Putumayo Presents: The Caribbean

This is another one of the New York label Putumayo's regionally-themed compilations, wrapped in their distinctive naive-art cartoon graphics. At only 45 minutes, the set is very short compared to the average 70-plus cramming enjoyed by most of the competition nowadays.

Because of the commercial nature of modern calypso and soca in particular, the issue is raised here of whether this kind of music should be termed as 'world music', or if it is simply mainstream pop sung in a different language.

Jamaica features strongly,with Stanley Beckford's old-time return to the mento style, ska and reggae's precursor. He's got banjo and a clarinet that sounds like a kazoo, bouncing alongside his throaty vocals. The Skatalites also keep it meaty, proving that the originators still hold sway, and even though they're a UK-Cuban team, Ska Cubano maintain this quality bias, successfully creating the latest unlikely fusion.