Putumayo World Music 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. It was named after a Colombian river valley where Dan collected handicrafts.
For more than a decade, Putumayo has become known primarily for its upbeat and melodic compilations of great international music characterized by the company?s motto: "guaranteed to make you feel good!" Putumayo?s CD covers feature the distinctive art of Nicola Heindl, whose colorful, folkloric style represents one of Putumayo?s goals: to connect the traditional and contemporary. By combining appealing music and visuals with creative retail marketing. Putumayo is considered a pioneer in developing the world music market. It is distributed in 60 countries and has sold more than 10 million CDs.
In January 2004, Putumayo established Putumayo World Music, Africa in Cape Town, South Africa. At the helm of Putumayo is Cassandra Goins. She began her career in the marketing department at Walt Disney Studios in the early 80's. Subsequently, she moved into reggae and world music and in 1992, she served as President of Tuff Gong International, in New York. She joined Putumayo in 2002.
Rest assured, Putumayo World Music is one of the driving forces in world music today. Now, Ghana is about to witness something never happened before. Goodies Music Production has acquired the exclusive distribution rights to Putumayo in Ghana, our homeland. This new agreement will also give Ghanaian artists an opportunity for their music to be heard by Putumayo, and hopefully find their way onto future compilations.
One interesting thing about the works of Putumayo is that aside having individual albums of musicians of different countries, you can also get to hear songs of different musicians on one their compilation CDs.
The big albums that set the scene alight include the North African Groove (a funky musical caravan of North African dance music from Algeria to Egypt featuring Khaled, Cheb Mami and more), African Groove, Asian Groove (Asian traditions meet funk, electronica and soul for a musical madala that will spice up any celebration), World Lounge.
These are just the few amongst the lots. Putumayo World Music has made the small-unknown fishes become sharks and have put many artistes on the world music map. They have indeed set tongues wagging with their compilations, which have served as platforms for unknown artistes to present their music to the world.
The future of Putumayo looks bright with their new releases such as Swing and the World (a global swing dance party for the whole family), Latin Lounge (tango, cumbia and son meet electronica in this collection of contemporary chill-out grooves), Celtic Crossroads (ancient traditions meet modern techniques), and American folk (contemporary and acoustic American songs inspired by folk music traditions featuring Natalie Merchant, Nanci Griffith, Patty Griffin, Eric Bibb and more).
If what we have seen of them all these years is anything to judge by, all eyes will be on Putumayo in 2006. The years ahead will also see them on fire so people, just chill-out because something big is about to hit Ghana.
It does not matter where you are from. Putumayo has what you want. For more information, log onto www.putumayo.com
By Kevin Adisi, Ghana Music.com
Putumayo World Music 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. It was named after a Colombian river valley where Dan collected handicrafts.
For more than a decade, Putumayo has become known primarily for its upbeat and melodic compilations of great international music characterized by the company?s motto: "guaranteed to make you feel good!" Putumayo?s CD covers feature the distinctive art of Nicola Heindl, whose colorful, folkloric style represents one of Putumayo?s goals: to connect the traditional and contemporary. By combining appealing music and visuals with creative retail marketing. Putumayo is considered a pioneer in developing the world music market. It is distributed in 60 countries and has sold more than 10 million CDs.
In January 2004, Putumayo established Putumayo World Music, Africa in Cape Town, South Africa. At the helm of Putumayo is Cassandra Goins. She began her career in the marketing department at Walt Disney Studios in the early 80's. Subsequently, she moved into reggae and world music and in 1992, she served as President of Tuff Gong International, in New York. She joined Putumayo in 2002.
Rest assured, Putumayo World Music is one of the driving forces in world music today. Now, Ghana is about to witness something never happened before. Goodies Music Production has acquired the exclusive distribution rights to Putumayo in Ghana, our homeland. This new agreement will also give Ghanaian artists an opportunity for their music to be heard by Putumayo, and hopefully find their way onto future compilations.
One interesting thing about the works of Putumayo is that aside having individual albums of musicians of different countries, you can also get to hear songs of different musicians on one their compilation CDs.
The big albums that set the scene alight include the North African Groove (a funky musical caravan of North African dance music from Algeria to Egypt featuring Khaled, Cheb Mami and more), African Groove, Asian Groove (Asian traditions meet funk, electronica and soul for a musical madala that will spice up any celebration), World Lounge.
These are just the few amongst the lots. Putumayo World Music has made the small-unknown fishes become sharks and have put many artistes on the world music map. They have indeed set tongues wagging with their compilations, which have served as platforms for unknown artistes to present their music to the world.
The future of Putumayo looks bright with their new releases such as Swing and the World (a global swing dance party for the whole family), Latin Lounge (tango, cumbia and son meet electronica in this collection of contemporary chill-out grooves), Celtic Crossroads (ancient traditions meet modern techniques), and American folk (contemporary and acoustic American songs inspired by folk music traditions featuring Natalie Merchant, Nanci Griffith, Patty Griffin, Eric Bibb and more).
If what we have seen of them all these years is anything to judge by, all eyes will be on Putumayo in 2006. The years ahead will also see them on fire so people, just chill-out because something big is about to hit Ghana.
It does not matter where you are from. Putumayo has what you want. For more information, log onto www.putumayo.com
By Kevin Adisi, Ghana Music.com
