Think of it like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates, or maybe the Lucky Dip stall at the local A & P Show way back when. Womad 2016 is a sampler of the artists who are appearing at Taranaki's Bowl of Brooklands this year.
2016 is the 12th year international artistshave graced the Bowl stage, and once more, the line-up is sensational.
Womad 2016 sampler then is a rich dip into music from the four corners. Like the fiddle, acoustic, accordion and mandolin combo Spiro, Ester Rada, the new sound of the Middle East, from India Asha Bhosie and the Metropole Orkest, a mash up of rockabilly, avant garde jazz and Western Swing delivered with maximum passion from Hazmat Modine.
Saint Germain returns after a 15 year hiatus from touring, Calexico cross the musical boundaries with ease, Songhoy Blues bring on the sizzling guitar licks from Mali, with desert boogie at its best.
Flamenco is a highlight, thanks to Diego El Cigala, and gypsy style fire at its most incandescent.
Iranian sisters Mahsa and Marjan Yahdat tell uniquely Persian stories while John Grant mesmerises with his rich baritone voice and lush melodies.
Sixteen songs in all, of course no Womad sampler could cover all the weekend's highlights but the variety of moods, instrumental and cultures make it memorable nonetheless.
If you can't make it to New Plymouth, or you want a reminder of a special weekend of magical music Womad 2016's sampler will do the trick.
