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LISTEN & BUY @ AMAZON |
A NEW GROOVE (PUTUMAYO) |
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World label Putumayo offers up "A New Groove," a compilation that is less concerned with more traditional ideas of world music. Of course, Putumayo is not a strictly traditional world label anyway; consider its predilection for mingling electronica grooves with its organic world elements. This is a more modernistic approach to world music. While its not the folksy exotica that comes to mind for many when world music is mentioned, it is colorful and eclectic - both strong qualities of Putumayo. This is indeed world music (and there are strains of classic world flavors), but "A New Groove" is exactly that. What kind of music is being created around the globe today? It's a narrow vision that only allows one to think of world music as other countries offering old, rustic flavors. Time has not ceased to be outside the United States. Artists in other nations have their contributions to contemporary music culture. As I said, this is world music. It is a collection of songs from artists headquartered in various parts of the planet (including the United States). The friendly flow of songs on "A New Groove" reflects a world that is becoming more globalized every day. Technology and communication have advanced into what would be considered science fiction realms just 50 years ago. Technology has served music well with underground artists having greater and greater opportunities to be heard, the DIY ethic being served by increasing access to cheaper yet better technology. But technology has also served music by opening up people from all over the world to each other. A freer exchange of ideas exists now than ever before. The end result is CDs like this, in which the listener can readily hear the cross-pollination between cultures; at the same time different artists of different ethnic and sociological backgrounds leave their distinct signatures on their music. In this way, "A New Groove" is more than just a batch of today's indie artists from various points on the map - it's a representation of worldwide music culture reaching new horizons. Those who prefer more old school world music sounds may not take to this as readily as they will to other releases; nonetheless, songs like these are important hallmarks in the progress of music culture. -- review by Kristofer Upjohn
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