New Music: Putumayo’s Australia

The compositions on Putumayo’s latest release, Australia, represent some of the cultural song-lines connecting the people of Australia and the rest of the world. Read on for a chance to win Putumayo’s Australia and Australia Playground CDs.

Read on for a chance to win Putumayo’s Australia and Australia Playground CDs, available in most Whole Foods Market Stores. Dan Storper is the CEO and founder of Putumayo World Music.

Putomayo Australia

Known by affectionate nicknames such as “The land down under” and “OZ,” Australia is home to surreal landscapes, unique flora and fauna and mystical indigenous cultures. Its pop, country and rock music scene has bred scores of international stars. The compositions on Putumayo’s latest release, Australia opens in a new tab, represent some of the cultural song-lines connecting the people of Australia and the rest of the world.The atmosphere of Australia’s beach and surfing communities proved fertile ground for international sounds such as reggae, ska and even African soukous. Since the world music boom in the 1980s, musicians of all walks of life have adopted the didgeridoo after being transfixed by its haunting sound and deep spiritual resonance.

Australia has produced a number of worldwide stars, among them Men At Work’s Colin Hay and The Waifs, who both have songs exploring Australian life featured on this new collection. Australia also features music depicting the Aboriginal experience of finding one’s place in modern Australia. By contrast, it also showcases the laid-back lifestyle of the Gold Coast. The collection of these songs bring to light the diverse cultures that have created the Australia we know today.

Australia includes a recipe for Lamingtons, a traditional Australian dessert cake. Named after Lord Lamington, the governor of Queensland, Australia between 1896 and 1901, lamingtons are small sponge cake squares dipped in chocolate and coated with dried coconut. Bake up a batch while you have the CD playing and immerse yourself in the spirit of Australia.

Putumayo will contribute 1% of its sales of this CD to Yalari, a non-profit organization providing secondary school scholarships to Australian indigenous children from remote areas of Australia.

Are you ready to visit Australia through its music? Share your experiences with Australian music and culture in the comments below by July 16 for a chance to win Putumayo’s Australia and Australia Playground CDs!

The fine print: No purchase necessary. Promotion ends July 16, 2014, 11:59 PM CDT. Must be a legal resident of the US or Canada (except in Quebec, where it is void) age 18 or older to participate. Taxes on prize, if applicable, are the responsibility of the winner. Employees of Whole Foods Market, Inc., are not eligible. Void where prohibited.

 

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