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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

Eddy says ...
Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan
09/14/2011 7:44:49 PM CDT
DAVID D. BAKER says ...
Excited to hear the music !
09/14/2011 7:45:14 PM CDT
Terry says ...
I've always enjoyed everything I've heard from Putumayo ... I love drumming and I love any type of world beat music. I especially enjoy the African music of Oliver Mtukudzi. This sounds like a wonderful compilation that I would love to own. Thank you for the chance of winning this.
09/14/2011 7:45:44 PM CDT
Pete says ...
Sounds like a great collection!
09/14/2011 7:47:23 PM CDT
Sarah Fishburn says ...
Fishtank Ensemble. But they cover MORE than two distinct styles!
09/14/2011 7:48:17 PM CDT
carla parsi says ...
Putumayo Music always produces the perfect sounds and traditions of the world. Exceptional music,
09/14/2011 7:48:37 PM CDT
Linda says ...
This will really date me, but I have always loved Paul Simon's collaboration with the Incan music of Urubamba.... I was fortunate to have seen him play with them live in Binghamton, NY many decades ago. The Incan panpipe flutes have such a beautifully haunting sound.
09/14/2011 7:51:10 PM CDT
Odarka Stockert says ...
Love WHole foods and Puntumayo Recordings!!! Thanks!
09/14/2011 7:52:13 PM CDT
Barb says ...
I love the cd's that Putumayo puts out! They are great because I'm always hearing something that is new to me. I don't think I really new what world music was until I came across their cd's. And they keep coming out with more- way to go!
09/14/2011 7:52:39 PM CDT
Richard Brandt says ...
Well, you know, you can't beat Aerosmith and Run-DMC on "Walk This Way." But, seriously, big fan of Putumayo's collections here.
09/14/2011 7:53:38 PM CDT
Mary says ...
I love Putumayo! I have many playlists with music from their compilations -- some for working out, some for cooking, and some for gentle "mood" music.
09/14/2011 7:54:10 PM CDT
Kim Sandoval says ...
Paul Simon's Graceland is one of my all-time favorite albums
09/14/2011 7:55:06 PM CDT
Helen H says ...
Love Putumayo!
09/14/2011 7:55:10 PM CDT
Melissa says ...
Would love to win this CD set! This is music that really relaxes the soul.
09/14/2011 7:56:36 PM CDT
Kari Ehrhardt says ...
Sounds like a wonderful, eclectic mix of African music.
09/14/2011 7:57:00 PM CDT
Kathy A. says ...
We have a set a music from a girls' school in Africa. It's the perfect music when we have a backyard patio and for listening to on long car trips. We're excited to hear this one and would love to win it for our CDcollection!
09/14/2011 7:57:06 PM CDT
liisa says ...
I've always found new favorites on these CDs.
09/14/2011 7:57:22 PM CDT
Shenandoah says ...
Our dance troupe would love to hear the Arabic Groove!
09/14/2011 7:57:50 PM CDT
Jo says ...
I love the Stray Cats. They play Rockabilly (rock and hillbilly) and swing. My favorite song of theirs is "Rock This Town."
09/14/2011 7:58:16 PM CDT
April says ...
My pre-school class travels the world to learn the alphabet, from Athens to Zambia. I love having music from the different locations that we visit to share with them. I have many Putumayo cd's already and would love to win this 4-cd set to add to the collection.
09/14/2011 8:00:34 PM CDT
Meghan says ...
Great music that I know my son would love!
09/14/2011 8:01:38 PM CDT
AC Brandt says ...
I am a big fan of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". It's a beautiful rendition.
09/14/2011 8:01:50 PM CDT
CAROL HAYES says ...
LOVE THEIR MUSIC!
09/14/2011 8:02:20 PM CDT
Piper Kirkpatrick says ...
I love these CD's. as does my daughter!
09/14/2011 8:04:20 PM CDT
Liz says ...
I really love Buena Vista Social Club and my Sirius radio is always tuned to the station Caliente.
09/14/2011 8:05:38 PM CDT

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