 NEW YORK (Top40 Charts/ Putumayo World Music) - Putumayo World Music is pleased to announce the celebration of its 15th anniversary, and in conjunction, will release African Party on April 29th. Over the past 15 years, Putumayo has established itself as a pioneer in developing the non-traditional market and is one of the globe's most recognized labels. African Party is the latest installment in the Putumayo journey. In 1991, founder Dan Storper was strolling through Golden Gate Park when he was transfixed by the uplifting sounds of the African group Kotoja. This experience inspired Dan to launch Putumayo World Music as a platform to introduce people to the joyous international sounds that moved him on that day. Says Storper, "I'll never forget the moment when I came across people of all ages and backgrounds dancing to this exciting African band. Their music was the essence of what has become the Putumayo World Music slogan 'guaranteed to make you feel good.' It's exciting that we're now celebrating 15 years in existence, 15 offices opened around the world and more than 20 million CDs sold! I couldn't imagine a more appropriate CD than African Party as a celebration of the music that inspired me to start the company." African Party features the inspirational band Kotoja and Oliver Mtukudzi, who released several popular albums on the Putumayo label. Newcomers Chiwoniso from Zimbabwe and Mapumba from the Congo are featured not only on African Party but also on Putumayo Kids' latest offering, African Dreamland, which will also be released on April 29th. A portion of Putumayo's proceeds from the sale of African Party will be donated to HOPEHIV in support of their efforts to strengthen the capacity of African children who have been orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS. Since it began in April 1993, Putumayo World Music's charitable contributions have exceeded $1 million. Dan Storper, Ken Okolulo (the founder of Kotoja) and Mapumba will be available are available for interviews. For more information on African Party, the 15th Anniversary celebration and other Putumayo releases, visit please visit www.putumayo.com or contact Publicity Manager Crissa Requate at (828) 505-2206 or crissa @ putumayo.com
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