Caribe Caribe, exotic Caribbean rhythms
Professor David Demko, PhD
AgeVenture News Service
Putumayo World Music's latest music CD transports the listener to the Caribbean with Caribe! Caribe! ... an exhilarating collection of contemporary music from the West Indies. One of the most heavily touristed areas in the world, the islands are also home to a rich music culture of incredible depth, history and variety.
Like a tropic punch, the flavors of European, African, and indigenous culture have blended resulting in intoxicating musical concoctions. Reggae, Soca, Zouk, Compas, Biguine, and other exotic rhythms and musical styles originated in the Caribbean, and new genres are constantly emerging on the world scene. "Caribe! Caribe!" captures the ambiance of this tropical mecca with music from Barbados, Aruba, Haiti, Curacao, Marinique, Belize, Jamaica, and Anguilla.
"Caribe! Caribe!" features many tracks which have never been released outside of their home countries and represent the latest sounds of the region. Several French Caribbean artists are featured, including Kassav's drummer Claude Vamur, Martinique's Kali and Chris Combette from French Guyana. Beethova Obas, one of the greatest Haitian songwriters is also presented. From Jamaica, there's the smooth reggae groves of Don Carlos, a veteran of Black Uhuru. There's even a track by Andy Palacio from the Central American country of Belize, where the local Garifuna culture blends African and Native American music and language.
"Caribe! Caribe!" is part of a five-release Putumayo Summer Party series that features collections of music from tropical locales such as Cuba, Brazil, and Africa. Check your favorite music stores now, or visit the Putumayo World Music website at: www.putumayo.com
Graphic Credit: Putumayo World Music, New York.
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David Demko reports on lifestyle issues and trends in Aging America.
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