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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

Isabel says ...
Kronos Quartet - Pieces of Africa
09/17/2011 11:02:07 AM CDT
Liz says ...
paul simon. folk, african, musical theatre--he does it all.
09/17/2011 11:28:52 AM CDT
Karen says ...
likewise this reminds me of the sounds of Paul Simon's Graceland album.
09/17/2011 1:48:38 PM CDT
Ron Jurkschat says ...
I really enjoy the sound of Femi Kuti and his backup band. The combination of african beat and funk soul horn arrangements makes me wonder what James Brown would have done as a stand in guest performer.
09/17/2011 1:52:20 PM CDT
Chris McGowan says ...
We have enjoyed Putumayo's CD's for many years and the music is energizing. We would love to win a 4-CD set. Thank you for the opportunity.
09/17/2011 1:58:23 PM CDT
Stephen Craft says ...
Oh, where to start. Professor Trance and the Energizers combines African and Trance. Delerium is African Celtic and AfroCelt is similar. Johnny Clegg is African combined with many styles.
09/17/2011 2:11:49 PM CDT
betsy kain says ...
Their music is terrific! I play one CD over and over. Maybe this canare helping us work on increasing world peace so desperately needed right now. Thank you. betsy
09/17/2011 2:28:26 PM CDT
betsy kain says ...
Their music is terrific! I play one CD over and over. Maybe this can amd are helping us work on increasing world peace so desperately needed right now. Thank you. betsy
09/17/2011 2:33:02 PM CDT
F Cohen says ...
Yeah for another album!
09/17/2011 3:48:40 PM CDT
Cecelia Thornton says ...
Not sure that it's a collaboration between distinct styles but I love Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masakela together, or solo for that matter. Wonderful, soulful music.
09/17/2011 5:20:52 PM CDT
Jan says ...
If I don't win, I'll just have to buy them!
09/17/2011 5:32:05 PM CDT
Tracee says ...
clann n drumma!
09/17/2011 6:01:17 PM CDT
Greg Forbush says ...
I like the music of Leo Kottke and when his unique style is combined with the efforts of Phish bassist Mike Gordon it makes for some amazing sounds.
09/17/2011 6:04:14 PM CDT
Patty McCabe says ...
new music ! how fun
09/17/2011 6:18:33 PM CDT
lori says ...
I love Playing for Change! The songs around the world concept is wonderful. The videos are top quality. If you're not familiar with PFC, check them out on YouTube...you won't be disappointed.
09/17/2011 7:19:38 PM CDT
Lin Huntting Congdon says ...
Sounds like a new "world beat", and I look forward to hearing more.
09/17/2011 7:48:57 PM CDT
Sharon says ...
Look forward to the new music
09/17/2011 9:04:31 PM CDT
sabine says ...
Love Whole Foods, Love Putamayo music, lived in Africa for 7 years for humanitarian work, am European, and absolutely love world music!
09/17/2011 9:48:14 PM CDT
Grethel Mendez de Sanchez says ...
Putumayo is doing a Wonderful work by supporting worldwide music. Music enriches our lives making every day just great! At the same time, thanks to Putumayo, we can learn so much about every region in the world's culture.
09/17/2011 10:34:19 PM CDT
sherri davis says ...
I have owned and continue to listen to the sound of putanamayo from Cuba to Mala and beyond and the distincttive sound of Abraham Ferrer and the Buena Vista Social Club for a long time.
09/17/2011 11:28:36 PM CDT
judy S says ...
As a music teacher in the poorest Congressional district in the U.S., I hope I win! Our resources are drained, and teachers are put upon to buy more for students than in any other ye/ar. P.S. We are hoping to do some drumming this year, so th community is paying special attention as to how we overcome pain together.
09/18/2011 1:02:52 AM CDT
Sita says ...
I've never heard Putumayo but they seem fantastic, and judging from all the comments I will definitely have to pick up their albums!
09/18/2011 1:09:25 AM CDT
Abigail Cary says ...
I love the group Rupa and the April Fishes. They combine North American, South American, European, and lots of other types of "sounds" to create truly groovy music. Here's a link to their website: http://theaprilfishes.com/about.html
09/18/2011 7:46:21 AM CDT
Ilianna says ...
Tito Puente has always been a favorite. Recently saw Sheila E and remembered her talent a well.
09/18/2011 7:48:15 AM CDT
susan wesely says ...
I am interested in all typeof music, especially music from different parts of the world. Music from different parts of the world opens up your interest in different cultures which is very important to me.
09/18/2011 7:55:19 AM CDT

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