Cat No IRM862CD

A new set from one of the World’s ultimate fashion destinations, Corso Como in Milano.

Taking inspiration from the huge cultural diversity of the countries and cultures bounding the Mediterranean Sea, ‘Mare Nostrum’ presents 24 tracks from a wide diversity of artists with some link (albeit sometimes tenuous) to the adjacent shores; so here we see Lili Boniche, Souad massi and Natacha Atlas lined up with Balkan Beat Box, Serge Gainsbourg and Mayra Andrade.

This makes no attempt at being a definitive World Music compilation, nor to be up-to-date; but what this set does offer is a beautiful selection of some fine tracks, making for a couple of hours’ worth of adventurous listening.

With an all-defining booklet in English (and a separate one in Italian) offering informed and meticulous artist biographies, this one’s a must-have quality package.