Brazil — CDs  

One of Azymuth's best-remembered albums from their American years on Milestone – a really killer classic that beautifully blends Brazilian and American styles of fusion! There's a simple, elegant feel to these tunes that takes off nicely from the group's previous album for Atlantic in Brazil – a pushing forward of the soulful sides of their style, but with just the right blend of quirkier elements as well – one that still keeps the edge of the early years, yet helps the group reach out with a wonderfully warm sound! Most tracks are quite spare, and without any too-smooth polishing in production – and titles include the classic "Jazz Carnival", a funky fusion classic if there ever was one – plus "Light As A Feather", "Avenida Das Manguerias", "This Exists", "Partido Alto", "Dona Olimpia", "Amazonia", and "Young Embrace". CD also features four bonus tracks – "Jazz Carnival (full original mix)", "Avenida Das Manguerias (SS translation by Theo Parrish)", "Jazz Carnival (Yambee rework by Ashley Beedle & Yam Who)", and "Codsall Juniors" by Mark E.

A great later journey in music from Milton Nascimento – a set that has him faltering a bit in the 90s, then really finding his sound! The first three albums in the set – Angelus, Amigo, and Nascimento – each have a slightly ambitious feel, but are often a bit more restrained than some of the work from Milton's classic years – still filled with the sense of soul and majesty that really set him apart from his contemporaries – but sometimes not finding their mark as much in terms of the production and overall arrangements. Yet Tambores De Minas helps correct that – but putting Milton in a live setting, and really re-exposing his core charm – energy that shines out no matter what the material, in a way that seems to re-seat him on the throne of Brazilian popular music. The set then ends with the majestic Pieta – a record that's warmer and richer than some of Nascimento's other recent albums – and a compelling batch of tunes that shows he's as strong as ever! The album's awash in a soaring, almost spiritual sound – as befits the title – but it's also got some interesting jazzy moments, and a breezy, honest presentation that pushes past the pretension that could mar the record. A surprisingly highlight is a remake of "Cantaloupe Island", done scatting Nascimento-style – with guest piano by composer Herbie Hancock, and guitar by Pat Metheny.

An all-star effort from Sergio Mendes – one that follows nicely on the comeback energy of his previous Timeless set! Like that one, this album has Mendes dipping heavily into contemporary soul modes – picking up a bit of R&B, bits of hip hop, and bits of a few other styles – then folding them back into music from his Brazilian roots! The blend is almost a 21st Century update of the mix of soul and bossa that Sergio forged in the 70s after his initial Brasil 66 work on these shorts – and the balance struck here is surprisingly strong – possibly even better than the sound of Timeless. Guests include Will I Am, Siedah Garrett, Ledisi, Carlinhos Brown, Vanessa Da Mata, Gracinha Leporace, Natalie Cole, and Lani Hall – and titles include "Catavento", "Morning In Rio", "The Look Of Love", "Dreamer", "Lugar Comum", "Odo-Ya", "Waters Of March", and "Funky Bahia".

An amazing moment from the Brazilian music scene of the 70s – an album that's both extremely personal for each of the artists involved, yet also a wonderful collaboration between a host of up-and-coming talents! There's a relaxed, intimate feel to the whole thing that's mighty nice – almost an echo of the album's back cover photo, which shows the four key players posed inside a tiny water closet – and the overall approach is quite similar to the best Milton Nascimento/Minas Geraes work of the time – no surprise, as there's a fair bit of ties here to that scene too! Each of the four artists gets to sing lead at some point – stepping out on songs that are their own, yet which are also unified in sound, given shared musicians and spirit, too. Guests include Lo Borges, Nelson Angelo, Wagner Tiso, Tenorio Jr, and Nana Caymmi – who each leave their musical mark – and title sinclude "Caso Voce Queira Saber", "Belo Horror", "Manuel O Audaz", "Viva Eu", "Ponta Negra", and "Luiza".