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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

anne says ...
Love ALL the PUTUMAYO'S compilations!!
09/15/2011 12:27:07 PM CDT
Cheri Knopinski says ...
Love our Putumayo CD's. There is nothing like surprising guests at our cabin with a Putumayo..French music, compilations, love them all.
09/15/2011 12:29:14 PM CDT
Jen says ...
Collaborations often bring out the best in two music styles. One of my recent favorites is Kid Cudi & MGMT.
09/15/2011 12:30:46 PM CDT
Tommy Fitzgerald says ...
Carlos Santana is the master!
09/15/2011 12:39:00 PM CDT
sharon says ...
I like the gypsy groove and the asian groove..my favs so far
09/15/2011 12:39:03 PM CDT
Chrissy Bender says ...
I'd love to win this! It looks great.
09/15/2011 12:40:21 PM CDT
kelli mcclendon says ...
The description of the music is wonderful. Im so excited about this CD.This just spells dance and fun. If I dont win it I will deffinately go buy it. Thank you
09/15/2011 12:43:18 PM CDT
Michele says ...
I always find music fusion a creative piece of art! I still remember how radical Tommy was when the Who created the rock opera fusion!
09/15/2011 12:48:34 PM CDT
Jaime Waller says ...
Afro Celt is one of my favorites.
09/15/2011 12:48:47 PM CDT
johanna moquin says ...
I recently 'found' Raul Malo-he plays incredible cuban music and also has the sound of ballads with a Mexican flare. Try him out-wonderful
09/15/2011 12:53:28 PM CDT
kristine s. torrea says ...
even though I don't have little kids anymore, I still love the kiddie version of Putumayo
09/15/2011 12:54:39 PM CDT
Jennifer Hahalis says ...
I love the Yoga CD from Putumayo and would love to try some new music!
09/15/2011 1:00:38 PM CDT
Christine Favus says ...
I rely on you to make the great combos, but I'd love a chance to win the CDs.
09/15/2011 1:03:36 PM CDT
Juliann says ...
Putumayo's World Playground was one of my children's first CDs. Always great mixes and a wonderful way to be introduced to new music.
09/15/2011 1:04:39 PM CDT
Colleen Manganello says ...
I love using the different sounds from Putumayo. I'm a teacher and use the different CD's to expose my students to different cultures, through music. I also have used the CD's for a backdrop to my many "themed" parties.
09/15/2011 1:05:50 PM CDT
Maryann says ...
I have been yearning to hear a new genre of music that I can use for both relaxation/meditation as well as for just lifting my mood. I would love to win this set. Thanks for the opportunity.
09/15/2011 1:09:22 PM CDT
regina wilson says ...
love this music!!
09/15/2011 1:13:02 PM CDT
Stephanie Langenfeld says ...
I'm not sure what kind of blend it is exactly, but Yeasayer seems to be a great mix of modern indie rock with some "world" music sounds.
09/15/2011 1:20:38 PM CDT
Angie W says ...
Ooo, this music sounds so cool. I can't think of anything I love that combines two musical styles, but I'm excited to listen to these guys!
09/15/2011 1:20:55 PM CDT
Louis Wigley says ...
One of my favorite artists is the South African Johnny Clegg who mixes traditional Zulu music with western rock and jazz.
09/15/2011 1:26:27 PM CDT
Lorie says ...
Love the Putumayo collections! Been listening to them for over 15 years now.
09/15/2011 1:31:22 PM CDT
Lynette says ...
Louis Mhlanga's Album "World Traveller" was a great collaboration of musicians across continents. Other great fusion sounds came from musicians like Paul Simon with his "Graceland" album and Sting's "The Dream of the Blue Turtle" when he had jazz and pop musicians featured. Music is Universal! I have enjoyed Putumayo's collections over the years.
09/15/2011 1:40:51 PM CDT
Caroline B. says ...
I really enjoy listening to these ethnic compilations.
09/15/2011 1:44:44 PM CDT
Ed says ...
I have a real interest in African art and music. I look forward to and will certainly enjoy listening to the music on these CDs.
09/15/2011 1:44:47 PM CDT
Sue says ...
Putumayo puts out the best music!! I love listening to new music I discover on their compilations. Keep them coming to us and the beat goes on, and on!!....
09/15/2011 1:48:42 PM CDT

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