Samba is their gift – and we're all that much richer for it! Os Ipanemas return here in one of their best albums so far – a beautiful blend of earthy percussion, samba rhythms, and just a bit of bossa jazz – put together with a style that's personal and spontaneous, recorded without any extra fanfare – and in a mode that's almost more authentic than similar recordings from the 60s! Leave it to the Far Out label to get a session like this done the right way – because there's none of the too-slick sounds of some revival sessions, nor any of the fake roots that just come off as tired over-hashed ideas. Instead, what we've got here is a lively, organic batch of music that shows that percussionist Wilson Das Neves and guitarist Neco are still growing strongly in their talents – aided here by an array of guest players on trumpet, trombone, flute, and a fair bit of extra percussion – and sounding especially nice on those tracks where Wilson's warmly crackling vocals simmer nicely with the grooves! Titles include "Imperial", "Malandro Qando Vaza", "San Roque", "Valsamba", "Treze Trinta E Nove", "Folia No Samba", "Taioba", and "Samba Pra Mim Mesmo". CD

Samba is their gift – and we're all that much richer for it! Os Ipanemas return here in one of their best albums so far – a beautiful blend of earthy percussion, samba rhythms, and just a bit of bossa jazz – put together with a style that's personal and spontaneous, recorded without any extra fanfare – and in a mode that's almost more authentic than similar recordings from the 60s! Leave it to the Far Out label to get a session like this done the right way – because there's none of the too-slick sounds of some revival sessions, nor any of the fake roots that just come off as tired over-hashed ideas. Instead, what we've got here is a lively, organic batch of music that shows that percussionist Wilson Das Neves and guitarist Neco are still growing strongly in their talents – aided here by an array of guest players on trumpet, trombone, flute, and a fair bit of extra percussion – and sounding especially nice on those tracks where Wilson's warmly crackling vocals simmer nicely with the grooves! Titles include "Imperial", "Malandro Qando Vaza", "San Roque", "Valsamba", "Treze Trinta E Nove", "Folia No Samba", "Taioba", and "Samba Pra Mim Mesmo". LP, Vinyl record album

A gem of a record from the early 60s – a freewheeling set of bossa jazz, played by the combo of tenor saxophonist Juarez! There's a fluid, open groove to the record that's mighty nice – really romping rhythms that set fire to the tenor of Juarez right from the start – as he moves in long, soulful lines filled with plenty of improvisation – and leaps along with the grooves of the group, which also includes Nelson Dos Santos on trombone, Neco on guitar, and either Fats Elpidio or Tenorio Jr on piano! There's no string or other larger orchestrations – just tight core instrumentation, all acoustic – and mighty nice throughout. Titles include "Tema Pra Dede", "Lobo Bobo", "Direi Depois", "Samba Toff", "Maria Ninguem", "O Amor Que Acabou", and "Sincopado Triste". LP, Vinyl record album

Lovely bossa from a lesser-known singer – and a rare little gem that was originally issued on the tiny Farroupilha label in 1964! The album's got a really unique feel – one that's certainly classic bossa at its best, but which also somewhat different than usual too. Vera's vocals are breathy and gentle – and they mix wonderfully with the light backings directed by Luiz De Andrade. But perhaps best of all is the guitar – played by Vera as well, often in a way that has the notes skipping along lightly at the high range of the sound spectrum – trickling beautifully like gentle drops of water, and forming a perfect accompaniment for her vocals! The tracks are all pretty darn fresh too – mostly originals penned by Vera, with titles that include "Samba Bom", "Era Uma Vez", "Rimas De Ninguem", "Minha Fe Meu Amor", "O Menino Desce O Morro", "Nao E Por Falar", and "Tema Para Recordacao". CD

Mighty nice early work from this jazz guitar genius – the kind of open, airy sounds that made Johnny Smith a legend right from the start! The group here is a quartet – with Bob Panecoast on piano, George Roumanis on bass, and Jerry Seagal on drums – and titles include an early reading of "Walk Don't Run", plus "Have You Met Miss Jones", "How About You", "Autumn In New York", and "Blues For Birdland". LP, Vinyl record album

A cool little compilation that's as groovy as you might guess from the title – and one that finally brings to light the lesser-known genre of chica – an odd fusion of cumbia rhythms with more psychedelic-styled instrumentation on farfisa, organ, and guitar! The core grooves remind us a bit of familiar cumbia, but the overall presentation is often a bit more rough-edged and almost garagey at times – a youthful interpretation of the genre that's pretty free with its approach to the music – and which often uses cool electronic touches and weird production techniques to create some really great sounds! Many tracks feature vocals, but the emphasis here seems mostly on the instrumentation – and titles include "Sonido Amazonico" by Los Mirlos, "Carinito" by Los Hijos Del Sol, "A Patricia" by Los Destellos, "Ya Se Ha Muerto Mi Abuelo" by Juaneco Y Su Combo, "La Danza De Los Mirlos" by Los Mirlos, ", "Linda Munequita" by Los Hijos Del Sol, and "Linda Nena" by Juaneco Y Su Combo. LP, Vinyl record album

Amazing sounds from Peru – the kind of really mindblowing music that will grab your ears, no matter where you're from – and really knock you over with a weird and wonderful blend of styles! The rhythms definitely have some of the cumbia promised in the title, most of these numbers are electrified, and touched with plenty of influence from 60s instrumental and psychedelic rock – a special blend cooked up down in Peru, and originally issued on labels like Dimsa and Infopesa – beautifully collected here in a stunning set of tracks that are presented with richly detailed notes on the music! Many numbers are instrumental, but some are vocal too – and the package has a hefty 34 tracks in all, with titles that include "Mi Choza, Mi Chacra Y Mi Mujer" by Manzanita, "Boogaloo Del Perro" by Los Destellos, "Baila Flaquita Baila" by Los Ecos, "Illimana" by Los 5 Palomiullas, "Recordando A Fachin" by Juaneco Y Su Combo, "Sin Exito" by Grupo Celeste, "Selva, Selva" by Juanaco Y Su Combo, "Colegiala" by Los Ilusionistas, "El Panadero" by Los Beta 5, and "Peti Pan" by Los Demonios Del Mantaro. CD