National Geographic Music (National Geographic)

Andrew McPherson, a.k.a. eccodek, is a Canadian songwriter and producer who turned his attention to global grooves in 2003 with his release of More Africa In Us (released stateside in 2006). He describes his sound lush electronic soundscapes as an "earthy mosaic of dub, Middle Eastern, African, Asian, electronic and funk" and collaborated with musicians from Mali, Turkey, Fiji, Rwanda and India.

So it wasn't surprising when McPherson turned in an electic, globe-spanning list of influences and favorties that included like-minded fusionistas, traditionalists and even an afropop superstar. McPherson titled this playlist "fusion with soul."

Click Here To Launch Eccodek's Picks

1. Kiran Ahluwalia: "Main Dhoondta (Eternal Search)"
"A particular favorite of mine that I reworked for eccodek's upcoming Voices Have Eyes release. A haunting, sensuous declaration of love that speaks to the soul as well as the heart. Stunning."

2. Jorane: "Fragile"
"One of my favourite discoveries of the last few years, Jorane (also Canadian) has created an album of personal and passionate beauty. This particular track, while not so much a fusion of styles, brings together the fundamental power of a simple clear melody and a committed passionate performance."

3. Mercan Dede: "Ab-I Hazan"
"Again another Canadian who has taken his sense of globalism to all points of the compass. Mercan demonstrates the beauty and unearthliness that can be created when tasteful electronic treatments are fused with a powerful and haunting traditional vocal style. Hypnotizing."

4.Eccodek "Calling the Rain"
"A gem from the newly released White Swan World/Ryko album More Africa in Us, this track features Malian vocal powerhouse Samba Diallo. His buoyant, rhythmic style is only outdone by the almost-Motown soulfulness that shines through his lofty, arching melodies. It's easy to see how a voice like this could transcend any type of fusion approach."

5. Ex-Centric Sound System "West Nile Funk"
"These guys bring the global fusion concept to a new level. At one turn urban, at the next culturally pure and ethnically authentic. They represent so much of the eccodek philosophy of melding the familiar and the unfamiliar. Add to that Yossi is a monster on the bass."

6. Polynesian Himene: "The Singing Reef"
"These recordings are a much subtler example of the fusion with soul theme, I was introduced to the otherworldly choral music from the Pacific and Eastern Polynesia when hired by Calabash Music to record at the first South Pacific World Music Festival. The islands are teeming with these vocal groups that literally raise the roof in performance. Strangely disciplined traditional choral singing like you would hear in an English private school blended with island melodies and rhythms. One such performance became the core element in eccodek's 'Fan the Flames' (also to be heard on voices have eyes). Mind blowing."

7. Tabla Beat Science: "Magnetic"
"Bill Laswell's side project with Talvin Singh, Karsh Kale and others is a stunning postcard of South Asian fusion, all anchored by passionate live improvisation, intuitive studio trickery and beat science. As a huge fan of Laswell's cross border experiments this album and track in particular are glowing examples of how the soulfulness of another culture's music can be expanded when the borders are removed."

8. Martina Topley-Bird: "Anything"
"I've been a fan of hers since her early days with Tricky. She possesses a singularly soulful, world-weary voice that I never tire of. Her melding of American soul and smoky dub production on this track still feels miles ahead of her peers in terms of fusionist artistry. The whole album smokes for that matter but the opening cut is a stunner."

9. King Sunny Adé: "Synchro System"
"I was first introduced to him and his virtual orchestra back in the 80's at a marathon perfomance in Toronto, and I was instantly hooked. Not only does he possess a beautifully affecting, soulful voice but the grooves and polyrhythms he and his band generate take on an almost club-like trance effect. An unlikely fusionist by any definition but a fusionist nonetheless."

10. Mansa Sissoko: "Dambe"
"Coming from a long line of what Malians call the griot tradition, this talented kora player and singer is also an eccodek collaborator. Mansa possesses that rare musical quality wherein his cultural musical voice is never lost in whatever collaborative or fusionist project he takes on. He sings like he looks in pictures, completely joyful, engaged at the soul level and infinitely capable of surprising you with his creativity."