Entertainment

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New York, NY--(HISPANIC PR WIRE)--May 31, 2006--While the rest of the industry frets over declining sales, the Latin music market is celebrating its phenomenal growth. Salsa, cumbia, rumba and son are just a few of the rhythms heating up the charts from Bogota to Brussels, from Senegal to Sweden.

In 2005, Latin music experienced its third straight year of double-digit growth in album sales. For Putumayo, whose top 10 bestsellers include 6 Latin titles, the growing appeal of Latin music is not surprising. Latin America is the label’s fastest growing international market, and the success of albums like Salsa Around the World and Latin Lounge indicate the growing appeal of Latin music around the world. With ¡Baila!, Putumayo brings the two parties together, showcasing Latin artists along side musicians from other regions who have embraced Latin sounds.

Raul Paz kicks it off blending the deep grooves of his native Cuba with the contemporary stylings he’s picked up since relocating to France. Back in Cuba, his country mates NG La Banda attempt to conquer the world from their backyard.

From Cuba, the party travels to Colombia, where the La-33 is revitalizing salsa by reconnecting it to the genre’s golden era of the 1960s and 70s in New York. Not to be outdone, the “city that never sleeps” delivers a rhythm-driven one-two punch with The Spanish Harlem Orchestra and Yerba Buena contributing the best of the old school and the new. On the West Coast, Argentinean ex-pats Los Pinguos and Congo native Ricardo Lemvo integrate various Latin elements that keep the party people on their feet.

The next stop is Belgium, where Gabriel Rios landed after leaving his native Puerto Rico, experimenting with a variety of influences while maintaining his deep Latin roots. From Belgium, we travel to Sweden, where Calle Real is bringing a thaw to their native city.

The Africando All Stars and Brooklyn Funk Essentials round out this collection, proving once and for all that the party is right here - on Putumayo’s ¡Baila!.

A portion of Putumayo’s proceeds from the sale of this CD will be donated to United for Colombia in support of their efforts to help children who are victims of landmines in Colombia.

For more information on this and other Putumayo releases, visit our website http://www.putumayo.com.

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