The hits just keep on coming from the world music connoisseurs at Putumayo, which has added a half-dozen or so releases to its catalog since the beginning of the year.

The newest is "Italian Cafe," a swinging collection of classic and contemporary songs reflecting the country's relaxed music scene following World War II. The CD includes Nicola Arigliano, now in his 80s, who was performing in the 1950s and continues today. Fifties crooner Renato Carosone blends Neapolitan folk music with American boogie-woogie.

Among the contemporary performers, Gianmaria Testa, whose day job is a train station manager, is recognizable for his gruff, breathy vocals. Daniele Silvestri's "Le Cose in Comune"("The Things We Have in Common") won Italy's song-of-the-year award.

A North Beach release party in honor of "Italian Cafe" begins at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Amante, 570 Green St., San Francisco. For reservations e-mail

tesfa@putumayo.com.

Two more recent Putumayo hotties are "Acoustic Brazil" and "Afro-Latin Party." "Brazil" is a collection of laid-back vocals and instrumentals that reflect, according to the label, the "softer, more introspective music" that comes after the heat of Rio's Carnival. "Party" lives up to its name with a variety of up-tempo tracks, from the Afro-Latin phenom band Africando to Pepe and the Bottle Blondes from — of all places — Portland, Ore. And to prove once again that music styles know no boundaries, the CD features Cubismo, described as Croatia's best salsa band.

— Catherine Schutz