Various Artists Drop the Debt

Latin Beat Magazine, Oct, 2003 by Jesse Varela

(World Village)

From some of the poorest countries in the world, the artists on this compilation create a collective voice with passionate and pointed verses, asking to Drop The Debt. The sixteen pieces speak to the suffering that people bear in debt-plagued nations as their governments ignore social necessities such as healthcare to pay off institutions like the World Bank. The opening piece, Baba, by the Brazilian reggae band Tiken Jah Fakoly & Tribo de Jah speaks to the poverty and despair of Brazilian farmers. The contradictions between rich and poor ore displayed vocally on Quam Pode, with melancholy Portuguese saudade delivered by Teofilo Chantre and Cesaria Evora from Cabo Verde. Check out these lyrics: To the humble/go the crumbs/of survival/ or perhaps a little charity/ to ease the consciences/of those who live in luxury....

Colombia's Toto La Momposina's Cosas Pa' Pensar laments the country's tumultuous reality through a boisterous, brassy cumbia addressing the dead-end existence of her country's youth. From beautiful acoustic textures to Afro-pop grooves with dancehall electricity, the multigenerational mix of artists allowed for potent collaborations such as Chico Cesar (Brazil) and Les Fabulous Trobadors (Franca), and Sally Nyolo (Cameron) plus Shingo2 (Japan). Drop the Debt ends with Soledad Bravo (from Venezuela) delivering a haunting rendition of Violetta Parras' Gracias a la Vida. Produced by Francois Mauger, the collection is an excellent listening experience. The liner notes are crucial in helping bridge the language barrier and understanding the image and impact of the songs, a collection of beautiful world music with something important to say. For more on the Drop the Debt campaign go to www.jubileeusa.erg.