Putumayo began in 1975 as a Latin American handicraft shop in New York City, by then 23-year old founder Dan Storper. Dan majored in Latin American Studies, and on a trip to Colombia found himself in the Putumayo river valley where he fell in love with the indigenous handicrafts, people, and countryside. The company grew to seven shops and a wholesale business selling international handicrafts and women’s clothing to 600 boutiques.
In 1991, on his return from Indonesia Dan stopped in San Francisco where in Golden Gate Park he happened upon an African band named Kotoja – who was performing upbeat Afro-beat music to a happy, dancing crowd. That chance occurrence led Dan to start the Putumayo World Music record label with his friend Michael Kraus in 1993. For the past 25 years, Putumayo World Music has become known for its joyful compilations of international music, featuring album covers illustrated by British artist Nicola Heindl.
Putumayo has been considered a pioneer in developing the non-traditional market of gift, health food, children’s and other specialty stores as outlets for music. The company’s commitment to helping communities in the countries where the music originates led to the label contributing more than half a million dollars to non-profit organizations around the world.
NEW RELEASE
Ska Around the World
Putumayo is pleased to announce the release of its newest collection, Ska Around the World, on August 31st. Available as a CD, MP3 download and with select tracks for streaming, this collection puts the spotlight on a genre that exploded out of the island of Jamaica and circled the world with its energetic, upbeat rhythms. While also serving as the basis for several significant musical movements including reggae, ska continues to rock fans across the globe.
The party kicks off with Brazil’s Orquestra Brasileira de Música Jamaicana. Canadian Chris Murray follows, singing “Make it hard from the yard inna old time way … Give it to me, we want the real ska,” and the popular Basque group Akatz keeps the party going with their hit “Así Eres Tu.”
As a testament to the roots of ska, Putumayo included legendary Jamaican band The Skatalites with “Glory to the Sound.” As the album demonstrates, ska’s influence has extended far from its country of origin. Listeners will also be treated to the sultry and sweet “IJssalon Bernardo” by Amsterdam trio Zazí and “Duck Soup” by Catalonian group The Pepper Pots.
Ska has a long history of inclusivity and diversity, and the South Indian folk tune “Chanda Mama,” as performed by the global musical project Playing For Change and featuring Israeli singer Tula, is a prime example. Ska is also about having fun and getting down, and horn-lovers won’t be able to get enough of “Buttah (Instrumental)” by the New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble.
As the album comes to a close, Algeria-born, West Africa-raised, Montreal-schooled and Ecuador-based artist Sarazino pays tribute to his African roots and Latin American home on the track “Ecos de Radio Iguana.” Finally, the albums wraps up with “Policy of Truth” by the Russia-based St. Petersburg Ska-Jazz Review.
There is no doubt that, despite its small island roots, ska still has global appeal. Ska Around the World will take listeners on a global journey of discovery and demonstrate the influence of this important genre on the music of the world.
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