2006年VOA标准英语-World Music Seems To Becoming Global

By Suzanne Chislett
London
16 November 2006
 
watch World Music report

'World music' is a phrase used to describe songs and music that originate¹ outside Western Europe and English-speaking countries. In the past three decades it's become a genre² in its own right -- taking in the Latin beats of South America, the traditional music of India and the rhythms of Africa. But when did 'World Music' become truly global?

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		Teddy Osei

One of the groups that holds claim to popularizing World Music in western nations is Osibisa. Teddy Osei started the group after moving from Ghana to Britain 35 years ago. Unlike many popular groups from the sixties and seventies, who are content to play their original hits, the musicians of Osibisa are still busy recording³ and creating new music. 

Four decades after beginning his musical journey, Teddy Osei still loves being in the studio. Back in the '70s Osibisa -- Ghananian for 'criss-cross rhythms that explode with happiness' -- scored a major hit with 'Sunshine Day' -- a new sound to British ears.

"The elements that we put in the music, which is African, a little bit of jazz, a little bit of soul, calypso all mixed together and made it more interesting for people," he said.

The band's original line-up consisted of three Ghanaians and three Caribbean musicians.  Teddy believes that, given the activism of the time, audiences were surprised that the group focused on having fun and enjoying music.

"An all-black group could be coming up with political songs, but we didn't.   We came up with happiness, togetherness, and more rhythm, for people to enjoy dance and be happy."

The music of Osibisa was a welcome respite⁴ during the tumultuous political times of the late sixties and seventies. Throughout the years, the band has continued to influence generations of world musicians who have followed in their footsteps.

"We brought in percussion⁵ into the music. We brought in music that makes people dance and also not only dance but listen. We brought in music that makes people think about relationships and how people can forget whether they are black or white."

Osibisa has spent much of the last four decades making music and touring.

The band continues to wow audiences with its energy and style of music.

"We want to show that the music is really going somewhere different, but to us, the foundation is what has been already."

'What has been already' -- the music of Osibisa -- forms a legacy⁶ of joyful⁷ music that will likely inspire listeners for years to come.

1 originate   

vi.起源于，来自；vt.创造，创始，开创

参考例句：

• All carbohydrates originate from plants.所有的碳水化合物均来自植物。
• All theories originate from practice and in turn serve practice.任何理论都来源于实践，反过来为实践服务。

2 genre   

n.(文学、艺术等的)类型，体裁，风格

参考例句：

• My favorite music genre is blues.我最喜欢的音乐种类是布鲁斯音乐。
• Superficially,this Shakespeare's work seems to fit into the same genre.从表面上看， 莎士比亚的这个剧本似乎属于同一类型。

3 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

4 respite   

n.休息，中止，暂缓

参考例句：

• She was interrogated without respite for twenty-four hours.她被不间断地审问了二十四小时。
• Devaluation would only give the economy a brief respite.贬值只能让经济得到暂时的缓解。

5 percussion   

n.打击乐器；冲突，撞击；震动，音响

参考例句：

• In an orchestra,people who play percussion instruments sit at the back.在管弦乐队中，演奏打击乐器的人会坐在后面。
• Percussion of the abdomen is often omitted.腹部叩诊常被省略。

6 legacy   

n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西

参考例句：

• They are the most precious cultural legacy our forefathers left.它们是我们祖先留下来的最宝贵的文化遗产。
• He thinks the legacy is a gift from the Gods.他认为这笔遗产是天赐之物。

7 joyful   

adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的

参考例句：

• She was joyful of her good result of the scientific experiments.她为自己的科学实验取得好成果而高兴。
• They were singing and dancing to celebrate this joyful occasion.他们唱着、跳着庆祝这令人欢乐的时刻。