Caixa Cubo are a Brazilian trio with a very keyboard-heavy sound – a mode that's rooted in cosmic energy of 70s greats like Herbie Hancock or Lonnie Liston Smith, yet which is also taken into strong vocal territory here – thanks to the appearance of a great range of different singers! Many tunes have a soulful flow that's great, and the use of keyboards and Brazilian-influenced rhythms is like an updated take on the music of Azymuth – but again with a nicely different vibe that comes from the work of vocalists who include Xenia Franca, Ze Leonidas, Matthias Schriefl, and Eric Owusu. Titles include "Agora", "Caio & Eric", "Carrossel", "Sabado", "Dreams", "Kismeti", and "Asase". CD

An important American album for the great Milton Nascimento – his first recorded in the US since the earlier Courage set for A&M – and like that record, a perfect bridge between the sound of his work in Brazil and the global modes that he had to offer! A key part of the set is the participation of Wayne Shorter on saxes – an artist that Milton had recorded with on the Native Dancer record – and the group also features work from Herbie Hancock on piano, Raul De Souza on trombone, Toninho Horta on guitar, and Airto on percussion – all jazzy talents who really keep things lean and groovy – in a style that's different than some of Nascimento's 70s work in Brazil. Tracks include "Raca", "The Call", "Os Povos", "Fairy Tale Song", "Francisco", "One Coin",and a nice remake of the classic "Cravo E Canela". CD

Three wonderful albums from this legendary Brazilian singer – all presented in a single set! First up is Nothing Will Be As It Was Tomorrow – a record that's quite different from Flora's earlier work, but in a way that we find very compelling! The record was produced by Leon Ndugu Chancler, and it's got a smooth fusion sound that's kind of in a southern California R&B mode, played by a huge range of excellent Brazilian and west coast talents that include Patrice Rushen, Dorothy Ashby, Fred Jackson, Raul De Souza, Toninho Horta, and Airto. While this sound overwhelms the core of Flora's usual Brazilian jazz approach, it also expands some of the tracks to a great groove – with Flora's vocals on top, stretching out in a whole new way! Includes a great English language version of the Milton Nascimento classic "Nada Sera Como Antes", plus the cuts "You Love Me Only", "I'm Coming For Your Love", "Corre Nina", "Angels", "Bridges", and "Fairy Tale Song". Every Day Every Night is a beautifully soulful record from Flora Purim – still awash with touches from her Brazilian roots, but also done with a great 70s LA sound! Airto's helping Flora out on production, but the real hero here is Michel Colombier – who handles most of the arrangements and wrote a good deal of the tunes with Purim and Airto – mixing his own expansive studio talents with their organically-forged groove, in a way that makes the record a real standout from the California fusion scene of the 70s! Players include Randy Brecker, Lee Ritenour, George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Harvey Mason, and other jazz heavyweights – and titles include "The Hope", "I Just Don't Know", "In Brasil", "Blues Ballad", "Why I'm Alone", "Walking Away", and "Samba Michel". Carry On is one of Flora Purim's more R&B-sounding albums from the 70s, produced by George Duke with an appreciation for Flora's Brazilian jazz roots, but with a smoother sound that's in keeping with Duke's own work of the time! The combination is pretty sweet – a professional culmination of the mixture of fusion and Brazilian jazz that had been happening in the San Francisco scene during most of the 70s, and featuring many of the musicians who had helped make that groove so strong. Players include Airto, Sheila Escovedo, Joe Farrell, Ronnie Foster, Bobby Lyle, and Larry Williams – and tracks include "Niura Is Coming Back", "From The Lonely Afternoon", "Freeway Jam", "Beijo Partido", "Corine", and "Love Lock". Includes bonus tracks too – "Tango Blues" and "Sad Song". CD

With a great lineup of guest artists including Joe Henderson, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Gal Costa, and Shirley Horn! CD

Extremely early work from the great Milton Nascimento – one of his first albums ever, and oddly recorded in America, not Brazil! The set was done in the A&M studios, with production by Creed Taylor – but has a spacious, soulful sound that's a lot like Milton's first few records from Brazil. The album is a huge meeting of talents – and features Herbie Hancock and Deodato on keyboards, plus a host of excellent other jazz players who give Milton's music a nice lyrical edge. The record features that classic Nasicmento mix of soulful vocals, baroque songwriting, and incredible jazz-tinged arrangements – and a few tracks have lyrics in English, too! Tracks include classics like "Bridges", "Vera Cruz", and "Gira Girou" – plus "Tres Pontas", "Rio Vermelho", and "Catavento". CD

A tightly produced effort from the late 80s – with a sound that's certainly more commercial than some of Milton's earlier albums, but which is still graced by some great vocals and occasional soulful moments. Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter make an appearance on the album, and tracks include "Jaguar", "Enchanted City", "Songs & Moments", and "Letter To The Republic". CD

A beautiful little album, very different than Wayne Shorter's other work, and sort of a "return of the favor" to the nation of Brazil for the country's rich musical influence on his music! Milton Nascimento sings vocals on most cuts, and if anything, the album resembles Nascimento's work of the mid 70s quite strongly – with similar airy arrangements and a very full, polished sound. Brazilian jazz musicians Airto, Roberto Silva, and Wagner Tiso play on the record – which also features work by Herbie Hancock. Titles include "Ponta De Areia", "Tarde", "Miracle Of The Fishes", "From The Lonely Afternoon", and "Ana Maria". (Jazz, Brazil) CD

Extremely early work from the great Milton Nascimento – one of his first albums ever, and oddly recorded in America, not Brazil! The set was done in the A&M studios, with production by Creed Taylor – but has a spacious, soulful sound that's a lot like Milton's first few records from Brazil. The album is a huge meeting of talents – and features Herbie Hancock and Deodato on keyboards, plus a host of excellent other jazz players who give Milton's music a nice lyrical edge. The record features that classic Nasicmento mix of soulful vocals, baroque songwriting, and incredible jazz-tinged arrangements – and a few tracks have lyrics in English, too! Tracks include classics like "Bridges", "Vera Cruz", and "Gira Girou" – plus "Tres Pontas", "Rio Vermelho", and "Catavento". CD