Free World Music Downloads

Free Caribbean World Music Downloads

Caribbean music includes Afro-Cuban, Calypso, Soca, Caribbean folk, and Mento music styles. Reggae and early ska can geographically be lumped into this category, but these genres are so large that they are usually discussed as independent groups. The influences of these other styles of Caribbean music can often be heard in reggae and ska, though. Here are some free Caribbean music downloads to get you started:

• Levi by Ras Timba

• Bla Bla Bla by Yerba Buena

• Mi Pias by Caribbean Dynamics

• Samba Dub by Chili Charles

• Sambalada by Kafecho

Free Middle Eastern World Music Downloads

The music in this category includes Arabic music styles both traditional and new. Also included here is Hebrew, Jewish, and Islamic music.

• The Mirrors of My Soul by Rim Banna

• Falling in Love by Khaled Habib

• Pish Daramad by Larri

• Alvenu Malkenu by Light of the River

• Lcha Dodi by Light of the River

• Box number 5 by 30 Years

• Reulina by Stellamara

Free African World Music Download

African music has received a lot of attention over the last decade, with well known pop artists like David Byrne and Paul Simon bringing it to mainstream audiences. African music varies from country to country, as each country makes use of its own indigenous instruments. The songs below will give you a sampling of the African music out there - some of the artists here are making their music in Africa, and some have brought their African music traditions to other nations:

• Obanla’e by Antibalas

• Wanyin by Kaleta

• Gbeto-Magnon by Kaleta

• DigioMarimbaSouk by Jacky Souk

• Dance Remi Dance by Jacky Souk

• The Way I Do by Clint Peterson

• Star Wars by Akoya Afrobeat

• Nyama Yekugocha by Nyamamusango

Free Celtic World Music Downloads

Celtic music generally encompasses Irish, Scottish, and sometimes, Welsh music. This can range from bagpipe music to traditional Celtic folk music to anything remotely Pogues-like. Wear something tartan, have a wee nip of whisky, and check out some of these artists:

• is the Rose by Folklore

• Fields of Athenry by Folklore

• Mairi’s Wedding by Michael Lancaster

• Rockin’ Landlady by Pubside Down

• Farewell to the West by Ivonne Hernandez

• Fast Hornpipes and Jigs by Jori Chisholm

Additional World Music Information

For more information on world music, and more free world music downloads, visit these sites:

• World Music Network produces The Rough Guide series of books on different genres of World Music, each of which comes with a cd of music specific to the topic. They release World music albums with Oxfam and Amnesty International in fund raising efforts. The Network also encompasses two World music labels – the influential Riverboat Records, a pioneering independent World music label, and the new Innovation Records, which is dedicated to bringing undiscovered artists from all over the world to a wider audience.

• WOMAD. WOMAD stands for World Music, Arts, and Dance was created in 1980, with the help of Peter Gabriel. WOMAD hosts many festivals each year to promote World music, and is actively involved in crafting educational resources and encouraging cross-cultural artistic exchanges.

• Real World Records, Peter Gabriel’s world music label.

• Luaka Bop, David Byrne’s World music label.

• Roots World is a World music magazine whose website offers a good breakdown of different World music genres.

• World Music Institute is a USA based group who facilities touring opportunities in America for World music artists.