Although this collection features artists from several continents, there is a particular Latin accent in nearly all the tunes.

The reason here is possibly the fact that Latin music has been exported as extensively as coffee, and in the process has been merged with several other indigenous rhythms to form new exciting musical hybrids.

Perhaps reflective of this compilation’s binding factor – ie coffee – the music featured comes in a diversity of styles and rhythms, ranging from the lazy Latin strums of Brazilian Ceumar’s Dindinha and Titico’s El Atabal De Mi Negra from the Dominican Republic to the acoustic flavour of Mario Rui Silva’s Nzaji and Denis Tshibayi’s Nge Na Munu which, despite oozing a Hispanic mood, are both of African origin. Another particularly significant track highlighting this ethnic fusion is Emeline’s Michel’s Moso Manman, from Haiti.

The essence of this compilation, rooted in the cross-fertilisation of Latin and African rhythms, brings to mind the Cape Verde and Putumayo Blend compilations that preceded this collection. Like those albums, Music From The Coffee Lands II presents a warm selection of songs that portray the passion, flavour and energy of the coffee lands, totally oblivious to any barrier, and especially regardless of from which genre the music has evolved. The only important factor here, it seems, is the desire to sing and create the perfect mood to enhance one’s feeling of well-being! The coffee is a welcome bonus…!