Various
Spice Groove
Music Mosaic
World Beat
by The Evil Couch

I can't keep doing this, man. One of these days I'm just going to play a Music Mosaic CD backwards just so I have something new to say. If you haven't caught onto the fact that Music Mosaic has some of the best World Beat artists out there, you really should pick up one of their albums up and figure out where you went wrong in life by denying yourself this kind of music. Right now, Spice Groove, Groove Temple, Indestructible Asian Beats and Didgeridoo Trance Dance are in a majestic desert brawl over my affections as the best World Beat compilation album. Which of course means that this album is getting a 5 out of 5.

Starting things off right with a coiling serpent that Bhakta calls "Lord Shiva", a sitar weaves in and out of an ambient beat. Then wasting no time, they launch into "Ceremony" by Lee Boice, a track that combines a wailing guitar with the Indian dobro and sarod, sounding completely natural with its catchy beat. Next up is "Chamber 15" from Soulfood, a head bobbing didgeridoo, synthetic woodwind and Bhangra piece from Central America. Not falling prey to the same pacing problem as Drumming Planet did Spice Groove creates a complete experience, with "Indiaespara" from Dago calming things down. It's a violin and guitar piece that as the jacket claims "could have been born out of several countries". The claim is easily supported as I can hear Indian, Russian and European influences, as well as several others that I just can't put a finger on.

When a CD from a company that consistently delivers quality can amaze you, you know you've got a winner. There's just no reason to not pick it up.

5 out of 5 biscuits