This fourth volume is yet another solid contribution from
The Secret Museum of Mankind
. Once again, long forgotten 78s have been salvaged from oblivion, dusted off, and digitally remastered onto CDs by the museum's industrious staff. This release, not unlike the others in this series, is comprised of selections that span a vast spectrum of musical and cultural genres. The first track features a Swedish herder calling her flock with a high-pitched croon that must have penetrated the deep Scandinavian forests with ease. A track from Pakistan displays a mesmerizing fusion of the Scottish war-pipes, a North Indian melodic sensibility, and Hindustani percussion. Captivating examples of Brazilian, Egyptian, Bolivian, Italian, Turkish, Hungarian, Albanian, Serbian, Kuwaiti, and Balinese music help round out the remaining 22 cuts. All in all, this CD brings together variance and difference in a format that allows any listener (not just an ethnomusicologist) the chance to appreciate nearly forgotten world musics. ~ John Vallier