Any Putumayo fans?

I love world music and understand the place samplers have for introducing music to people. However I find Putumayo just doesn't do it for me. I wish I did I like the company and their vibe. Too light and "poppy" to my taste. I like artists on 6 degrees, Luaka Bop, Blue Flame, On-U, Realworld and several other labels a lot more. Samplers I prefer are Trance Planet and Buddah Bar ( although I think BB's are too expensive and own none) There's a lot out there to hear. I use the net to sample before buying although 30-60 second samples help only so much.

ET

Thanks for the recommendations, Honest1, Abdou, and Electroid. Listening to music in different languages and unfamiliar instruments always brings new excitement to music for me. For those who are looking to expand their music collection, World Music is one place to have a listen.

Good luck!

Putumayo has some Latin discs with good Salsas and Cha Chas.

Try Habib Koité - Baro.....
You won't regret this !

Yes, Habib is great. Baro is good... so is the other stuff. Mostly all the same songs on all the albums. Baro is a bit more mellow than other higher energy albums.

Lived in Mali for many years and have seen Habib in Person. Even took him to eat hot dogs once after a concert at Wolf Trap in Washington DC. Great guy. Great music.