Download the song "Alegria" by Maria De Barros for free Read More Putumayo World Music was established to introduce people to the music of the world's cultures. Th...
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Putumayo has been bringing the best of world music to the USA for over a decade, and continues with its latest release, World Christmas Party. Obviously the theme is holiday music from around the globe.
To start off with, a reggae version of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" by Jacob Miller. Miller does a great fun version of the song by replacing various words, like "merry" with "ire" (a Jamaican term for good). I believe this song was taken from his 1978 album, Natty Christmas (which was re-issued in 2007 by VP Records).
My favorite track is "Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree" by Keahiwai. I instantly knew they were Hawaiian based on the laidback rhythm and the distinctive sound of the ukulele.
With such distinctive versions, like a Cuban version of "Winter Wonderland" by Jose Conde, a Brazilian "Deck the Halls" (retitled as "Alegria") by Maria de Barros, a New Zealander's version of "Santa Clause is Coming To Town" (retitled as "Kei Te Haere Mai A Hana Koko") by H.K. Crew feat. K11NA, etc., it's really hard to pass up this album if you love world music.
If you look at the track listing below and think "I don't know any of these musicians", hey, no problem! All Putumayo releases comes with extensive booklets that lists brief biography on each of their artists (written in English, French, and Spanish). Plus recipes!
The album finishes with an instrumental version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" by Ed Calle with Arturo Sandoval. The brass sound reminds me of Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass (they didn't do this song off their 1968 album, Christmas Album, but I suspect it would sound very similiar to Ed Calle's version).
After I browsed around the Putumayo's website, I noticed that you can get $10 off if you spend $50 by using the keyword "GIFT". So, in case you needed other suggestions to try and take advantage of the Christmas deal, below are two more recent Putumayo's releases.
To start off with, a reggae version of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" by Jacob Miller. Miller does a great fun version of the song by replacing various words, like "merry" with "ire" (a Jamaican term for good). I believe this song was taken from his 1978 album, Natty Christmas (which was re-issued in 2007 by VP Records).
My favorite track is "Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree" by Keahiwai. I instantly knew they were Hawaiian based on the laidback rhythm and the distinctive sound of the ukulele.
With such distinctive versions, like a Cuban version of "Winter Wonderland" by Jose Conde, a Brazilian "Deck the Halls" (retitled as "Alegria") by Maria de Barros, a New Zealander's version of "Santa Clause is Coming To Town" (retitled as "Kei Te Haere Mai A Hana Koko") by H.K. Crew feat. K11NA, etc., it's really hard to pass up this album if you love world music.
If you look at the track listing below and think "I don't know any of these musicians", hey, no problem! All Putumayo releases comes with extensive booklets that lists brief biography on each of their artists (written in English, French, and Spanish). Plus recipes!
- Jacob Miller • Wish You A Merry Christmas
- Poncho Sanchez • Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
- Charles Brown • Christmas Comes But Once A Year
- Keahiwai • Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree
- Jose Conde • Winter Wonderland
- Maria de Barros • Alegria
- Heritage Hall Jazz Band • Barra De Navidad Blues
- Brave Combo • The Christmas Song
- H.K. Crew feat. K11NA • Kei Te Haere Mai A Hana Koko
- Alison Brown Quartet with Joe Craven • Carol And The Kings
- Costa Neto • Boas Festas Moçambique
- Ed Calle with Arturo Sandoval • Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
After I browsed around the Putumayo's website, I noticed that you can get $10 off if you spend $50 by using the keyword "GIFT". So, in case you needed other suggestions to try and take advantage of the Christmas deal, below are two more recent Putumayo's releases.