Twenty First Century Twenty First Year

iTunes Review

Twenty First Century Twenty First Year is an enjoyable compilation of offerings from Luaka Bop, the world music label founded by David Byrne in the late ‘80s. More than half of this collection is made up of variegated Latino sounds, kicking off with “Ponta de Lanca Africano (Umbabarauma),” a rocker from the Brazilian veteran Jorge Ben. Other Brazilian tracks include smooth, horn-buttered samba from Marcio Local, a mellow-but-propulsive piece from Moreno Veloso, and the highly individual stylings of Tom Zé. The great Cuban band Irakere is represented by “Bacalao Con Pan” and Os Mutantes by the tropicalista classic, “Baby.” Venezuelan funkateers Los Amigos Invisibles’ “Sexy” burns, while Peruvian Susana Baca’s mid-tempo “Valentin” simmers. The collection also includes the James Brown-influenced “Keleya,” by Mali’s Moussa Doumbia, and the lush and laid-back “Aht Uh Mi Hed” by Shuggie Otis. Byrne himself appears on the comp on a catchy slice of neo-soul called “Fuzzy Freaky.” Overall, this nicely sequenced album successfully captures the label’s general vibe.