IT'S a common misconception by the uninitiated that the term 'world music' refers solely to material such as Bulgarian folk tunes and Mongolian yak hunting songs. Indeed the stereotypical image of a 'world music' devotee is not dissimilar to that of your typival sixties folkie, with beard, pipe and the ubiquitous Arran sweater.

Well for a couple of months now I've been receiving albums on Virgin's 'Real World' label, and whilst I haven't got round to mentioning them before, they are all albums that are seldon away from my music system. The latest offering 'Gifted' is a twelve track 'sampler' featuring some exquisite music by some of the genre's top female singers (although most of them will be largely unheard of to British audiences).

What is different about this Real World series is the production. Now I know a lot of purists are gonna grumble that these aren't authentic 'field' recordings, but when you get something this good...who cares? I liken it to the early seventies when Planxty became one of the first Irish bands to benefit from recording in a state of the art studio with a top producer. I don't really want to hear music this good recorded on a dictaphone out in the sticks, I want it to be given the best treatment possible.

If you've been avoiding 'world music' because of its 'folkie' connotations or simply because you don't know where to start, then let me thoroughly recomend this album to you. There's music from countries like Mali, Tibet, Greece and India, but it is all given a sumptuous production. You'll soon be hooked.

Incidentally, other releases on the label include Nusret Ali Fateh Khan, Gopal Shankar Misra and someone completely new to me...Joi. If you trust me, go into yur local music store and get them all. If you can't afford it, or want a sampler first, then get the 'Gifted' album.

And don't forget to email me, thanking me for the tip.