Brazil — CDs  

The first album in years from this favorite Brazilian funk combo – and less of a straight album than a collection of different recordings from all the time we haven't heard from them! Funk Como Le Gusta are tighter than ever – still strongly inspired by American funk and soul, and able to fuse it into a groove that's slightly contemporary – but way better than the usual mainstream R&B from Brazil! There's a lean quality here on most of the tracks – instrumentation that's still mostly live, and definitely linked to the contemporary deep funk underground at points – while getting even bolder production at others. Titles include "Balacobaco", "Sweet Ronie Song", "Putz", "Muchacha Fantastica", "Ire", and "Preludio Do Sol".

The start of a legend – and the very first album by Sergio Mendes' Brasil 66 group, proudly brought to the world through the godlike talents of a young Herb Alpert! Sergio was no stranger to the recording studio by the time of this set, but the record marked a real shift in his music – a change from the mostly-instrumental bossa modes he first forged back in Brazil, and a shift to warmer, sweeter pop with a nice sunny California finish – done through unique production techniques and the group's trademark two-lady lead vocals! The sound is tremendous, and is possibly heard in its purest form here – simple, focused, and given that near-perfect A&M sound through Herb's production skills. Titles include the classics "Daytripper", "Aqua De Beber", "O Pato", "Berimbau", "Mas Que Nada", and "The Joker".

A blistering set of bossa-tinged jazz – truly the cream of the crop of the Brazilian scene from the 60s and early 70s! The package is great both as an introduction to bossa jazz, and as a capper if you've ever heard any of the genre – an essential collection that not only features key tracks, but some rare gems as well – beautifully packaged, and remastered with sound that's way better than any of your old scratchy records! The approach here is wonderful – quick-stepping rhythms, soaring instrumentation, and a way of putting together a groove that's quite different than American or European jazz at the time – even during those eras when bossa was having a strong influence upon those scenes. And sure, in later years, some Brazilian-inspired projects from other territories could sometimes be a bit weak – but these cuts are the originals, and are filled with life, imagination, and originality that oozes forth from the very first note! 2CD package is beautifully put together, with a nice booklet too – and titles include "Birimbau" by Dom Um Romaeo, "Xibaba" by Airto, "San Salvador" by Tamba 4, "A3" by Som Imaginario, "Solo" by Meirelles E Os Copa 5, "Improviso Negro" by Sambalanco Trio, "Vento Bravo" by Edu Lobo, "Batucada" by Luis Carlos Vinhas, "Consolacao" by Tenorio Jr, "Like A Rainy Night" by Salinas, "Zazueira" by Balanco Trio, "Das Tardes Mas Sos" by Paulo Moura, "Bebe" by Eumir Deodato, and "Patumbalacunde" by Joao Donato.

A glorious celebration of the Luaka Bop label – the groundbreaking imprint first started by David Byrne as a way to bring older Brazilian music to the American market! Since that initial release – Brazilian Classics 1 – the label's been covering a hell of a lot of ground – a fair bit of the South American scene, bits from overseas, and even some home-grown treasures too – all of which can be heard on this wonderfully low-priced collection. The package comes with a cool fold-out cartoon – telling the story of the label and its relationship with the majors over the years – and the CD features 15 titles that include "Ponta De Lanca Africano" by Jorge Ben, "Aht Uh Mi Hed" by Shuggie Otis, "Fuzzy Freaky" by David Byrne, "Sexy" by Los Amigos Invisibles, "Rio Longe" by Moreno + 2, "Defeito 2 Curiosidade" by Tom Ze, "Whoever You Are" by Geggy Tah, "Baby" by Os Mutantes, "Samba Sem Nenhum Problema" by Marcio Local, "Bacalao Con Pan" by Irakere, "Sweet Melody" by Zap Mama, and "Heart Of Glass" by Nouvelle Vague.

A sublime setting for the vocals of the great Ivan Lins – wrapped up here in some really inventive arrangements from the SWR Big Band, who bring an energy to the album we haven't heard from Lins in years! Ivan's vocals take on this soaring, fluid quality that reminds us why we first fell in love with his music so many years ago – a transcendent quality that's really let loose the more the band seems to energize their rhythms and horn charts – almost scatting at times, given the jazzy vibe of the whole record! Arranger Ralf Schmid really makes magic on the record – and the album also features work from Paula Morelenbaum on guest vocals, and a bit of vocals from a South African choir. Tracks include "Samba De Vision", "Missing Miles", "Guantanamineira", "Roda Baiana", "Trem Bom", and "Awa Yio".

Wonderful work from Marisa Monte – and a set that may well be the greatest record we've heard from her in years! There's a freshness here that grabs us right away – with the lure we felt when first hearing Monte's music many years ago, but cast here in a completely different style, too – more acoustic overall, yet with these beautifully subtle touches in the background – light orchestrations that slide nicely amidst the core small combo instrumentation – all topped with some of Marisa's most heartfelt lyrics in years. The album's got some great contributions from Dadi, who's definitely Monte's other half on the project – plus hip musical contributions from an array that includes Vinicius Cantuaria, Miguel Atwood Ferguson, Marty Erlich, Bernie Worrell, and other surprising guests. Monte often plays ukulele, which has a cool sound that punctuates the record nicely – and titles include "Ainda Bem", "Verdade Uma Ilusao", "Lencinho Querido", "Descalco No Parque", "Depois", and "O Que Voce Quer Saber De Verdade".

A stunning tribute to the music of Jorge Ben – a host of classic covers from the 60s and 70s, all of which share Jorge's love for an upbeat, soulful groove! The set's exploding with life and energy – that new sort of groove that Ben first unleashed on Brazilian music in the 60s, which was quickly taken up by most of his contemporaries – as you'll hear on the wonderful tunes in this set! There's a ridiculous amount of music on the collection – over two dozen tunes, a number of which we'd never heard before – and although Jorge doesn't sing on any of them, the vocalists are all clearly inspired by his sense of warmth and soul. Every cut's a groover – and titles include "Que Mandou" by Osmar Milito, "Zazueira" by Wilson Simonal, "Pulo Pulo" by Elza Soares, "Se Voce Quiser Mas Sem Bronquear" by Doris Monteiro, "Tenha Fe Pois Amanha Um Lindo Dia Vai Nascer" by Salinas, "La Vem Salgueiro" by Os Originais Do Samba, "Carolina Carol Bela" by Os Brazoes, "Speed" by Sonia Santos, "Rei Do Maracatu" by Cyro Aguiar, "Cosa Nostra" by Os Mutreteiros Grilados, "Fio Maravilha" by Marijo, "Pais Tropical" by Wilson Simonal, and "Mas Que Nada" by Elza Soares.

Some of the boldest, most expressive work we've heard from Edu Lobo in years – a beautiful recording with the Metropole Orchestra, who help Lobo regain all the lofty power of his early 70s years! The arrangements here are full, and full of feeling too – lead vocals by Lobo soaring over the top of his sublime compositions, pushed onward strongly with the full orchestrations of the ensemble –and given some great jazzy undercurrents by the flute and sax work of Mauro Senise! We always like Edu, but the album's a real return to the qualities that first made us fall in love with his music so many years ago – and is continuing proof that the Metropole Orchestra really know how to bring new energy to an artist. Titles include "Vento Bravo", "Canto Triste", "Casa Forte", "Zanzibar", "Ave Rara", "Choro Bandido", "A Bela E A Fera", "Frevo Diabo", and "Danca Do Corrupiao".

A beautiful collaboration between two of our favorite Brazilian artists ever – the lovely Joyce and bossa piano legend Joao Donato – both of whom have held onto all of their best early charms of their music! The session's definitely got a Joyce flavor upfront, as she's the main vocalist – but Donato's piano is a strong factor too – pulsating wonderfully with those warmly-crafted rhythms he's always done better than anyone else – that unique stop/start groove first forged in the 60s, heard best on his 70s work, and resurrected here to provide a fresh new setting for Joyce! Arrangements are by Donato and Joyce, and by Jesse Sadoc, who plays trumpet in the group – and the production's got a slightly rootsy quality, without any too-slick modes that might hurt the intimacy of a special session like this. Titles include "Amazonas No 2", "Feminina", "Aquarius", "Chama O Donato", "Tardes Caricas", "Caymmi Visita Tom", and "Amor Nas Estrelas".