ROCKIN’ ALL OVER THE WORLD: In the...

ROCKIN’ ALL OVER THE WORLD: In the past few years, we’ve seen a huge upsurge of interest in pop music from far away places, most notably Africa, the Soviet Union, Brazil and even China. In fact, one of the leading Soviet rock bands--Aquarium--will be in New York this fall, recording a new album at the Power Station. It’s the first time a top “unofficial” Soviet band (one not officially sanctioned by Soviet authorities) has done an entire studio album overseas. Aquarium is led by Boris Grebenshikov, perhaps the Soviet Union’s best-known rock star, who now refers to himself--perhaps with tongue-in-cheek, as the “darling of glasnost .” . . . What’s the next hot spot on the global rock scene? How ‘bout Iceland? The always adventuresome Enigma Records has just released “Geyser,” a budget-priced anthology of tunes by 11 groups performing New Icelandic Music (NIM). Selections include “Killer Boogie” by Theyr, “Svartur Gitar” by Bubbi & Das Kapital, “Kjot” by punk-rockers Vonbrigdi, and “Edda,” a spoken-word track by Sveinbjorn Beinteinsson, a farmer who heads up the Islandic heathen sect of Asatru. . . . And the much-heralded Ferry Aid single, which was recorded in London several months ago to raise money for the survivors of the Zeebrugge ferry disaster, is now available stateside through Profile Records. An ensemble rendition of “Let It Be,” the single features the unlikely combination of Paul McCartney, Mark Knopfler, Boy George, Kim Wilde, Nick Kamen, Kate Bush, Difford & Tillbrook, the Alarm, Bananarama, Edwin Starr, Steve Strange and many more.