Search - Various Artists :: Latin Groove

A Great CD!

Dina Di Maio | New York, NY | 04/28/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When it comes to Latin music, I'm pretty ignorant. That is, until I became the lucky winner of a contest to win some Putumayo Latin music CDs. The only Latin-sounding CDs in my collection previously included names like Gloria Estefan, Marc Anthony and Ricky Martin--so you can see why I needed some help. I have since learned there is much more to this genre than "Livin' La Vida Loca." Latin aficionados recommend we Latin "virgins" start with compilations like the ones from Putumayo, an innovative label established in 1993 that blends traditional and contemporary global sounds together, creating a unique aural experience. On March 12, 2002, Putumayo's "Latin Groove," was released, the second in its "Groove" series (the first, "Arabic Groove") to combine the flavorful and varied styles and influences in Latin music.

Latin music is known for its versatility, spanning the globe with different styles and traditions. The latest Latin trend is the mixture of classic sounds with the newer sounds of electronica and hip-hop to create soulful beats. "Latin Groove" gives good basic training into this creative joining of old-school with modern. The first track is "El Carretero," or "The Cart Driver," by Barrio Cubano de Ronald Rubinel. Rubinel is a Parisian producer whose latest obsession consists of upgrading French Caribbean folk music with the likes of hip-hop, rap and pop. This song has elements of the classic Cuban guajira-acoustic guitar-with added drumbeats and rap. Funky and Santana-esque is the song, "Soy Callejero," by Los Mocosos, a San Francisco-based band whose work fuses hip-hop, ska, swing, rock, salsa, boogaloo and Mexican corridos (ballad-type songs dating back to the 19th century). A cool blend of electronica, flamenco guitar and Afro-Cuban riffs is evident in "Bizcocho Amargo" by Si*Se. The song is reminiscent of Dido with its hypnotic melody. "El Estuche" by Los Aterciopelados, a Grammy-nominated Columbian rock band, is a funky blend of hip-hop and Cuban son (19th century dance performed by percussion alone). "Cumbia De Los Muertos" by Ozomatli mixes Mexican cumbia (a blend of West African rhythm, Spanish lyrics and Caribbean flutes and whistles), reggae, hip-hop and rap to relate the story of the living dancing with loved ones from the past.

So I've learned that whatever the mix is, whether it is Cuban, Mexican or Caribbean with new-school hip-hop, electronica or rock, it is good, it is fun and it is soulful. And perhaps, what I've learned the most out of this listening experience is that Latin singers can carry a tune-unlike most pop/rock singers in America today. Check out the 22-year-old granddaughter of Rafael Lay, a Cuban music legend, Yaimi Lay as she promises to give us a "little salsa" in "Salsita" with Sin Palabras, a Cuban collective of musicians, DJs and artists. For more great Latinas, listen to Putumayo's CD by that name, showcasing the voices of Latin women who use their music to celebrate their cultures and traditions and protest against injustice.

For all those interested in Putumayo, the label originated as a clothing line started in 1975 by Dan Storper. Eighteen years later, the company began putting out music compilations. In 1997, Storper sold the company, which has produced over 60 CDs. The following year, it signed its first artist, Ricardo Lemvo. In 2001, Miriam Makeba's Homeland CD, of the Putumayo label, was nominated for a Grammy. -- Dina Di Maio

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TRAILBLAZING CD

artsydancer | Philadelphia, PA United States | 07/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Folks hear me out. In my quest for salsa music that blends with hip hop and funk to also fuse the two styles of dance in my salsa dancing, I have reached my mecca in finding this CD. I've been searching for more more more music like it ever since. I only ask that Putumayo please MAKE MORE of these funky, salsa hip hop CD's. I for one plan to use this music especially Funkanzazenji's Latin Flavor, Supatone's Yorulamento or Sidestepper's Linda Manigua for dance performance(s). I'm even trying to find out if each of the artists has other CD's. If anyone knows please enlighten me. Anyhow this is by far the very best of the Putumayo World Music collaborations. It's cutting edge, pioneering, and trailblazing. I am ravenous for more!!!!!"

A solid fusion of sounds

M. Reyes | North Miami Beach, FL United States | 08/07/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Being Cuban born, raised in the US and a long time DJ I have been able to sample a variety of sounds specially living in South Florida. Nothing like this has EVER been heard in any of our "Major" market radio stations locally, this is the only way you can experience this type of sound. Hip Hop, pop, samplings, old classic Cuban songs,funk, electronica and DJ remixes all blended in this awesome CD. My only disappointmet with this product is that it has ONLY 11 tracks, I would have loved MORE music.Anyhow, buy it, you will enjoy if you are into this genre. Be warned this is NOT typical Cuban music, it is a fusion of the above mentioned with some cuban classics. All I can say is WHEN IS PUTUMAYO RELEASING LATIN GROOVE 2?!"