Real World 25

Liner Note Author: Jane Cornwell.
Photographers: Douglas Kirkland; Dave Peabody; Steve Pyke; Sheila Rock; Cristina Piza; Craig Oddy; Steve J. Sherman; York Tillyer; Kevin Westenberg; Henry Diltz; Andrew Catlin; Pete Williams ; BJ Stewart; Frank Drake; Emmanuelle Bernard; Anton Corbijn.
Peter Gabriel's groundbreaking Real World label celebrates a quarter-century of eclectic international releases and inspired collaborations with the three-disc anthology Real World 25. Having already established himself as a major supporter of world music through his own recordings and the development of the popular WOMAD music and arts festivals, Gabriel launched Real World in 1989. Over the coming decades, the label was responsible for introducing international artists like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Afro Celt Sound System, Ayub Ogada, Sheila Chandra, Papa Wemba, and many more to a worldwide audience. Not content to simply exist as a worldbeat label, Gabriel was intent on releasing passionate music sourced from around the globe whether it be obscure folk chants, gospel, rock, or classical. From American singer/songwriter Joseph Arthur to Finnish folk stars Värttinä, the label's roster is made up of creative artists working distinctly outside of conventional pop markets. ~ Timothy Monger