I am really looking for some good world music. Traditional cultural music with an upbeat. I love Brazillian capoeira music, for example, and many types of opera. I prefer music with a fast tempo, rather than the slower romance musics. La Bamba was always a favorite of mine. I really have a limited knowledge of music types out there, and I don’t want to buy CD’s or listen to hundreds of thousands of music samples to find one or two really good songs. So please, recommend me some good songs or albums with upbeat music with a quick tempo.
I’d say try out some compilation albums; you will always find a few things you like, and you’ll get to learn about a variety of new artists this way. Also, listen to public radio! Two of my favorite shows are Afropop Worldwied (they have a website with discography, too; www.afropop.org) and the Thistle and Shamrock (Celtic). ALso, there’s Voz Latina.
College radio is also good for hearing new bands. Loyola U. here in Chicago has a kickass Latin program on Sundays from 2-6 pm (8.7 FM).
“Talking Timbuctu”, Ali Farka Toure with Ry Cooder (Grammy winning album), West African
“Brazileiro”, Sergio Mendes
“Best Of”, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, South African
“Moffou”, Salif Keita, West African
“Queen Of The Fado”, Amalia Rodrigues (this is Portuguese ballad, but her voice was tremendous)
The Indestructible Beat of Soweto did a lot to popularize world music when it was first released, and I still find it an enjoyable listen.