTRAL AMERICA: The Garifuna people are descendents of African slaves who intermarried with Carib and Arawak Indians and live along the Caribbean coasts of Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala. Here vocals are provided by Chella Torres and Desere Diego for a track that oozes a traditional Afro-Cuban vibe.

28. “New Soul” – Yael Naim [3-18-08]. FRANCE/ISRAEL. Accented and sweet-voiced female vocals scored big when Apple used this debut song in one of its commercials.