W♥M

Putumayo Presents Bossa Nova

PUTUMAYO PRESENTS: BOSSA NOVA Track Listings Blue Bossa - Ana Caram Quando Falas Coração - Mauricio Pessoa Ondas - Bïa Canto Das TRÊS Raças - Clara Bellar with Dori Caymmi Provas de Amor - Flávia Dantas Manhã de Carnaval - Amanda Martinez Meu Mundo É Hoje - Péri Dança Da Solidão - Yvy Maraey Te Esperei - Tamy Começa Com S - Orquestra Bamba Social Read More Putumayo This year, Putumayo is releasing Jazz Christmas, an uplifting collection of mostly instrumental jazz for the holidays. If you like World Music, chances are, you probably own a Putumayo album. They are known for compiling some of the best … Bossa Nova Astrud Gilberto, whose vocal performance on the first song she ever recorded, “The Girl From Ipanema,” helped bring the lasting wave of Brazilian bossa nova into the 1960’s mainstream, died on Monday at the age of 83. …

We are big fans of the Putumayo World Music record label and it’s good to know that after thirty years the label is still highlighting music from around the globe with Bossa Nova being its latest issue.

In 1993 Dan Storper, owner of a successful line of Latin American handicraft shops had an “ah ha” moment and decided to start a music label after a chance encounter, seeing the African band Kotoja play at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

Think of Putumayo as that cool, hip friend who did all the legwork and has crafted a bespoke playlist to highlight a particular musical genre that you may have never heard of. At least that’s how I view it, for I have listened to many of Putumayo’s musical collections over the years, ranging from Afro-Cuban and Reggae to African and Espana.

With Bossa Nova Putumayo visits a musical genre that is seventy years old. Starting in the southern neighborhoods of Rio De Janeiro, it is a relaxed form of samba with unconventional chords, innovative syncopation and quiet vocals that seem to glide over the accompaniment.

It seems fitting that the label is visiting the genre for the woman responsible for launching the music onto the global stage just passed away this summer. It was Astrud Gilberto along with her husband, guitarist Joao Gilberto and jazz sax player, Stan Getz, that introduced bossa nova to the world with “The Girl From Ipanema,” an international hit that would go on to win the Grammy’s Record of the Year in 1964.

The first song on Putumayo’s issue is a nod to that song. Ana Caram’s cover of jazz trumpeter Kenny Dorham’s “Blue Bossa'' captures what makes the music so appealing: creating a sense of place, a place of warm ocean breezes, sandy beaches as idle hours whittle away. In fact, the whole collection transports you to a place that does not involve the hectic schedule of a modern life, but provides a little respite.

As the label states on its press release: “Putumayo Presents Bossa Nova is an opportunity to present some of the contemporary voices that are keeping the heart and soul of bossa nova alive and thriving.”

Also, Putumayo has created a special 30th Anniversary Playlist, available on Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora and YouTube. It’s a curated list highlighting the music of the past three decades with the opening song “Sawalé” being one of the songs Storper heard Kotoja play on that fateful day at Golden Gate Park.

dave ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

World Beat: Seun Kuti, Linda Ronstadt, Lucibela

Seun Kuti and Egypt 80: “Love & Revolution” tour Read More Seun Kuti Nigerian Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti recently appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, performing “When We Move” with American rappers Common and Black Thought. …

Read more World Beat and Jazz Notes

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
seunkuti.net

Afrobeat pioneer Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 is currently on their “Love & Revolution” tour. The tour will stop in at the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis on September 21st.

We caught the band at Rock the Garden in June 2015 and wrote, “How fitting on Father’s Day that the heir to the Afrobeat throne, Seun Kuti , led his father Fela’s band, Egypt 80, playing undoubtedly the highest energy hour of the weekend. The Nigerian group was the worldbeat entry to the festival and the first African band to grace its stage. Kuti and his fifteen-plus cohorts made their short time worth it with the tribal, jazz, funk, and rhythmic hybrid that his father pioneered.”

Tour dates:

9/14 City Winery, Philadelpha PA
9/16 City Winer, Washington DC
9/18 Big Climate Thing, Queens NY
9/20 Subterraneon, Chicago IL
9/21 Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis MN
9/23 Big Top, St Louis MO
9/24 Format Festival, Bentonville AR
9/27 Washington's, Fort Collins CO
10/01 Desert Daze, Moreno Valley CA

Feels Like Home: Songs from the Sonoran Borderlands - Linda Ronstadt’s Musical Odyssey Read More Putumayo This year, Putumayo is releasing Jazz Christmas, an uplifting collection of mostly instrumental jazz for the holidays. If you like World Music, chances are, you probably own a Putumayo album. They are known for compiling some of the best …

Feels Like Home: Songs from the Sonoran Borderlands
putumayo.com

New Orleans-based record label Putumayo, renowned for bringing world music to America, will be releasing Feels Like Home: Songs from the Sonoran Borderlands — Linda Ronstadt’s Musical Odyssey this September 30, 2022. This is to accompany Linda Ronstadt’s new book, Feels Like Home: A Song for the Sonoran Borderlands, published by Heyday Books.

The musical collection was co-curated by Ronstadt and Putumayo founder Dan Storper and includes influential songs from her childhood and career, as well as several of her own interpretations of classic Mexican songs. Package and digital fans will enjoy the best of both worlds, as the CD package will include an album download card.

The full tracklist for Feels Like Home: Songs from the Sonoran Borderlands—Linda Ronstadt’s Musical Odyssey is:

1. Ry Cooder with Lalo Guerrero – Barrio Viejo
2. Linda Ronstadt – El Sueño
3. Los Cenzontles – Palomas Que Andan Volando
4. D. Ronstadt & The Co. – Canadian Moon (New Version)
5. Linda Ronstadt with Emmylou Harris – Across the Border
6. Jackson Browne with Los Cenzontles – The Dreamer
7. Los Cenzontles with David Hidalgo – Naninan Upirin
8. Linda Ronstadt with Dolly Parton – I Never Will Marry
9. Linda Ronstadt – Piel Canela
10. Los Cenzontles – Voy Caminando

Lucibela: Amdjer

Lucibela
lucibela.com

Celebrated Cape Verdean singer Lucibela is on her US tour, celebrating the release of her new album Amdjer. The tour will stop in at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis on September 16, 2022.

The new album is a tribute to Cape Verdean women, and features mostly of unreleased songs of twelve songs by composers and authors from Cape Verde of different generations such as Nhelas Spencer, Luis Lima, Toy Vieira, Tibau Tavares, Miquinha, Elida Almeida, Ary Duarte, Daya, and Emilio Moret.

Lucibela U.S. Tour

9/16 – The Cedar Cultural Center – Minneapolis, MN
9/17 – Chop Shop – Chicago, IL
9/18 – Analog – Nashville, TN
9/19 – Joe’s Pub – New York, NY
9/20 – Joe’s Pub – New York, NY
9/21 – Sellersville Theatre – Sellersville, PA
9/22 – Lotus – Bloomington, IN
9/23 – Swallow Hill Music – Denver, CO

If your band is coming to the Minneapolis/St Paul area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

A Jazzy Christmas

Read more Christmas and Jazz Notes.

Read More Putumayo The latest Putumayo world music compilation will be focusing on vintage French chanson music from the mid-1900s era. The release will be called Vintage France, and it is coming out on February 26th (tomorrow). …

PUTUMAYO
putumayo.com

This year, Putumayo is releasing Jazz Christmas, an uplifting collection of mostly instrumental jazz for the holidays. If you like World Music, chances are, you probably own a Putumayo album. They are known for compiling some of the best music from around the world.

What I like about Putumayo is their digipak packaging and extensive booklets, containing all the information you will need to know about each song and artist.

Track Listing

1. Winter Wonderland by Tom Grant
2. The Christmas Song by Dixieland Ramblers
3. Angels We Have Heard On High by Chad Lawson Trio
4. Let It Snow by Oscar Peterson
5. I’ll Be Home For Christmas by Dixieland Ramblers
6. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Houston Person
7. Blue Christmas by Houston Person
8. Christmas Time in New Orleans byLars Edegran and his Santa Claus Revelers
9. Silver Bells by Papa Don Vappie’s New Orleans Jazz Band
10. Bringing In A Brand New Year by Charles Brown

Read More Nat King Cole Like many of you who grew up in the 90s, we first heard of Natalie Cole when Elvis Presley's musical director Joe Guercio had this idea of remixing her father Nat King Cole into Natalie's cover "Unforgettable", creating a …

NAT “KING” COLE
capitolrecords.com

American jazz pianist and singer, Nat “King” Cole was featured in Capitol Records’ A Sentimental Christmas with Nat “King” Cole and Friends: Cole Classics Reimagined.

If you remember, Cole’s late daughter Natalie Cole did “duets” with her father’s songs, which won her three Grammy Awards in 1992 (Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance).

With A Sentimental Christmas with Nat “King” Cole and Friends: Cole Classics Reimagined, it would seem they are using the same technology to have duets with modern, popular artists, such as John Legend and Gloria Estefan, etc.

The album is available on CD, vinyl, and all digital formats with an exclusive Rudolph Red vinyl available at Walmart.

Track Listing

1. Deck the Hall/Joy to the World (duet with Johnny Mathis)
2. O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)/The First Noel
3. The Very Thought of You (duet with Kristin Chenoweth)
4. Auld Lang Syne (Interlude)
5. (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons
6. O Holy Night (duet with Calum Scott)
7. O Little Town of Bethlehem/Silent Night
8. We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Interlude)
9. A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (duet with Gloria Estefan)
10. The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot
11. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on An Open Fire) (duet with John Legend)

Read More Bluewerks I’m actually a big fan of both Astralwerks and Blue Note… so hearing that the two iconic labels have teamed up to create Bluewerks, I’m definitely interested in hearing more. …

ASTRALWERKS
astralwerks.com

Blue Note Records and Astralwerks have teamed up for their holiday-themed lo-fi collection, Bluewerks Vol. 5: Warm Up.

When I first heard of Bluewerks in March 2021, I said, “I’m actually a big fan of both Astralwerks and Blue Note… so hearing that the two iconic labels have teamed up to create Bluewerks, I’m definitely interested in hearing more.”

Bluewerks Vol. 5: Warm Up was entirely produced by Sebastian Kamae, a Bluewerks alumnus who was featured on Bluewerks, Vol. 1: Up Down Left Right.

Track listing

1. Warm Up (Prelude)
2. Reunion
3. December
4. It's That Time
5. Home Alone
6. Ice Skating

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

World Beat: Celtic Thunder, Bibb & Koite, Putumayo and Evergreene

Read more World Music.

CELTIC THUNDER
www.celticthunder.ie

Celtic Thunder is a so-called "Irish supergroup", consisting of vocalists Emmet Cahill, Ryan Kelly, Colm Keegan, George Donaldson, Keith Harkin, and Neil Byrne. The band plays a good mix of folk, traditional Irish, adult contemporary, rock… anything to give new meaning to the Celtic storytelling music.

Celtic Thunger's new CD and DVD companion called Mythology, was released last Tuesday (February 19th) on Verve Records.

The DVD is a live show, filmed at Dublin's Helix Theatre in 2012. The show tells the tales of the Celtic People through legends and cultures.

Mythology is already topping the Amazon charts in the World Music > Celtic charts as well as General AAS.

BROTHERS IN BAMAKO
ericbibb.com

Imagine this: American Eric Bibb and Mali's biggest pop star Habib Koité teams up to play the most interest traditional and contemporary blues.

The two 'brothers in Bamako', Bibb and Koité will be playing tracks from their 2012 album, Brothers in Bamako, available via Stony Plain Music, at the Dakota Jazz Club tomorrow - February 26th at 7pm and 9pm.

The duo is currently in their North American tour dates (for world tour schedule, check out ericbibb.com):

02/26/13 Minneapolis, MN Dakota Jazz Club
02/27/13 Chicago, IL Old Town School Of Folk Music
03/01/13 Montreal, QC Scène Rio Tinto Alcan
03/02/13 Quebec City, QC Palais Montcalm
03/03/13 Somerville, MA Somerville Theatre
03/05/13 Starkville, MS Mississippi St. University
03/06/13 Austin, TX Paramount Theatre
03/09/13 New York, NY B.B. King Blues Club

PUTUMAYO
putumayo.com

The latest Putumayo world music compilation will be focusing on vintage French chanson music from the mid-1900s era. The release will be called Vintage France, and it is coming out on February 26th (tomorrow).

What can you expect but to hear Juliette Gréco and, of course, Serge Gainsbourg.

CEO and founder of Putumayo, Dan Storper, added his comment on this latest compilation, "French artists have created this beautiful, melodic music that has stood the test of time. Perhaps the greatest surprise, was discovering Norbert Slama, a blind octogenarian accordion player who performed with Josephine Baker and Edith Piaf, in my backyard in New Orleans. His performances in a small, vintage café in the Marigny transported me to a bygone era."

Remember, since 2011 you can get Putumayo digitally - but I still recommend getting the actual physical CD.

EVERGREENE MUSIC
evergreenemusic.com

Evergreene Music has released Balkan Arts 701: Bulgarian Folk Dances, the first installment of the Balkan Arts Series (a joint New York venture between Evergreene Music and The Center for Traditional Music and Dance).

What can you expect from the rest of the series? More original recordings were from the 60's and 70's, and to include folk music from Bulgaria, East Serbia, Greek Macedonia and Thrace, and Romania.

The next EP will feature East Serbia in February, Greek rarities from Macedonia and Thrace in the spring, and more Romania and Bulgaria in the summer of 2013.

Curator Martin Koenig talk about the importance of these recordings, "The Balkan Arts recordings are all old-time music and have the same power as the music from Appalachia-the Doc Watson's and the like, and I truly believe that we, the West, now have more of an ability to absorb and appreciate this music than we did in the 60s and 70s. Even my 18-year-old son and his friends now respond to it. With so little of this music around anymore, anything that's this real needs to be cherished."

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Putumayo Presents - South Africa and Latin Party

Read More Putumayo World Music http://weheartmus... Putumayo World Music was established to introduce people to the music of the world's cultures. Th...

When it comes to world music, no one can hold a candle to Putumayo. This New York company started out in clothing, then to music, and now, ta-da, books. I should also point out that all Putumayo CD releases comes with 30+ page booklet, written in English, French, and Spanish, so it just made perfect sense to me that they'd venture into printing.

Just in time for the Summer, for a limited time, if you buy three Putumayo CDs, you get Putumayo World Party absolutely free. Can't decide what to get? Here are two albums for your consideration:

Putumayo Presents - South Africa

For the first time, 2010 FIFA World Cup, is taking place on Africa's soils, and to celebrate, Putumayo's latest compilation is called South Africa. Sadly, I think the South African team did not make it into the final rounds, but I don't think that would stop the vuvuzelas from invading the final knockout games.

One thing I've picked up from listening to this Putumayo's album is that South African's music is, it's quite calm and cool. There's some hints of reggae (Zoro's "Work" is a really good example), traditional Kwaito (Bholoja's "Mbombela"), and sometime rap (Blk Sonshine's "Nkosi"). The different style of music, reflects a rich and diverse culture found in South Africa. Although I could not tell you if all eleven official languages were sung, I can tell you that there's Zulu on the a cappella "Ngahlulele" by Soweto Gospel Choir.

My favorite song is the English song, "Beautiful Feet" by Nibs van der Spuy. The slow acoustic really brings out van der Spuy's beautiful voice.

Be on the lookout for Putumayo's next release Tribute to a Reggae Legend (which contain a track from my favorite Bralizian, Céu).

Putumayo Presents - Latin Party

Salsa anyone?! The rhythmic sound of this compilation took me away to a sweaty dance floor in a packed Latin dance club - far from the Midwest where I reside.

This CD infuses sounds from many regions of Latin America, combining salsa, cumbia, Afro-Cuban, funk, soul, and jazz. The percussion, the brass horns, the vocals - muy caliente!

Putumayo, the company that put together this quality collection of tunes, successfully pieced together a variety of fresh faces in the Latin scene. I would recommend this to anyone who doesn’t already have an extensive collection of Latin music that includes these new artists. If you’re looking for some dance-able music to throw on for your party this summer, this is perfect.

I really enjoyed the song “Asi Se Compone Un Son” by Cecilia Noël. Her voice is solid and she definitely sounds a bit like the “Queen of Salsa,” Celia Cruz.

Also, keep your eyes open for the group Yerba Buena out of New York. Nominated for a Grammy in 2003, they’ve gained quite a bit of recognition and have a great, funky sound. The lead singer, Cucu Diamantes, recently released a solo album as well. Itunes has been recommending I buy both artists’ music for a year now. Time to get out the wallet

 

 06/29/2010 00:29:34 ♥ vu y nicole ♥ www.putumayo.com 

Putumayo Presents... Rhythm & Blues and Jazz Around the World

Lavelle White - I've Never Found A Man To Love Lavelle White Read More Putumayo World Music http://weheartmus... Putumayo World Music was established to introduce people to the music of the world's cultures. Th...

What can I say? Putumayo's doing such an excellent job in what they do best: compiling the best music in genre, specializing in world music. I have a couple I wanted to mention:

PUTUMAYO PRESENTS RHYTHM & BLUES
Sit back and relax - no, wait, get up and groove, as these twelve songs were handpicked by the Putumayo people, guaranteeing some amazing R&B songs. A great mix of old 70s boogie music (The Emotions' "Me and My Honey") to modern artists (Irma Thomas' "River is Waiting"). Especially the later, I couldn't believe that some of these songs were produced last year.

As with the old/new mixture, the choice in songs ranges from "sad" songs (losing your girl and looking for a new one on "Before I Find the Right Girl for Me" by Rockie Charles) to "funny" songs (the line "Does anyone know what a 'Wang Dang Doodle' is?" from Sam Moore, Keb' Mo' and Angie Stone) to "feel good" songs (the feeling of burning love on Lavelle White's "I've Never Found a Man to Love").

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights

One song that I wasn't surprise to see on this compilation, was Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings' "100 Days, 100 Nights" on this compilation. If you recall, I had picked that song as my Top Five for 2008. I'll admit that the song's lyrics are simplistic, but the soulful voice and horns made this song an instant classic for me.

Although there are some great artists on this compilation, I was hoping to see Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials making it on - maybe next year? I would love to read what Putumayo has to write about him, since every Putumayo comes with a biography written about the artist in the language of North America (English, Spanish, and French).

Putumayo Presents Rhythm & Blues will be released in a few week on February 9^th. Head over to Putumayo to preview three songs - and get a free song! Personally, I always recommend buying the physical disc as it comes with photos and booklet. See the photograph I've attached.

PUTUMAYO PRESENTS JAZZ AROUND THE WORLD
This album was release pre-Christmas, to have a nice stocking stuffer for the jazz fan in your family. Unfortunately, due to the holidays I never got around to reviewing it (however, I did manage to cover A Family Christmas).

I did listen and made some jazz fans I knew have a listen to the album, and they gave me feedback on the album. First of all, everyone I spoke to said that they like the booklet that came with the CD (they also all asked if they can have it...)

While all these songs are from different parts of the world (Canada, USA, Cameroon, Guinea, France, Africa, Cuba, Mexico), they all share the common language of Jazz. The "accent" from the African jazz songs stood out for me, particularly the usage of the balabon from Keletigui Diabate with Habib Koite & Bamada's "Summertime at Bamako" to the rhythmic beats of Kora Jazz Trio's "Chan Chan".

The most interesting song on here is the New Zealand song "Te Reo o Papatuanuku" by Kataraina Pipi, which actually is more Pacific Islander in origin.

My favorite song, is Heather Rigdon's "Young and Naive" (and it's not because she's the only American on this compilation). What I generally like is the sensual voice of Rigdon, which exuberate of experience - yet at the same time she also sounds youthful and vulnerable. The song is about not being so young and naive, combined with the piano - I just think this would make such a great song for a dark & smoky movie soundtrack.

If you're interested in finding out more about World Music, here's additional information: General information at putumayo.com. Read their blog, follow their twitter, and connect them them on facebook.

 01/22/2010 22:39:42 ♥ vu () ♥ www.putumayo.com ♥ twitter.com/putumayomusic 

World Music: España

DePedro - La Memoria DePedro Tour Dates 10/15/09 BELLY UP*, SAN DIEGO, CA 10/16/09 Troubadour*, LA, CA 10/17/09 Solar Culture TUCSON, AZ 10/24/09 930 Club*, Washington DC 10/28/09 SOB’s*NY, New York 10/29/09 Sala Rosa*,Montreal, Quebec 10/30/09 Rivoli*, Toronto, Ontario 10/31/09 Schuba’s*, Chicago, Illinois 11/01/09 Schuba’s*, Chicago, Illinois 11/03/09 Varsity Theatre*, Minne, MN 11/13/09 Womad Festival, Palmas 11/28/09 BLACK NOTEA, Valencia 12/11/09 Sala Plateruena, Vizcaya 12/12/09 La Faktoria de Arts, Barcelona *with Federico Aubele

National Geographic's Music have been on my mind lately. First off, I got some free songs from Gabon People and Bibi Tanga et le professeur inlassable, via PNY's National Geographic Bonus Offer because I had recently purchased a 8 gig SanDisk for my Olympus Camera.

DEPEDRO
depedro.net ♥ myspace.com

While searching for shows coming to Minneapolis, I noticed that Jairo Zaval, aka DePedro, will be playing here with Federico Aubele, in early November. He's probably most famous for being the touring guitarist for Calexico, but in the Spanish world, he'll probably be known for being the frontsman for the rock group Vacazul, blues band 3000 Hombres, and surf group Los Coronas. Well, his self-titled debut album was released last August via the National Geographic Music Label.

Since I only have basic high school Spanish, I really couldn't tell you what many of the songs mean. There are a few English songs that I did understand (and enjoyed, particularly "Two Parts in One"), but the majority of his songs are written and sung in Spanish.

There are some welcomed surprises, including incredibly poppy song "Te sigo soñando", a latin-bluesy "¿Qué puedo hacer por ti?", and a partial duet on "Llorona".

His single and radio song that they seem to like is "La Memoria" (the Memory), which, if you can understand Spanish, it might convey how he felt about poverty and injustice when he visited Mexico. The song was a free giveaway on natgeomusic.net, but I couldn't figure out where on their website.





PUTUMAYO PRESENTS ESPAÑA
www.putumayo.com

Read More Putumayo Presents: Brazilian Café http://weheartmus... 08/01/09 JOHNNY BREGAR Seattle, WA • Woodland Park Zoo 08/02/09 JOHNNY BREGAR Portland, OR • Oreg...

When it comes to World Music, I think Putumayo's the label for these type of music. Each release is gorgeous, always including a gorgeous booklet with each artist's biography (in English, Spanish, and French). This is one of those company that doesn't really release their music on iTunes - which is fine, because the real experience is in its physical package. These releases are made to be on display on your bookshelves.

Beyond DePedro, of course I did not recognize any of these Spanish artist on this release. But that's okay, I trust Putumayo to do a great job compiling the best of the best, as they say. After all, they've been doing this since 1993.

Most of these songs are on the upbeat side. Sometime I feel these songs are mixture of traditional with modern mix. The stand-out tracks that does that traditional/modern thing is "Cumbia Caimanera" by El Combolinga, a band from Madrid. Judging from the translated lyrics, they are singing about "real life" of the state of things in Cuba.

From the other side of the river, where there are no streetlights
Foundtains are dry and we don't put foot to ball
That's where we the caimans live
Without a job or glamor
We have big mouths and our eyes are looking south
That's why we sing looking towards the south

The lone woman singer on this whole compilation, Uxía, certain stood out for me. According to her biography, she grew up very close to Portugal, so she's long felt kinship with the Portuguese culture. Her song, "Danza Ritual" (Dance Ritual) sings about a dance, describing it as a spider spinning the web of fate.

While I did mention that most of these songs are very Flamenco/Spanish, there is a surprisingly vaguely reggae song on the album called "Te Estás Equivocando" (You Are Getting it All Wrong) by Gecko Turner. I believe the chorus music might be stolen from "The Tide is High" by the Paragons (who was made famous by Blondie), by the way.

Also, this must be a reoccurring feature, but in addition to music, there's a few recipes for Bread Pudding and Torrijas de Natillas, by chef Eva Arguinaño. And as always, buying Putumayo means they will donate a portion of their profit to a charity. This release proceeds will go to Intermón Oxfam.

Look for their two upcoming release in late October, A Family Christmas and Jazz Around The World.

 10/13/2009 19:17:48 ♥ vu () ♥weheartmusic.com♥twitter.com/weheartmusic♥news.weheartmusic.com

Putumayo Presents: Brazilian Café

Carlinhos Cor Das Aguas - Tempo Interno Carlinhos Cor Das Aguas Putumayo Kids Presents The Picnic Playground Tour 08/01/09 JOHNNY BREGAR Seattle, WA • Woodland Park Zoo 08/02/09 JOHNNY BREGAR Portland, OR • Oregon Zoo 08/01/09 JAY MANKITA Amherst, MA • Eric Carle Museum 08/02/09 JAY MANKITA Boston, MA • Boston Children’s Museum 08/08/09 JAY MANKITA Brooklyn, NY • Carroll Park 08/09/09 JAY MANKITA Manhattan, NY • Central Park 08/08/09 RHYTHM CHILD San Francisco, CA • Oakland Zoo 08/09/09 RHYTHM CHILD Sausalito, CA • Bay Area Discovery Museum 08/12/09 RHYTHM CHILD Pasadena, CA • Levitt Pavilion 08/13/09 RHYTHM CHILD Los Angeles, CA • Pershing Square

New York-based record label Putumayo World Music have been compiling some of the best Latin, African, Reggae, Celtic and other world music. With nearly 200 albums released since 1993, their two latest releases are Picnic Playground (for the kids) and Brazilian Café (for the adults). Both were released on July 28^th on the Putumayo Label. I am happy to have the later for review.

Brazilian Café comes with a massive 35-page booklet, devoting two pages to each artist spotlighted on the disc (I am assuming these are standard in most of Putumayo's releases). Each entry is written in English, Spanish, and French, which you should all know are the major speaking language of North America. It also comes with some recipes (Coffee Pave and Pave au Cafe), perfect for listening to this album while enjoying these cookies and sipping your coffee.

The overall feeling I have listening to this album is that it's very "NPR" (National Public Radio), a milder audience who supports the arts and generally also like talk-radio and jazz. Which there is nothing wrong with that as I love NPR.

All the artists are Brazilian and all of the songs collected here are in Portuguese. Since I don't know the language, it's very important that the song tone and style reflect what the song is about - and I feel like some of these songs are about love, dancing, having a good time.

With 12 artists representing the best of Brazilian lounge/acoustic singer/songwriter-type, I thought these were some of the best:

Katia B - Viajei

Katie B
katiab.com.br/myspace.com
Katia Bronstein is one of the newer Brazilian artist on the compilation. Her voice is very soothing, perfect for possibly doing future electronica-type music. Her song, "Viajei" (I Traveled)

Alexandre Leão
alexandreleao.com
His song, "Vumbora Amar" (Let's Go Away to Love) has a nice melody that blends somba and bossa nova. According to his biography, he was covered by well established "Carcará"-singer Maria Bethânia, instantly establishing him as a star... and soon all the Brazilian artists started covering his songs.

Carlinhos Cor Das Aguas
myspace
Cor Das Aguas is a child of the Afro-Brazilian culture of the state of Bahia. Listening to his beautiful vocals on "Tempo Interno" (Inner Time) and based on the song title, it's about reflection on his life.

These are just a small sample of what Brazilian Café offers. If you would like more information, the album can be purchased directly at Putumayo, alternatively amazon. I don't recommend MP3s, since you aren't presented with such a wonderful booklet that goes along with the album. Also, please note that Putumayo donate some of their proceeds to various charities, in this case 1% goes to Terra dos Homens Brazilian Association.

 07/30/2009 10:42:30 ♥ vu () ♥ putumayo.com