The end of the year brings a flurry of world music albums with commercial intentions ranging from the archival to the optimistically opportunistic. Some, like the Creole Choir of Cuba’s Tande-La or Vlada Tomova’s Balkan Tales, accompany tours by the outfits that made them; others are heavily branded theme compilations — brain candy for collegiate introverts, mood music for bars and boutiques. Continue reading “A Look at Pop Around the Globe, From Operatic Creole Harmonies to Riot-Grrl-Inspired French Rappers”