What in the wide, wide world of World Music--a listening guide

Have you passed the section in your music store labelled "International" or "World" or even "Folk"? Well, these genres of music fall under the new classification of "World Music", meaning music that doesn't hail from these parts. You might be listening to pop music from Turkey, didgeridoo tunes from Australia, Samba from Brazil, Merengue from the Dominican Republic, Celtic harp or the lilting Mali kora. In short, world music is what the rest of the world is listening too, instead of, well, Britney Spears.

So, where to start among the enormous palette of world music? African music, the wellspring of jazz and so much more of popular music, almost defines World Music. But, Africa is a large, diverse continent, and its music reflects that. However, you couldn't go wrong listening to two notable CD's. Toumani Diabate's 'New Ancient Strings' is hugely popular. The kora is a kind of cross between a harp and a lute. Diabate is a Mali master of the kora, and his improvisational songs ripple up and down against the rhythmic anchor of his friend and co-musician Djelimadi Sissoko. This is the CD I reach for again, again and again. It literally transports me to a mysterious world, conjuring visions of cool marble palaces, rosewater-scented fountains and dancers whirling in white silk veils. If you can't sleep, just put this on.

On the other hand, Orchestra Baobab's 'Pirates Choice' shows the deep connection between Central and South American music and its African roots. In a case of cross-fertilization, Latin music became popular in Senegal, and the child returned home to the mother. The similarity to Afro-Cuban music is striking.

What about other continents? We've mentioned South America and Africa. How can we ignore Asia and its vast population with ancient traditions? Music from Asia ranges from ragas from the Indian subcontinent, to Japanese shakuhachi flute and koto, to Chinese flute and violin. Asian music is sometimes hard for Western ears, as the singing tends to the shrill, the tonalities include half-tones and quarter notes, and the instruments are odd to the ear. 'Phases Of The Moon: Traditional Chinese Music' is a delightful sampler of traditional Chinese music. It is all orchestral, which limits the challenge of the high-pitched Chinese sopranos, an acquired taste.

If your tastes run to the more introspective music of Japan, try 'The Art of Japanese Bamboo Flute & Koto' or 'Lullaby For The Moon : Japanese Music For Koto And Shakuhachi'. Listen for the flute providing the path for the koto to follow, or vice versa. It's fascinating and very meditative.

Not leaving out the rich music tradition of India, try 'Night and Beyond: Ragas of Indian Music'

Finally, the island continent of Australia offers some of the most unusual and deeply meaningful music as performed on the didgeridoo, the hollowed-out branch of a gum tree that is the sacred instrument of the Aborigines. While a departure from pure Aboriginal didgeridoo such as David Blanasi's 'Didjeridu Master', you may enjoy Ganga Giri's 'Termite Grooves' or his newer which is a compilation. 'Termite Grooves' Don't overlook 'Bloodwood: The Art of the Didjeridu' by Alan Dargin, another master of the didge.

I'm leaving out the Celtic music, the marvelous music of Eastern Europe such as the Bulgarian Women's choirs, Russian men's choirs, and more. No time to touch on South American and Caribbean riches. As you can see, World Music is a huge world, indeed.