World music.
Sometimes, the phrase makes me gag, especially when I think of that prick from High Fidelity.
Just the thought of some music from another country playing softly in the background brings up really disturbing images of dinner parties and other particulars of a respectable lifestyle I want nothing to do with.
But Putumayo changes all of that. I became acquainted with Putumayo via my public library’s offerings of compilations called “music from the tea lands” and “music from the chocolate lands”. Basically, Putumayo World Music is a label which is based in NY and likes to bring together lots of great music from all around the world, with one uniting theme. This time around, they have released a collection of songs exclusively from Spain, and the results are fantastic.
Instead of slipping into some non-descript coffeehouse soundtrack, the collection is fresh and vibrant, and ranges from extraordinarily danceable (the opening track) to more mellow music that is a nice reminder of how even The Clash liked reggae.
Put on this album and don’t worry about being pretentious. It is sure to please a wide audience, as the music comes from such a diverse group of artists.
The album was released on Tuesday, and here’s a fun fact: a portion of the proceeds of this album go to the Spanish branch of OXFAM, so go ahead, indulge yourself with a solid collection that will surely deviate from the ever so glamourous indie rock n roll.
Recommended.
3.5/5
here's the first track, I really quite love it and find myself moving involuntarily to the addictive beats (as well as most of the songs on here):
Peret - Para Poder Olvidarla [mp3]
buy the album on AMAZON
visit Putumayo World Music on the interwebs
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