the third planet: the third planet the third planet: the third planet (World Class - 2000) Dance around the world in one hour... Algerian, Italian, Iraqi, and Indian members of the third planet bring instrumental skills, regional flavors and musical sounds from all over the globe to a colorful, festive world party. Crisp mixes accentuate their musical ideals which are to avoid divisive ethnic boundaries, instead "contributing to the birth of a new kind of culture, originating from the free and easy use of art forms and art styles." Smooth synthlines are pumped up with the lively bass and beats of title track the third planet as wildly ululating vocals flutter over the top. Ambient interludes bridge the tracks. mektoub blazes with upbeat tempo and intertwining vocals. Warrior drums join forces with dancefloor beats in salam salam as playful keyboarding, jangling strings and lavish flutesounds accompany. Energetic tabla rhythms and high spirits propel raghupati through magically churning middle Eastern musicianship and adroitly spouted lyrics. karwan (6:20) begins as an earnestly warbled ballad over synthsweeps, but soon is bolstered by the resurgence of powerful ethnodrumming. Chants and sitar strings mingle with a peppy reggae rhythm in dylan e'jerbaaran (3:29). More subdued atmospheres are peppered with assorted hand-drums as the rhythmic experience unfolds a blanket of diffused electronics. The disc closes on three tracks from a previous release (kurdistani). Less polished but equally spirited, these pieces mine the same common grounds. Members of the the third planet are shown in the liner notes; traditionally garbed in dress of their homelands, the men are well into middle age... a fact not readily evident through their timelessly animated reveries. I'll have whatever they're having! the third planet resounds with universal joy, focusing on a blend of international styles. Only a true curmudgeon could resist the power of the feelgood vibes which flow from these 8.2-rated world collaborations. An imprint of Hearts of Space, World Class specializes in World Music, often focusing on cross-cultural hybridizations like this with many others in their catalog. This review posted July 29, 2000 AmbiEntrance © 2000-1997 by David J Opdyke (except CD cover art, rights retained by original owners).