V.A. - Putumayo Presents Music From Africa (6CD, 1993-2012) [Repost & new]

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V.A. - Putumayo Presents Music From Africa (6CD, 1993-2012) [Repost & new]

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V.A. - Putumayo Presents Music From Africa (6CD, 1993-2012) [Repost & new]

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An excellent 14-cut anthology offering a fine helping of contemporary African music from the mid-'80s to the early '90s. They have also avoided too many names, with the exception of Johnny Clegg & Juluka, Toure Kunda, Mory Kante and Thomas Mapfumo. The other ten cuts include entertaining Nigerian band Kotoja and South African vocalist extraordinaire Sipho Mabuse, artists who have not recorded with rock stars or gone on highly publicized world tours but have made superior music with little fanfare. It is their inclusion on this project, plus even lesser-known acts like Zaire's Embowassa and Abeti and Tanzania's Orchestra Makassy, that makes this a truly representative sampler rather than just another marketing ploy.

Ron Wynn, CD Universe

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V.A. - Putumayo Presents Music From Africa (6CD, 1993-2012) [Repost & new]

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A surprisingly comprehensive collection, this album from Putumayo really does cover nearly every South African musical legend that's made a name for themselves (with the only really obvious exceptions being Dorothy Masuka and Dave Matthews, though the latter's music isn't as rooted in African tradition in the first place). The album opens with some nice jive courtesy of the Soul Brothers. The great groaner Mahlathini combines with his favorites the Mahotella Queens for a bouncing, lilting number that shows off his deep, deep delivery. Vusi Mahlasela shows off his guitar style on a newer track, and the Mahotellas return for the classic "Mbube" (which really kicked off the recognition of African music in the Western world). More jive comes from the great West Nkosi, whose saxophone also leads the way into South African jazz in its modern form, as realized by Hugh Masekela in the next track. Lucky Dube evokes Marley and Tosh in his light reggae, and the cross-cultural Johnny Clegg presents a number. The album closes with two of the biggest stars of South Africa – Miriam Makeba and a metaphorical song of exile, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo with their classic iscathamiya sound. Just about every sound that someone may have heard in recent years (or in years past) coming from South Africa is represented here. For a listener curious about the sounds of the country and its strong musical history, this makes for an outstanding introduction. For those already taken with South African music, it will still provide an enjoyable listen, and may even remind you to go look up someone you've forgotten about.

Adam Greenberg, All Music

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V.A. - Putumayo Presents Music From Africa (6CD, 1993-2012) [Repost & new]

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Every so often, an album comes along that reminds us why we are so moved by song: the melody, the rhythm, and the message. Putumayo has presented a variety of world music CDs, but African music has been the consistent heart and soul of its offerings. Putumayo World Music is pleased to present Acoustic Africa, a captivating collection showcasing some of Africa’s greatest singer-songwriters in beautifully stripped down displays of acoustic mastery. These artists are helping to spearhead an acoustic revolution in stark contrast to the studio-based, synthesized dance music that became the standard for African pop-stars of the 1980’s and 90’s. On Acoustic Africa, you’ll discover gentle folk songs from Senegal, a protest song from South Africa, blues-tinged ballads from Mali and much more. The performers on this album are social activists, building awareness of the current conditions in Africa that affect the region and the world. They sing of love and faith, pain and oppression, and their ability to unite people.

Vusi Mahlasela is an active social commentator who often addresses issues of social and political significance in his homeland. His gripping lyrics and lovely melodies on "Basimanyana" demonstrate why Mahlasela is also a leading figure in the contemporary South African music scene. One of Africa’s most world-renowned performers, Habib Koité has shared the stage with some of the world’s best-known artists. On the track "Baro," Koité’s wistful vocals with swirling rhythms and intertwined harmonies demonstrate his distinctive sound. Koité’s music video for "Wari" is a bonus enhancement on the CD, as well as one of Koité’s best-loved songs. Other artists of note include Diogal Sakho, Laye Sow, Angelique Kidjo, and Eneida Marta.

A portion of Putumayo’s proceeds from the sale of this CD will be donated to Mercy Corps in support of their efforts to help AIDS victims and the victims of the civil war in Darfur.

Putumayo site

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V.A. - Putumayo Presents Music From Africa (6CD, 1993-2012) [Repost & new]

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It's so easy to underestimate these Putumayo compilations. They have that little hint of smugness about them, that whiff of Starbucks multiculturalism – the kind that suggests you're a slightly bad person if you fail to buy. You see the faux-naïve cover art, the simplistic representations of other cultures, the faintly imperialist "Putumayo Presents" album title, and you think "This collection is going to consist of nothing but touristy ethno-pop." But then, as often as not, you end up surprised. Putumayo Presents: South Africa is one of the best entries in this long series of compilations. Yes, there are some familiar names: Miriam Makeba is here (singing something other than "Pata Pata," to the compilers' credit) and so are mbaqanga pioneers the Soul Brothers. But there are also fine contributions from the up-and-coming Swaziland crooner Bholoja (whose "Mbombela" is a lovely example of the emerging "Swazi soul" sound), anti-apartheid folksinger Johannes Kerkorrel, soul-reggae artist Zoro, and rapper/beatboxer Blk Sonshine. Inevitably, there are some clunkers: Nibs van der Spuy's "Beautiful Feet" is anemic acoustic reggae, and Steve Dyer's "Mananga" is pleasant but boring three-chord jazz. The album's 44-minute length also feels skimpy, and in a few cases seems to have been achieved by premature fadeouts (why give us only 2:40 of Makeba singing the wonderful "Orlando"?). But overall, this album is much more triumph than failure.

Rick Anderson, All Music

Putumayo's "South Africa" celebrates the recent FIFA World Cup in Johannesburg, and a musically rich country. It's a spicy and delicious compilation, blending Afropop with jazz and acoustic guitar. There's something for everyone. A portion of the profits goes to ANSA (Artists for a New South Africa) combating HIV/AIDS through the arts, as well as for human rights. To top off it, there's a recipe for vegetarian bobotie,a traditional South African casserole that combines lentils with chutney and a creamy top.

"South Africa" opens with the powerful "Ujaheni" from the Soul Brothers. Bhojola sings in the traditional language of Swaziland. Mahube's "Oxam" is about a fraudulent healer;considering the seriousness of the material, it's a joyous song. Nibs Van Der Spuy's "Beautiful Feet" is gentle acoustic folk. Steve Dyer's "Mananga" is beautiful township jazz. The late Miriam Makeba, who passed away in 2008 after a concert (Homeland), has the jazzy "Orlando" (it's about a Soweto township, NOT Lovin' Bloom: The Unauthorized Story of Orlando Bloom) Johannes Kerkorrel, the flamboyant, openly gay Afrikaan singer who challenged apartheid and tragically committed suicide in 2002, profiles African history in the bittersweet "Halala Africa." The album closes with the Soweto Gospel Choir's "Ngahlulele." Of course, the Soweto Gospel Choir recently gained international fame thanks to the bestselling Songs Around The World (CD + DVD).

"South Africa" is a beautiful musical trip to the Rainbow Nation!

Amazon customer

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V.A. - Putumayo Presents Music From Africa (6CD, 1993-2012) [Repost & new]

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Re-release featuring 3 new tracks. African beats and Western rhythms unite on these contemporary tunes from Cape Town to Bamako. On African Beat, Putumayo features artists who are as likely to have traditional African drumming, soukous and mbaqanga on their iPods as they are the latest European dubstep and US hip-hop. These tracks reveal that even in this globalized, hi-tech world, the divide between the past and the future is not as great as it may seem. Songs by musicians with deep connections to their roots, including Les Barons, are remixed and reworked by Western DJs. The music of Senegal's Lëk Sèn reveals how hip-hop, electronica and other urban musical styles have been incorporated into traditional African music, taking it in surprising new directions.

Putumayo site

I own several music CDs from Putamayo and have always been very pleased with them. They have a knack of creating excellent music compilations. African Beat is no exception. This is a compilation of songs from Western Africa including the countries of South Africa, Senegal, Nigeria, Mali, Ivory Coast, and both Congos. Listening to this CD one can hear the traditional music fused with modern instruments, rhythms, and techniques as well as some influences from other continents.

For example the third track - Alapomeji Anthem by 9ice - fuses a traditional Asian rhythm with hop hip and rap beats to create a very modern sound. The Asian rhythm does take over the song a bit too much and I wish the vocals were more in the foreground. The song has a familiar sound but yet remains fresh. This is a song I would expect to hear my teenage daughter listening to. Kalan Nege, the fourth track, also has some Asian influence, but it is handled better than in Alapomeji Anthem by keeping it in the background. Sometimes a little bit goes a long way. Another influence in some of the songs is Reggae. Reggae is very popular in Africa so it isn't surprising to find a song on this CD with a reggae influence. Track 8 titled Africa is that song. Without the reggae beat this song would be a more traditional song. The last track, Wosoubour (Chris Annibell Remix) by Vieux Farka Toure, immediately reminded me of Stevie Wonder's Higher Ground. The opening of this song is very similar to Higher Ground and then blends with a reggae styled beat. There are more traditionally styled songs like Quel Est Mon Pays? and Mogoya on this CD.

To get a feel for the modern and diverse music of Africa, I would certainly recommend this CD from Putumayo to begin discovering some new artists.

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V.A. - Putumayo Presents Music From Africa (6CD, 1993-2012) [Repost & new]

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Powerful African voices and rhythms demonstrate the deep connection of the blues to its African roots. The blues has long been about storytelling, about raising a voice from the margins and edges of American life. As it spread from the Deep South to Chicago and beyond, the blues incorporated a powerful musical groove which has influenced music around the world. Now, musicians are reaching across the Atlantic and finding that they have a common story to tell in shades of blue.
Putumayo’s African Blues chronicles the return of the blues to its African motherland. It also demonstrates the burgeoning connections between West and East African musicians and performers from the blues’ traditional heartland in the U.S., as well as converts in Europe—and shows how these connections are revolutionizing traditions on both continents.
Taj Mahal, together with the Culture Musical Club of Zanzibar, gets down and deep in a slow-burning meditation on the beauties of Dhow Countries. Mali’s Issa Babayogo brings his characteristic, sparkling knack for gritty, melodic grooves. The ever-evolving Playing for Change band—this time featuring hip desert rockers Tinariwen and Keb Mo—reveals how globally malleable a good old 12-bar blues can be. And as always, the collection is filled with engaging new discoveries like hard-hitting Tuareg singer-songwriter Amar Sundy, unfolding and grooving collaborations like the Belgian-Malian project Kalaban Coura and the unexpected blend of Mali Latino.
“It’s like two halves of a circle,” muses Putumayo head Dan Storper, a passionate collector of music from around the world. “The blues’ roots are in Africa but emerged and evolved as a powerful musical style in America. Now they’re reuniting in new and exciting ways. When we worked on Mali to Memphis, we recognized the powerful connection between the bluesy music of West Africa and the Mississippi Delta,” explains Dan “That began my search for American and African blues and blues-influenced music and led to a series of successful CDs including Mississippi Blues, American Blues and Blues Around the World.”
Storper, a blues fan who lives in New Orleans and his staff found a growing number of collaborative projects based on close musical friendships British guitarist Ramon Goose teamed up with kora (West African bridge-harp) whiz Diabel Cissokho (“Totoumo”), while respected Latin keyboard player and producer Alex Wilson found the sweet spot where Afro-Latin beats and roaring organ lines jive with kora, percussion, and other sounds from West Africa (Mali Latino’s “Ni Koh Bedy”).

Putumayo site