Milo Miles

Guest critic Milo Miles has a primer on world music, and he examines why it should, by all rights, be more popular in the U.S. than it is. Miles is the former rock critic for The Boston Phoenix.

World music critic Milo Miles introduces us to the music of Cheb Khaled. Khaled is a leading performer of Raï, a type of music popular in Algeria.

Fresh Air's world music explorer Milo Miles introduces us to Soukous (sue-cooes), pop music from Zaire.

World music aficionado Milo Miles explores the world of the new tango, and reviews the latest album from the new tango's leading proponent, Argentinian accordionist Astor Piazzolla.

World music commentator Milo Miles reviews David Byrne's "Brazil Classics" series and talks about the recent trend among Western rock stars to borrow rhythms and singers from the musical traditions of Africa, the Near East, and South America. He asks whether this is valuable exposure for little-known musicians or a form of exploitation.

World music commentator Milo Miles explains how Peter Gabriel transformed folk music of the Middle East into the world pop sound that became the soundtrack for Scorsese's film "The Last Temptation of Christ."

World Music critic Milo Miles takes a look at the music of two Latin American singers who live as ex-patriots: Celia Cruz and La Lupe. And he considers how being an ex-patriot can influence a singer's work.

Milo Miles plays some international dance singles, and speculates on their chances to make it as hits in America.

World music critic Milo Miles looks at the music of Tanzania, and he reviews the new album by Tanzanian musician, Remmy Ongala.

World Music Commentator Milo Miles reviews the music of Yugoslavian Jova "Besir" Stojiljkovic (YO-va BEE-sheer stoya-KOL-vich) and his brass orchestra.