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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

karen price says ...
I have been listening to Putumayo music for years. Its what keeps my day in the right frame of mind. I am most anxious to get the African Beat CD! Great!
09/15/2011 7:14:50 PM CDT
RosieG says ...
Music like this opens other cultures to me in ways that history or literature can't do....
09/15/2011 7:17:16 PM CDT
Paul Miller says ...
Mick Jagger & Peter Tosh: Oldies but goodies.
09/15/2011 7:22:56 PM CDT
Susie V Kaufman says ...
I've always enjoyed and appreciated every CD that Putumayo's put out over the years. Wish I still had the kind of money I used to so that I could just plain buy every single CD as it's released. This new four-CD set sounds fan-fan-fan-TAStico!
09/15/2011 7:24:31 PM CDT
Leigh Ann Eliseo says ...
I love the band oojami, which blends traditional middle eastern rhythms with electronica to create a completely unique sound. (I also am a huge fan of putumayo and I love the all of albums, especially the African ones.)
09/15/2011 7:30:06 PM CDT
Maria L. says ...
Putumayo music lets you travel the world with sounds that transcend boundaries and borders. It brings the sounds of the world to your spirit.
09/15/2011 7:30:19 PM CDT
Kris Green says ...
I love all of Putomayo's cds!!!
09/15/2011 8:03:30 PM CDT
Doreen says ...
I do not have a favorite group that showcases two different styles of music, but .... every CD published by Putamayo has been WONDERFUL!!! I give the Bedtime Songs to friends with babies on the way .... always a hit!!!
09/15/2011 8:11:22 PM CDT
Lupe says ...
I have a tendency to shop in places that offer "eclectic" merchandise and, some of these shops play music in the back ground. At times I have asked what is the name of a particular song and artist that caught my interest - the response has been "Putumayo World Music." So, needless to say, I have become a huge fan of "Putumayo World Music." Thank you Dan Storper for offering music "guaranteed to make you feel good!
09/15/2011 8:14:28 PM CDT
Jessica says ...
I'm a teacher and I love to play all the putumayo c.d.'s for my students. It's a great way for them to be exposed to different cultures!
09/15/2011 8:20:15 PM CDT
bobbi says ...
WOW - Synergistic salty sweat beats pulsing through my soul - gimmeeeeeeeeee pa-leeeeez :)
09/15/2011 8:23:06 PM CDT
Benno Kiewe says ...
Can't wait to hear African beat. Love that sound.
09/15/2011 8:24:36 PM CDT
Clarissa Duran says ...
I LOVE Putumayo!!! I have two of their CD's and would love to own another!
09/15/2011 8:32:50 PM CDT
Margaret Dozier says ...
The art on the covers of the cd's is always just as good as the music. The art work is what irst attracted me to Putamayo and made me feel sure that which ever cd I put my hands on would be great.
09/15/2011 8:41:02 PM CDT
ginny murray says ...
what an awesome win this would be. I'd love to hear all the sounds and mellow out. I really need this in my life right now with all the stress with the economy. Thanks for offer.
09/15/2011 8:46:36 PM CDT
Heidi Netherton says ...
I was in S. Africa in May. Heard some wonderful music. I would love to hear the Putumayo's New Beat CD. It would remind me of my incredible safari in Africa.
09/15/2011 8:56:22 PM CDT
John Little says ...
Love percussion. Must hear this ensemble. JL
09/15/2011 9:02:08 PM CDT
Marissa says ...
Love this music--all the CDs are great. Will be able to use this for my workout time and relaxation.
09/15/2011 9:04:53 PM CDT
Drgram says ...
It's exciting just to look forward to having a chance to be a winner. "And the beat goes on."
09/15/2011 9:06:47 PM CDT
Maria Pino says ...
Fantastics sounds come from Putumayo CDs. They are happy and upbeat.
09/15/2011 9:43:33 PM CDT
Paula says ...
Anymore I've been listening to the same instrumental only music everyday to escape, but I gave yours a try and enjoyed it and maybe do not need to escape but branch out. Thanks!
09/15/2011 9:56:45 PM CDT
Effie says ...
Thank you so much for some newwwwwwwww music.
09/15/2011 10:14:18 PM CDT
Lindsy Wallace says ...
Would love this!
09/15/2011 10:14:56 PM CDT
Ginger says ...
For years this has always been the catchiest music.I would love to have the CDs to listen to while I prepare meals and do housework!
09/15/2011 10:35:38 PM CDT
Barbara Pinder says ...
Sounds divine.
09/15/2011 10:58:16 PM CDT

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