A large portion of its target audience consists of “Cultural Creatives,” a sociological term for 50 million North Americans and millions more around the world with an interest in culture, travel and the arts. Putumayo is considered a pioneer and leader in developing the non-traditional market. By combining appealing music and visuals with creative retail marketing, Putumayo has developed a unique brand identity, a rarity in today’s artist-based music industry.

In the past twenty years, the record label has become known primarily for its upbeat and melodic compilations of great international music characterized by the company’s motto: “guaranteed to make you feel good!” Putumayo’s CD covers feature the distinctive art of British illustrator Nicola Heindl, whose colorful, folkloric style represents one of the company’s goals: to connect the traditional and the contemporary. The label grew out of the Putumayo clothing company, founded by Dan Storper in 1975 and sold in 1997. The album might be a little thin for those who are already devotees of the café atmosphere, but it makes for a fine introduction.Putumayo World Music was established in 1993 to introduce people to the music of the world’s cultures. There are certainly some omissions to be had here ( Edith Piaf being perhaps the most notable), but on the whole Putumayo did a fine job in compiling the major styles and figures of the field. It's all implied, but rarely given explicitly, and the music echoes this concept. Vocals are expressive, but not so much that they scream emotion.

It's this careful line that the music walks throughout the album. It forces the listener to tap their feet, but not quite hard enough to force any dancing. The album on the whole has a careful little bounce to it that's inherent in much of French contemporary music. Some of the more contemporary innovators on the market also appear here in force, from the jazzy Paris Combo, to the kicked-up string jazz of Sansévérino, to the smoother, half-dance music of Enzo Enzo. Some of the classic performers from the Parisian scene are presented here, from the old Georges Brassens recordings, to a sultry little number from Brigitte Bardot, to the chanson innovator Serge Gainsbourg. Putumayo's first geographically based CD after their tenth anniversary celebrations, French Café covers the narrow concept of café music in an admirable manner, including a number of styles that have made their way through the Parisian café systems and/or are inspired by the work of previous artists among the café elite.

Putumayo presents french cafe rar