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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

andrea says ...
I love Gotan Project for their combination of Argentinian tango with the Jaimaican tradition of dub music. They're fantastic live as well!
09/15/2011 3:57:25 PM CDT
Lori Boyle says ...
Just love Putumayo's collections, Women of the World is just amazing!! Whole Food ROCKS too! A big fan from Phoenix
09/15/2011 3:59:18 PM CDT
barbara frey says ...
Am a big fan of Japanese drums. Wonder if something etherial and non-competing such as Tibetian bowl music could make an interesting combination.
09/15/2011 4:01:48 PM CDT
Roxanne Rosano says ...
Putumayo has a long tradition in world beat. Crossing my fingers.
09/15/2011 4:13:38 PM CDT
Amy says ...
gotta love Putumayo!
09/15/2011 4:28:49 PM CDT
Marian says ...
Lately, "Yemen Blues" with their combination of Sephardi and Yemenite music.
09/15/2011 4:31:59 PM CDT
Bhakti says ...
Oh, I am so new to Putumayo music but I love listening to it on the radio during my commute. :) I do remember one rainy evening hearing the best music I ever heard...a fusion of Indian Classical and Jazz...if only I could hear that again!! :)
09/15/2011 4:47:33 PM CDT
Christina says ...
Believe it or not Lil Wayne does!! :)
09/15/2011 4:47:44 PM CDT
Susan Lilly says ...
I love the Putumayo music collections ... I have several and am always pleased with their selections of artists and songs.
09/15/2011 4:48:41 PM CDT
Laura says ...
Bebo and Cigala, Lacrimas Negras. A great CD that combines Bebo Valdez piano with Diego Cigala gypsy vocals
09/15/2011 4:59:01 PM CDT
yvonne says ...
We love these CDs. Would love a chance to win more CDs to add to our music collection!!! Everyone needs more music just like shoes!
09/15/2011 5:10:01 PM CDT
Lauren R says ...
Yes: Whenever Weird Al makes a polka medley out of popular music!
09/15/2011 5:17:47 PM CDT
Lara Parent says ...
Would love to jam to this as I edit:)L
09/15/2011 5:23:05 PM CDT
Nick says ...
Peter Gabriel always mixes African rhythms and progressive rock nicely, especially on his early albums.
09/15/2011 5:46:55 PM CDT
jerry says ...
there is so much more music out there that we don't often hear in our daily lives, great way to spread the word.
09/15/2011 5:53:43 PM CDT
Limingirl says ...
I love, love, love my Putumayo. It takes me where I want to be. Never tire of it. Putumayo rules my MP3 player and my car CD player! Bring it on! Can't wait to hear it!
09/15/2011 5:56:00 PM CDT
Bruce Niedt says ...
Afro-Celt Sound System: a perfect melding of Celtic and African music that proves they are not as far apart as you might think. Some pretty danceable grooves too. Another favorite group is Banco de Gaia.
09/15/2011 5:57:03 PM CDT
Holly says ...
I enjoy Ozomatli's music a lot, and I see that I'm not the only one! I wish they came to Sacramento to play more often.
09/15/2011 6:01:25 PM CDT
Nadiya says ...
Hello everyone! My favorite song is by Caro Emerald "A Night Like This". Caro is great at combining jazz and pop music. I love the energy of this specific one. :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74LXx0wSqMI
09/15/2011 6:14:39 PM CDT
Cassondra says ...
I love listening to Salsa Around the World by Putumayo and hearing salsa music from so many different countries that are typically Latino.
09/15/2011 6:17:15 PM CDT
Nikki Scott says ...
We are always looking for new and unique music to play in our little coffeeshop in Dubois PA! We would love to have this set to showcase in our shop! Sincerly, Nikki Scott(manager) Stew's Brew Coffeehouse
09/15/2011 6:21:52 PM CDT
Mary Ann Gerhardt says ...
Chris, I love listening to the sample music at the store, but I husband doesn't want me to spend the money for the CDs. I hope to win the CD. Mary
09/15/2011 6:33:56 PM CDT
gina says ...
hmm, quite a few...I like thievery corporation, air, massive attack...i feel like they combine various styles
09/15/2011 7:03:53 PM CDT
Kim says ...
I was first introduced to Putumayo when I put the kids I babysat to bed. They had a Putumayo lullabies CD, and I loved listening to it too! Ever since then, I've enjoyed their music :)
09/15/2011 7:07:55 PM CDT
Janet Houle says ...
I love all kinds of music,it makes me happy and feel good!!!
09/15/2011 7:08:07 PM CDT

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