Various Artists: Putumayo Presents: A New Groove

It’s artist compilations like these that make me wish more bands could make whole albums this consistently strong from start to finish. Adding to the fun is Putumayo’s knack for designing album covers that creatively blend the mature with the playful, luring you into a multicultural voyage of seductive rhythm you can’t and don’t want to abort. This 10-track sonic trip around the world slides from the US to Australia to France to Canada to Puerto Rico, showcasing singles from albums that each artist has released within the last few years. The ride ignites with Denmark DJ Emo’s velvety seduction “Back of the Car” and finishes with US-based producer Kid Loco’s remix of Thievery Corporation’s “Until the Morning”. In between, among others, are Australian six-piece Cat Empire’s sorrowful ballad “Lost Song”, Canada’s swinging genre blender/emcee K-OS “Crabbuckit”, and UK diva Alice Russell’s “High Up on the Hook”. Although some of the songs have been around for a while, A New Groove is still a fine way to become more familiar with how the rest of the globe is grooving.