Giving To Many Through One Gift

Emmanuel Jal - Ceasefire

Emmanuel Jal has won worldwide acclaim for his unique style of gospel rap with its message of peace and reconciliation born out of his experiences as a child soldier in Sudan. A spokesman for Amnesty International and Oxfam's Control Arms Campaign, Emmanuel joins northern Sudanese singer, composer and oud player Abdel Gadir Salim in a captivating musical fusion. This incredible collaboration of a renowned maestro with a young rapper produces music bursting with intricate melodies and a central message calling for peace in Sudan.

Shining Spirit: A Tibetan Family’s Reunion Through Music

The Tara Cafe Project is based in Banff. They are dedicated to the continuity of Tibetan music. They have recorded Tibetan refugee Jamying Yeshi, who currently resides in Banff, as well as his family, still based in Tibet. They also support the education of 20 Tibetan nomadic children.

Give US Your Poor

This fundraising CD created by Appleseed Recordings and the national Give US Your Poor organization brings together established musicians, socially committed actors and currently or previously homeless musicians in a collection of recordings that address the ongoing crisis of homelessness. Profits raised by this release will be donated to organizations benefiting the homeless.

Borrowed Tunes II: A Tribute To Neil Young

The perennially revered songwriter is honoured here by musicians as diverse as Tom Wilson, Ron Sexsmith, and George Canyon, in a 2-CD compilation. Proceeds from Borrowed Tunes II will be donated to Safehaven, a Canadian charity that offers community residential options and respite programs for children and young adults who are multiply disabled and have complex medical needs. Safehaven is one of Canada's most successful and innovative not-for-profit organizations.

Healing the Divide: A Concert for Peace and Reconciliation

Healing the Divide: A Concert for Peace and Reconciliation took place at Lincoln Center, NYC, featuring Tom Waits, Kronos Quartet, Philip Glass, Foday Musa Suso, Anoushka Shankar, R. Carlos Nakai, and the Gyuto Tantric Choir. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, gave a special address for the occasion. With the purchase of this CD you provide one year of urgently needed health insurance to a Tibetan monk or nun living in exile.

Baka Beyond - Rhythm Tree

Baka Beyond was inspired by the music of the Baka forest people, aka the Pygmies. Since their initial visit to the forest in 1992, Baka Beyond has deepened both its music and its relationship with the Baka people. The band has always shared the proceeds from CD sales with the Baka people, and several years ago, helped them to realize their dream of establishing a "music house" - a recording studio and meeting place in Cameroon. On their latest release, Rhythm Tree, Baka Beyond and the Baka people come together with music recorded both in the UK and their rainforest "music house". As always, proceeds go directly to the Baka people.

Higher Ground Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert

Wynton Marsalis assembled a marvelous performance for a benefit concert at Lincoln Center. The Nevilles, Diana Krall, Norah Jones, Buckwheat Zydeco, Wynton Marsalis' Hot Seven, and many others performed at the event. The Higher Ground Hurricane Relief Fund is administered by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, and has a special mandate to benefit musicians and music industry related enterprise.

Dirty Dozen Brass Band - What's Going On

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band is part of the next wave of New Orleans musicians carrying the unique brass band tradition into the future. Incorporating hip hop, rock, and modern jazz into their oh-so-traditional form - the New Orleans street band, the Dozen have chosen to share the proceeds of this album with a real rooted New Orleans charity, Tipitina's Foundation. From placing brass instruments in schools, providing music instruction, teaching kids their music history, and creating an ongoing roster of benefit concerts, Tipitina's is a happening organization.

Oxfam Salsa

Salsa compilations are fun because you can hear a variety of bands ramping it up in their own individual styles. They can put lots of energy into the living room gathering over the holidays. World Music Network produces the Rough Guide compilations to music from around the world, and recently re-launched the Think Global series which fund-raises for Amnesty and Oxfam.

Red Hot and Riot

The Red Hot Organization is the leading international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture. Since 1989, Red Hot has produced fourteen groundbreaking albums, related television programs and media events incorporating the talents of leading performers, visual artists, producers and directors to raise funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS. To date, these efforts have donated nearly 7 million dollars for AIDS relief around the world. Listeners to World Spinning would especially appreciate Red Hot and Riot, music of Nigeria's Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the founder of the now universal style: Afrobeat, combining honking horns, dance rhythms, and conscious lyrics.

Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience - Creole for Kidz and the History of Zydeco

A multicultural arts-in-education performance that has reached over 60,000 students K-12, parents and educators at schools, art centers and festivals around the country. This is the first program of its type and has been enthusiastically received from Arizona to the Outer Banks, from New York City to Atlantic City and from Charlotte, NC to New Orleans Louisiana. The Creole for Kidz program is centered on the indigenous zydeco music of the French speaking Creoles of south Louisiana and is accompanied by a 5 page study guide used to help prepare the students in advance for the performance. This is available at no cost to anyone by simply sending a self addressed stamped (2 stamps to be safe) envelope to: 132 Vivian Drive, Lafayette, Louisiana 70508, USA.