Putumayo World Music is a New York City-based record label, now specializing in compilations of music from various nations, regions, or musical styles which may be classified as world music.
In 1991, on his way home from Bali, Dan Storper stopped in San Francisco, California. In Golden Gate Park, he heard the Nigerian band Kotoja. He was impressed by the music and the way it gathered many different people.He made a compilation of music he had gathered on his journeys and gathered a positive response. This led him to give out his first release in 1993. Storper took the name of his record label, Putumayo, from Colombia’s Putumayo Department where he travelled in 1974. The word is said to be the name of a bird-
Every release features the art of Nicola Heindl. Her art is both folky and modern, and, according to the Putumayo website, “represents one of Putumayo’s goals: to connect the traditional to the contemporary.”
Typically a Putumayo World Music compilation is presented as a theme under the title “Putumayo Presents:” The themes can be regional (South Africa, Caribbean, Asia), music types (reggae, folk, Latin, jazz) and other themes (lounge, groove, party).
The Putumayo Kids division was created in 2002. Since the release of the World Playground CD in 1999, Putumayo Kids has achieved honors from Parents’ Choice Awards and the National Parenting Publications Association, and has grown to be one of the more important children’s record labels.
Putumayo launched the Putumayo World Music Hour in 2000, a commercially-syndicated world music radio show. Rosalie Howarth of KFOG hosts the Music Hour. The weekly show is heard internationally on over 150 commercial and non-commercial stations.
Putumayo has ten offices worldwide. Their products are sold at a network of more than 3,000 book, gift, clothing, coffee and other specialty retailers in the US. The label claims to distribute their CDs in more than 80 countries around the world.
Putumayo’s compilations have been available digitally since August 2011. (by wikipedia)
And this is one of this very special releases:
Swing Around the World is certainly an unusual set, featuring modern swing and retro-swing as performed in several countries, most from the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The most interesting selections are the rarest ones, including selections from bands based in Zimbabwe, Mauritius, and Hawaii. The six numbers from American groups are largely unnecessary since several are common, and Clark Terry’s “Mumbles” (though a classic of its kind) is a bit out of place. Several of the groups are strongly influenced by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. It is a pity that the complete personnel and dates are not given; however, there are enough interesting and rare performances to make this project of interest. (by Scott Yanow)
Tracklist:
01. The Cool Crooners Of Bulawayo: I Van Enkulu 2.55
02. Triton: Mari Niça Swing 2.53
03. Squirrel Nut Zippers: Pallin’ With Al 2.40
04. Oscar Peterson with Clark Terry: Mumbles 2.00
05. Alfredo Rey E La Sua Orchestra: Fotoromanza 3.03
06. Duke Heitger And His Swing Band: Swing Pan Alley 2.28
07. Swing Maniacs: Mamma Mi Piace Il Ritmo 6.17
08. New Orleans Jazz Vipers: Blue Drag 4.20
09. Romane: Gypsy Fire 3.24
10. Ka’au Crater Boys: Opihi Man 2.47
11. Jambalaya Cajun Band: Hey, Rock 2.36
12. Children Of The Revolution: Minor Swing: To Django 4.08
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