Various Artists: ‘Putumayo Presents Women of Latin America’ Putumayo World Music www.putumayo.com * * * * *

            What started as a New York bookstore has morphed into one of the most successful independent record labels on the planet, its brand of colorful world music now synonymous with True Quality.

            Putumayo World Music has revolutionized the marketing and distribution of music from many far-flung places, raising awareness of people and cultures from the Arabian Peninsula to Zimbabwe.

            The label’s newest release, currently being promoted by Putumayo’s “Women of Latin American Tour” – which touched down at the Mondavi Center last week – is par for the course.  The disc focuses on 11 contemporary Latin American singers from five different countries.  The songs are done in various musical styles, all of which flow seamlessly from one track to the next.

            One of the major highlights is the amazing voice of Brazil’s Adriana Calcanhotto on “Justo Agora,” sung against a traditional bossa nova arrangement.  At 39, Calcanhotto already has released six albums in Brazil, and she’s poised to take the rest of the world by storm.

            Another rising star making an appearance is Lila Downs, flexing her powerful voice on “Icnocuicatl.”  Mexico’s Downs will be remembered by many filmgoers for her featured role in “Frida,” and she’s known here in Davis as the opening act that topped headliner Los Lobos at the Mondavi Center earlier this year.

            Many singers featured on this disc already are household names in their native countries.  Lucky you: Here’s a chance to become familiar with them without lifting a passport or worrying about dysentery.