“Sounds of a Better World” is not your typical dance music compilation, but it has spawned one of this year’s best dance singles, Martha Wash’s “Listen To The People”. Actually “Sounds of a Better World” is not a dance album at all, in the traditional sense of the word. “Sounds of A Better World” is far more a world beat gospel inspired theatrical release from the creative mind of Jim Papoulis who composed it.

Both the sales of the recordings and the benefit concert earlier this year at Carnegie Hall in New York will support The Foundation For Small Voices, which plans to bring both awareness and funding to programs focusing on the importance of child development as a key to our global future. Such charities include "Side By Side", a NY based organization designed to cultivate leadership skills and foster social awareness; "Tomorrow's Children", a NJ based organization that provides programs and services to children with cancer; and "St. Christopher's, Inc." whose goals are to provide family reunification for foster children.

All of the tracks are inspirational in nature and feature an eclectic mix of voices that include Martha Wash, Wendy Moten, Matt Goss, David Baker, and a myriad of various choirs from all over the world. There is even a symphonic performance by the University of Miami Symphony Orchestra (my alumni, Go Canes!).