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PUTUMAYO PRESENTS JAZZ AROUND THE WORLD (PUTUMAYO) |
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It's hardly definitive and really doesn't serve as an intro to the world's jazz music. But maybe that's not the point. It seems to me this is more along the lines of simply providing jazz music from a variety of cultures. This is one case where it's not America being enlightened by other countries'/regions' styles of music. Here, jazz — a uniquely American art form — has spread abroad into the world and returns to us, in this case remarkably faithful to the personality of traditional American jazz. What you won't find here is acidy jazz, free jazz, tripped out jazz — all that thrusting, proggy, dark jam jazz favored by many (myself included). But that's not the only jazz I favor; I can also dig on some chilled, atmospheric mainstream jazz stylings, which is what you'll get here. Example "La Mer," the first track: Here, it's a Canadian version (in French). You might know the song as "Beyond the Sea." Not earthshattering or particularly worldview expanding, but, really, this, like many Putumayo releases, is simply about enjoying the varieties of world music. And why should not the U.S. get its day in the sun in the world music field? Jazz is ours and we should be flattered that it has taken root across the globe. Here, artists from all over kind of sing an ode to the United States' contribution to global music — jazz. Hardcore aficianados might not be challenged by this, but fans of jazz who just want to hear some good jazz to keep the vibe flowing through their heads will be well served hearing this.-- review by Kristofer Upjohn
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