Rough Guide to World Lullabies

Lullabies exist in every land and every culture, and this collection is a pleasingly paced tour around the world. “Drume Negrita” is gently intoned by the well-known Cuban singer Omara Portuondo as she's accompanied by jazzy guitar. Some of the planet's most soothing sounds come from the Pacific islands, and Kalei Napalapalai & Terii Tumahai’s “Tira No Tahiti” is a good way to be sent off to dreamland. Ali Farka Touré and Toumani Diabaté’s instrumental “Naweye Toro” features the intertwining guitar and kora stylings of two masters. The raucous “P’t*t Galop Our Mamou” by Cajun fiddler and singer Michel Doucet might not put a baby to sleep, but it sounds great. One of the most modern cuts is “Torre Das Merces,” a lovely ambient piece by the Brazilian band Axial. Hasmik Harutyunyan and The Shoghaken Ensemble’s “Nazei Oror” and Lucilla Galeazzi’s “Lu Gattu La Sonava La Zamponga” both have a melancholy intensity, betraying deep roots in Armenia and Italy, respectively. The 10 bonus tracks are by the Zimbabwe-based a cappella group The Black Umfolosi 5.