An excellent album by one of the greatest Brazilian funk bands ever – a wonderful blend of funk, jazz, and soul – and a set that rivals any of the best work coming from the US at the time! These guys are right on the money right from the start – moving through sharp changes with effortless ease, yet never in a way that's too slick or commercial – kind of like that perfect balance that Kool & The Gang hit for just a few records in the mid 70s – but with more of a Brazilian feel overall. Jazzy licks abound – and the keyboards, guitar, and horns are just great – but the set's also got some more regional percussion, too – which really rounds out the record wonderfully. The grooves all have a really universal appeal – essential for any fan of funky sounds – and titles include "Mr Funky Samba", "Junia", "Casa Forte", "Na Baixa Do Sapateiro", "Lelbon Via Vaz Lobo", "Baia", "Maria Fumaca", and "Metalurgia". LP, Vinyl record album

A gem of an album from Hermeto Pascoal – right up there with 70s classics like A Musica Libre and Slaves Mass – and done with a similar sort of energy that goes way beyond jazz, way beyond conventional Brazilian music – into territory that can only be described as Hermeto-like! The set's got a mix of tight fusion jamming, off-beat reed work, and some of Hermeto's heavenly compositions – and although there's a good groove to much of the material, that doesn't stop it from being as experimental as always – not in a dark threatening way, but more in a soaring joyous one! Titles include "Susto", "Alexandre, Marcelo e Pablo", "Santo Antonio", "Pimenteira", "Sao Jorge", and "Rede". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the most important early albums by Marcos Valle – a set of instrumental tracks recorded with lots of acoustic guitar! Even though Valle was well known as a singer and composer of bossa nova tunes, the set instead focuses on his instrumental work – recording his guitar ala Jobim or Bonfa at the time – with some larger arrangements from Deodato, who really brings a great feel to the set! The sound is tremendous – as sweeping strings soar over tight rhythms from drummer Wilson Das Neves – and Valle and Deodato set some magical moods on tunes that include "Deus Brasileiro", "Vamos Pranchar", "Tanto Andei", "Seu Encanto", "Batucada Surgiu", "Dorme Profundo", and "Os Grilos" – the first ever recording of "Crickets Sing For Anamaria"! LP, Vinyl record album