Demob Happy

Float away…

8/10

‘20 Ways to Float Through Walls’ may sound like a cryptic title but it’s a fairly literal description of the boundary-hopping eclecticism featured on this fine compilation by the Crammed label. I am by no means an afficianado of ‘World’ music and rarely buy music that might fall into that category. I have, however, always be interested in the ways that the textures and influences of world music cultures have been blended into contemporary music (specifically alt-rock and electronica). Whether it is Damon Albarn’s recent forays into the African musical landscape or the cut and paste exotica of some sample-based music (especially the Eno and Byrne’s seminal classic My Life in the Bush of Ghosts), I have been attracted to an international musical pallette but afraid to venture further than Western interpretations of it. However, both World music purists and those looking for an access point into the genre could do worse than this: a melting-pot of musical styles united by a contemporaneous approach to fusing musical traditions. For the novice, it is ideal because it gives a little of each of the diverse styles on offer, where a whole album of each might be too much for the unitiated or untrained ear.

This broad compilation of global fusion jumps between sultry Brazillian trip hop, arabesque, thumping latin grooves, jazz, flamenco, folk and even drum & bass, many embellished with subtle electronics. Some tracks are mixed, but most are left intact, and all blend into one seamless journey. Not to discredit the individual artists here, but the compilation is best listened to as a whole. Despite the apparent disparity of what is on offer, it is mutually inclusive and unpretentious - there is no jarring clash of musical cultures. Not to play down the complexity of the playing and instrumentation, but it is truely a relaxing summer album to float away on.