RollnSmokeRecords Presents: Best New World Music

1. “Heaven’s on Fire” – The Radio Dept. [3-23-1010]. SWEDEN. A flowing indie pop track off recent EP released by rock band out of Lund, Sweden.

2. “Hold You” – Gyptian [3-9-2010]. JAMAICA. Tight, roots-minded reggae from emerging artist from St. Andrew, Jamaica. Ya, mon.

3. “Drummer Boy” -- Debi Nova (single) [2-23-2010]. COSTA RICA. A pop debut single that’s climbing the international dance charts by chica linda from San Jose.

4. “Fall Hard’ – Shout Out Louds [2-23-10]. SWEDEN. Airy, sleek guitar and vocals from proud indie-rock neo-cons out of Stockholm.

5. “Heartbeat” – Nneka [1-26-2010]. NIGERIA. English-language, Neo-soul singer, born in Nigeria and based in German, releases follow-up album after her 2005 debut that features this punchy, tight track that climbed the German charts last year.

6. “Boy Lilikoi” – Jonsi [3-30-10]. ICELAND. Lead singer of Sigur Ros casts out on his own with debut album featuring this lead single with strong and angelic vocals over digitally tweaked orchestral arrangements.

7. “You & I” – Medina, Deadmau5 Remix [10-12-09 in UK]. DENMARK. The English version of the track is sure to capitalize on Denmark’s biggest ht of the past 12 months.

8. “Low Rising” – The Swell Season [10-27-09]. IRELAND/CZECH REPULIC. A Van Morrison-inspired, bluesy-rock track by former-lover duet that smacks of 60’s folk harmonies.

9. “Hot” – Inna [12-8-09]. ROMANIA. Hot off the international dance charts, this track by dance singer from Romania glides vocals over plucky electronica.

10. “Sweet Disposition” – The Temper Trap [10-13-09]. AUSTRALIA. Choirboy vocals combined with U2-influenced guitars on this dreamy lead track off debut album from band out of Melbourne.

11. “One Love” – David Guetta featuring Estelle [8-25-09]. FRANCE. French DJ combines electronica with dance beats and here features the soulful R*B songstress Estelle to carry the dance beat.

12. Bebel Gilberto – “Sun is Shining” [9-29-09]. BRAZIL. A sexy cover of Bob Marley’s classic – ½ Portuguese and ½ English -- by Brazilian beauty descended from fine musical bloodline.

13. “Wake Up” -- Sliimy [9-8-09]. Wacky pop-club dance number off debut album by young frechman from Saint Etiene.

14. “Give it Up to Me” – Shakira and Lil Wayne [11-10-09]. COLUMBIA. Typical R&B dance grooves from Latina teaming up with hip-hop master and monster producer Timbaland with a splash of Lil Wayne.

15. “Darkside of the Sun” – Tokio Hotel [2009]. GERMANY. Bangin’ alt-rock track from emo-quartet out of Germany.

16. “Looking for Paradise” – Alejandro Sanz featuring Alicia Keys [9-29-09]. SPAIN. The most commercially successful Spanish singer of all time pairs up with American R&B songstress to cue up an alternating acoustic duet sung in each performer’s native tongue.

17. “Buster Vodoo” – Rodrigo y Gabriela [9-8-09]. MEXICO. Groovin’ strummin’ guitar instrumental by duo out of Mexico City.

18. “Nobody” – Wonder Girls [10-11-09]. SOUTH KOREA. Repetitive pop dance track from all-girl band out of South Korea.

19. “Baby” – Devendra Banhart [10-23-09]. VENEZUELA. Spare and easy alt-track by indie-rocker who grew up in Caracas and L.A.

20. “Letters from the Sky” – Civil Twilight [7-21-09]. SOUTH AFRICA. Dramatic alt-rock track from sophomore album by band originally from Cape Town, South Africa, who moved to LA in 2005 then to Nashville.

21. “Mrs. Cold” – Kings of Convenience [10-20-09]. NORWAY. A Euro-version of Simon & Garfunkel, these (Bergen,) Norwegians lay out a mellow beach-groove a la blended harmony duets and spinning acoustic strings.

22. “Neopolitan Dreams” – Lisa Mitchell [8-11-09] AUSTRALIA. Mixed with equal parts pioxie and nursery rhyme, this Aussie offers this lead track off her debut album.

23. “Feel it in My Bones” – Tiesto featuring Tagan and Sara [10-6-09]. HOLLAND/CANADA. A euro-pop chic track from notable Dutch electronica DJ’s latest album, loaded with guest appearances and produced by Timbaland.

24. Iyaz – “Replay” [7-7-09]. VIRGIN ISLANDS. A pop R&B track by emerging singer who was discovered by Sean Kingston.

25. Raveonettes – “Last Dance” [10-6-09]. DENMARK. First dreamy-pop single from forthcoming album hits.

26. “Appelknyckarjazz” – Movits! [7-29-09]. SWEDEN. Even though all lyrics are in Swedish, the upbeat, jazz-swing vibe puts a smile on your face and defies a genre.

27. “Calabria 2007” – Enur [7-7-2007]. DENMARK. This house dance sound, big in the UK and Europe, features hand claps, post-punk sax and kinky dancehall patois from cool kitty out of Copenhagen.

28. “She Wolf” – Shakira [7-10-09]. COLUMBIA. A huffing, howling, dangerous, shameless pop tune, warning abuot the she-wolf in your closet! -- by Columbian-born, very game Latina. Yoowwwwwoooooooo -- You go, girl.

29. “It Don’t Move Me” – Peter Bjorn and John [7-21-09]. SWEDEN. A spare, electro EP from indie-pop trio.

30. “Buy You A Round” -- Verse Simmonds [6-30-09]. VIRGIN ISLANDS. A hip-hop track all about getting to it by up-from-the-bootstraps musician from Puerto Rico and The Virgin Islands.

31. “Foreign Land” – Eskimo Joe – [yet to be released in US]. AUSTRALIA. A strident rock track utilizing an ancient Armenian/Turkish wind instrument called the zurna

32. “Now I’m That Bitch” – Livvi Franc [6-19-09]. BARBADOS. Feisty summer mega hit debut from 20-yr.-old R&B singer out of Barbados who claims B.I.T.C.H. = Being In Total Control of Herself.” You go, girl!

33. “Honey Bee” – Zee Avi [5-19-09]. MALAYSIA. Only 22 when she recorded her first CD – she was quickly snapped up by Jack Johnson’s new recording label -- this singer-songwriter and guitarist from Malaysia uses her sweet voice to sing old fashioned-sounding folk-pop.

34. “So Fine” – Sean Paul (5-26-09). JAMAICA. Latest hit from Jamaican dancehall superstar features big, danceable beats and Paul’s signature vocals.

35. “Drifting” – Zap Mama [5-26-09]. CONGO. Congolese founder of Zap Mama, Marie Daulne flew from her home in Belgium and spent some time in Brazil and came up with her new album from which this is the big single, an easy groover in duet with G. Love.

36. “You’re Goin’ Down” – Sick Puppies [5-19-09]. AUSTRALIA. Alternative rockers from Australia lay in on hard in this big sounding, riffing track.

37. “Life is Good” – DJ Deckstream feat. Mos Def [MySpace] JAPAN. – A positive message from Japan’s infamous DJ featuring easy duet hip-hop harmonies on top of melancholy jazz piano.

… The Following Tracks are Among the Best NEW Tracks in WORLD MUSIC but are currently unavailable on Playlist.com. Still worth checking out!...

1. “Egoista” – Belinda (feat. Pitbull) [3-23-2010]. SPAIN/MEXICO. Born in Spain and raised in Mexico City, Bleinda pairs up with Miami-based rapper, Pitbull, for this Latina pop-dance track.

2. “Karussell” – Cinnamon [3-15-2010]. SWEDEN. Dream pop from Europe, sung in Swedish.

3. “Afia” – Angelique Kidjo [4-6-2010]. BENIN. Brazil-inspired, exotic and flowing number by African vocalist from Benin ( -- the birthplace of voodoo!).

4. “Energetic” – BoA [8-31-09]. Korean-born dance queen who originally rose to stardom in Japan, Boa releases her first album in the US this summer which included this pumped-up synthed-out dance track.

5. “Move on Up” – (Curtis Mayfield) – Angelique Kidjo BENIN, AFRICA and John Legend [due in March]. A soulful duet groove with African drums and back-up vocals for texture.

6. “I Don’t Like Your Band” – Annie [10-1909]. NORWAY. Off sophomore album dance pop with cheeky attitude equals electronica pop.

7. “Help Me” – Latin Birdman featuring Valenzuela [10-6-09]. CHILE. Lead single from newest album finds Dynamic DJ from Chile pairing up with talented co-writer and Chilean guest vocalist for spare alt-sound.

8. “Enganjyani” – Somi feat. Hugh Masekela [10-27-09]. EAST AFRICA. Soft horns and percussion provide the easy backdrop for beautiful voice and flowing jazz.

9. “Lovesick” – Lindstrom & Christabelle (12-11-09]. NORWAY. Down-tempo, funky track by Norwegian pair = disco producer and songstress.

10. “Here We Come (Ready or Not)” -- Rod Carrillo & Shefali [11-10-09]. PANAMA. Hot on the electronica/dance charts, this pop rock-dance fusion track is long, repetitive and danceable, produced by South American DJ.

11. “You’re an Orgasm Addict” – Marina Celeste [10-31-09]. FRANCE. Like Marilyn Monroe, this breathy-saucy siren from Paris, sings slightly off tune and with a sassy French accent.

12. “Slumdog Millionaire” – Wyclef Jean [11-10-09] HAITI featuring Cindy Lauper. With a vague backbeat similar to the theme song but with its own hood feel, Lauper hits the melodic refrain and a Lucious LuLu solo while Wyclef raps for the meat of the track.

13. Outlandish -- “Feels Like Saving the World” [unreleased in US]. DENMARK. With a fourth album under their belt, Denmark hip-hop group blends a rock influence into this track from latest album.

14. “Perro Loco” -- Forro in the Dark [10-13-09]. BRAZIL. Party track built on upbeat Afro-Brazilian rhythms with churning guitars and riffing saxes, which mixes-in jazz and rock.