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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

Whitney Carlson says ...
Gypsy Groove is one of my favorites!!!
09/18/2011 11:48:01 AM CDT
debbie says ...
My kids love the Putumayo CD "European Playground". We play it every morning to get ready for school.
09/18/2011 12:03:44 PM CDT
Teri Goldstein says ...
I have my own tour company, Travels with Teri, which specializes in India & Asia so I am partial to that neck of the woods! I love Ravi Shankar as his sound blends traditional India sitar with new beat compositions creating an innovative sound that is still considered classical. BTW I have Putumayo's India which is fantastic!
09/18/2011 12:20:23 PM CDT
Elizabeth Black says ...
Love this label !
09/18/2011 1:14:09 PM CDT
crabpaws says ...
I've always loved Ry Cooder.
09/18/2011 1:22:52 PM CDT
Wendy Hays says ...
LOVE Putamayo! There are two blends I'd like to see: From the Atlantic/Caribbean, Cuban rhythm mixed with From the Pacific, Hawaiian rhythm. The other mix: Hawaiian strains blended with the Middle East. From an early adopter, Cheers!
09/18/2011 3:19:45 PM CDT
Lauri Krysl says ...
I would love to win this for a friend that just absolutely loves Latin music. I might just buy it anyway.
09/18/2011 5:42:33 PM CDT
Jeannine says ...
I love Putumayo, and I'd love to win this!
09/18/2011 7:44:28 PM CDT
Gary Larson says ...
i like to run to a variety of music. i hpe go get the chance to run to the interesting sounding beat of Putumayo! In Good Health,
09/18/2011 9:01:04 PM CDT
Mary R. Lynn says ...
very motivating
09/19/2011 12:45:50 AM CDT
Jennifer says ...
I think Santana's music is an amazing blend of music with Latin, calypso, and contemporary genres. He has his own unique style & his duets with contemporary artists are wonderful. He is a classic and talented songwriter.
09/19/2011 4:00:57 AM CDT
Gracie says ...
I also enjoy diff. Music style combinations such as Bally Jagpal and M.I.A, makes for an interesting listen. Love Whole Foods, and hope to win this!
09/19/2011 8:53:32 AM CDT
Melanie Bergmann says ...
We love the Animal Playground CD from Putumayo... can't wait to hear this!
09/19/2011 10:57:19 AM CDT
jane wolfson says ...
I have been a Putmayo fan for years. The CDs I buy are for me, my children and my students.
09/19/2011 11:24:41 AM CDT
Joette Anza says ...
Son who is legally deaf enjoys all of these Beats and low tones Would be great for him ....
09/19/2011 12:22:12 PM CDT
Shelly says ...
I love this kind of music and would totally get into winning the cd's!
09/19/2011 12:42:38 PM CDT
Laura says ...
I always get so many compliments from friends at all my reunions and parties and get togethers for "my great music selection"- Thanks to Putumayo!! I would LOVE to win this collection of what I think to be, another great collection of music. Check out Sueno Mama-Roberto Pomeda, and Cafe de Flore- Doctor Rockit
09/19/2011 12:57:55 PM CDT
Karen Howard says ...
This sounds very interesting.
09/19/2011 1:52:38 PM CDT
cynthia says ...
Can't wait to hear it
09/19/2011 2:03:53 PM CDT
niceintel1@msn.com says ...
I have a couple of your CD's and I love the sound. It is authentic music that has brought lots of happy moments at home and during trips! Thank you! Miguel Valenzuela
09/19/2011 3:20:26 PM CDT
Diana says ...
So many titles, too many to list, "Salsa Around the World" and "Asian Groove" rank #1. So do the Latin and African ones. I use drumming as part of my classes and I think these will work well. I like "fusion" music.Flamenco and middle eastern, taiko with industrial, these CD's sound really intriguing.
09/19/2011 3:37:28 PM CDT
Tony Larios says ...
I have been listening to the putumayo CDs for a long time, my daughters and my grand daughters also listen to them. we just love putumayo's music.
09/19/2011 3:53:24 PM CDT
Marie says ...
I have several Putamayo CDs in my collection already. Since I am a fan of Ibrahim Ferrer and Cuban music, and I am intrigued with contemporary African music, I'll have to check these new offereings out! Thanks for bringing this music to us.
09/19/2011 6:15:07 PM CDT
Shannon says ...
The reggae-infused "Man Down" by Rhianna.
09/19/2011 7:32:43 PM CDT
Chris says ...
I love Putumayo...can't wait to hear what's next!
09/19/2011 9:39:28 PM CDT

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