One of the best new recordings in years from Brazilian reedman Leo Gandelman – a set that's got a lean, mean groove that's just right for the album's mix of samba, bossa, and jazz! Leo's right out front in the arrangements on saxes – but there's also a really unified groove on the set too – that old school bossa nova way of packing all the instruments together on the rhythms, creating this soaring sound that seems to unlock some of the most expressive solos we've heard from Gandelman in awhile. Some points have a slight dose of soul jazz energy too – as you might guess from the look of the cover – and the set also comes packaged with bonus video footage of most tracks too. Titles include "Luz Azul", "Sinal Vermelho", "Nego Ta Sabendo", "Vip Vop", "Reza" and "Camisa 7". CD

Jazzy samba from the Far Out label – the soundtrack the film Garrincha!! – Estrela Solitaria (The Lonely Star) – featuring a groovy mix of samba sounds, sultry & steamy jazz funk, percussion madness, more darkly cinematic grooves! The film is about the legendary Brazilian footballer of the 50s & 60s, and the sounds are truly evocative of the times and well beyond. Musical director and composer Leo Gandelman is on saxes, flutes and more, backed feverish percussion & drums, trumpet, flugelhorn, bass, guitar, piano and cello. Titles include "Abertura", "Chile", "Samba Authentico", "Na Florsta", "Iraci", "Samba Latino", "DribleDe Cadeira", "Bota Jazz" and more. CD

A sweet mix of Brazilian grooves and New York attitude – an overlooked session from the end of the 90s – recorded in the US by Brazilian saxman Leo Gandelman, with soulful help from a variety of American players – including Reuben Wilson on organ and both Charlie Hunter and Grant Green Jr on guitar! There's a rich sort of 70s vibe to the record – a tight, funky blend of jazzy riffing and Brazilian percussion, all put together at a level that almost reminds us of Kudu Records at its best – lean, soulful, and surprisingly focused throughout – a great step forward for Gandelman, and for percussionist Juliano Zanoni, who co-arranged the set with Leo, and also wrote most of the tunes. Supposedly, the record never saw the light of day when it was recorded – making this sweet Far Out package its first-ever release! Titles include "Safari", "Pau Grande", "April 7th", "Dance", "Prince Samba", "Groove In The Head", "Pirulito", and "Charlie 1". CD

That's Antonio Neves wielding a trombone on the cover – but the set's got elements that move way past his great work on that horn – drawn from very collaborative contributions from different members of the contemporary scene in Rio! The record's got a jazz basis at the core, but quickly explodes into a real style-shifting approach – that legacy of easily mixing modes that has been the hallmark of some of the most creative work from Brazil in recent decades – guided perfectly here by Neves on drums as well as trombone! Antonio sings on one track, and the record also features vocals at points from Leda, Alice Caymmi, Ana Frango Eletrico, and Marcos Esgulera – amidst a whole host of guest musicians too, including Edu Neves on flute, Leo Gandelman on alto, and Hamilton De Holanda on mandolin. Titles include "Lamento De Um Perplexo", "Forte Apache", "Simba", "A Pegada Agora E Essa", "Noite De Temporal", and "Jongo No Feudo". CD

Great 80s grooves from this cool Brazilian duo – the guitar and vocals of Robson Jorge and a sweet range of keyboards from Lincoln Olivetti – tied together in a style that's got plenty of great electro soul touches! At some level, the album recalls some of the 80s grooves coming from the US soul scene at the time – but the music also has elements that reflect some of the Brazilian funk of groups like Unaio Black or Banda Black Rio, and maybe even some of the styles of Marcos Valle in the early 80s too! There's a depth to the instrumentation that reflects a stronger understanding of jazz than most groups of this nature – and the vocals often take more of a place on the sidelines in favor of the instrumentation. The jazz sound is underscored by work from Marcio Montarroyos on trumpet and Leo Gandelman on baritone sax – and titles include "Eva", "Jorgea Corisco", "No Bom Sentido", "Raton", "Squash", "Ginga", and "Alegrias". LP, Vinyl record album

With Leo Gandelman on soprano saxophone. CD