Tremendous work from the mighty Ed Motta – an artist who never lets us down, and who just keeps getting better as the years move on! Back in the 20th Century, Ed asked us to move his records from our Brazilian section to Neo Soul – a move that was wise on his part, as Motta has become a soulful giant with really international appeal – a true global underground superstar, and a music maker that no home should be without! Motta's songwriting, production, and overall presentation is amazing – and he's moved far past the 70s heroes that first inspired him – including his uncle Tim Maia – to a point where a set like this is fantastic from start to finish, with a richness that belies all the focus and concentration that Ed brings to his work. Titles include "Tolerance On High Street", "Of Good Strain", "Gaslighting Nancy", "Safely Far", "Newsroom Customers", "Slumberland", "Confrere's Exile", "Quatermass Has Told Us", and "Shot In The Park". (Neo Soul, Brazil) LP, Vinyl record album

A mindblowing record from the great Ed Motta – a set that continues all the warmer, English language elements of his recent albums – but one that also seems to have Ed hitting a new sort of sophistication too! The sound is incredible – almost out-AORing all the global AOR references that Motta's given us in both his own music, and some of the great collections he's done over the years – but there's also more of a special small combo vibe, with some instrumentation on the record that seems even more compelling than usual – and which includes some great guitar moments from Ed, in addition to Fender Rhodes. Take it from us, the whole thing is superb – as appealing to fans of the older soul tradition that Motta inherited in his youth, as it is to people who love jazzy vocals, and even those elite few of us who think that Steely Dan were one of the highest points in 20th Century music. (Ed's with us on that one, by the way!) Titles include "Lost Connection To Prague", "Novice Never Noticed", "The Required Dress Code", "X1 In Test", "The Tiki's Broken There", "Shoulder Pads", and "Your Satisfaction Is Mine". Great bonus tracks here – "Sweetest Berry (alt version organ)", "Sweetest Berry (alt version piano solo)", "Novice Never Noticed (alt solo)", "X1 In Test (alt take 2)", "The Tiki's Broken There (alt take)", and "Your Satisfaction Is Mine (inst version)". (Neo Soul, Brazil) CD

Ed Motta knocks it out of the park with this one – taking things in an even more soulfully classic direction than on his killer AOR album – and giving us key proof that he's one of the most important soul singers of the 21st Century so far! Ed's got a way of opening doors wherever he goes – as part of a huge global legacy he's left in the past decade or soul – and this time around, he's opening the doors to a classic style of studio production from the LA scene – the kind of warm soul that works perfect for Motta's incredible voice, and which makes the album one of the best he's ever given us! Ed plays Fender Rhodes in the small combo backing here – and is working with a key group of jazz musicians that includes Patrice Rushen and Greg Phillingaines on keyboards, Hubert Laws on flute, Rickey Woodard and Charles Owens on tenor, and Marvin Smitty Smith on drums – a stunning lineup that makes for amazing sounds throughout. All lyrics are in English, and Ed effortlessly blends jazz and soul on original titles that include "Captain's Refusal", "Forgotten Nickname", "The Owner", "A Town In Flames", "Good Intentions", "Hypochondriac's Fun", "Heritage Deja Vu", "Overblown Overweight", and "Reader's Choice". (Neo Soul, Brazil) CD

This very hip series just got a whole lot hipper – thanks to the selection talents of Brazilian soul legend Ed Motta – who serves up a huge host of rare tracks from Brazil! Ed's always had a deep love of the AOR sound of the 70s – and he's not only a great soul singer on his own records, but also a hell of a record collector too – one whose knowledge of rare grooves goes way beyond most other folks we've ever met! This set opens up a huge amount of Brazilian soul we'd never heard before – music that takes off from the late 70s territory of Azimuth and Banda Black Rio, and soars with sweet jazzy grooves that are completely sublime – most from the 80s, and most by artists who've never gotten their due on the reissue market. Killer all the way through – with titles that include "Pra Voce" by Carlinhos & Soninha Querioz, "Acordes E Sementes" by Gelso Oliveira & Luiz Ewerling, "Joia Rara" by Brylho, "Rota Mar" by Zeca Do Trombone, "Clarear" by Roupa Nova, "Quero Pouco Quero Muito" by Filo Machado, "Guarde Minha Voz" by Sandra Sa, "Debora" by Altay Veloso, "Copacabana Suite" by Junior Mendes, "Renascendo En Mim"b y Don Beto, "Toda Manha Brilha O Sol" by Lucinha Turnbull, "Coisas Do Brasil" by Guilerhmes Arantes, "Mare" by Carlos Bivar, "Leao Ferido" by Biafra, "Mais Uma Chance" by Santa Cruz, "Rio Best Seller" by Cassiano, and "Se Eu Te Pego De Jeito" by Jane Duboc. (Funky Compilations, Brazil) LP, Vinyl record album

Insanely great sounds from the legendary Tim Maia – easily the most soulful singer in 70s Brazil, and an artist with a heck of a strong ear for funk, too! The music here is an incredible hybrid of American soul and Brazilian elements – especially since some lyrics are in English – and the grooves are often mixed together in a sound that's nice and fuzzy around the edges, with some slight psychedelic elements that makes the cuts a perfect fit for this Luaka Bop series! Yet Tim Maia's hardly a guy who can easily fit into any easy slot or series – because as you'll hear on this set, he's got a vibe that's all his own – a really wonderful approach that's different even from some of his hippest contemporaries in Brazil – and which has gone onto have influence on countless other generations of singers and musicians – including his nephew Ed Motta. The package is great – a real visual tribute to the sounds within – and titles include "Que Beleza", "Ela Partiu", "Do Leme Ao Pontal", "Brother Father Mother Sister", "Quer Queira Quer Nao Queira", "Let's Have A Ball Tonight", "I Don't Care", "The Dance Is Over", "Rational Culture", "You Don't Know What I Know", and "Nobody Can Live Forever". LP, Vinyl record album

Great stuff from Marisa Monte – and a record that's criss-crossed with influences, thanks to production by Arto Lindsay, and performances by Marc Ribot, Bernie Worrell, John Zorn, Ryuchi Sakamoto, Nana Vasconcelos, and Ed Motta! Maybe a bit slicker than the current American press hype would have you expect – but a record that's filled with some great songwriting, and plenty of nice moments. Titles include "Beija Eu", "Ainda Lembro", "De Noite Na Cama", "Rosa", "Borboleta", and "Eu Sei". CD

A great set that's way way more than the "chill out" promised in the title – a collection of Brazilian groovers pulled from some of the best labels in the business! As with previous volumes in this series, the focus is on work done for the groundbreaking Far Out label – but this time around, they've also thrown in some choice bits from outside sources, including some killer underground bits from Brazil and a few choice classics! Titles include "Without Words" by 4 Hero Presents Nature's Plan with Ed Motta, "Na Batida Do Agogo (Osunlade rmx)" by Grupo Batuque, "Os Oculos Escuros De Cartola" by Max De Castro, "Papa" by Azymuth featuring Sabrina Malheiros, "Preguiciman" by Mamond, "Falso Amour" by Jirzinho Oliveira, "Escape" by Marcos Valle, "Beleza Nao Vai Embora" by Orlandivo, "E O Meu Amor Vi Passar" by Patricia Marx, and "Vera Cruz" by Vox Populi. CD

The evolution of Far Out's excellent Brazilian Love Affair series – featuring standouts from earlier volumes as well as new and exclusive tracks! Brazilian Love Affair Revisited celebrates the series to date as well as it charts the evolving sounds of Brazil and its London interpreters – and shows where the sound is going via newer material and younger talents. A great set with both classic and contemporary legends such as Ed Motta, Marcos Valle, Joyce, Azymuth and others, respectful remixes and interpretations by Osunlade, Mark Pritchard and Kirk Degiorgio, newer tracks from more recent Far Out arrivals such as Raf Vilar and Clara Moreno. 15 tracks in all: "Os Escravos Do Jo (Precussion Edit)" and more by Friends From Rio 2, "Ponteio" by Da Lata, "Nova Bossa Nova" by Marcos Valle, "Paz" by Troubleman feat Nina Miranda, "Todos Os Santos" by Joyce, "Preguiciman" by Mamond, "Bossa Me" by Raf Vilar, "Without Words" by 4 Hero Presents Nature's Plan feat Ed Motta, "Sem Pressa (Remix By Danny Wheeler)" by Alex Malheiros And Banda Utopia feat Sabrina Malheiros and more. CD

Insanely great sounds from the legendary Tim Maia – easily the most soulful singer in 70s Brazil, and an artist with a heck of a strong ear for funk, too! The music here is an incredible hybrid of American soul and Brazilian elements – especially since some lyrics are in English – and the grooves are often mixed together in a sound that's nice and fuzzy around the edges, with some slight psychedelic elements that makes the cuts a perfect fit for this Luaka Bop series! Yet Tim Maia's hardly a guy who can easily fit into any easy slot or series – because as you'll hear on this set, he's got a vibe that's all his own – a really wonderful approach that's different even from some of his hippest contemporaries in Brazil – and which has gone onto have influence on countless other generations of singers and musicians – including his nephew Ed Motta. The package is great – a real visual tribute to the sounds within – and titles include "Que Beleza", "Ela Partiu", "Do Leme Ao Pontal", "Brother Father Mother Sister", "Quer Queira Quer Nao Queira", "Let's Have A Ball Tonight", "I Don't Care", "The Dance Is Over", "Rational Culture", "You Don't Know What I Know", and "Nobody Can Live Forever". CD

The genius of Tom Jobim needs no introduction – which is one of many reasons why this loving set of tributes to his work is so great! The 16 track compilation is put together from a set of live performances dedicated to Jobim – and Brazilian singers of recent and classic vintage run through some of his greatest compositions in a warmly intimate setting. Titles include "Sem Voce" by Leila Pinheiro, "Garota De Ipanema" by Simone, "Corcovado" by Daniela Mercury, "A Felicidade" by Martinho Da Vila, "Insensatez" by Paulo Ricardo, "Aguas De Marco" by Joao Bosco, "Por Toda Minha Vida" by Ed Motta, "Wave" by Lenine, "Estrada Branca" by Chico Buarque, and "Luiza" by Carlinhos Brown. CD

Stunning work from Lucas Arruda – a record we love even more than his first – and we totally loved that one to death! The sound here is prime Brazilian 70s at its best – that magical moment when jazz, fusion, and older bossa-schooled styles all came together in a really unique blend – and also helped Brazil find its own unique sense of soul, too – a quality that really came forth in the best work from Azymuth and Marcos Valle at the end of the decade! No surprise, Lucas has Azymuth bassist Alex Malheiros and Valle collaborator Leon Ware both on board to help out with the record – but the strength of the set is clearly all Arruda's own – as his vocals are wonderful, with a soulful expression that's vaguely in the Ed Motta side of the spectrum – mixed with his own warm lines on Fender Rhodes, which totally warm things up! Production is perfect, and equally vintage – and the album's a treasure we'll be loving for years. Titles include "Uma Onda", "Melt The Night", "Vento Sul", "Kalunga", "Solar", "O Mar O Samba E O Sol", "Beyond The Sea", and "Agua". LP, Vinyl record album

A great group gets even better – thanks to some heavenly production from the legendary Ed Motta! Ed's an artist that we love tremendously for his own work – particularly the recent groundbreaking sides on the Trama label – but here he's working in the studio in support of Jazzinho, giving their already-great groove an added touch of warmth, soul, and imagination! As on their debut, Jazzinho work strongly in a jazzy 70s territory – hitting the best notes of Brazilian fusion from that time, and coming off with an especially soulful sound on the vocals – which are mostly backed up by live combo instrumentation. Ed's participation here runs past even his control of the studio board, as he sings a bit, arranges some, and also plays guitar and percussion – really acting as a special extra member of the group for this set! Main vocals are by Guida De Palma, and titles include "The Lagoon Monster", "Aos Meninos De Angola", "Symmetry", "Tide", "Symetrie", "Afro Luso Brasileiro", "Aos Meninos De Angola", "Cancao De Embalar", "Da Tempo Ao Tempo", and "Look Inside". (New Grooves, Brazil) CD

Insanely great sounds from the legendary Tim Maia – easily the most soulful singer in 70s Brazil, and an artist with a heck of a strong ear for funk, too! The music here is an incredible hybrid of American soul and Brazilian elements – especially since some lyrics are in English – and the grooves are often mixed together in a sound that's nice and fuzzy around the edges, with some slight psychedelic elements that makes the cuts a perfect fit for this Luaka Bop series! Yet Tim Maia's hardly a guy who can easily fit into any easy slot or series – because as you'll hear on this set, he's got a vibe that's all his own – a really wonderful approach that's different even from some of his hippest contemporaries in Brazil – and which has gone onto have influence on countless other generations of singers and musicians – including his nephew Ed Motta. The package is great – a real visual tribute to the sounds within – and titles include "Que Beleza", "Ela Partiu", "Do Leme Ao Pontal", "Brother Father Mother Sister", "Quer Queira Quer Nao Queira", "Let's Have A Ball Tonight", "I Don't Care", "The Dance Is Over", "Rational Culture", "You Don't Know What I Know", and "Nobody Can Live Forever". CD

A fantastic collection of work by one of Brazil's greatest arrangers ever! Moacir Santos had an approach that was unlike anyone else – more complicated than Jobim, but with a gentle honesty that made any style sound spontaneous in his hands. The 2CD package features new versions of work from a number of different rare albums by Santos – including long out of print 60s sessions, his few Blue Note sides, and a few newer sets – and the sound of the album is very much in the vein of Santos' best moments from the 70s. Guest on the sessions include Ed Motta, Joyce, Milton Nascimento, and Joao Donato – and the quality of the work is impeccable, truly one of the greatest new releases we've heard from Brazil in years! Titles include "Coisa No 6", "Kathy", "De Repente, Estou Feliz", "Anon", "Coisa No 10", "Lamento Astral", "Marcatu, Nacao Do Amor", "Suk Cha", and "Bluishmen". 2CDs – and a great booklet too! CD

A beautiful little record from the Brazilian scene – served up by a trombonist who's got a great ability to mix Brazilian rhythms, jazzy grooves, and American soul! The approach is one that you might recognize from contemporary trombonist Raul DeSouza, who moved to the US in the 70s, and cut some great records for Capitol – but Zeca's working here back in Brazil, with a vibe that's much closer to the core – and adding in all these raspy soul vocals that sound completely sublime next to the upbeat instrumentation on the record! The set's heavy on keyboards, and has a nicely jazzy vibe – one that you may recognize from the title track's showing up in some great Ed Motta collections over the years. In fact, there's a quality here that's not far from Ed's more recent AOR tribute recordings – as you'll hear on titles that include "Boa Nova", "Papo Coracao", "Rota-Mar", "Exilio De Coracao", "Em Busca De Mim", and "Gavea Um Beijo De Cinema". Features two bonus tracks – "Ave Anne" and "Tema Do Brisa". CD

The hippest installment so far in the Brazilika series – a mad mix of musical styles from Finders Keepers mainman Andy Votel – all in a freaky, funky, fuzzy blend of sounds! The tracks here are much grittier than the work we're used to hearing from the Far Out label – as Votel's dug through the 60s and 70s vaults of RGE/Som Livre Records to come up with rare Brazilian rock, funk, and other heavy styles from back in the day! As with Votel's reissues on Finders Keepers, there's a sound here that's informed by beathead record collecting – a love of older grooves directed by current musical developments – all with a definite ear for the wilder side of the sound spectrum. Most tracks have a pretty heavy groove – and the styles run from psychedelic rock through Tropicalia-inspired tunes, to post-bossa, Bahian sounds, and more. Titles include "Funga Funga" by Trio Soneca, "Careta" by Betinho, "Modulo Lunar" by Os Brazoes, "Terra Livre" by Abilio Manoel, "Os Bichos" by Trio Soneca, "De Vera" by Novos Baianos, "Ciladas" by Pery Ribeiro, "Se Voce Pensa" by Moraes Moreira, "Flores Belas" by Tim Maia, "1974" by Gerson Conrad & Zeze Motta, "Gamboa" by Brazilian Octopus, "Deixe Entrar Um Pouco D'Agua No Quintal" by Os Mutantes, "Periscopio" by Azimuth, and "Gotham City" by Os Brazoes. CD