Putumayo World Music

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia.
Specific concerns may be found on the talk page. See Wikipedia's guide to writing better articles for suggestions.(December 2007)


Putumayo World Music is a New York City based record label, specialising in folk, Latin and Afro-Cuban music, as well as other genres that may be classified as world music. It was established in 1993 to introduce people to the music of the world’s cultures. The label grew out of the Putumayo clothing company, founded by Dan Storper in 1975 and sold in 1997. In the past thirteen years, the record label has become known primarily for its upbeat and melodic compilations of popular international music characterized by the company’s motto:“guaranteed to make you feel good!” The name of the company comes from Putumayo, a region in Colombia.

The label is currently distributed by Koch Entertainment.

Putumayo’s CD covers feature the distinctive art of Nicola Heindl, whose colorful, folkloric style represents one of the company’s goals: to connect the traditional and the contemporary. By combining appealing music and visuals with creative retail marketing, Putumayo has developed a unique brand identity, a rarity in today’s artist-based music industry.

Putumayo is considered a pioneer and leader in developing the non-traditional market.[citation needed] A large portion of its target audience consists of “Cultural Creatives,”[citation needed] a sociological/lifestyle term for 50 million North Americans and millions more around the world with an interest in culture, travel and the arts. To reach these consumers, Putumayo has built a proprietary network of more than 3500 book, gift, clothing, coffee and other specialty retailers in the US and thousands more internationally that play and sell its CDs, in addition to maintaining a strong presence in record stores. Putumayo has developed Travel the World with Putumayo consumer contests to the Caribbean, Ireland, Morocco, Brazil, Senegal and New Orleans, cultural and performance events and consumer gift-with-purchase promotions utilizing CD samplers and calendars.

Dan Storper’s vision of establishing a global company and lifestyle brand is being furthered by CD distribution in more than 60 countries. The opening of Putumayo Europe, in Hilversum, Holland in 2000 enabled the company to connect with the European music and retail scene. The expansion of the label’s international division has also extended Putumayo’s presence in South America, Asia, Africa and Oceania. The company now has offices in 12 countries around the world.

The Putumayo Kids division was created in 2002 to introduce children to other cultures through fun, upbeat world music. Since the release of the best-selling World Playground CD in 1999, Putumayo Kids has established itself as a leading children’s record label, winning critical acclaim and honors from Parents’ Choice Awards, the National Parenting Publications Association and others.[citation needed] With its growing collection of albums and multicultural activity kits, Putumayo Kids provides children with upbeat, melodic and culturally authentic music, enhanced by educational liner notes.

Putumayo also launched the Putumayo World Music Hour in 2000, the first[citation needed] commercially-syndicated world music radio show. Rosalie Howarth hosts the Music Hour. The show is now heard internationally on over 130 commercial and non-commercial stations.

Fall 2004 saw the advent of Putumayo’s annual touring concert series. Putumayo Presents: Latinas, Women of Latin America visited arts centers in 30 cities, making it one of the largest organized world music tours in the U.S. Putumayo Presents: Acoustic Africa (2006) visited more than 40 concerts in the U.S. and Europe.[citation needed]

In June 2004, Putumayo released its first DVD, Travel the World with Putumayo, which features twelve videos shot in exotic locations and footage from live performances. This foray into other lifestyle products continued with the release of the Putumayo World Culture Travel Journal and the Caribbean Travel Journal, both released in January 2006.

The company’s commitment to helping communities in the countries where the music originates has led to the label contributing more than half a million dollars to worthwhile non-profit organizations around the world.[citation needed] After Hurrican Katrina, for example, Putumayo embarked on a campaign to raise funds and awareness for musicians and others affected by the hurricane. All of Putumayo’s proceeds from the sale of its New Orleans release are being contributed to worthwhile nonprofits and artists in the region. Other charitable recipients include Oxfam, Mercy Corps, and Make-A-Wish.

As international markets and consumer awareness of world music grow, Putumayo has developed creative ways to present world music that is underexposed in the mainstream media. Putumayo formed a partnership with the newly created record label Cumbancha, developed by Putumayo A&R head Jacob Edgar. In addition to part ownership, Putumayo will be distributing Cumbancha through its outlets in most of the world.


[edit] Discography

  • 1993
    • 101/103 The Best of World Music: Volume 1 - World Vocal (April 1993)
    • 102/104 The Best of World Music: Volume 2 - World Instrumental (April 1993)
    • 105/107 The Best of Folk Music: Contemporary Folk (August 1993)
    • 106/108 The Best of World Music: African (August 1993)
  • 1994
    • 109/110 Kotoja: The Super Sawalé Collection (July 1994)
    • 111/113 The Best of World Music: Reggae (July 1994)
    • 112/114 The Best of World Music: World Dance Party (July 1994)
    • 115-2 Shelter: The Best of Contemporary Singer-Songwriters (November 1994)
    • 116-2 A Putumayo Christmas (November 1994)
    • 117-2 The Dougie MacLean Collection (November 1994)
  • 1995
    • 118-2 The Laura Love Collection (March 1995)
    • 119-2 Women of the World: International (October 1995)
    • 120-2 Women of the World: Celtic I (October 1995)
  • 1996
    • 121-2 The Touré Kunda Collection (19 March 1996)
    • 122-2 The Dalom Kids and Splash Collection (19 March 1996)
    • 123-2 A World Instrumental Collection (19 March 1996)
    • 124-2 A Touré Kunda,Dalom Kids/Splash and World Instrumental Sampler
    • 125-2 A Celtic Collection (2 July 1996)
    • 126-2 One World (2 July 1996)
    • 127-2 A Johnny Clegg and Julukka Collection (2 July 1996)
    • 128-2 Women’s Work (May 1996)
  • 1997
    • 129-2 Islands (4 February 1997)
    • 130-2 Travel the World with Putumayo World Music (8 April 1997)
    • 131-2 ¡Latino! ¡Latino! (22 July 1997)
    • 132-2 Caribbean Party (22 July 1997)
    • 133-2 Women of the World: Celtic
    • 134-2 Women of the World: Celtic II (9 September 1997)
    • 135-2 Music From the Coffee Lands I (7 October 1997)
  • 1998
    • 136-2 Romantica (13 January 1998)
    • 137-2 Women of Spirit (10 March 1998)
    • 138-2 Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca: Mambo Yo Yo (19 May 1998)
    • 139-2 Afro ~ Latino (19 May 1998)
    • 140-2 Sam Mangwana: Galo Negro (19 May 1998)
    • 141-2 Celtic Tides (29 September 1998)
    • 142-2 Reggae Around the World (30 June 1998)
    • 143-2 Cairo to Casablanca (25 August 1998)
    • 144-2 A Native American Odyssey (10 November 1998)
  • 1999
    • 145-2 Mali to Memphis (26 January 1999)
    • 146-2 Habib Koité & Bamada: Ma Ya (26 January 1999)
    • 147-2 Dublin to Dakar: A Celtic Odyssey (23 February 1999)
    • 148-2 A Mediterranean Odyssey (6 April 1999)
    • 149-2 Cuba (25 May 1999)
    • 150-2 Brasileiro (25 May 1999)
    • 151-2 Africa (13 July 1999)
    • 152-2 Oliver Mtukudzi: Tuku Music (13 July 1999)
    • 153-2 Caribe! Caribe! (22 June 1999)
    • 154-2 World Playground I (24 August 1999)
    • 155-2 The Equation: Hazy Daze (28 September 1999)
    • 156-2 Cape Verde (12 October 1999)
    • 157-2 New World Party (9 November 1999)
    • 158-2 Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca: Sao Salvador (22 February 2000)
    • 159-2 Italian Musical Odyssey (24 October 1999)
  • 2000
    • 160-2 Zydeco (25 January 2000)
    • 161-2 Louisiana Gumbo (25 January 2000)
    • 162-2 Republica Dominicana (22 February 2000)
    • 163-2 South African Legends (25 April 2000)
    • 164-2 Miriam Makeba: Homeland (9 May 2000)
    • 166-2 Mo’ Vida (23 May 2000)
    • 167-2 Puerto Rico (23 May 2000)
    • 168-2 Oliver Mtukudzi: Paivepo (13 June 2000)
    • 169-2 Festa Brasil (27 June 2000)
    • 170-2 Chico César (27 June 2000)
    • 171-2 Rita Ribeiro: Perolas Aos Povos (27 June 2000)
    • 172-2 Latinas (25 July 2000)
    • 174-2 Mariana Montalvo: Cantos del Alma (25 July 2000)
    • 176-2 Equation: The Lucky Few (11 July 2000)
    • 180-2 Music from the Tea Lands (22 August 2000)
    • 181-2 A Putumayo World Christmas (26 September 2000)
    • 182-2 A Jewish Odyssey (26 September 2000)
  • 2001
    • 183-2 Carnival (9 January 2001)
    • 184-2 Cajun (9 January 2001)
    • 185-2 Gypsy Caravan (13 February 2001)
    • 186-2 Gardens of Eden (13 March 2001)
    • 187-2 Mexico (10 April 2001)
    • 188-2 Jamaica (8 May 2001)
    • 189-2 Arabic Groove (12 June 2001)
    • 190-2 Colombia (10 July 2001)
    • 191-2 African Odyssey (11 September 2001)
    • 192-2 Habib Koité & Bamada: Baro (24 July 2001)
    • 193-2 World Playground II (11 July 2001)
    • 194-2 Music from the Coffee Lands II (9 October 2001)
  • 2002
    • 195-2 Samba Bossa Nova (8 January 2002)
    • 196-2 Mississippi Blues (12 February 2002)
    • 197-2 Latin Groove (12 March 2002)
    • 198-2 World Lounge (9 April 2002)
    • 199-2 Oliver Mtukudzi: Vhunze Moto (24 April 2002)
    • 200-2 Congo to Cuba (21 May 2002)
    • 201-2 Latin Playground (11 June 2002)
    • 202-2 Asian Groove (27 August 2002)
    • 203-2 Rumba Flamenco (24 September 2002)
    • 204-2 Afro-Portuguese Odyssey (22 October 2002)
    • 205-2 Calypso (19 November 2002)
  • 2003
    • 206-2 Global Soul (14 January 2003)
    • 207-2 African Playground (19 February 2003)
    • 208-2 Cover the World (19 February 2003)
    • 209-2 Euro Lounge (11 March 2003)
    • 210-2 African Groove (22 April 2003)
    • 211-2 French Caribbean (20 May 2003)
    • 212-2 Dreamland (20 May 2003)
    • 213-2 Salsa Around the World (24 June 2003)
    • 214-2 The Oliver Mtukudzi Collection: The Tuku Years (8 July 2003)
    • 215-2 American Blues (26 August 2003)
    • 216-2 Brazilian Groove (9 September 2003)
    • 217-2 The Putumayo World Music 10th Anniversary Collection (21 October 2003)
    • 218-2 Christmas Around the World (7 October 2003)
    • 219-2 French Café (11 November 2003)
  • 2004
    • 220-2 Sahara Lounge (20 January 2004)
    • 221-2 World Reggae (24 February 2004)
    • 222-2 Sing Along with Putumayo (23 March 2004)
    • 223-2 Women of Africa (27 April 2004)
    • 224-2 Nuevo Latino (25 May 2004)
    • 225-2 Greece: A Musical Odyssey (29 June 2004)
    • 226-2 Caribbean Playground (27 July 2004)
    • 227-2 World Groove (24 August 2004)
    • 228-2 Women of Latin America (21 September 2004)
    • 229-2 Blues Lounge (5 October 2004)
    • 230-2 Music from the Chocolate Lands (9 November 2004)
    • 231-2 South Pacific Islands (23 November 2004)
  • 2005
    • 232-2 New Orleans (25 January 2005)
    • 233-2 Kermit Ruffins 1 February 2005)
    • 234-2 Acoustic Brazil (25 February 2005)
    • 235-2 Afro–Latin Party (22 March 2005)
    • 236-2 Mali (3 May 2005)
    • 237-2 North African Groove (7 June 2005)
    • 238-2 Italian Café (21 June 2005)
    • 239-2 Swing Around the World (5 July 2005)
    • 240-2 American Folk (9 August 2005)
    • 241-2 Latin Lounge (6 September 2005)
    • 242-2 French Playground (4 October 2005)
    • 243-2 Celtic Crossroads (4 October 2005)
    • 244-2 Asian Lounge (8 November 2005)
  • 2006
    • 245-2 The Caribbean (10 January 2006)
    • 246-2 Reggae Playground (24 January 2006)
    • 247-2 Brazilian Lounge (21 February 2006)
    • 248-2 Turkish Groove (21 March 2006)
    • 249-2 Paris (18 April 2006)
    • 250-2 Folk Playground (23 May 2006)
    • 251-2 ¡Baila!: A Latin Dance Party (23 May 2006)
    • 252-2 Music from the Wine Lands (27 June 2006)
    • 253-2 Blues Around the World (25 July 2006)
    • 254-2 Acoustic Africa (5 August 2006)
    • 255-2 Radio Latino (3 October 2006)
    • 256-2 New Orleans Christmas (3 October 2006)
    • 257-2 New Orleans Playground (17 October 2006)
    • 258-2 One World, Many Cultures (7 November 2006)
    • 259-2 Asian Dreamland (5 December 2006)
  • 2007
    • 260-2 A New Groove (30 January 2007)
    • 261-2 Women of the World: Acoustic (27 February 2007)
    • 262-2 Gypsy Groove (27 March 2007)
    • 263-2 Putumayo World Party (24 April 2007)
    • 264-2 Animal Playground (22 May 2007)
    • 265-2 Latin Jazz (26 June 2007)
    • 266-2 Americana (31 July 2007)
    • 267-2 World Hits (28 August 2007)
    • 268-2 Israel (25 September 2007)
    • 269-2 Brazilian Playground (25 September 2007)
    • 270-2 New Orleans Brass (23 October 2007)
    • 271-2 Tango Around the World (23 October 2007)
    • 272-2 Celtic Dreamland (6 November 2007)
  • 2008
    • 273-2 Latin Reggae (22 January 2008)
    • 274-2 Hawaiian Playground (22 January 2008)
    • 275-2 Euro Groove (11 March 2008)
    • 276-2 African Party (29 April 2008)
    • 277-2 African Dreamland (29 April 2008)

[edit] See also

[edit] External links