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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

lisbet says ...
Portishead sampled jazz in a really interesting way. I also recently heard a band called Jazzmatazz who combine rap with jazz. A lot of contemporary kirtan combines electronic influences in an interesting way. I love love love Putumayo CDs btw.
09/14/2011 8:36:05 PM CDT
Angie says ...
My Husband is such a Fan of this music! I hope I win and then I can surprise him with it!
09/14/2011 8:36:33 PM CDT
Mary says ...
Tareq Abboushi and Shusmo blend Arabic music with elements of funk, swing-happy jazz and Latin rhythms. I really like the combination!
09/14/2011 8:36:57 PM CDT
Sarena says ...
I love to travel, listen to music and dance. What better way to do all 3 than to listen to Putumayo’s New "Beat" CDs.
09/14/2011 8:37:53 PM CDT
Cindy says ...
Cuban music and Cuban food, simply the best!
09/14/2011 8:38:29 PM CDT
ev says ...
Have always enjoyed Putumayo's beat
09/14/2011 8:38:45 PM CDT
Germaine Harrison says ...
Great music,I hope to win.
09/14/2011 8:39:45 PM CDT
M says ...
I like many kinds of music. At home, I often put a CD in and let my preschooler drum along on pots and pans.
09/14/2011 8:40:53 PM CDT
Lisa Wood says ...
Would lovew to listen to get me out of the blues when the clouds settle in for good....so long sunshine...c'ya next summer!
09/14/2011 8:41:05 PM CDT
Tamara Levine says ...
Sergent Garcia has a wonderful salsa/hip-hop/reggae/jazz sound! Great music!
09/14/2011 8:41:46 PM CDT
Susie Keat says ...
As someone who works with musicians and performers for a living, I can attest to the healing and life-affirming power of good music. I'm looking forward to hearing this new compilation -- music is food for the soul, and big thanks to Whole Foods for providing it!
09/14/2011 8:42:12 PM CDT
Howard Cobbs says ...
African Beat and Latin Beat sounds great! Ever since Simon and Garfunkel did their African beat cd I have been hooked on the rhythm and style and there is nothing more upbeat then Latin music...Showing my age I felll in love with Getz/Gilberto's One note Samba and the rest was history!
09/14/2011 8:42:28 PM CDT
Michelle C says ...
Love Zero 7 & Hooverphonic. <3
09/14/2011 8:42:59 PM CDT
Clara says ...
Sounds great! I would love to win this! <3
09/14/2011 8:43:11 PM CDT
Ariana says ...
I'm always looking for new great tunes and would love to add these new "beats" to my collection. Plus Sept 21 is my birthday, so it would be a great present.
09/14/2011 8:43:29 PM CDT
LeahG says ...
always something new...
09/14/2011 8:43:58 PM CDT
sura sevastopoulos says ...
This set would be a great gift for my husband, the drummer, who plays all of these beats and is passionate about world music...perhaps because he was born in Istanbul, raised in Greece, by a father who loved Latin music, and has traveled to West Africa. He deserves it.
09/14/2011 8:44:01 PM CDT
Melissa says ...
This is music that definitely relaxes the soul!
09/14/2011 8:44:10 PM CDT
Lisa Mirman says ...
World Playground is a mainstay in our children's listening and dancing choices...smile! (-;
09/14/2011 8:45:01 PM CDT
Rosemary Clark says ...
Collaboration between 2 distinct music styles? I've enjoyed Laura Love's music, and also Paul Simon's. I still play the Putamayo "Dreamland" CD to help my now 10-yr-old daughter get to sleep at night, and I still love it after all these years. Thanks for having this contest.
09/14/2011 8:46:03 PM CDT
Charla Carey says ...
With the drastic budget cuts to education and in particular to the arts, I would really use these amazing CDs for my middle school students who are suffering greatly at this time in our history. Kodaly said that we have to feed the whole child, not only with nutritional food, but with spiritual food for the soul. This music would serve the lives I touch for everyone has a music mother tongue as well as a spoken language.
09/14/2011 8:46:16 PM CDT
Meg says ...
I first heard your music selections while at a store in Asheville NC. Bought the world reggae mix and everytime I play it I get compliments!
09/14/2011 8:46:21 PM CDT
Cheryl says ...
My kids and I love the Putumayo cd's. They make great gifts, too. Can't wait to hear these new beats!
09/14/2011 8:46:40 PM CDT
Jim H. says ...
Collaborations? How about Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler? Great Guitar Music.
09/14/2011 8:47:22 PM CDT
Lara says ...
Love it!
09/14/2011 8:48:21 PM CDT

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