Genre: Electronic/World Year: 2004 Country: USA Official Site: World Groove Details: Tracks & Audio Label: Putumayo
Putamayo continues its musical exploration of the world with this new compilation peppered by a strong European and Mediterranean vibe.
As always with the label's releases—also check Euro Lounge, French Cafe & Global Soul—this CD blends electronic music with various international flavors, somewhat reflecting their country of origin. Thus the très chic "Attention" from French—touch—duo Rouge Rouge, which opens here as well as Major Boys' Cuban mix of "Sous le Soleil", which showcases the current Parisian musical scene's taste for exotic sounds. As for Cheb Mami'& K-Mel with "Parisien du Nord", they reflect the culture of the French capital's suburbs.
Mustafa Sandal goes for a funkier approach while preserving Turkish and Middle Eastern guitars and rhythms, while Lebanese Ragheb Alama is probably the one artist here that stays too close to his country's musical tradition. Zap Mama and Brenda Fassie bring their African heritage, while Edesio sounds somewhat like a mellow Cuban version of Control Machete.
The German and colder "Ich Weiss Warum" from 2raumwohnung contrasts with the exotic tone of the rest of the compilation but it nevertheless hits the mark, despite sounding slightly out of place among these warmer sounds—but that's what world musical diversity is about after all .
The album also includes a CD sampler featuring 10 tracks from Putamayo'sGrooveandLounge series including, among others,
Aterciopelados.
Putumayo Presents World Groove
