Fantastic sounds from the Far Out Monster Disco Orchestra – a group with family ties to Azymuth and Incognito, and who work here in the best blend of Brazilian and soulful elements that might imply! The ensemble is a crowning achievement for the Far Out label – a summation of all the great work they've done from the London scene, including their reintroduction of key Brazilian musicians of the 70s – all soaring to the skies here, with a richly collaborative energy! The group features lots of keyboards from Jose Roberto Bertrami, guitars from Alex Malheiros, and keyboards and rhythms from Daniel Maunick – plus great contributions from many others, including some help from the legendary Arthur Verocai. Most tunes groove in a mighty nice way – not vintage disco, but a soaring, righteous 21st Century version of club – on tunes that include "Step Into My Life", "Flying High", "Black Sun", "The Two Of Us", "Walking Bass", "Give It To Me", and "Where Do We Go From Here". CD also features bonus instrumentals of most songs on the album! CD

A really wonderful project that was years in the making – a mix of American club and Brazilian elements – put together by a group that includes members of Azymuth and Banda Black Rio, as well as the legendary Arthur Verocai! Jose Roberto Bertrami's the strongest contributor here – and the music really echoes that great late 70s/early 80s point when the Azymuth fusion groove crossed over into tighter, funkier territory – coming off here with a sound that's got really universal appeal and a wickedly classic vibe overall – like some unusual cross-breeding of Brazilian grooves and Salsoul Records! Vocals are by Mia Mendes and Marcina Arnold, but the instrumentation is even better than the lyrics – filled with jazzy touches, blended with bits of strings, and perfectly produced all the way through. Really tremendous stuff – one of the freshest records we've heard from Far Out in years – with titles that include "Mystery", "Keep Believing", "Dead Dance", "The Last Carnival", "A Disco Supreme", "Vendetta", and "Don't Cha Know He's Alright". 2CD set features 8 more bonus remix tracks too! CD

Hipster sounds from the pre-hippie years – tracks that were either recorded by beatniks, or which have a very cool beat-themed style to them – all pulled together from a range of rare recordings at the end of the 50s and the start of the 60s! The sound here is maybe what you'd guess from the very groovy cover – a bit of jazz, and a bit of wit as well – tunes that poke a bit of fun at the intellectual underground, especially as it collides with the more mainstream sound of rock and roll – served up here on a dozen fab platters that sound even better in the company of each other! The album's divided up into a "mean side" and "bongo beatin side" – and titles include "Jet Black" by The Shadows, "Bongo Beating Beatnik" by Joe Hall & The Corvettes, "Goatee" by Joey Warren, "Theme From Von Hutch" by Jerry Madison & The Spacemen, "The Toast" by The Champs, "Money Money" by Benny Joy, "Gargantua" by Piltdown Men, and "Back Beat No 1" by The Rondels. LP, Vinyl record album

A joyous celebration of the mighty Far Out label – now over a decade old, and still one of the most freshly creative companies around! Far Out is the brainchild of London DJ Joe Davis, who has a great way of bringing together older bossa-styled grooves with a fresher take on the genre. Joe's approach is really unique, and it's one that's neither subject with the overdone bossa-remix cliches that have cluttered the market in recent years, nor the too-sleepy bossa-revival jazz that's always nice to hear, but never that exciting. Far Out really has a tremendous way of putting over a groove – one that lets the artist work at their own pace, but which also seems to push them a bit further than they might otherwise go – a fact that's certainly apparent in the label's ability to revitalize the careers of older artists like Marcos Valle, Joyce, and Azymuth! The 16 track set features 5 previously unreleased tracks, plus some other overlooked treasures for the label – all very nicely packaged at a low low price! Titles include "O Tempo Samba" by Grupo Batuque, "Demoro" by Joyce, "Tanto Tempo (unplugged)" by Vertente, "Space Carnival (Global Communications rmx)" by Azymuth, "Nao Quero Nem Saber" by Sabrina Malheiros, "Agua" by Nina & Chris, "Espada De Prate" by Celia Vaz & APE, "Pez" by Troubleman, and "Valeu (4 Hero rmx)" by Marcos Valle & Joyce. CD

Killer contemporary bossa from the Far Out label – easily one of the hippest Brazilian imprints going, and one of the few who really manage to get a classic sound right! The tracks here are pulled from the wealth of recent recordings on Far Out, and together they really demonstrate the label's strong approach to bossa nova – a short but rich recording legacy that draws on plenty of classic elements, yet also manages to update the music slightly – yet never with any sort of easy tricks or gimmicks! Some of the tracks are by older Brazilian artists, a few others by newcomers to the music – and they all really illustrate the respect and love for its artists that mark the operations of Far Out. Titles include "Berimbau" by Joyce, "Keep An Eye On Love" by Zeep, "Nova Bossa Nova" by Marcos Valle, "Filhos" by Athur Verocai with Ivan Lins, "Rejoycing" by Democustico, "Pro Bonfa" by Celia Vaz, "San Roque" by Os Ipanemas, "Pra Ze" by Azymuth with Roberto Menescal, "Dindi" by Victor Assis Brasil, "Vem Moreno Vem" by Celia Vaz, "Meu Samba Torto" by Clara Moreno, and "It's Too Late" by Sabrina Malheiros. CD

A very hip set that goes way beyond the stock bass-heavy grooves that have been showing up on other Brazilian compilations in recent years – and a package that really does a great job of reintroducing roots to contemporary urban music in Brazil! The album offers up a Brazilian take on the heavy sound of the bass – served up here in ways that echo famous modes in hip hop, reggae, and Afro Beat – but all with a uniquely Brazilian twist as well Tracks feature a range of contemporary artists who are taking grooves past the heavy, bombastic sound of the favelas – refining things a bit more up top, while still holding onto the powerful presence of the bottom – through a range of instrumentation that includes both acoustic and electric touches, and some key nods to older Brazilian styles as well! There's a sophistication here that goes way past any booty-shaking cliches – and, quite frankly, beyond the cover art too! Titles include "Olhe O Fogo" by Os Nelsons, "Pequi Week Bar" by Sistema Criolina, "Caroco" by Nsista, "Eu Acho E Pouco" by Soraia Drummond, "Travessias" by Anton Dub, "Nao Deixe De Lutar" by Junior Dread, and "Te Amarrado (Mangaio rmx)" by O Quadro. CD

Spacey Far Out Brazilian grooves from the stellar label's roster – some of the wilder, more tripped out and psychedelic sounds on the label – from leftfield dancefloor grooves, to psych rock inspired grooves, to some of the more experimental numbers by Brazilian music legends! The 2CD set features numbers by Azymuth, Joyce, Binario, Jose Mauro and others – including a number of remixes that have never been released on CD before now! Includes "Apocalipse" by Jose Mauro, "Reza Brava" by Piri, "Tudo Bonito" by Joyce, "Black Magic" by Kirk Digeorgio Presents Offworld, "Caca A Raposa" by Azymuth, "Diretriz" by Binario, "Ao Amigo Quartin by Victor Assis Brazil, "Las Vegas" by Rabotnik, "Intergalactic You, Intergalactic Me" by Troubleman and many more. CD

Strictly Samba, and strictly great stuff – a mix of contemporary work from the Far Out label and a host of other artists too – almost all of whom work here in a relatively classic mode! Although most of the tunes are recent, they'd fit right next to some of your classic samba sides from years past – thanks to an adherence to rootsy percussion, acoustic instrumentation, and recording techniques that really let the vocals come through strongly – adding a bold sense of soul to the music that really makes it groove. The package is really well done – and the non Far Out tracks make it way more than a straight label sampler – with work that includes "Beleza Beleza Beleza" by Trio Mocoto, "Era Bom" by The Ipanemas, "Maria Jose" by Nereu Mocoto & Swing, "Swingue Do Samba" by Roge, "Foi Um Rio Que Passou Em Minha Vida" by Tereza Cristina E Grupo Semente, "Sorri Pra Nos" by Armando Marcal, "Na Cadencia Do Samba" by Grupo Batuque, "Tudo De Bom" by Arthur Verocai, "Jongo Jade" by Aparecindinha, "Casamento Na Favela" by Zaira, and "Samba De Silvia" by Joyce. CD

Hard to believe it's been 20 years since the Far Out label first started making wonderful music – because their sounds are always so ahead of their time, it's as if they're still coming to us from the future! This wonderful 2CD set perfectly sums up all that's great about Far Out – their longstanding commitment to Brazilian music, their London-based ear for new styles of expression, and their way of reaching out to the globe with a vision that's continued to captivate listeners around the world for the past two decades! CD 1 features key Far Out cuts – including "Meu Samba Torto" by Clara Moreno, "Escape" by Marcos Valle, "Samba Da Silvia" by Joyce, "Brisa Mar" by Sabrina Malheiros, "Aos Pes Do Redentor" by Banda Black Rio with Caetano Veloso, "Ups & Downs" by Kirk Degiorgio, "Vagalume" by Democustico, and "Agua" by Nina & Chris. CD 2 features a huge mix of 27 tracks all handled by Spiritual South – including 11 numbers that appear here for the first time ever! CD

A really unusual little compilation – hardly anything that you might expect when you think of Hawaiian music – but that's kind of the lesson we've also been learning from the Aloha Got Soul label! Instead, the package brings together obscure recordings from the island state – tracks from the 60s, 70s, and 80s – many of which fall into a unique space that's really beyond any sort of easy categorization or genre – described on the cover as "sun-tinged folk" and "soft psych" – two phrases that only get at the tip of the iceberg of what's going on! Much of the music is laidback and mellow, but also has a sunny, breezy vibe that ever keeps things from being too sleepy – maybe touches of Cali soul and rock in the post-folk, post-Sunshine Pop world – but with a special sound that's as far from that scene as Hawaii is from the mainland. Titles include "Waves" by Harry Sonoda, "In Hawaii" by Dennis Soares, "Reb'll Echo" by Richard Reb'll, "Righteous Morning" by Gordon Broad, "Kaimu Sun" by Alice Wise, "Magic Sands" by Mofoya, "Revelation" by Burgess & Brooks, "High Tide" by Eddie Suzuki, "Garden In The Rain" by Merrell Fankhauser, and "How Many Times" by Lyle K'Ang. CD

A really unusual little compilation – hardly anything that you might expect when you think of Hawaiian music – but that's kind of the lesson we've also been learning from the Aloha Got Soul label! Instead, the package brings together obscure recordings from the island state – tracks from the 60s, 70s, and 80s – many of which fall into a unique space that's really beyond any sort of easy categorization or genre – described on the cover as "sun-tinged folk" and "soft psych" – two phrases that only get at the tip of the iceberg of what's going on! Much of the music is laidback and mellow, but also has a sunny, breezy vibe that ever keeps things from being too sleepy – maybe touches of Cali soul and rock in the post-folk, post-Sunshine Pop world – but with a special sound that's as far from that scene as Hawaii is from the mainland. Titles include "Waves" by Harry Sonoda, "In Hawaii" by Dennis Soares, "Reb'll Echo" by Richard Reb'll, "Righteous Morning" by Gordon Broad, "Kaimu Sun" by Alice Wise, "Magic Sands" by Mofoya, "Revelation" by Burgess & Brooks, "High Tide" by Eddie Suzuki, "Garden In The Rain" by Merrell Fankhauser, and "How Many Times" by Lyle K'Ang. LP, Vinyl record album

A lost chapter in the career of cellist Fred Katz – an album recorded after his small combo work with Chico Hamilton, and sort of a larger group take on the whimsical sound of the classic Hamilton Quintet! The tracks are all older folk tunes, adapted by Katz to fit a chamber jazz mode – and featuring shifting instrumentation from track to track, in order to fit the African, American, or Jewish origins of the tunes. Although the concept may sound a bit gimmicky, the record's actually pretty darn great from a jazz perspective – and is one of the few to show the real depth of Katz as a leader! Players include Billy Bean on guitar, Gene Estes on vibes, Jack Costanzo on percussion, Pete Candoli on trumpet, and Paul Horn on flute and alto – all great talents for this sort of work, especially Horn, whose reed lines help keep things lively. Titles include "Mate'ka", "Chili'lo", "Mathni-ki", "Old Paint", "Foggy Foggy Dew", and "Rav's Nigun". LP, Vinyl record album

Heavy grooves from the Far Out label – a set of cuts from the company that don't just fall into their usual Brazilian bag – and which stretch out in a sweet array of styles that include funky fusion and African-inspired rhythms! Most of the artists here normally work in a Brazilian vein, but the collection offers up some fresh takes on their sound – and also manages to pull together some more obscure Far Out tracks, including a few unreleased cuts too! Titles include "Poweride" by Marcos Valle, "Pembe (unreleased version)" by Future Warriors, "Somewhere Beyond (unreleased version)" by 4Hero Presents Natures Plan, "Eighties Times" by Jose Roberto Bertrami, "Magnetic Feel (unreleased version)" by Roc Hunter, "Chameleon (Offworld rework)" by Azymuth, "Strike Hard" by Troubleman, "Jazz Carnival" by Azymuth, and "New Morning" by Sabrina Malheiros. CD

Great work from one of the most important labels of the past few years – the groundbreaking Far Out imprint, known for its unique style of blending Brazilian and London grooves! The set features tracks from Far Out's oft-deleted singles series – hard to find 12" releases that often get only short release, and disappear much more quickly than the rest of the label's catalog. If you've missed some of these gems, or if you're like us, and sometimes prefer to put on a full album and save yourself flipping wax, the set's a great way to catch up – and probably introduce yourself to loads of great new music. Titles include "Khameleon" and "Second Future" by Difusion, "Ponteio" by Da Lata, "Colours" by Big Bang, "Smile" by Nature's Plan, "Strike Hard" by Trouble Man, "Brazil (Brazilian reprise)" by Democustico, "Faca De Conta (Roni Size rmx)" by Azymuth, "E Ruim/The Samba (4 Hero rmx)" by Grupo Batuque, and "Banzo Theme" by Banzo. 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

Fantastic stuff – and one of the greatest records ever by Brazilian keyboardist Antonio Adolfo! The album was recorded at the end of the 70s, and has a sound that's a lot like the best fusion work by Azymuth – a great mix of jazz and funk, plus more dynamic Brazilian elements – all wrapped together in a way that a rare few hybrids do this well! There's great keyboards right up front in the mix – and the backing has some tight percussion that crackles along and gives the album a heavy bottom and a great groove. The album was originally only issued on the tiny Artezanal label – but it feels like a lost gem from the classic funk years at Fantasy Records – internationally funky, far past just a Brazilian music gem. Titles include the massive break cut "Cascavel", plus other nice tracks like "Viralata", "A Marcha", "Assanhada", "Vermelhinho", and "Brincadeira Em Mi Bemol". LP, Vinyl record album

The return of a legend – and a tremendously groovy little record! Brazilian keyboardist/composer Antonio Adolfo's been making records for years – but easily his greatest albums were those cut at the end of the 60s with his Brazuka group – a cool combination of funky rhythms, electric keyboards, spacious production, and female vocals – all wrapped up with that glorious Blue Brazil sound of the EMI/Odeon label. Here, Adolfo recaptures that sound beautifully – returning to modes he hasn't touched in decades – and getting tremendous treatment from the Far Out label, who really help him hit that classic sound right. The record's an instantly timeless set that rivals all of Antonio's wonderful work from many years back – recorded with Adolfo on keyboards, live jazzy rhythms, a bit of strings, and twin harmony vocals from daughters Carol Saboya and Luisa Saboia – soaring out beautifully with a really groovy sound. The whole thing's wonderful – even better than you might expect – and titles include "Bola Da Vez", "Papo Furado", "Luizao", "Eu E Voce", "Tudo E Brasil", "Domingo Azul", "Tao Iguais", "SOS Amazonas", "Sonho Estelar", and "Dono Do Mundo". CD

A record with an unusual source, but a sound that puts it right up there with some of the most heavenly rare Brazilian albums of the 70s – served up here in a folksy, jazzy mix of acoustic and electric elements – all with help from heavyweights who include Victor Assis Brasil, Mauricio Einhorn, Durval Ferreira, and the Azymuth trio! The songs are based around creations by a Brazilian comedy duo, but they hardly sound anything like that at all – as they're easy-going, mellow-grooving, and have these vocals that flow beautifully amidst percussion, guitar, and keyboards! There are two monologue tracks in Portuguese – both with audience laughter – but all other tracks are sung, and delivered with some wonderful arrangements by Jose Roberto Bertrami and Jose Menezes. Titles include "Negra Brecho", "Ao Billilico", "Tema Do Azambuja", "A Turma", "Verde", "Maristela", and "O Poste Da Rua Jorge De Lima". LP, Vinyl record album

Amazing early work from Azymuth – rare demo recordings done at the home studio of keyboardist Jose Roberto Bertrami, in the short space before the group issued their legendary debut! The tracks here are as much jazz funk as they are the later modes that Azymuth would put forth – killer instrumentals that are really driven by great keyboard lines from Bertrami, who'd already been making music in other formats for years – and who works here on Fender Rhodes, Arp, Clavinet, Hammond, and a range of other keyboards too! The drums are fantastic, too – handled by a young Ivan Conti, who gets help on percussion from an early fourth member of the group, Ariovaldo Contesini – and as you might guess, the incredible basslines of Ivan Mamao Conti really help the whole thing groove. All material is very well-recorded – these aren't rough or unfinished tracks at all – and the whole thing should just be thought of as a first chapter for the group, right before they started putting out their famous records. Titles include "Prefacio", "Castelo", "Melo Do Cuica", "Xingo", "Laranjeiras", "Eqiupe 68", "Unknown Song For Mario Telles", "Manha", "Duro De Roer", "Quem Tem Medo", "Juntos Mais Uma Vez", and "Bateria Do Mamao". CD

Two rare early tracks from Azymuth – both mighty nice! "As Curvas Da Estrada De Santos" is an instrumental take on a tune by the brothers Robert and Erasmo Carlos – but done as a slow-stepping funky instrumental, with loads of great organ work from Jose Roberto Bertrami! The flipside is a tune with more great keyboards from Bertrami – a duet with Josoa Americo Parana on guitar, but with this cool moody wordless vocal that drifts nicely through the cut and gives the whole thing a nicely spooky feel – almost a Brazilian "Rosemary's Baby" theme! 7-inch, Vinyl record

One of Azymuth's best-remembered albums from their American years on Milestone – a really killer classic that beautifully blends Brazilian and American styles of fusion! There's a simple, elegant feel to these tunes that takes off nicely from the group's previous album for Atlantic in Brazil – a pushing forward of the soulful sides of their style, but with just the right blend of quirkier elements as well – one that still keeps the edge of the early years, yet helps the group reach out with a wonderfully warm sound! Most tracks are quite spare, and without any too-smooth polishing in production – and titles include the classic "Jazz Carnival", a funky fusion classic if there ever was one – plus "Light As A Feather", "Avenida Das Manguerias", "This Exists", "Partido Alto", "Dona Olimpia", "Amazonia", and "Young Embrace". CD also features four bonus tracks – "Jazz Carnival (full original mix)", "Avenida Das Manguerias (SS translation by Theo Parrish)", "Jazz Carnival (Yambee rework by Ashley Beedle & Yam Who)", and "Codsall Juniors" by Mark E. CD

A brilliant new vision for the legendary Banda Black Rio – the pioneering samba, soul and funk combo that broke so much ground in the 70s and remain vital to this day – led here by William Magalhaes, in a mode that celebrates decades of the best Brazilian music, while fearlessly moving it forward! William's father Oberdan Magalhaes was a driving force behind the original Banda Black Rio, and we couldn't really imagine a more appropriate new vision for the group than his son's. William wrote or co-wrote each track and he sings, plays keys and synth, guitar, bass, drums and more. The expansive group brings a depth of percussion, horns, strings and vocals – delivering timeless and dexterous jazzy Brazilian funk and dancefloor soul. The guest list includes classic and contemporary greats like Seu Jorge, Elza Soares, Marcio Local, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil and others! Includes "Louis Lane" with Seu Jorge & Mano Brown, "Super Nova Samba Funk (9 No Samba)", "America Do Sul", "Isabela" feat Elza Soares and Cesar Camargo Mariano, "Samba Nova", "Quem Vem La" feat Marcio Local, "Deixa Estar" feat Aleh, "Lindos Olhos" feat Seu Jorge and Don Pixote, "Paname" feat Pyroman, "Final Feliz", "Irere" feat Gilberto Gil, "Aos Pes Do Redentor" feat Caetano Veloso and more. 16 tracks on the CD version. CD

The rare Latino Fantastico from Rubens Bassini – featuring a range of percussion and overall vibe that blends the feverishly rhythmic vibes his native Brazil with African, Cuban and South American styled numbers with ultra groovy exotica! Bassini is a master percussionist and he's backed by a stellar roster of Rio players from the time – bringing both a creative spirit and skilled instrumentation that keeps it well out of cocktail kitsch territory, but that said, it's well infused with a playful sense of fun – and we're glad to see and hear it after all these years! 19 mostly short numbers, including "Afro Cubano (Canto Karabali)", "Mambo", "Maracas (Surda)", "Merengue", "Guiro", "Bongo", "Tumbadoras", "Timbales", Bembe", "Samba (Samba No Congo)", "Tumbadoras", "Guaguanco", "Quinto" and more. CD

New work from the legendary founder of Azymuth! Jose Roberto Bertrami's keyboards have graced dozens of Brazilian jazz sessions over the past 30 years – not only with his famous combo Azymuth, but also on albums by other Brazilian singers and instrumentalists of the 70s and 80s. This new set on Far Out is Bertrami's first under his own name for the label – and although Azymuth have recorded often for Far Out, this album's got a feel that's quite different from their work. Bertrami's going for a smooth glossy finish here – working keyboard magic over sly soulful grooves, hitting a vibe that reminds us a lot of classic work by 70s Americans like Bobby Lyle or Rodney Franklin, showing that Bertrami's got more than a bit of soul in his work, when he's given the chance to show it off. Titles include "Bluff Dancing", "Tarde Em Itacuruca", "Dificil Te Dizer", "Things Are Different", "Partido Alto No 3", "Mamao Com Acucar", and "Ceu E Mar". CD

A fantastic double-length set – two full albums of music, essential for any fan of Brazilian jazz – or even jazz in general! First up is Esperanto – an incredible album from one of Brazil's greatest reed players of the 70s – the mighty Victor Assis Brasil – a free-thinking spirit who really took Brazilian jazz in bold new directions at the time! The record shows Victor absorbing a lot of post-Coltrane influences, and blending them with a tight approach to rhythm – laid down here by Dom Salvador on piano (and organ), Edison Lobo on bass, and Edson Machando on drums. The group is completed by Helio Delmiro on guitar, and Claudio Roditi plays trumpet on one track – but the real highlight is the amazing reed work by Brasil, which is filled with soul and warmth, plus a deep sense of exploration. The whole session was put together by Roberto Quartin in 1970 – and it's still extremely fresh today. Titles include "Children", "Gingerbread Boy", "Senegal", and "Marilia". Next is Toca Antonio Carlos Jobim – a fantastic album from this legendary Brazilian saxophonist – and one that's way different than the usual instrumental reading of the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim! The setting is less of a bossa-inspired one than a post-Coltrane mode – as Victor Assis Brasil blows alto sax, and a bit of soprano – on long, stretched out versions of Jobim compositions – often given a bit of modal energy, thanks to the group's strong piano and organ performances by Dom Salvador. The rest of the players are all great, too – Helio Delmiro on guitar, Edson Lobo on bass, and Edison Machado on drums – all players who grew up in the bossa jazz years of the 60s, but who here are set free to explore new territory by producer Roberto Quartin. The whole thing's wonderful – and titles include "Bonita", "Wave", "So Tinha De Ser Come Voce", and "Dindi". CD also features two bonus tracks – alternate takes of "Ao Amigo Quartin" and "Marilla". 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

Really mindblowing work from legendary drummer Ivan "Mamao" Conti – a key part of Azymuth through that group's many years – and still going strong here as a solo artist on his own! The album's almost a 21st Century realization of the sound that Azymuth was going for back in the day – cascading percussion with plenty of influences from Brazilian music and jazz, often given some electric elements along the way – but always in a style that's warmly organic, and right on the groove! Conti gets help from younger Azymuth and Incognito generations – as Alex Malherios plays bass on the record and Daniel Maunick handles keyboards, more percussion, and production – all at a level that never stomps on Ivan's vision at all – and which instead makes the whole thing as rewarding as any Azymuth session we've heard over the past few decades. Most tracks are instrumental, save for some airy wordless vocals – but Thiago Martins sings lead on "Que Legal", and other titles include "Aroeira", "Bacurau", "Poison Fruit", "Jemburi", "Ecos Da Mata", "Encontro", and "Tempestades". CD features bonus mixes – "Ilha Da Luz (Tenderlonius rmx)", "Encontro (Glenn Astro rmx)", "Que Legal (Reginald Omas Mamode IV rmx)", "Encontro (Max Graef rmx)", and "Poison Fruit (Dokta Venom's digital dub rmx)". CD

Really mindblowing work from legendary drummer Ivan "Mamao" Conti – a key part of Azymuth through that group's many years – and still going strong here as a solo artist on his own! The album's almost a 21st Century realization of the sound that Azymuth was going for back in the day – cascading percussion with plenty of influences from Brazilian music and jazz, often given some electric elements along the way – but always in a style that's warmly organic, and right on the groove! Conti gets help from younger Azymuth and Incognito generations – as Alex Malherios plays bass on the record and Daniel Maunick handles keyboards, more percussion, and production – all at a level that never stomps on Ivan's vision at all – and which instead makes the whole thing as rewarding as any Azymuth session we've heard over the past few decades. Most tracks are instrumental, save for some airy wordless vocals – but Thiago Martins sings lead on "Que Legal", and other titles include "Aroeira", "Bacurau", "Poison Fruit", "Jemburi", "Ecos Da Mata", "Encontro", and "Tempestades". LP, Vinyl record album

Brazilian percussion mixed with 21st Century sounds – all served up sublimely in the hands of Kirk Degiorgio – one of the few artists we could ever expect to get a project like this just right! The album follows nicely off Kirk's previous collaboration with Azymuth – but has an even starker sound overall, as core acoustic percussion bits are worked into contemporary rhythm programs – then topped with some of the crackling electric touches that you'd expect – often with a warmer sound than other projects of this nature, but a groove that's plenty driving overall. Titles include "Babilonia", "Morro Da Formiga", "Dende", "Borel", "Vidigal", "Rocinha", "Prazeres", and "Complexo Do Alemao" – plus remixes "Babilonia (Rick Wilhite dub)", "Borel (Jonas Kopp my vision of samba rmx)", and "Borel (Nxi rmx)". CD

An organ bossa classic from the legendary Eumir Deodato – one of his strongest albums from his early years in Brazil! There's a very jazzy feel to the set all the way through – thanks to a tightly arranged group that not only features the organ and percussion you might expect from such a date, but which also features some great horn work as well! Trombone, tenor, and baritone sax all get in some nice licks – and Deodato's organ cooks wonderfully throughout, often with a quick-stepping bossa jazz sound that really keeps things lively. Titles include "O Sol Nascera", "Samba Do Dom Natural", "Terra De Ninguem", "E Bom Parar", and "Ataque". CD

The first work we've heard in many years from keyboardist Hugo Fattoruso – an artist who was born in Uruguay, but whose talents have been intertwined with Brazilian music for many years – including early recordings in a bossa mode, and 70s fusion with his legendary Opa combo! This set follows the style of those great 70s albums – with a fusion style that owes plenty to the jazz changes in Brazil, particularly the way that jamming instrumental solos could often be wrapped up strongly with the rhythms – and the great balance between acoustic and electric elements in the music! Hugo plays keyboards throughout, and even vocalizes at times – in a cool wordless style that again reminds us of some Brazilian 70s artists – and the setting here is wonderfully sharp throughout – very much a fusion mode that really pushes the boundaries, but never loses its groove. Titles include "Antes/Goldenwings", "La Del Cheche", "Llamada Insolita", "Candombe Alto", "El Romance Del Sordo", "Botijas", "Trenes De Tokyo", and "Candombe Beat Funk". CD

A sublime little set – quite possibly the greatest album ever from Brazilian keyboardist Manfredo Fest! Manfredo first cut his teeth on the bossa scene of the 60s – but by the time of this rare indie session, he'd moved up to the US – and was working with sweet keyboards to really electrify his groove! The record's a wonderful blend of 70s Brazilian fusion modes and just a dash of American soul – and in addition to Manfredo's wonderful work on Fender Rhodes, the set also has these brilliant vocals from Roberta Davis – a singer who works wordlessly, using her voice as an instrument in this really cool way – sliding along with the grooves, and making the album sound unlike anything else we can think of. The overall feel is a bit like Joao Donato's excellent Quem E Quem album – and titles include "Jungle Cat", "Facing East", "Who Needs It", and "Brazilian Dorian Dream". CD

A whole new flavor of Brazilian jazz – served up by pianist Amaro Freitas, whose work on the Pernambuco scene is a great cross-crossing of modes! Freitas has all the fluid, modern elements of some of the better-known Brazilian pianists from Rio and Sao Paulo – but he also mixes in some rootsier elements to his music – still using conventional jazz instrumentation, but with lots of complexity in the rhythms – so much so, it's really hard to put an sort of easy label on his approach! The work of bassist Jean Elton and drummer Hugo Medeiros is equally great – and the trio cascade together in a way that we can't imagine any other group matching at all. A few tracks feature sax and flute from Henrique Albino – but the core trio dominates in a mighty nice way – on titles that include "Aurora", "Mantra", "Rasif", "Afrocatu", "Vitrais", "Dona Eni", and "Trupe". CD

One of the best records in years from the mighty Far Out label – and a set that really takes the imprint back to its roots! The name of the record echoes the first Friends From Rio session that launched Far Out almost two decades ago – and like that classic, this one's a collaborative effort between a range of Brazilian and British talents – served up in a style that bridges the gap between older bossa and more contemporary modes! The music is perfect from the ground up – not a cheesy bossa remix project, but a true blend of all the best elements, served up in a rich new style. The project gets key Incognito-style help from Daniel "Venom" Maunick, and a real Azymuth pedigree from Alex Malheiros – and the whole thing features a great range of different singers, including Hyldon, Robertinho Silva, Aleh Ferreira, Ivan Matheus, Denise Pinaud, Sabrina Malheiros, and Carlos Dafe – each wrapped up in a sweet blend of Fender Rhodes, organ, riffing guitar, and sweet jazzy horns. Titles include "So Resta A Porta Se Abrir", "Mas Que Nada", "Garota", "Aguai", "Casino Bangu", "Batucada Bidu", "Anthemia", "Leita De Pedra", and "Mulher Malagueta". CD