CD Details
Synopsis
Album DescriptionThe fascinating global journey of jazz is one of music's most remarkable stories. Putumayo's newest release, Jazz Around the World, showcases the powerful influence of jazz on musicians across the globe. Featuring both well-established and newer artists performing extraordinary covers and originals, this collection incorporates a wide range of rhythms, instruments and melodies into a constantly evolving genre. With ancestral roots in Africa, jazz flowered into a dynamic force in the United States throughout the 20th century. And, over the years, it has borrowed from, influenced and blended with musical traditions around the world. On Jazz Around the World, Texas-raised Heather Rigdon delivers a sophisticated performance on "Young and Naïve" which has drawn comparisons to the music of Norah Jones and Diana Krall. Quebecois chanteuse Chantal Chamberland's retro-sounding interpretation of "La Mer" (the French predecessor of the Bobby Darin classic "Beyond the Sea") sounds familiar yet original. On "Quiéreme Mucho," Paris-based Niuver blends the trova music of her native Cuba with jazz and Brazilian bossa nova. Famed South African trumpeter and fusion master Hugh Masekela offers an uplifting performance on "Open the Door," effortlessly complemented by the beautiful voice of songstress Malaika. The Kora Jazz Trio and Malian Kélétigui Diabaté, master of the balafon (an African marimba), both contribute exceptional reworkings of classic songs. The Kora Jazz Trio offers a soulful version of the Cuban standard "Chan Chan" while Diabaté, (with Habib Koité & Bamada) gives an African twist to George Gershwin's "Summertime." The album also features outstanding tracks by Cameroonian singer Blick Bassy, jazz fusion drummer Billy Cobham with Asere, New Zealand Maori musician Kataraina Pipi, Guadalajaran multicultural quartet Sherele and Spanish/Algerian singer Kad. Jazz Around the World is Putumayo's third jazz collection, joining successful recent releases Latin Jazz and Women of Jazz.
Similarly Requested CDs
| |
CD Reviews
"Jazz" is a subjective term. This combines "jazz" with World Steven I. Ramm | Phila, PA USA | 10/27/2009 (4 out of 5 stars) "
Another fine CD from Putumayo, best known for its CD compilations of "world music". Most of their releases emphasize a specific geographical region or country, while some are by "style".
While the homelands of the artists included on this disc range from New Zealand to Mexico to Cameroon to Canada the emphasis seems to be on African beats with Cuban/Mexican rhythms.
Hugh Masekela - who had hits in the US in the 1960s ("Grazin' in the Grass" hit #1 on the pop charts), he is now back in South Africa. US drummer Billy Cobham mixes his band with Cuban musicians. Katarina Pipi lives in New Zealand (not a country with an identifiable music style) but her Maori music echoes Hawaiian singing. And the oddest combination here is the band Sherele, a Klezmer band from Mexico.
There's no one here playing in the Traditional Jazz style and no one using bebop or, thank you Putumayo, "smooth jazz". The sole American singer is Heather Rigdon, an independent label artist. Masakela is probably the only easily recognizable name. But, then again, Putumayo wants to introduce listeners to artists that are new to them. They accomplish this with this album, with selections taken from 2004-2008 releases.
Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"
"
|
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1
