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Putumayo’s New “Beat”

By Dan Storper, September 7, 2011  |  Meet the Blogger  |  More Posts by Dan Storper
Read on for a chance to win a 4-CD set from Putumayo’s Beat series and Groove series. Dan Storper is the CEO and Founder of Putumayo World Music. Putumayo continues its exploration of contemporary world music with the launch of a new "Beat" series, which follows in the footsteps of the successful “Groove” series. New releases African Beat and Latin Beat highlight the exciting blends of world music and electronica, R&B and more coming out of studios in Europe, America, Africa and Latin America. These releases are available at most Whole Foods Market stores. On Latin Beat, we explore funky new blends of Latin music, in which electronic beats, hip-hop flavors, DJ remixes and cutting-edge grooves are fused effortlessly with Colombian cumbia, Cuban son, Mexican banda, Spanish flamenco, Afro-Peruvian roots music and more. Cuban band Moneda Dura adds the voice of Buena Vista Social Club legend Ibrahim Ferrer to a catchy breakbeat sound. Colombians Jontre and Mariposa Solar demonstrate how effortlessly groundbreaking Latin musicians are using traditional rhythms in a contemporary pop context. Spain's Digitano takes Gypsy flamenco instrumentation and layers on electronic effects. These collaborations between modern Cuban groups and Cuban legends provide insight into how Latin music has managed to stay as popular and relevant today as it was 50 years ago. On African Beat, Putumayo features artists who are as likely to have traditional African drumming, soukous and mbaqanga on their IPods as they are the latest European dubstep and R&B. These tracks reveal that even in this globalized, hi-tech world, the divide between the past and the future is not as great as it may seem. Songs by musicians with deep connections to their roots, including Vieux Farka Touré and Les Barons, are remixed and reworked by Western DJs. The music of South Africa's Busi Mhlongo, Senegal's Lëk Sèn and Malian/French group Donso reveals how hip-hop, electronica and other urban musical styles have been incorporated into traditional African music, taking it in surprising new directions. We hope you give these new sounds a listen. Do you have a favorite song or group that showcases collaboration between two distinct music styles? Let us know what it is in the comments below for a chance to win a 4-CD set from Putumayo’s Beat series (African Beat and Latin Beat) and Groove series. (Arabic Groove and Turkish Groove). Comment by September 21st for a chance to win. We’ll choose one comment at random to receive the CDs.
Category: Music

 

1,011 Comments

Comments

Surya says ...
would love to win this one so I could use it in my preschool music class to expose the kids to world music.
09/14/2011 8:19:58 PM CDT
Donna says ...
I would like to listen to this new music. Thank you for enter me.
09/14/2011 8:20:20 PM CDT
Jackie says ...
We love the Putumayo series'. Can't wait to check this one out!
09/14/2011 8:20:27 PM CDT
raymond says ...
great rhythm and beat makes for a relaxing day
09/14/2011 8:20:31 PM CDT
Jackie says ...
My kids love to dance to the Putumayo music. Can't wait to hear this.
09/14/2011 8:21:17 PM CDT
Nancy says ...
I love world beat!
09/14/2011 8:21:54 PM CDT
Latoyia Baskerville Smith says ...
Me and my daughter love all the Putumayo collections!
09/14/2011 8:22:11 PM CDT
Kat Schwartz says ...
I was born is south africa and therefore have loved paul simon's graceland album.
09/14/2011 8:23:31 PM CDT
Mia Bean says ...
We love the Jamican version of No More Monkeys Jumpin on the Bed. My kids love it!
09/14/2011 8:23:49 PM CDT
Patricia Cook says ...
I would so love to win this!!! Love you Whole Foods!
09/14/2011 8:26:15 PM CDT
Christina D. says ...
My favorite band of all time is The Clash along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly. Love them. Also love Putamayo for bringing world music into a wider spectrum, this Beat series sounds very cool! Thanks for the chance at giveaway.
09/14/2011 8:26:18 PM CDT
Elaine says ...
I teach music and love using Putumayo's CDs with my classes.
09/14/2011 8:26:56 PM CDT
Ingrid says ...
Putumayo does a great job educating about different cultures through beautiful music, the universal language.
09/14/2011 8:27:37 PM CDT
Chloe says ...
Listening to the African Beat makes me get up and move! Love it!
09/14/2011 8:28:35 PM CDT
Don Spates says ...
This is the go-to source if you want other than tin pan alley.
09/14/2011 8:28:54 PM CDT
Patricia Cook says ...
I would so love to win this. Thanks for the chance!!
09/14/2011 8:29:06 PM CDT
Lynne says ...
I love Putumayo's music. I have about 6 albums, of which several are New Orleans music. My favorites are Zydeco songs, which incorporate Cajun and African rhythms.
09/14/2011 8:29:13 PM CDT
Annie says ...
drumming is primal and sinks deep into the soul no matter where it is from. Brings us all back to our roots.
09/14/2011 8:29:29 PM CDT
Erica Morrell says ...
I am sorry, but I cannot pick just one favorite artist or song! I love all of it, and enjoy the many Putumayo CDs I already have! Thanks for the chance to win this one, I'd love to add to my collection and build up my list of songs for my wedding next fall!
09/14/2011 8:29:42 PM CDT
Amanda says ...
love the african beat
09/14/2011 8:30:09 PM CDT
Alison says ...
As a music teacher, I use so many Putamayo CD's in my curriculum. Would love to add to the repertoire!
09/14/2011 8:31:55 PM CDT
Suzanne Heneghan says ...
I love Paul Simon - he often combines the best of pop music with African Beat for an eclectic mix - I love it!
09/14/2011 8:32:24 PM CDT
Kelly says ...
I got the chance to see Vieux Farka Touré at the Chicago stop of the Dave Matthews Band Caravan in July. He put on quite the set. It was a great example of how music transcends language, heritage & class. I prefer music that has few lyrics or lyrics in a different language. Cuban artist, Segundo Compay & Paris based tango musicians, Gotan Project are some of my other favorites. I love the Putumayo collections! When I worked at Natural Wonders 14 years ago, they would sell & play their collections in the store. They were by far my favorite & I was ecstatic to find them on the web a short time ago when I finally figured out what they were called. Thank you! Music is art!!
09/14/2011 8:32:57 PM CDT
Andrea Wolf says ...
The set sounds fantastic. Can't wait to hear it. I have so many other Putumayo's ....I love them all!
09/14/2011 8:34:29 PM CDT
Anna says ...
I fell in love with Putumayo when my first child (of 3) was born seven years ago. All the children's collections are wonderful. It is so great to expose kids to the different cultures through the beautiful music!
09/14/2011 8:35:02 PM CDT

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