Sampling standouts from around the globe

Fans of world music found their choices more limited than usual in 2002, at least in terms of live performance. Numerous acts either encountered visa problems in the post-Sept. 11 world or simply decided to avoid altogether the increased complications of traveling to the U.S.

Fortunately, their recordings had no such problems, and the choice of sounds from every part of the globe was as diverse and compelling as ever.

Picking a best-of-the-year list from 2002’s flow of CDs, given the diversity that is the very nature of world music, would be next to impossible. Instead, here is a personal collection of the year’s favorites, chosen to be as stylistically and geographically varied as possible.

The list begins with solo artists, first from South America, then moves to Cape Verde, and Africa, with stops in Europe and beyond:

Caetano Veloso, “Live in Bahia” (Nonesuch). It’s appropriate that in his mature artistry, the Brazilian now defines the quest for creative eclecticism that was one of the goals of tropicalismo, the movement he was instrumental in founding in the late ‘60s. This marvelous two-CD set displays the infinite variety of Veloso’s art, from the passionate political statements of “Noites do Norte,” “Haiti” and “Tigresa” to the soulful revisiting of bossa nova in his reading of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Caminos Cruzados.” But there’s much more, all of it the work of one of the world’s great musical artists.

Cesaria Evora, “The Very Best of Cesaria Evora” (RCA Victor). The barefoot diva from Cape Verde probably never imagined that she’d be around long enough to produce a greatest-hits album, but here it is. Interestingly, it includes a new version of the song that has become her theme, “Sodade,” and the version of “Crepuscular Solidao” omits the guitar and voice of Bonnie Raitt, present on the original release. But with the baffling exception of “Miss Perfumado,” there are plenty of other familiar items featuring Evora’s captivating sound and manner.

Salif Keita, “Moffou” (Universal). Keita’s high, soaring voice is one of the most distinctive sounds to emerge from the enormous musical multiplicity of Africa. It is heard to particular advantage in this largely acoustic set, which emphasizes Keita’s griot-like storytelling powers rather than the considerably less intriguing Afro-pop rhythms that have dominated his recent live appearances. The album opens with an engaging duet between Keita and Evora.

Mariza, “Fado em Mim” (Times Square). The tall, blond, visually striking Mariza, still only in her 20s, has already established herself as one of the most gifted of the young generation of fado singers. Departing less from traditional style than some of her contemporaries, she renders fados such as “Maria Lisboa” and “Barco Negro” in a fashion strongly reminiscent of the great Amalia Rodrigues. But she does so with a distinctly individual touch, remaining true to tradition -- on these as well as more modern fados -- while retaining a 21st century perspective.

Milagro Acustico, “I Storie o cafe di lu Furestiero” (Tinder). The Roman group, led by Sicilian saxophonist Bob Salmieri, is joined by African musicians Pape Kanoute, Nour-Eddine and others in an imagined evening in a Sicilian cafe. And for once, the fusion of genres actually works, with Italian melodies, African rhythms, Middle Eastern modes and a touch of Miles Davis-like trumpet blending into a compelling tapestry of boundary-less music.

Altan, “The Blue Idol” (Narada World). With a stirring, two-violin front line leading the way, and the poignant voice of Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh adding her touching balladry, Altan can seemingly do no wrong. This time out, they have enhanced the mix by adding guest appearances by singer-songwriter Paul Brady and Dolly Parton (gorgeously singing “The Pretty Young Girl”). The result is an irresistible feast of Celtic musical pleasures.

Next, a few impressive collections of artists in single packages:

Various artists, “Red, Hot and Riot” (MCA). Dedicated to the memory of Nigeria’s Fela Kuti, the latest in the “Red, Hot” series is a stunning gathering of global artists performing unique renditions of Kuti’s music. Among them, Brazil’s Jorge Ben Jor, Senegal’s Baaba Maal, American jazz artist Archie Shepp, Nigerian-born, English-reared Sade and, on one remarkable track, an aggregation including Kuti’s son Femi Kuti, D’Angelo, Macy Gray, Nile Rodgers and Roy Hargrove. Proceeds are directed to the millions of HIV-infected Africans.

Various, “Rai Superstars” (Mondo Melodia/Ark21). An entertaining overview of the Algerian popular music analogous to the blues, protest music, rap and balladry. Recorded for the most part throughout the ‘90s, with a pair of fascinating tracks dating to the ‘80s, a violently unsettled period in which rai became the expression of anti-government protest, Khaled, one of the principal voices of that era, is included here, as well as Cheb Mami, Cheb Nasro and the veteran female rai artist Cheikha Remitta.

Various, “World 2002” (Narada World). If you can only manage a single world music purchase for this year’s gift list, here’s the most inclusive choice. In two CDs, Narada has circled the globe, including tracks by such familiar names as Mariza, Salif Keita, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Manu Chao, Rachid Taha and Chava Alberstein. Also represented are lesser-known but equally compelling artists such as Yat Kha (Tuva), Gigi (Ethiopia), Amal Murkus (Palestine) and Sabah Habas Mustapha (Indonesia).