Putumayo Presents: African Party

Various Artists (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 29, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Putumayo World Music
• ASIN: B0013D2X94
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #48,441 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist
Putumayo World Music was established in 1993 to introduce people to the music of the world's cultures. The label grew out of Putumayo clothing company, founded by Dan Storper in 1975 and sold in 1997. Co-founder Michael Kraus joined Dan to launch Putumayo World Music and establish a non-traditional sales division. Putumayo World Music 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 to the contemporary. By combining appealing music and visuals with creative retail marketing, Putumayo has developed a unique brand identity - a rarity in today's artist-based music industry.

Product Description
African music is among the world's most captivating and no one will be able to resist moving their feet to this danceable collection.

African Party is the latest installment in the Putumayo journey. In 1991, founder Dan Storper was strolling through Golden Gate Park when he was transfixed by the uplifting sounds of the African group Kotoja. This experience inspired Dan to launch Putumayo World Music as a platform to introduce people to the joyous international sounds that moved him on that day. "I'll never forget the moment when I came across people of all ages and backgrounds dancing to this exciting African band. Their music was the essence of what has become the Putumayo World Music slogan `guaranteed to make you feel good." A portion of Putumayo's proceeds from the sale of African Party will be donated to HopeHIV in support of their efforts to strengthen the capacity of children and their communities to deal with the impact of HIV/AIDS.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dancing from Dakar to Zanzibar, May 7, 2008

By	Amaranth "music fan" (Northern California) - See all my reviews

Putumayo's "African Party" is a fitting celebration of its 15th anniversary as a label bringing the world's music to the armchair traveler. It looks into the future with rising stars such as Chiwoniso from Zimbabwe; it's also a retrospective with a track from Oakland-based Kotoja, the highlife band that inspired Putumayo's creation.

"African Party" opens with a dance remix of Sekouba Bambino's "Famou",a passionate plea on behalf of women. Macire Sylla's "Perenperen" and BoPol Mansiaamina's "Samba samba" have reggae&Brazilian rhythms respectively. "Samba samba",a plea for repentance, sounds like a Rio de Janeiro samba. Oliver Mtukudzi's "Kunze Kwadoka",from the sadly out-of-print "Paivepo",is about a grandmother urging her granddaughter to be careful with her boyfriend. Ivory Coast's Les Go contributes a jazzy track. Mapumba's "Mwafwako" is an anthemic ode to his family (he grew up with eight siblings). Kotoja's dancing song about dance "Vami Duwe" is from their out-of-print "Super Sawale Collection." Chiwoniso's "Nguva Yekufara" has bubbly thumb piano; she has a strong,soulful voice. Her album, "Rebel Woman",will be released this summer. Louis Mhlanga's "Rhumba all the way" is a joyous song about strengthening Africa. Bonga's sunny song "Mulemba Xangola" shows why he often collaborates with Brazilian musicians.

"African Party" is a joyous compilation. It's cheery music. The songs meld effortlessly into each other. It's great music that's also doing great good;a portion of the proceeds will be donated to HOPEHIV in supporting African communities and children affected by HIV/AIDS. Music brings healing.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very pleasant sampler of contemporary African pop, June 2, 2008

By	Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com (...in Middle America) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This is a very pleasant, bouncy, melodic collection of modern African pop, mostly recorded during this decade (2000-2008). Some new bands, but mostly the same lovely sound that fans of the style will enjoy. Perfect for putting on a party to keep the mood happy and bright. (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue music guide)