The compilation was produced by Phil Stanton, co-founder of the World Music Network.

Paul Fisher compiled the tracks and wrote the liner notes, and Duncan Baker coordinated the project.

[2] Robert Christgau called it "crass" even by the standards of the series, and "at least as edutaining as Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?".

[3] Writing for JazzTimes, Josef Woodard called it "as much a treat for the ears as it is a challenge to our preconceptions".

[4] Both Christgau and Woodard contrasted the record with the 20-CD Music of Indonesia series by Smithsonian Folkways, comparing the latter's ethnomusicological focus with the Rough Guide's pop overtones.