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Putumayo
World Music is pleased to present Puerto
Rico, a collection of entertaining songs from an island where
music is an essential element of daily life. Puerto Rico follows the
well-received Putumayo collections Cuba
and Republica
Dominicana and completes a trilogy of the music of
the Spanish Caribbean.
In recent years, Puerto Rican musicians such as Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony and Jennifer López have been at the forefront of the Latin pop music boom. These artists would be the first to acknowledge that the traditional music of their homeland is at the core of their radio-friendly crossover hits. All grew up listening to Puerto Rican traditional styles like bomba, plena and música jíbara (country music), not to mention the urban grooves of salsa. Ricky Martin, for example, often ends his shows with a guest appearance from a plena ensemble, and the rhythms and melodies of the Isla del Encanto (Island of Enchantment) are fast becoming part of the mainstream. The diverse music of Puerto Rico is reflected in the track selection that features everything from the folky country music of Edwin Colon, Ramito, Pepe Castillo and Andés Jiménez to the gutsy salsa of Eddie Palmieri, Ismael Miranda, and Jimmy Bosch. Bomba and plena, related styles that reflect the blend of African and European cultures that occurred over the centuries, are represented by noted names like Plena Libre and Modesto Cepeda. Puerto Rico also introduces Julius Melendez and Atabal, lesser-known but no less important figures in Puerto Rican music. Each of the artists on Puerto Rico embody an aspect of the unique and influential musical character of the island and the collection serves as an essential survey of Puerto Rican music. Cuba and Puerto Rico are often described as "two wings of the same bird," and this is certainly evident in their music. The songs and rhythms of both islands are irresistible, danceable and soulful and have influenced many forms of contemporary popular music and jazz. While the Cuban son has recently taken flight on a gust of international popularity, Puerto Rican traditional music is an equally important element of the Latin music boom. |