Charanga Cakewalk - Loteria de la Cumbia Lounge (Triloka Records) -  The Cakewalk originated among southern plantation slave workers in the eighteen hundreds. The dance poked fun at the formal mannerisms of the elite in the ‘master’s house’. Charanga Cakewalk updates the concept with a twist of Latin Lounge atmospheres both real and virtual. Charanga Cakewalk is the brainchild of studio whiz and sideman extraordinaire, Michael Ramos. He’s performed alongside John Mellencamp, Paul Simon, The Bo Deans and The Rembrandts but this project reflects his own, personal vision. Michael describes the new album, Loteria de la Cumbia Lounge as “a pan-Latin American martini made with equal parts traditional instruments and deep, urban grooves.” It's a brilliant piece of global music sophistication that still pokes a little fun at elitism.

Various - Is It Rolling, Bob? Vol.1 (Ras Records) -  In 1965 Bob Dylan wrote an ode to a fallen debutante. His stinging chorus asked “How does it feel to be on your own like a rolling stone”. Dylan preferred to save his praise for those who would get up and stand up for their rights. Sound like another Bob you know? Dylan and Marley stood for many of the same principles which may explain why many of Jamaica’s biggest stars jumped at the chance to be a part of an exciting new album project called, “Is It Rolling Bob”, a reggae tribute to the music of Bob Dylan. Amazingly, many of Bob’s songs translate easily into the reggae vibe. Produced by the infamous Dr. Dread, Is It Rolling Bob? features the talents of Toots Hibert, Beres Hammond, Gregory Isaacs, JC Lodge, Michael Rose, The Mighty Diamonds with one of my favorites, Lay, Lady, Lay, and dancehall  superstar, Sizzla with a tongue in cheek take on Dylan's stream of consciousness classic. On May 8^th of '65, Dylan released a promotional film for his new single, Subterranean Homesick Blues, which pictured him holding up placards with key words from the lyric. It has the distinction of being THE very first music video. Keep watching world.beats for Sizzla's equally low-budget rendering.

Bossacucanova  - Uma Batida Diferente (Six Degrees) -  They say to be truly creative you have to think outside of the box. So it stands to reason that those born without boxes never have to waste time learning this. Maybe that's why Bossacucanova's learning curve has been so steep. The trio of DJ, bass and keyboards grew up in the musical scene around Ipanema which is too free and immense to be contained. Their first Six Degrees self titled album reflected three creative souls mixing the Brazilian sounds they heard all around them with the global influences they were increasingly being exposed too. The formula received a further coat of polish and authentic Brazilian soul on their second album recorded with the legendary guitarist/composer, Roberto Menescal. Uma Batida Diferente, their third effort expands on the Menescal experiment, featuring the trio in collaboration with a host of great writers and performers like Celso Fonseca, Marcos Valle, Zuco 103 and once again, Roberto Menescal. Every track benefits from an irresistible union of experienced composition and creative mixology.

Various - World 2004 (Wrasse Records) -  Global music has expanded tenfold in the past decade and it's a big world indeed. It's encouraging to know that there are so many world music makers on our planet that sometimes opening your ears isn't enough, you have to check in with another's perspective. Thanks to Wrasse Records we in North America can have an annual check up with broadcaster, Charlie Gillett at the BBC and hear what he is being exposed to these days. For 2004, Charlie's assembled an amazingly unpredictable two CD set. He's hand-picked choice cuts from the four corners, much of which has never reached the shores of the new world. The liner notes are a little more anecdotal than factoid which is disappointing for those eager to read about the intriguing artists they're most probably hearing from for the first time. And, every one of the 34 tracks has something going on you'll want to know more about.