The World Grooves with Putumayo

Putumayo World Music collection happens to be one of my favorite go-to World groove compilations.  I am a devout fan of their world music collection, and own over twenty of their CDs. Each small CD  album is  delightfully decorated with gorgeous artwork that depicts the music/culture and groove of each collection. The  artwork is created by Nicola Heindl, a British illustrator.  My favorite Putumayo albums feature music from  Africa, Greece, North America(Blues)  and Brazil. 

Their founder explains the origins of the music company with a short overview of their beginnings:“Putumayo World Music was established in 1993 to introduce people to the music of the world’s cultures. The label was started as an offshoot of the Putumayo clothing and handicraft company, after its founder, Dan Storper, was surprised by the extraordinary response to the international music he had begun playing in his stores. Putumayo’s meticulously researched and curated musical journeys were so successful that, in 1997, Storper sold the clothing company so he could focus his attention on the music business. For the past 21 years, Putumayo has been known for its joyful compilations of great international music that support the company’s motto: “Guaranteed to make you feel good!”

What I admire about the company is their commitment to connect the traditional and the contemporary through music and art. As their website states:

“ By combining appealing music and striking visual aesthetics with creative retail marketing, Putumayo has developed a unique brand identity, a rarity in today’s artist-based music industry.”

The company’s commitment to helping communities in the countries where the music originates has led to the label contributing more than one million dollars to non-profit organizations around the world.

In 2012 they launched a have a bi-weekly children's radio show on SiriusXM The World Playground With Putumayo.

The World Playground is a weekly one-hour musical journey for kids of all ages to experience the best in world, folk, blues, jazz and more, all while learning fascinating facts about kids and family life in other cultures half a world away!

Tune in to Sirius XM twice a week

Saturdays 6-7 pm  EST

Sundays 10-11 am  EST

Check out their website: for additional shows/information

http://www.putumayo.com