We decided to put this label here because of the variety of music they have from all around the world. We are bombarded by commercial music all the time so we thought it would expand your repertoire and introduce you to other forms of music from a collection of wonderful artists.
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.
In the past fourteen years, 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.
Putumayo is considered a pioneer and leader in developing the non-traditional market. A large portion of its target audience consists of "Cultural Creatives," a sociological and lifestyle term for 50 million North Americans and millions more around the world. To reach these consumers, Putumayo has built a proprietary network of more than 3,000 book, gift, clothing, coffee and other specialty retailers that play and sell its CDs, while maintaining a strong presence in record stores. Putumayo has developed Travel the World with Putumayo consumer contests to Martinique, Ireland, Brazil, Morocco, Brazil and other destinations. Putumayo also offers in-store music education, cultural and performance events and consumer gift-with-purchase promotions utilizing CD samplers and calendars.
Dan Storper's vision of establishing a global company and lifestyle brand is being furthered by CD distribution in more than 100 countries. In April 2000, Putumayo opened its first international office in Hilversum, Holland, near Amsterdam. Putumayo Europe has a distribution network covering 20 countries. Putumayo International coordinates distribution to more than 30 countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean and the Middle East.
In 2000, Putumayo also launched the Putumayo World Music Hour, the first commercially syndicated world music program available on more than 120 commercial and non-commercial stations in the United States, Canada and around the world.
The Putumayo Kids division was created in late 2002 to introduce children to other cultures through fun, upbeat world music. The Playground series of children's CDs and multicultural activity kits have won national acclaim and numerous awards.
In 2006, Putumayo was pleased to introduce Cumbancha, a new label founded by Putumayo A&R Jacob Edgar. In collaboration with Putumayo, Cumbancha will release exceptional artists that Jacob has gotten to know over the years. Putumayo will help to distribute and promote these releases in various markets around the world. Some of Cumbancha’s first releases include Ska Cubano, The Idan Raichel Project and Andy Palacio & the Garifuna Collective.
