Putumayo Presents: Vintage Italia

Putumayo clearly have a loyal following, although I've personally always been turned off by the twee cover art and their motto of ‘guaranteed to make you feel good’, as if music was a type of healthy breakfast cereal containing freeze-dried berries. In Putumayo's defence, what their compilations do very well is provide an effective taster service: if you like what you hear, you can always immerse yourself further in whatever musical tradition might have taken your fancy. The buffet continues here with a nostalgic stroll through the golden age of Italian popular song that began after World War II.

The first half of the compilation contains classics from some of the stars of the 1950s and early 60s, such as Fred Buscaglione, Jula de Palma and Nicola Arigliano. The second half is dedicated to contemporary artists, including the US-based group Pink Martini, whose sound reflects the legacy and swinging spirit of popular music in post-war Italy. Vintage Italia amounts to a musical tour that I find enjoyable, but difficult to love.