You needn’t go around the world to get the best of world hits. The world’s best picks of world music comes to you on a single disc. Known for introducing unknown artists from remote parts of the world, the Putumayo catalogue boasts of various genres of music and this compilation is the perfect sampler to introduce you to what Putumayo has in store.

Taking a tour of the album’s 11 tracks and you have the reggae tinged You Gotta Walk and Don’t Look Back (Peter Tosh and Mick Jagger) and Em’ma (Toure Kunda) to the more popish 7 Seconds (Youssou N’Dour with Neneh Cherry). Santana also makes his presence with his big hit Oye Como Va, to the simply energetic dancehall favorite Lambada (Kaoma) that has sadly been forgotten by many.

Don’t’ miss out on South Africa’s Miriam Makeba vocals on Pata Pata and for the impressive drumming. The finale comes with guitarists Gipsy Kings magnetic and racy Bambaleo that draws you onto the dancefloor. Though these standouts are the better of the lot, tune into the jazz hooked Watermelon Man (Mongo Santamaria) and the extremely funky sax Soul Makossa (Manu Dibango). Don't miss this album for anything.

Guaranteed to make you feel good’ goes the adage of Putumayo World Music who hads stormed the Indian market with their lifestyle brand of world music a few years ago.

Rating: *****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira