Review: Gilles Peterson In Brazil & In Africa

Various Artists

GILLES PETERSON IN BRAZIL

[Ether Records]

Various Artists

GILLES PETERSON IN AFRICA

[Ether Records]

While neither of these compilations are new releases, much of the music will be new to most of you. That's the way things are with compilations curated by Gilles Peterson, legendary UK DJ, label owner and talent-spotter. He has established himself as one of the world's most influential DJs - indeed, "taste-makers" - of the last twenty years, with a proven track records in exposing exciting music old and new. These two compilations, released on Ether Records in 2004 (Brazil) and 2005 (Africa), follows that pattern, each with two discs featuring a tailor-made selection from Gilles himself. The Brazil compilation's Classico disco does what it says on the tin, with tracks from Wilson Simonal, Sergio Mendes and Brasil '77, Mario Castro Neves and Tim Maia; while the second disc, Da Hora, brings the sound of the Latin nation's future, with DJ Marky and XRS (and the still-magical Moments Of Lust, with Vikter Duplaix), Drumagick, Spiritual South, 4Hero (with Patricia Marx) and Marcos Valle, alongside remixes from Edu K (featuring Bebel Gilberto) and Bruno E. The entire compilation sparkles like your stereotypical sun-kissed Brazilian beach scene, sambas nuzzling drum and bass while bikini-clad girls dance suggestively. The Africa compilation is also a joyful celebration, and tribute to the originators of Afrobeat. Disc one, Soul, features classics from Fela Kuti, Manu DiBango, Miriam Makeba, Lette Mbulu, Mulatu Astatqe and Oscar Sulley (with my favourite Afrobeat song, Bukom Mashie); and the second, Spirit, bringing together artists and remixers such as Masters At Work, Cesaria Evora, Carl Craig, IG Culture and Thievery Corporation. Though labels like Soundway have mined deeper into the musics of Africa, this selection covers all bases, providing the perfect introduction to the essentials. Indeed, both compilations are essential for fans of Latin and African music - and of Gilles Peterson. As usual.

4 from 5 stars (for both)

Check out the Brazil compilation here and the Africa compilation here...

Review: Gilles Peterson 'Masterpiece'

Various Artists
MASTERPIECE
Compiled by GILLES PETERSON
[Ministry Of Sound]

Sometimes I wonder if I'm getting old. Listening to compilations like these, which blend together rare gems and classic old tracks with fresh new and cutting edge compositions only serve to make me feel older. Almost to a track, I prefer the classics; the Roy Ayers, Terry Callier and Freeez side of the selection, to the of-the-moment clattertronica of Kode9 and Spaceape. As it stands, you can rely on Gilles Peterson to please pretty much all of the people all of the time, and he has done exactly that once again on this Masterpiece collection, put together for Ministry Of Sound. With 49 tracks spread across three CDs, and tracks including SBTRKT, Four Tet and Scuba for the young bucks and Tom Browne, Young Disciples and Teena Marie for us older folks, there are plenty of reasons to add yet another Gilles Peterson-selected compilation to your collection. Essential, as usual.

4 from 5 stars

More Gilles Peterson reviews:
Gilles Peterson Presents Worldwide
Gilles Peterson In Brazil & Africa

Review: Gilles Peterson Presents Worldwide

Various Artists
GILLES PETERSON Presents WORLDWIDE
"A Celebration Of His Syndicated Radio Show"
[BBE]

Remember the old days of making mix-tapes for your friends? Painstakingly selecting songs around a theme, which meant something to you and/or the recipient of the tape, or were simply plain awesome? Consider the new Worldwide compilation selected by DJ, label owner, renowned record collector and globally famous taste-maker Gilles Peterson as one of those treasured mix-tapes. Assembled from tracks Gilles has championed through his famed BBC Radio One show and his annual Worldwide Awards, this two disc set hits all the marks, with tracks from a roll call of famous names: Erykah Badu, Q-Tip, Jill Scott, Dwele, Little Dragon, Sa-Ra, Outlines, Theo Parrish, Benga and Spacek nestle up against epic songs from the past few years, like RSL's Wesley Music, M.I.A.'s Galang, Cinematic Orchestra's All Things To All Men, Gotan Project's Triptico and Recloose's absolutely massive Dust. As Gilles himself may've intoned as a young lad: "Ooh la la!"

4/5 stars