Leila Pinheiro's first album – first issued back in 1982, with a spare and jazzy post-bossa style that reminds us of some of Gal Costa's work from the same period! Leila's vocals are wonderful – slightly deep with lots of jazzy phrasing, set to arrangements that drift along in a mixture of electric and acoustic instrumentation – a wonderful blend, and one that gives the record a depth that you don't always find in some of Pinheiro's more recent recordings. The set includes songs by Francis Hime, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Donato, and Cateano Veloso – and titles include "Tudo Em Cima", "Bons Amigos", "A Porta", "Coracao Vagabundo", "Lua De Cetim", and "Nossa Rua". LP, Vinyl record album

Susan Alcorn on pedal steel guitar, Leila Bordreuil on cello, and Ingrid Laubrock on tenor and soprano saxophone. CD

There's plenty of bossa nova here – as the lovely Leila Pinheiro is working alongside Roberto Menescal – that famous Brazilian talent from the 60s, who was reemerging in the 80s to help bring back the music with a few key singers! Roberto's gentle groove works wonders with Leila – getting her past some of the darker corners of her other records, while still allowing for some of the tristeza that makes her voice so wonderful – a special balance that's carried off beautifully by the pair! Titles include "Mentiras/Ate Quem Sabe", "Pra Dizer Adeus/Candeias", "Batida Diferente/Moca Flor/Tristeza De Nos Dois", "Que Maravilha/Chove Chuva/Mas Que Nada", and "Ilusao A Toa/O Que E Amar". CD

A beautifully introspective album from Leila Pinheiro – personal, spare, and fragile – and done with a mature sound that's quite different than some of her other work. The easy bossa references are very much on the backburner, and instead there's a sophisticated singer-songwriter feel that's carried off here with a great deal of intimacy. Backings often include some small combo gentle jazz touches next to Leila's work on piano – and titles include "Hoje", "Minha Alma", "Renata Maria", "Gozos Da Alma", "Nos Horiztones Do Mundo", "O Amor E Eu", "Pela Ciclovia", "Tiranizar", and "Vem Amada". CD

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Wonderful live work from Joyce – a singer we love in any sort of setting, but one who really seems to open up nicely in front of an audience! The approach here is very much in classic Joyce mode – very intimate and personal, with instrumentation that just includes Joyce on guitar, Tutty Moreno on drums, plus a bit of bass and added guitar – all served up in a warmly jazzy style that fits beautifully with Joyce's legendary vocals. Most tunes have a breezy sort of feel, even when mellow – and the album features guest appearances by Joao Donato, Dori Caymmi, Leila Pinheiro, and Monica Salmaso – who all join Joyce here in a celebration of her 40 years in music. Titles include "Samba De Mulher", "E Era Copacabana", "Misterios", "Clareana", "E Passa O Carrossel", "Samba Da Zona", "Monsieur Binot", "Feminina", "Havana Me", and "Revendo Amigos". CD

Melodic psychedelia from 70s Iran – an incredible full scale anthology of recordings by guitarist and vocalist Kourosh Yaghmaei from the pre-revolution years – and an absolute treasure! Kouroush often recorded with his brothers – Kourosh singing lead and playing guitars or bass – with Kamran Yaghmaei on guitars and backing vocals and Kambiz Yaghmaei on keys and backing vocals. Other players contribute drums, bass and occasional additional elements – harmonica or horns on few tracks. The sound is a really wonderful amalgam of western garage, psych and strains of funk with native Iranian modes and tempos. The songs here sink in on an emotional level without us knowing a word of the language – the passionate vocals work wonderfully in that regard – but musically, it's innovative stuff that's nicely tripped out and heavily rhythmic, without compromising the melodic sensibility. The heavy duty 3LP set features 21 tracks in all – in a sweet 6 panel gatefold with a 24 page booklet – featuring extensive notes and photos, with Kourosh's story told in autobiographical detail. Like other recent Now Again packages, it's really beautifully done! Titles include "Gol E Yakh", "Dar Enteha", "Paiz", "Leila", "Del Dareh Pir Misheh", "Shirin Joon", "Ghazal", "Mosafere Shahre Baran", "Saghe", "Niyayesh", "Saraabe Toe", "Baroona", "Khaar", Bachehaye Khoobe Koocheh" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

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

Jazzy organ grooves from Brazil – a sweet 60s swinger that packs a heck of a punch! The album's one of the few by Primo Jr, and features a great blend of organ, percussion, vibes, vocals, and guitar – all dancing around with a groove that's similar to the best mid 60s work by Ed Lincoln, who was clearly an inspiration for this session. Grooves are in a fast bossa and samba mode, played with a nice touch of jazz – and very lively and swinging throughout! Titles include "Leila", "E Com Pimenta", "Romantic Partners", "Joao Quatrocentao", "Gira Mundo", "Balanco Do Rio", "E De Manha", and "Macas E Bananas". LP, Vinyl record album

A sweet little set that's exactly what's promised in the title – a batch of rare disco grooves from the 70s, all of which have a distinctly Middle Eastern vibe! Traditional instrumentation mixes with lots of great funky club touches – in ways that are often more wide-ranging and interesting than just some sort of disco knockoffs! Instead, the music here is more aptly titled Arabian Funk – as these cuts work on the dancefloor, but are often instrumental – with a nice focus on guitars, keyboards, and other instrumentation in the mix! Titles include "Arabian Dance" by Antares, "Arabian Melody" by Pop Concerto Orchestra, "Camel Bump" by The Bumper, "Leila" by Leila, "Disco Arab" by Abdul Hassan Orchestra, "Sahara Casino" by The Sand Flowers, "Rock N Roll Mouzoune" by Ismail, and "Orient Express" by Voyage. LP, Vinyl record album

What better way to describe Wes' playing than an easy groove! Also released under the Montgomery Brothers name, this side has a nice breezy quality to it, with backing by his brothers Buddy & Monk on piano & bass, plus Harold Land on tenor. The sides were recorded a few years earlier, in the 50s, with a nice crisp quality to the playing, though there are a few pieces recorded at other sessions, one number with Freddie Hubbard, "Bock to Bock" and another in a more Mastersounds mode, "Baubles, Bangles & Beads". Also includes "Far Wes", "Leila" & "Hymn for Carl". LP, Vinyl record album

Groovy rock from Iran – 60s & 70s material that's got the raw and rumbling grittiness of some of best garage rock of the time and others that flirt with psychedelia – most with the Middle Eastern flourishes blended beautiful with western rock and beat sounds! Wonderful stuff all around, regional garage psych beat grooves ripe for discovery! aIncludes "Uncle Chainmaker" by Zangoleah, "Avenue Of Love", "Way To Life" by Kambiz, "Take Leila Away" by Tigers, "Bartender" by Big Boys, "Rain And Rain" a great cover of the Rolling Stones hit "Play With Fire" by Takkhalha, "Shirley" by Ojubeha and more. LP, Vinyl record album

A bit later in the classic run of ZZ Top – but still before they somehow became the mid-80s darlings of MTV! Titles include their classic "Tube Snake Boogie" – plus "Ten Foot Pole", "Leila", "Don't Tease Me", "Heaven Hell Or Houston", "Groovy Little Hippie Pad", "Party On The Patio", "Pearl Necklace", "It's So Hard", and "I Wanna Drive You Home". LP, Vinyl record album

Melodic psychedelia from 70s Iran – an incredible full scale anthology of recordings by guitarist and vocalist Kourosh Yaghmaei from the pre-revolution years – and an absolute treasure! Kouroush often recorded with his brothers – Kourosh singing lead and playing guitars or bass – with Kamran Yaghmaei on guitars and backing vocals and Kambiz Yaghmaei on keys and backing vocals. Other players contribute drums, bass and occasional additional elements – harmonica or horns on few tracks. The sound is a really wonderful amalgam of western garage, psych and strains of funk with native Iranian modes and tempos. The songs here sink in on an emotional level without us knowing a word of the language – the passionate vocals work wonderfully in that regard – but musically, it's innovative stuff that's nicely tripped out and heavily rhythmic, without compromising the melodic sensibility. The heavy duty 3LP set features 21 tracks in all – in a sweet 6 panel gatefold with a 24 page booklet – featuring extensive notes and photos, with Kourosh's story told in autobiographical detail. Like other recent Now Again packages, it's really beautifully done! Titles include "Gol E Yakh", "Dar Enteha", "Paiz", "Leila", "Del Dareh Pir Misheh", "Shirin Joon", "Ghazal", "Mosafere Shahre Baran", "Saghe", "Niyayesh", "Saraabe Toe", "Baroona", "Khaar", Bachehaye Khoobe Koocheh" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

With Carlos Lyra, Johnny Alf, Leila Pinheiro, Leny Andrade, Os Cariocas, and Veronica Sabino. LP, Vinyl record album

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