New releases: July 31, 2007

The new release I'm most excited about next week isn't really new at all, or at least its songs aren't. The wonderful folks at Putumayo have put together a collection of Americana music for their latest collection, "Putumayo Presents: Americana."

If you're not familiar with Putumayo, cruise on down to your favorite indie record store and find their display. Pick out any of their collections and prepare to be amazed. Really, I defy you to find a bad one. I have several Putumayo discs, most of them collections of various world music, and I love them all. I have a fun time while I'm listening, and afterward I feel like I've learned a little about whatever genre of music was the focus.

Many labels have produced some mighty fine Americana compilations, but this is an especially good one. There's Old Crow Medicine Show's "Wagon Wheel," for one -- that's always been my secret weapon on mix CDs I make for friends whom I'm trying to convert to our side. There's Robert Earl Keen for some twang, RobinElla for a little jazz/swing thang, and Ruthie Foster for some blues. Americana is a hard genre to pin down, but Putumayo -- as usual -- has done a great job showing off all the category's facets while keeping to the core theme.

New releases of note for the week of July 31:
various artists -- Putumayo Presents: Americana (Putumayo)
various artists -- Naming Number Two [soundtrack] (HackTone)
This companion to a Sundance-honored New Zealand film features South Pacific music -- traditional and otherwise, including a track from a Samoan rapper.
The Derailers -- Under the Influence of Buck (Palo Duro)
Josh Rouse -- Country Mouse City House (Nettwerk)