CD's

Women of Jazz showcases the originality and artistry of 10 exceptional female vocalists from North America. This collection offers extraordinary artists from several eras – legends who have inspired today’s generation, stars of the contemporary jazz world and young women just now starting to make their mark on jazz history. Women of Jazz captures the depth and diversity of the female jazz experience. Learn More

On Acoustic Arabia, Putumayo turns its attention to the subtler, more organic music of the Arabic world inspired by the region’s traditional music. Featuring stripped-down arrangements and a soft, introspective quality, the songs on this collection highlight the fundamental beauty of Arabic music. Acoustic Arabia features an intriguing roster of artists, including several international stars and exciting new discoveries. Each musician has a fascinating life story that brings added depth to their music. Learn More

With American Blues, Putumayo continues its successful series of blues and blues- influenced albums that began in 1999 with Mali to Memphis: An African-American Odyssey. American Blues is a collection of some of our favorite blues tracks by legends and rising stars that are helping to keep the blues alive and thriving.
The artists on this compilation have remained true to the roots of the blues, be those the acoustic guitar sounds of the Mississippi Delta, the urban electric drive of Chicago, or the swamp boogie of Louisiana. While they may have developed their own unique voices and approaches, they have made it their mission to respect the fundamental sound, structure and soul of the blues. Learn More

There has long been a cultural exchange between the East and the West. Marco Polo and the Silk and Spice trading routes began the process that, over time, has led to the creation of new musical styles. Putumayo presents examples of this ongoing musical interaction with the release of Asian Lounge. Travel from London to Bombay, Bali to Tokyo with this compilation of innovative Asian fusions, the sixth in Putumayo’s successful Lounge series. Learn More

Putumayo World Music proudly presents Samba Bossa Nova, an alluring collection of Brazilian music from samba and bossa nova's new wave. The classic sound of the past meets the voices of the future on this hip selection. Learn More

“...Over seventy minutes of sacred sound that tends toward the chill with … a throughline of the gorgeously lyrical.” - LA Yoga
“Kudos to Putumayo for maintaining such a high standard and delivering a yoga CD that will hopefully be the first of many.” - Common Ground

Yoga is Putumayo’s first CD release featuring songs selected to accompany yoga practice and serve as a relaxing soundtrack for daily life. Rooted in ancient Hindu, Buddhist and Jain traditions, the practice of yoga has evolved over the past 5,000 years. Adopted by millions of people around the world, yoga provides a vehicle for greater health and spiritual awareness. Music has long had a close relationship with yoga, particularly in the Bhakti tradition, which incorporates musical chants into its practice. Learn More

French Café is a collection of classic and modern French music that will transport the listener to the romantic streets of Paris. The album features some of the greatest names in the history of French music as well as new artists who are inspired by classic chanson, gypsy jazz and musette. Learn More

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. Learn More

Putumayo World Music continues its exploration of new directions in world music with African Groove, a collection of cutting-edge African music that highlights the ways modern styles have fused with African traditions. African Groove features musicians from Africa who experiment with hip-hop, remixing and electronic programming as well as international electronica artists who have used the rhythms and styles of Africa as inspiration for trend- setting club music. Learn More

Putumayo is pleased to present Arabic Groove, a cutting- edge collection of hip and danceable tracks from North Africa and the Middle East. Arabic Groove reveals the ways funk, hip-hop and dance have blended with Arabic music to create exciting new sounds. This forward-looking compilation features some of the most electrifying music filling fashionable nightclubs from Paris to Cairo, and includes remixes by Transglobal Underground, Volodia and Bill Laswell. Learn More

Putumayo has built a reputation for delivering great collections of music from all over the globe. In 2001, the label scored a hit with Arabic Groove, the first release in the critically-acclaimed Groove series that showcases modern fusions in world music. With the success of subsequent releases, including Asian Groove, African Groove and the more recent Gypsy Groove, the series has gone on to sell more than 1.5 million CDs around the world. Euro Groove, the 11th release in the series, is a collection of cool, contemporary grooves from the European continent's leading musicians, producers and DJs. Learn More

A remarkable revolution is taking place in Latin music these days, as electronica and remixing meet the more traditional rhythms of Argentinean tango, Afro-Cuban son, Brazilian bossa nova and Colombian cumbia. On Latin Lounge, artists such as Sidestepper, Si*Sé, Charanga Cakewalk and others prove that there can be a magical blend of modern musical trends and traditional Latin styles. Learn More

Women have always played an essential role in the preservation of African culture. From lullabies sung to sleepy children to chants of celebration, women are important bearers of tradition. Unlike some areas in the world where females are discouraged from taking part in public musical performance, in sub-Saharan Africa, music is an essential social activity for all members of the community.
While many musical instruments are traditionally played exclusively by men, women often provide the voice of Africa’s music. This legacy carries over from traditional to contemporary music, and many of today’s most popular singers in Africa are women. Learn More

Putumayo’s Jazz features a veritable who’s who of jazz legends performing beloved standards. The 1950s was a golden age for jazz and three-quarters of this collection was recorded during this era. Many of these recordings have been remixed and remastered, providing a level of sound quality not available until recent years. A wonderful introduction to the genre and a worthy addition to any aficionado’s collection, Jazz demonstrates the enduring, universal appeal of this homegrown American musical style. The liner notes of the CD were written by noted jazz scholar and WWOZ New Orleans radio host Joel Dinerstein, whose in-depth commentary is accompanied by rare archival photos. Learn More

The elegant style and restrained passion of tango has made it one of the most recognized and popular forms of music and dance around the world. Its romantic allure has earned it such a wide following that there are now tango clubs from Seattle to Sydney. Over the past decade, DJs and contemporary musicians have taken tango in new directions with electronic-based compositions known as "new tango." Putumayo has traveled the globe to find many of the best tango and tango-influenced songs the world has to offer. From tango's birthplace in Buenos Aires to its adoptive homes of Athens, Lisbon, Helsinki and other cities, Tango Around the World weaves together passion, style and elegance to create a rich musical tapestry that features traditional tango alongside contemporary fusions. Learn More

During carnival in Rio, the streets vibrate with the thunderous beats of the samba schools, their energetic rhythms persuading even the frail to dance. After the parties have ended, though, Brazilians start playing the softer, more introspective music for which they are also renowned. While upbeat rhythms like samba, forró and axé have people dancing in the streets during carnival, Acoustic Brazil focuses on the more delicate Brazilian music that comes to life in the aftermath of the party Learn More

Though its cities are filled with the ancient architecture of its long history, Turkey is considered one of the most modern Muslim countries in the world. This cultural juxtaposition is most evident in Turkey’s contemporary pop music scene, where classical traditions and instrumentation blend with sophisticated global pop and dance music. Putumayo World Music’s newest release, Turkish Groove, reflects this unique musical mosaic and joins the successful Groove series, which has sold over one million CDs. Learn More

Café Cubano is a captivating collection that will transport listeners to the charming cafes of this musically-rich Caribbean island. This album features a selection of exceptional performers who have incorporated Cuba’s diverse musical traditions and distinctive styles into their music.
Several of the songs feature influences from the “nueva trova” movement, in which lyrical poetry is joined with Pan-American folk traditions. Others remain true to the sultry guajiras, romantic boleros and traditional sones which were the underpinning of the renowned Buena Vista Social Club recordings. Cuban music traces its roots back to the melodies of Europe and the rhythms of Africa, and the inspiring blend that resulted from years of interaction between these diverse cultures. Learn More

Over the years, the traditional music of the world’s Celtic regions has been woven into the fabric of contemporary music and culture around the world. Songs and melodies of Celtic antiquity from Ireland, Scotland and Cape Breton (on the east coast of Canada) have become an integral part of the soundtrack for the 21st Century. Learn More

On Rumba, Mambo, Cha Cha Chá, Putumayo explores retro-flavored Latin dance music with these timeless genres from the Cuban family tree. Rumba, mambo and cha cha chá are familiar names to ballroom dancers the world over. Originating in Cuba from a blend of African and European influences, they have become immensely popular around the globe. On this album, Putumayo has collected songs that demonstrate the universal appeal of these musical styles, with informative liner notes in English and Spanish accompanying the CD. Learn More