Great grooves from Jackson Conti – not a dude, but a duo – one that features Madlib teamed with Mamao, drummer from the legendary Azymuth! The album's got a really unique feel – one that mixes Madlib's chunky, fuzzy style of production with some of the cleaner, jazzier Azymuth grooves of late – a combination that shouldn't work so well, but which comes across with really amazing results! There's a bit of beats on the set, but a fair bit of the percussion is acoustic too – making for more warmth than before from Madlib – almost a transplantation of the Yesterday's New Quintet sound to the sunnier Rio scene. Keyboards have a strong role too – often with the sort of edgey, compelling tones you'd hear on the first few Azymuth recordings of the 70s – and other instrumentation includes bits of guitar, flute, sax, and other well-placed touches – but all used in weird ways that are somewhere between typical jazz and Brazilian modes. Titles include "Upa Neguinho", "Xibaba", "Sao Paulo Nights", "Brasilian Sugar", "Mamaoism", "Berumba", "Papaya", "Segura Esta Onda", "Sunset At Sujinho", "Tijuca Man", and "Waiting On The Corner". LP, Vinyl record album

Two rare albums from Dutch reedman Theo Loevendie – both amazing little records that sound beautiful here on a single CD! Mandela features complicated lines from a hip Netherlands combo of the late 60s – one headed up by Theo Loevendie on alto sax, but which acts a lot more like a collective of modernists working together – Hans Dulfer on tenor and bamboo flute, Willem Van Manen on trombone, Nedly Elstak on trumpet, Joop Mastenbroek on baritone and clarinet, Maarten Altena on bass, and Martin Van Dunhoven and John Engels on drums. The tunes all have a nice sense of structure – energy that's more like the early 60s modernism of the European scene – particularly some of the more rhythmic styles – than the looser freedoms that some of Loevendie's contemporaries were hitting at the same time. There's definitely plenty of offbeat sounds in the mix – but the group also knows how to swing, too – on titles that include "Trombomanie", "Mr Brook", "Timbuktu", "Trompedly", and "Pepy". Chess is a really playful outing from a very cool Dutch combo – one with lead alto from Theo Loevendie, but a rich array of sounds from the other members too! The reeds are especially nice – often coming together with a complexity that goes back to older European modern traditions, yet with a swinging sensibility that's still plenty jazz, too – kind of a mix of composition, arrangement, and inherent swinging – with standout work from Hans Dulfer on tenor, Leon Van Oostrom on baritone, Leo Cuypers on piano, and Willem Van Manen on trombone – a player we barely know at all, but whose bold tones really bring a lot to the record. Titles include "Lapsang Souchong", "Scratch", "Brasilia", and "Tremolo". CD

Soulful sounds from 70s Chile – and a record that easily rivals some of the best acoustic work from the post-Tropicalia generation in Brazil! Manduka's got a heady sound that's very much in keeping with his image on the cover – a freer sort of approach to the music than the decade before – with these long-flowing tracks that intertwine folksy elements and regional touches, but always with some slight undercurrent of jazz – almost at a level that rivals the acid folk of the UK scene of the same time, but with a definite deeper South American vibe. The vocals are sublime – extremely haunting, even beyong the boundary of language – and often recorded with some echo around them and the guitar, in a manner that recalls some of the best Geraldo Vandre material. Instrumentation includes some light backing on flute, bongos, acoustic guitar, and harmonica – often used in a gentle, watery sort of way. Completely sublime – one of those lost global gems you'll treasure for years – with titles that include "Entra Y Sale", "Naranjita", "Oiticumana", "De Un Extranjero", "Brasil 1500", and "Patria Amada Idolarada Salve Salve". LP, Vinyl record album

A gorgeous album of Brazilian vocal jazz – a set that blends bossa roots, Brazilian jazz, and some of the sunnier touches you might find coming from Bay Area interpretations of the music in the late 70s/early 80s – such as work by Joyce Cooling or Viva Brasil! Patricia King handles the lead vocals and piano – and she's got this wonderfully soaring style that's also a bit like some of the hipper European vocalists who emerged in the wake of Tania Maria's important 70s recordings in Paris. Orlando handles guitars and a bit of vocals too – and the group has great basslines, flute, and plenty of percussion to really keep things lively – all of which makes for one of the best examples we've ever heard of this sort of style. Titles include "Sambawalk", "Choro Sambaiao", "Cancao Da Chuva", "Calma Mulher", "Num Dia Azul", and "Sinal Verde". CD

A gorgeous album of Brazilian vocal jazz – a set that blends bossa roots, Brazilian jazz, and some of the sunnier touches you might find coming from Bay Area interpretations of the music in the late 70s/early 80s – such as work by Joyce Cooling or Viva Brasil! Patricia King handles the lead vocals and piano – and she's got this wonderfully soaring style that's also a bit like some of the hipper European vocalists who emerged in the wake of Tania Maria's important 70s recordings in Paris. Orlando handles guitars and a bit of vocals too – and the group has great basslines, flute, and plenty of percussion to really keep things lively – all of which makes for one of the best examples we've ever heard of this sort of style. Titles include "Sambawalk", "Choro Sambaiao", "Cancao Da Chuva", "Calma Mulher", "Num Dia Azul", and "Sinal Verde". LP, Vinyl record album

Soaring, spacious work from Milton Nascimento – an album done with musical backings from frequent partner Wagner Tiso, and songwriting help from Fernando Brant – all in the best sophisticated mode of their Minas Geraes generation! The sound is occasionally a bit more mellow than some of Nascimento's other albums – but that also enforces the depth and ambition of the compositions too – as there's a quality here that's extremely thoughtful, and almost visionary – Milton pausing a bit to look towards new horizons, then reaching out beautifully with his soulful vocals. Other guests include Flavio Venturini and Ney Matogrosso – and titles include "Amor Amigo", "De Magia De Danca E Pes", "Noticias Do Brasil", "Vida", "Cacador De Mim", "Sonho De Moco", and "Nos Bailes Da Vida". LP, Vinyl record album

Interesting, soulful work from Milton Nascimento – two different scores from the 70s, both written for ballet! The approach here is similar to some of his studio work of the time – an sophisticated yet soulful blend of instrumentation and vocals, baroque yet touched with the straightforwardness of rock, and never overly complicated, despite the nature of the setting. The work is essential if you like any of Milton's mid 70s studio albums – and performers on the projects include Joao Donato, Helcio Miltio, Beto Guedes, Nelson Angelo, Novelli, Luis Avellar, Toninho Horta, and Milton himself, leading the groups on both sessions. Titles on the first disc (Maria Maria) include the title track, "Lilia", "A Chamada", "Pai Grande", "Seducao", "Francisco", "Boca A Boca", "De Repente Maria Sumiu", and lots more! Titles on disc two (Ultimo Trem) include "Abertuna: Minas", "Ponta De Areia", "Povo Da Raca Brasil", "A Viagem", "Ultimo Trem", "Roupa Nova", and "Decreto", "Bicho Homem", "A Lua Girou" and more. 36 tracks on two CDs! CD

The music of Sun Ra, taken into very different territory – every bit as cosmic as before, but maybe also a bit more down to earth in its presentation! Sun Ra classics are reworked here by a mix of different Brazilian musicians, with contributions from a few key American artists who really enrich the soulful qualities of the proceedings – with results that are tremendous, and which make the record one of the real standout projects in the long legacy of Red Hot recordings! The sounds here are all original, created for the project – and the Brazilian artists include some of our favorite underground talents of the past decade, mixed with a few who are more well-established, yet still very much on the left side of the spectrum! Titles include "Astroblack Orunmila" with Jazzmeia Horn & Orquestra Afrosinfonica, "Interstellar Low Ways" with Hamilton De Holanda Trio, "When There Is No Sun (Intergalactic version)" with Xenia Franca & Tigana Santana, "Eu Sou Um Instrumento" with Fabricio Boliveira & Jazzmeia Horn, "O Codigo" with Fabricio Boliveira & Edbrass Brasil, "Nature's God" with Meshell Ndegeocello & Munir Hossn, and "Nine Rocket For The Planet" with Meta Meta & Edgar. LP, Vinyl record album

A massive bucket of breaks from drummer Karriem Riggins – served up here in a drums-only entry to the Madlib Library Series, at a level that might well make it the funkiest of the bunch! There's definitely some slight effects used here from time to time – maybe some edits too – but the core energy of the set comes from Karriem's rock-solid work on the drum kit, which you'll no doubt recognize from his wonderful contributions to many other records – although none have ever had the lean approach as this one! Titles include "Skippy White", "Motown Sound", "Bulldog", "Afriq", "Fam In Our Lives", "Brasilian Gangsta", "To The Jungle", "Tipster", and "Tony Vibes". LP, Vinyl record album

A great Fantasy Records soundtrack – put together to accompany the Ralph Bakshi feature-length cartoon Heavy Traffic! The feel is similar to the Fritz The Cat soundtrack – in that the movie features some original music penned for the film, plus a fair bit of other tracks by better-known artists – all slipped into the movie as a sort of pop culture pastiche! As you might guess, we're partial to the original tracks – penned mostly by Ed Bogas, and featuring some organ and keyboards by Merl Saunders. These tunes include "Angie's Theme", "Carol's Theme", "What You Sow", "Heavy Traffic", "Cartoon Time", and "Scarborough Street Fair". Other titles include "Take Five" by Dave Brubeck, "Maybelline" by Chuck Berry, "Twist & Shout" by The Isley Brothers, and "Scarborough Fair" by Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66. LP, Vinyl record album

One of the most unusual albums ever recorded by South American groover Aldemaro Romero – a rare date cut in Mexico at the start of the 70s – served up in a beautiful blend of 60s bossa, jazz, and easy styles! The format here is somewhat similar to Aldemaro's albums of the period – especially his American records, thanks to the use of vocals – but the presence of Chilean singer Monna Bell gives the tunes an even more vocal-forward sound than before, especially since Monna's overdubbed in the arrangements – in a style that's quite a bit like Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66! But there's also something of a Mexican influence going on too, given the players and the setting for the record – a subtle difference to some of the rhythms and instrumentation that really makes this one stand out from Aldemaro's other records! Titles include "El Balaju", "La Bikina", "Xochimilco", "Tres Consejos", "La Negra", "El Jarabe Loco", and "Cucurrucuccu Paloma". CD

Searing samba soul from Jorge Ben – one of his best-remembered albums of the 70s, and for good reason too! The album's got a slightly fuller feel than some of Ben's other work of the time – never slick, but with backings balanced nicely against his own raspy vocals and acoustic guitar – sweetening things up with a bit of the strings you'd find on Forca Bruta, but with a hint of the soul to come on Africa Brasil! The balance is great – thanks to arrangers Osmar Milito, Darcy De Paulo, and Hugo Bellard – and as usual, Jorge's vocals are the main attraction – dipping, turning, and rising with this really unique, personal feel – Ben-like brilliance at its brightest. The whole thing's wonderful – a key gem from the Philips years – and titles include "Cinco Minutos", "Zumbi", "Brother", "Os Alquimistas Estao Chegando Os Alquimistas", "Errare Humanum Est", "Menina Muler Da Pele Preta", "Hermes Tri", and "O Namorado Da Viuva". LP, Vinyl record album

Great grooves from Jackson Conti – not a dude, but a duo – one that features Madlib teamed with Mamao, drummer from the legendary Azymuth! The album's got a really unique feel – one that mixes Madlib's chunky, fuzzy style of production with some of the cleaner, jazzier Azymuth grooves of late – a combination that shouldn't work so well, but which comes across with really amazing results! There's a bit of beats on the set, but a fair bit of the percussion is acoustic too – making for more warmth than before from Madlib – almost a transplantation of the Yesterday's New Quintet sound to the sunnier Rio scene. Keyboards have a strong role too – often with the sort of edgey, compelling tones you'd hear on the first few Azymuth recordings of the 70s – and other instrumentation includes bits of guitar, flute, sax, and other well-placed touches – but all used in weird ways that are somewhere between typical jazz and Brazilian modes. Titles include "Upa Neguinho", "Xibaba", "Sao Paulo Nights", "Brasilian Sugar", "Mamaoism", "Berumba", "Papaya", "Segura Esta Onda", "Sunset At Sujinho", "Tijuca Man", and "Waiting On The Corner". CD

A great group gets even better – thanks to some heavenly production from the legendary Ed Motta! Ed's an artist that we love tremendously for his own work – particularly the recent groundbreaking sides on the Trama label – but here he's working in the studio in support of Jazzinho, giving their already-great groove an added touch of warmth, soul, and imagination! As on their debut, Jazzinho work strongly in a jazzy 70s territory – hitting the best notes of Brazilian fusion from that time, and coming off with an especially soulful sound on the vocals – which are mostly backed up by live combo instrumentation. Ed's participation here runs past even his control of the studio board, as he sings a bit, arranges some, and also plays guitar and percussion – really acting as a special extra member of the group for this set! Main vocals are by Guida De Palma, and titles include "The Lagoon Monster", "Aos Meninos De Angola", "Symmetry", "Tide", "Symetrie", "Afro Luso Brasileiro", "Aos Meninos De Angola", "Cancao De Embalar", "Da Tempo Ao Tempo", and "Look Inside". CD

A beautiful set of symphonic tracks based around the work of Antonio Carlos Jobim – work that stretches back to the 50s, up through 60s bossa nova, and even includes some of Jobim's more complicated orchestrations from the 70s! The music is done in the arch-baroque style of other titles on the Biscoito Fino label – with a full symphony orchestra, smaller instrumental groupings, and even some strong vocal performances that drift in and out of the music. The set features re-interpretations of original arrangements by Jobim, Nelson Riddle, Deodato, Claus Ogerman, and others – and was put together by Paulo Jobim. Titles include "Lenda", "Macumba", "O Homem", "Saudade Do Brasil", "Matita Pere", "Chora Coracao", "Bangzalia", "Garota De Ipanema", and "Gabriela". Very nicely done 2CD set! CD

An overlooked gem from Joyce – an album that features a fair bit of help from famous friends! The set was recorded at a time when her star had faded a bit on the Brazilian market, but before she was yet to be rediscovered and re-recorded by labels in England and Japan – and despite the presence of some celebrity guest stars, the approach is often a bit mellow, in a way that makes for a very personal sort of sound. Roberto Menescal co-produced the set, and he brings a warm, acoustic feel to most numbers – kind of a gentle setting that lets Joyce relax into duets with artists who include Gal Costa, Emilio Santiago, Sandra Sa, Fatima Guedes, Ney Matogrosso, Clara Moreno, and Gilberto Gil. The sound is never too smooth or commercial – as in some other Joyce sets from the period – and titles include "Outras Mulheres", "Aleida De Ogum", "Misterios", "Da Cor Brasileira", "Stone Washed", "Essa Mulher", and "Minha Gata Rita Lee". CD

Beautifully spare work from guitarist Baden Powell – and a record that certainly lives up to its title! Baden's playing in a mostly unaccompanied setting for the session – working through some tunes that are markedly gentler than his bossa era numbers, but which demonstrate an amazing command of the acoustic guitar – a fragile, yet moving sensibility that's beautifully recorded throughout. A few tracks feature light percussion, or a bit of bass – but Baden's solo guitar is in the front of the mix throughout – on titles that include "Bassamba", "Brasiliana", "Fim Da Linha", "Marcia Eu Te Amo", "Na Gafiera Do Vidigal", and "Chara". LP, Vinyl record album

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

Classic jazz for the 21st century – a treasure trove of tunes from Verve Records, all remixed for the modern dancefloor! The set's the second in Verve's Remixed series – and unlike the first, which focused mostly on vocal numbers, this one throws in some instrumental killers that are among some of our favorite in the catalog! The overall groove is much more expanded from the first session – way past the standard of floating vocals, keys, and beats – into a realm of abstract jazz that really gets at the heart of the project! 14 tracks in all – with "Manteca" by Dizzy Gillespie remixed by Funky Lowlives, "Here's That Rainy Day" by Astrud Gilberto remixed by Koop, "Naima's Love Song" by Betty Carter remixed by DJ Spinna, "Fried Neckbones & Some Home Fries" by Willie Bobo remixed by Dan The Automator, "Soul Sauce" by Cal Tjader remixed by Fila Brasillia, "Do What You Wanna" by Ramsey Lewis remixed by Mr Scruff, "Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair" by Nina Simone remixed by Jaffa, "Mama" by Hugh Masekela remixed by Metro Area, "Whatever Lola Wants" by Sarah Vaughan remixed by Gotan Project, "Blues For Brother George Jackson" by Archie Shepp remixed by Mondo Grosso, and "Brother Where Are You" by Oscar Brown Jr remixed by Matthew Herbert. CD

A fantastically soulful album from Jorge Ben – one of his greatest records ever, and a key part of Brazilian music in the 70s! The album marks an earthier shift for Jorge – a sound that's still rooted in the samba influences of the 60s, but which also takes on a bit more soul at the bottom – thanks to rhythmic contributions from Trio Mocoto, who work here famously to help Ben shape the overall feel of the set! There's still a bit of larger orchestrations at moments, but these are used sparingly just to sweeten the sound – leaving the main force of the music to come from Jorge's guitar, and the cuica, percussion, and tamborim of the trio. The vocals are wonderful too – slightly raspy, and with a bit more feeling than we ever remember Jorge having on record – sometimes a bit intimate, yet always with an undeniable presence throughout. One of those records that still sends chills up our spines, year after year – with tracks that include "Oba La Vem Ela", "Ze Canjica", "Pulo Pulo", "Apareceu Aparecida", "Terezinha", "Mulher Brasileira", "Forca Bruta", "O Telefone Tocou Novamente", and "Charles Junior". CD

A fantastically soulful album from Jorge Ben – one of his greatest records ever, and a key part of Brazilian music in the 70s! The album marks an earthier shift for Jorge – a sound that's still rooted in the samba influences of the 60s, but which also takes on a bit more soul at the bottom – thanks to rhythmic contributions from Trio Mocoto, who work here famously to help Ben shape the overall feel of the set! There's still a bit of larger orchestrations at moments, but these are used sparingly just to sweeten the sound – leaving the main force of the music to come from Jorge's guitar, and the cuica, percussion, and tamborim of the trio. The vocals are wonderful too – slightly raspy, and with a bit more feeling than we ever remember Jorge having on record – sometimes a bit intimate, yet always with an undeniable presence throughout. One of those records that still sends chills up our spines, year after year – with tracks that include "Oba La Vem Ela", "Ze Canjica", "Pulo Pulo", "Apareceu Aparecida", "Terezinha", "Mulher Brasileira", "Forca Bruta", "O Telefone Tocou Novamente", and "Charles Junior". LP, Vinyl record album

Gal's in the prime of her sexy diva style here – singing in a sweet warm style with smooth jazzy arrangements that bring out a whole new side of her career. Obviously, the album's not as groundbreaking as some of her early work – but the quality is very high, and Gal's voice is always wonderful, no matter what the setting. Arrangements are by Gilson Peranzzetta and Lincoln Olivetti – and titles include "Meu Bem, Meu Mal", "Canta Brasil", "Roda Baiana", "Festa Do Interior", "Massa Real", and "Estrela, Estrela". LP, Vinyl record album

A rare bossa set from Argentina – but one that sparkles like some of the best MPB of the time! The lovely Maria De Fatima sings and plays guitar in a style that's not unlike Joyce – quite warm, and often a bit airy – gliding out beautifully over lightly dancing rhythms that draw on samba, bossa, and a bit of jazz! But there's also some more sophisticated phrasings here too – elements that clearly come from a love of 70s work by Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, and their generation – served up subtly and simply by Maria in her music, with a really unique feel overall. Instrumentation is relatively light – again, a quality that reminds us of Joyce at her best – and backings include work from the Fattoruso brothers, who'd crafted some earlier bossa sets on their own! Titles include "Voce Sorrindo E Entregando", "Toda Menina Bahiana", "Coisas Estranhas", "Bahia Com H", "Tres Pontas", "Sao Joao Xango Menino", and "Cancombe Brasileiro Montevideano". LP, Vinyl record album

A killer album – one of Duke Ellington's best from the later years! The record features excellent writing from Duke – in a Latin mode, obviously, but touched with these incredible orchestrations that bring all sorts of weird twists and turns to the grooves, yet still manage to keep everything swinging nicely! The result is a rare album of brilliance – one that's vaguely similar to the Clarke Boland Big Band's Latin Kaleidoscope album, but with a genius that's all it's own. The album's got all the modernist touches of late Duke – but man, it also swings like a mofo, and with a really groovy sound – and the great Paul Gonsalves brings some wonderful solo work to the entire session. Titles include "Oclupaca", "Chico Cuadradino", "Eque", "The Sleeping Lady & The Giant Who Watches Over Her", and "Brasiliance". CD

A killer album – one of Duke Ellington's best from the later years! The record features excellent writing from Duke – in a Latin mode, obviously, but touched with these incredible orchestrations that bring all sorts of weird twists and turns to the grooves, yet still manage to keep everything swinging nicely! The result is a rare album of brilliance – one that's vaguely similar to the Clarke Boland Big Band's Latin Kaleidoscope album, but with a genius that's all it's own. The album's got all the modernist touches of late Duke – but man, it also swings like a mofo, and with a really groovy sound – and the great Paul Gonsalves brings some wonderful solo work to the entire session. Titles include "Oclupaca", "Chico Cuadradino", "Eque", "The Sleeping Lady & The Giant Who Watches Over Her", and "Brasiliance". LP, Vinyl record album

Don't miss this one! For years, we passed this one by, thinking it an impure version of the great jazz duo Jackie & Roy. Now, though, we realize that it's one of their masterpieces, and takes their hip vocal sound into a new dimension, with cool L.A. production from the late 60's, and some great material that pushes them to the next level – like Marcos Valle's "Deus Brasilero" and the Bee Gee's "Holiday", or the songs "Open", "Without Rhyme Or Reason", and "Winds Of Heaven, all written by the great Fran Landesman. Massive grooviness, perhaps inspired by the vegetation in the title of the LP! LP, Vinyl record album

An excellent 70s set by Jackie & Roy – very different than their work of the 50s and 60s, with an approach that's much more far-reaching and complicated – a style that opens up their vocal talents majestically! Gone are the simpler ditties of earlier years, and in their place are warmly gliding numbers that open up to really unique vocal interplay – sometimes with Jackie in the lead, but other times trading back and forth with all the kind of complicated inflections you'd expect from early 70s CTI! Don Sebesky handled the arrangements with a great mix of spacey and breezy sounds – some slight electric touches at the bottom, but never in a way that makes the record too slick or smooth. Titles include a great version of "Bachinas Brasileiras #5", plus "Heading", "Summer Song", and "Lazy Afternoon". LP, Vinyl record album

Some of the most beautiful work we've heard from Seu Jorge in years – a well-recorded, all-acoustic set that really lives up to the spirit of his initial records – thanks in part to some great help from singer/guitarist Roge! The pair sometimes sing together, sometimes take a solo lead, but always have a warmly collaborative vibe – a spirit that's really timeless, and which has the two artists augmented by just a bit of light piano and percussion – all with a rhythmic pulse that brings out the best in Seu's fantastically raspy style! A gem of a record that leaves us wanting a lot lot more from this pair – with titles that include "Meu Brasil", "Sarava", "Caminhao", "Vem Me Salvar", "A Forca", "Onda Carioca", and "Pra Voce Amigo". LP, Vinyl record album

A contemporary record, but one that's got an amazingly timeless feel – like the best early 70s material from Brazilian artists like Airto, Hermeto Pascoal, or Egberto Gismonti! The music of Fabiano Do Nascimento has a similar genre-breaking quality to these giants – not straight jazz, but very jazzy in parts – not traditional Brazilian roots, either – but very schooled in the strongest elements from decades of creativity on that scene – all wrapped up in this fresh, new blend that's completely mesmerizing right from the start! Most instrumentation is acoustic, and relatively simple – guitar, percussion, drums, and vocals – but the arrangements are wonderful, and fold these familiar elements together in ways that are completely unique. The legendary Airto guests on the record – but the vision here is clearly that of Fabiano Do Nascimento – as he mixes together works by Hermeto Pascoal, Baden Powell, and other Brazilian composers with some bold new ideas of his own. Titles include "Forro Brasil", "Minha Ciranda", "Etude", "Primeira Estrella", "Tupi", "Se Ela Preguntar", "Tocatta Em Ritmo De Samba", and "Nana". CD

Sonny Stitt in a sweet electric funk mode – working here in a style that's almost more CTI/Kudu than the usual Cadet Records groove! Arrangements are by James Brown heavyweight Pee Wee Ellis – who also plays some moog on the set – and other players include Wilbur Bascomb on bass, Bernard Purdie on drums, and Patti Brown on electric piano! Titles include the classic "Slick Eddie", plus "Bachianas Brasilieras/Funky Interlude", "Never Can Say Goodbye", "Spanish Harlem", and "Ocho Rios". LP, Vinyl record album

A strange mixture of styles for this enigmatic Brazilian keyboardist – and a record that has a bit of rock, a bit of classical, and an approach that you certainly wouldn't find from an American artist recording at the same time! Like a lot of Tiso's later work, this one has some moments that are great, and a number of others that aren't. The main thing here to get past is the 80s keyboards, which have a very heavy vocoder and synclavier kind of sound. Titles include "Alegria", "Fantasia Holistica", "Missa Do Brasil", "Manu Carue", and "Memoria". CD

An amazing little box set – filled with 10 rare bossa nova albums from the Brazilian underground of the 60s – almost all of which we'd never heard before! The records here were mostly issued on small labels at the time – the kind of sets that never circulated widely outside of Brazil, and which often have unusual and striking sounds that are quite different from mainstream bossa work on labels like Verve or Elenco! There's a fair bit of jazz on most albums, and the instrumentation varies nicely throughout – sometimes more sax up front, sometimes more acoustic guitar, or offbeat horn arrangements, odd percussion, and lots of other sweet touches! Each CD features two full albums, completely with cover art and other details of the records – and the set features the albums Balanco E Bossa Nova by Ritmistas Da Bossa, Sambalanco by Orquesta Moderna De Samba, Isso E Bossa Nova Mesmo by Conjunto Sambossa, Saxsambando by Os Saxsambistas Brasileiros, O Balanco E A Bossa by Conjunto Masterplay, Samba Do Bom by Conjunto Samba De Balanco, Samba Pra Frente by Samba Trio, A Musica Maravilhosa De Antonio Carlos Jobim by Bossa Brass, and the self-titled 1964 album by Os Azes De Bossa. CD

A stunning set of Brazilian-styled cuts – presented here in the long-overdue 6th volume of this legendary series! Decades back, the Glucklich series taught us plenty about Brazilian grooves – especially the sort that weren't always recorded in Brazil, and were sometimes lost to the sands of time – especially as a few of these cuts appeared only on CD back in the day! And in the best Glucklich tradition, there's a few more contemporary cuts nestled in with the classics – making for a hell of of a set list that really lives up to the genius spirit of the series – on titles that include "Brasil Nativo" by Marcia Maria, "Brother Samba" by Midnight Gigolos, "Pe No Chao" by Grupo Ebano, "Come With Me To Rio" by Jon Lucien, "The Mystery Of Man (Truccy rmx)" by Sonzeira, "Mr Jenkins" by Guillermo Reuter, "Sob A Luz Do Sol" by A Bossa Eletrica, "Offering" by Jean Mar Jafet, "Hallo Hoppel" by Wutrio, "Aderico" by The Matheus Combo, and "Sambomambo" by Christian Knobel. CD

A stunning set of Brazilian-styled cuts – presented here in the long-overdue 6th volume of this legendary series! Decades back, the Glucklich series taught us plenty about Brazilian grooves – especially the sort that weren't always recorded in Brazil, and were sometimes lost to the sands of time – especially as a few of these cuts appeared only on CD back in the day! And in the best Glucklich tradition, there's a few more contemporary cuts nestled in with the classics – making for a hell of of a set list that really lives up to the genius spirit of the series – on titles that include "Brasil Nativo" by Marcia Maria, "Brother Samba" by Midnight Gigolos, "Pe No Chao" by Grupo Ebano, "Come With Me To Rio" by Jon Lucien, "The Mystery Of Man (Truccy rmx)" by Sonzeira, "Mr Jenkins" by Guillermo Reuter, "Sob A Luz Do Sol" by A Bossa Eletrica, "Offering" by Jean Mar Jafet, "Hallo Hoppel" by Wutrio, "Aderico" by The Matheus Combo, and "Sambomambo" by Christian Knobel. LP, Vinyl record album

Don't let the title or the bunny on the cover put you off, because there's nothing toy-like about these tunes – and the package is an excellent batch of rare German grooves put together with the same high level as other collections on the Perfect Toy label! Ex-Spinning Wheel mainman Marcus Hacker put together this one – and the grooves remind us a lot of some of the older SW sound library compilations – all awash in flavors borrowed from Brazilian bossa, American funk, Brit easy, and other genres – remodeled into a German economic miracle mode by a variety of jazz and studio players! The sound here is really really fresh – funky, but with lots of odd little touches and unusual instrumentation – a bit in the In Kraut mode, but more direct overall, and slightly less kitschy (although the set does have a few charming moments in that respect.) A number of tracks have vocals – some sung, some scatted – and titles include "Photographs" by Swegas, "Cameleon" by Kaate Frits Quartet, "Drift" by Orchester Heinz Kiessling, "Soul Samba" by The Earthquakers, "Guarana Guaranar" by Grupo Veneno, "Sara" by The Voices, "I Mimi" by Idili Tsaliki, "Memories Of Yesterday" by Othella Dallas, and "Salsamba" by Chet Baker & The Boto Brasilian Quartet. LP, Vinyl record album

Ana got her start in O Roda Samba, but sounds even better here on her own debut – a personal set of samba tracks that's every bit as lovely and compelling as her image on the cover photo! Ana sings and plays guitar throughout – mostly in a spare setting that echoes with roots in traditional samba, yet which sparkles even more from Costa's inflections on the lyrics of the tunes. She sings with styles that bring in just a bit of jazz, as well as some Joyce-like qualities that flutter and sparkle around the notes of the tunes – really warming the record with an instantly captivating spirit, and creating a whole new sound of her own! A tremendous debut, and an artist we're sure to be hearing more from in years to come! Titles include "Perdi", "Onde Quer Que Eu Va", "Pra Que Pedir Perdao", "Quintal Do Ceu", "Meu Carnival", "Brasileiro Da Gema", "Nao Sei O Que Da", and "Racas Brasil". CD

Great grooves from Jackson Conti – not a dude, but a duo – one that features Madlib teamed with Mamao, drummer from the legendary Azymuth! The album's got a really unique feel – one that mixes Madlib's chunky, fuzzy style of production with some of the cleaner, jazzier Azymuth grooves of late – a combination that shouldn't work so well, but which comes across with really amazing results! There's a bit of beats on the set, but a fair bit of the percussion is acoustic too – making for more warmth than before from Madlib – almost a transplantation of the Yesterday's New Quintet sound to the sunnier Rio scene. Keyboards have a strong role too – often with the sort of edgey, compelling tones you'd hear on the first few Azymuth recordings of the 70s – and other instrumentation includes bits of guitar, flute, sax, and other well-placed touches – but all used in weird ways that are somewhere between typical jazz and Brazilian modes. Titles include "Upa Neguinho", "Xibaba", "Sao Paulo Nights", "Brasilian Sugar", "Mamaoism", "Berumba", "Papaya", "Segura Esta Onda", "Sunset At Sujinho", "Tijuca Man", and "Waiting On The Corner". LP, Vinyl record album

A beautiful set from Mulgrew Miller – one of his greatest albums as a leader, and exemplary of the kind of underground jazz that was still bubbling strong in the 80s! The set features Miller's quintet with Kenny Garrett on alto and flute, Steve Nelson on vibes, Charnett Moffett on bass, and Tony Reedus on drums – led by Miller in a range of expressive styles carried off with effortless ease. There's some really nice numbers on here with a gentle and soulful groove – mixing vibes, piano, and alto in wonderful shades of colors and tone. Titles include "Sonhos Do Brasil", "Wingspan", "One's Own Room", "The Eleventh Hour", and "Soul Leo". CD

Interesting, soulful work from Milton Nascimento – two different scores from the 70s, both written for ballet! The approach here is similar to some of his studio work of the time – an sophisticated yet soulful blend of instrumentation and vocals, baroque yet touched with the straightforwardness of rock, and never overly complicated, despite the nature of the setting. The work is essential if you like any of Milton's mid 70s studio albums – and performers on the projects include Joao Donato, Helcio Miltio, Beto Guedes, Nelson Angelo, Novelli, Luis Avellar, Toninho Horta, and Milton himself, leading the groups on both sessions. Titles on the first disc (Maria Maria) include the title track, "Lilia", "A Chamada", "Pai Grande", "Seducao", "Francisco", "Boca A Boca", "De Repente Maria Sumiu", and lots more! Titles on disc two (Ultimo Trem) include "Abertuna: Minas", "Ponta De Areia", "Povo Da Raca Brasil", "A Viagem", "Ultimo Trem", "Roupa Nova", and "Decreto", "Bicho Homem", "A Lua Girou" and more. 36 tracks on two CDs! CD

An excellent collection of work by this legendary Bahian percussion group! The band are legendary – and have probably been one of the biggest Brazilian acts to tour the American circuit over the past few years. The stuff on this set features the band at their best – without any of the less-successful crossover attempts that mar some of their more recent recordings. The sound is incredible – and titles include "Um Povo Comum Pensar", "Protesto Do Olodum", "Madagascar Olodum", "Vinheta Cuba-Brasil", and "Jeito Faceiro". CD

Definitely a set to make you hallucinate – as the grooves are quite groovy, but in a really trippy way! The album's a bit like the classic Psicodelico set by Luiz Carlos Vinhas – a mix of older samba modes and wigged-out 60s sounds – sometimes odd production, sometimes offbeat instrumentation – really running through a variety of different sounds as the album moves on, almost with a party sort of feel! Some numbers have female vocals – used almost in a Brasil 66 way at points, or in a solo bossa diva mode at others – and the few instrumental tunes take nice advantage of the group's soulful piano, guitar, sax, and trombone. Titles include "Somos Todos Irmaos", "Poema Ritmico Do Malandro", "Sou Feliz Aqui", "Isn't A Dream", "Adeus Amor", "Hert", and "Bye Bye". CD

Definitely a set to make you hallucinate – as the grooves are quite groovy, but in a really trippy way! The album's a bit like the classic Psicodelico set by Luiz Carlos Vinhas – a mix of older samba modes and wigged-out 60s sounds – sometimes odd production, sometimes offbeat instrumentation – really running through a variety of different sounds as the album moves on, almost with a party sort of feel! Some numbers have female vocals – used almost in a Brasil 66 way at points, or in a solo bossa diva mode at others – and the few instrumental tunes take nice advantage of the group's soulful piano, guitar, sax, and trombone. Titles include "Somos Todos Irmaos", "Poema Ritmico Do Malandro", "Sou Feliz Aqui", "Isn't A Dream", "Adeus Amor", "Hert", and "Bye Bye". LP, Vinyl record album

A huge run of music from the legendary Dionne Warwick – all of it very different than her early work with Burt Bacharach, and brought together as a strong testament to her ability to change and grow over the years! Although Dionne started as a sweeter singer in the 60s, and had a few great Warner Brothers moments during the 70s – she really reemerged strongly on Arista at the end of that decade – thanks to strong help from a label that really knew what to do with a top-shelf female singer, and help them move past some of the pop and disco pitfalls that brought down some of their contemporaries in the decade! Warwick really returned to the American consciousness with these records, then kept on growing and maturing – really able to shift through a range of styles as the 80s moved into the 90s, even ending up with a bit of jazz in the mix – as you'll hear on this long run of records. The box set features twelve full albums, a great value for the price – records that include Dionne, No Night So Long, Hot Live & Otherwise, Friends In Love, Heartbreaker, How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye, Finder Of Lost Loves, Friends, Reservations For Two, Sings Cole Porter, Friends Can Be Lovers, and Aquarela Do Brasil. CD

A crackling collection of bossa and samba jazz from the 60s – extremely well put together, and featuring tunes by some of the best players Brazil had to offer at the time! There's a nicely grooving vibe running throughout the entire set – no nonsense, just straight ahead jazz tunes with a keen ear for Brazilian rhythms, and a fresh and modern approach that still sounds plenty great today. Titles include "Batida Differente" by Tamba Trio, "Nebulosa" by Tenorio Jr, "Se Voce Disser Que Sim" by Edison Machado, "Coisa No 2" by Moacir Santos, "Olhou Pra Mim" by Raul De Souza, "Jangal" by Dom Um Romao, "Nem O Mar Sabia" by Luiz Carlos Vinhas, and "Naquela Base" by Victor Assis Brasil. 14 tracks in all – and a very nice package! CD

Bossa with a great American twist! Nancy Ames was an American pop singer of the 60s – one who did mostly folksy tunes with a light California feel, and who here is coming up with some great bossa nova numbers, set to arrangements by Stu Phillips! The package has all the sunniness of a summer LA afternoon at the beach – with the driving groove of a pop bossa session from Rio. The album's perennial favorite is Nancy's remake of "Mas Que Nada" (done here as "Pow Pow Pow") – but there's loads of other wonderful numbers, and the whole album's great! Titles include "Laia La Daia", "Love's Like Wine", "So Nice", and "A Man & A Woman". As the song says – Pow Pow Pow! Her greatest LP by a mile, too! LP, Vinyl record album

An excellent set of lively samba tunes – played with lots of jazzy flourishes, and instrumentation that includes trombone, guitar, and accordion. Our lack of understanding of Portuguese makes the liner notes a bit difficult to decipher – but it appears that Sivuca's playing and singing on the record, as well as Wilma Valeria and the Trio Fluminense. Tracks have a quality that mixes rootsy samba rhythms with some of the tighter big band styles of the Odeon label – a great mix of sounds, if you ask us! Titles include "Passa Passa Moreninha", "Kalu", "Fogo Pago", "So Uma Louca Nao Ve", "Para Dancar", "Moreninha Ta", and "Maracangalha". LP, Vinyl record album

A really great record – one that mixes some folksy currents with more modern-styled 60s Brazilian instrumentation – almost an instrumental take on territory of Geraldo Vandre! Includes great versions of "Ponteio", "Roda Viva", "Domingo No Parque, Travessia", and "Carolina". LP, Vinyl record album

An excellent little album that Sergio recorded in the US – with a sweet funky electric sound that's very different than his other work! At some level, the album has a feel that's almost like a hip 70s soundtrack – sporting these great arrangements by Dave Grusin that bring in a lot more funk than you might be used to hearing on one of Sergio's albums, making the whole thing groove in a marvelous way – while still holding onto some Brazilian touches in the rhythms, and that sweet two-female vocal lead style of Sergio's other work. The set includes two funky Stevie Wonder covers – "Superstition" and "Don't You Worry About a Thing" – plus versions of "This Masquerade", "Voce Abusou", and "Double Rainbow". LP, Vinyl record album

Fantastic big band work from Luiz Arruda Paes – one of Brazil's most captivating orchestra leaders in the 60s, and an artist who really kept pace with some of the changes going on in his country's music. This record is most famous for Paes' incredible reading of Edu Lobo's "Upa Neguinho", done in a rolling rumbling style that's been made famous as a jazz dance classic over the years. Lots of other stuff on the LP is every bit as great – and tunes include "Ole Ola", "Sonho De Um Carnaval", "A Banda", and "No Rancho Fundo". LP, Vinyl record album

This is hardly the encyclopedic set you'd expect it to be from the title – but it is a great set of tracks that Baden recorded for Warner/Atlantic at the end of the 70s, with a beautifully rootsy feel that makes the material some of his best of that decade! Forget the date of the material, because the overall feel is similar to some of Baden's best (and most sophisticated) work of the late 60s. His guitar playing is wonderfully complex, but even better is his singing – which by this point has matured to a fantastically dark style that perfectly matches his playing and songwriting. Titles include "Refem Da Solidao", "Valsa Numero Um", "Odeon", "Feinha Pro Poeta", "A Lenda Do Abaete", "Berimbau", "Canto De Ossanha", and "Naquele Tempo". Also features "Gente Humilde", recorded in 1994 with Louis Marcel. This set is similar to the older Musica collection – but it features 6 songs that weren't on that one, and vice versa. CD

A one of a kind record that still sparkles as brightly today as it did back in the late 60s – an amazing collaboration between Brazilian vocalist Elis Regina and Scandinavian jazzman Toots Thielemans – done in a style that easily makes it one of the best records ever from both artists! Elis is at the height of her jazzy late 60s powers here – working in a soaring, breezy sort of style – but one with a lot more depth and soul than some of her contemporaries. She brings a great deal of feeling to the tunes, but always without doing too much – and this leaves plenty of space for Toots to add his touches – on harmonica, guitar, and even a bit of whistling – which really sits in nicely with the grooves. The production and overall sound is sublime – one of those never matched again sort of studio dates – and titles include great versions of "Canto De Ossanha", "Wave", "Voce", "Wilsamba", "Five For Elis", "Volta", and "O Sonho". LP, Vinyl record album

A landmark recording that is one of Jorge Ben's best albums ever! The album is a perfect realization of the way that Jorge mixes Brazilian rhythms with choppy Afro grooves – and the result is a masterpiece that yeilded some of his biggest tracks ever. Included here is the great choppy funk track "Ponta De Lanca", plus loads of other goodies like "O Filosofo", "Xica Da Silva", "A Historia De Jorge", and a great remake of "Taj Mahal" – probably his greatest cut ever. Great all the way through – and is a perfect introduction to Jorge Ben if you don't know his work, and an essential addition to your collection if you do! LP, Vinyl record album

A brilliant follow-up to the first Brasilianos set from Hamilton De Hollanda – one that's even more dynamic than the first, and which comes with a bonus DVD as well! The group is awash in warm acoustic sounds – Hamilton on 10-string mandolin, Daniel Santiago on acoustic guitar, Gabriel Grossi on harmonica, Andre Vasconcellos on bass, and Marcio Bahia on drums – all working in ways that link the best Brazilian jazz modes of the 70s and 80s with some of the tones of the American acoustic underground! The use of harmonica is especially nice – played with a rich chromatic flair in ways that are similar to Mauricio Einhorn – and titles include "Ano Bom", "O Mundo Nao Acabou", "Paz Paes", "Ajaccio", "Carolina De Carol", and "Rafaela". Also features a bonus DVD – with a live performance! CD

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The Brazilian vibe continues to spread worldwide, as a host of French and European producers go to town on a great set of tracks tinged with the sound of Brazil! This one's a lot more open-ended than some of the other sets on the market with a similar approach, in that the tracks don't necessarily focus on the dancefloor, so much as they expand the groove for a wider variety of experiences. Of course, there's still more than a few toe-tappers on the set – very much in the best style of work on Compost in a similar vein. Titles include "Brazil.com" by Isolee, "Non Fatiguing Natural Silk" by WR, "Ibis Vermelho" by Rom, "My Little Brazilian Pony" by Dr Rockit, "Tridade" by Alex Kid feat Jerome Badini, "Jelba" by Russ Gabriel, "Obrigado" by The Deal, "Bahia Blues" by DJ Spinna, "Tiu Ba La Quieba" by Boyz From Brazil, and "Kotu Rete" by Mental Remedy. CD

An incredibly groovy group – with a sound that's like a 70s take on the Sergio Mendes groove, all touched up with electric instrumentation on keyboards and guitars, but with a breezy vocal approach and some tight post-bossa rhythms! The group perform versions of some of the best Brazilian groove tracks of the late 60s and early 70s – like "Sonho", "Dia 4 Dezembro", "Pais Tropical", "Feitinha Para O Poeta", "Nada Sera Como Antes", and "Agua De Beber" – all laid out with a tasty bit of electric funky jazz, and some warm production that gives the cuts a heck of a lot of soul! LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderful package of rare bossa work! The set is a great tribute to the composers mentioned above – and it features some of their best songs in classic renditions, packaged in a cover with an 8 page booklet that's filled with great photos and writings in Portuguese. Titles include "O Barquinho" by Pery Ribero, "Fim De Noite" by Coral De Ouro Preto, "Marcha Da Quarta-Feira De Cinzas" by Elis Regina, "Maria Moita" by Nara Leao, "A Morte De Um Deus De Sal" by Roberto Menescal, "Pau De Arara" by Ary Toledo, "Telefone" by Os Cariocas, and "Invluencia Do Jazz" by Carlos Lyra. LP, Vinyl record album

The second album by Sergio and crew – and a real push forward for the group! The basic format of two-female harmony leads is still in place – but for some reason, this album gives a bit more of a nod to Brazilian roots than before, and really spices things up with an even more interesting array of songs! There's a bit less of the pop/cover style than before, and a bit more of a nod towards the hipper side of Brazilian music – especially the modernists of the bossa nova generation. Brazilian tunes include versions of "Constant Rain", "Cinnamon & Clove", "Bim Bom", and "Wave" – and there's also a few nice English numbers, like their hit version of "Night & Day", and a great reading of "Watch What Happens"! LP, Vinyl record album

One of our favorite albums by Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 – a perfect bridge between the simple pop of earlier records, and the group's expanding sound as the 70s approached! The warmly glowing Brasil 66 style is still very strongly in place, but the music here is all a bit hipper – tunes that show the growing sophistication of Brazilian music in the post-bossa years – picked up on by Sergio, and reworked for a larger audience in the US! The record's got some incredibly wonderful material – including a sublime cover of "Upa Neguinho", plus versions of "Casa Forte", "Canto Triste", "Lapinha", and "Laia Ladaia", a song that's a perfect fit for the group's unique style! Also includes the dreamy number "When Summer Turns To Snow", and the group's classic cover of "Scarborough Fair"! LP, Vinyl record album

A great album from the early 70s – one that has Sergio and crew doing Brazilian tracks with a bit of an LA studio feel – one that takes their older bossa groove into even more soulful territory! Dave Grusin and Tom Scott did the arrangements, both in the best styles of their key early work – which means that things are tight, but never to slick or overpolished. The album's a real standout gem that links together 2 different period's of Sergio's career – and titles include wonderful versions of "Asa Branca" and "Zanzibar", plus a version of "Pais Tropical", done here in one of the best versions we've ever heard! Other tracks include "So Many People", "Gone Forever", "I Know You", "After Midnight", "Morro Velho" and "Tonga". LP, Vinyl record album

A really unique little album from Sergio Mendes and Brasil 77 – one that's in a much more rootsy style than any of his other work! The "primal roots" here are taken seriously, and like some of his other contemporaries in Brazilian music, Sergio's looking back a bit, and towards a rural setting for inspiration – pulling together some especially strong styles from the northeast of Brazil, and fusing them with his soaring, jazzier mode of the 60s. The blend is a great one – and the record is easily one of Sergio's greatest – with titles that include Dorival Caymmi's "Promise of a Fisherman", Oscar Castro Neves' "After Sunrise", and a great 18 minute version of Edu Lobo's "Circle Game", with great baroque arrangements. LP, Vinyl record album

Very cool – a super-heavy 2LP set, done only for the Japanese market – filled with hip Brasil 66 tracks from their A&M years – including "Mas Que Nada", "The Frog", "Laia Ladaia", "Constant Rain", "Moanin", "Pretty World", "Masquerade", "Agua De Beber", and lots more!1 LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderful overview of contemporary sounds from the Brazilian underground – artists all marked by the "10s" in the title, as they've just begun to blossom in the current decade! The set's one of the freshest we've heard in years – and really gives us a great opportunity to sample music we might have missed otherwise – as recent years haven't seen the influx of Brazilian acts to the global market that we've known in decades past – which has kept so much recent music hidden from our ears! The range of styles is wonderful – still plenty of older roots, but often inflected with lots of new ideas, in a manner that's maybe a bit like some of the Cuban experiments that Gilles Peterson has been promoting on his own label – yet maybe even stronger, as these cuts have sprung from the underground on their own. Titles include "Obatala" by Abayomy, "Zulumbi" by Zulumbi, "O Rei De Tupanga" by Iconili, "Cervejas Populares" by Ive Seixas, "Lucifer Colombia" by Burro Morto, "Zebrabeat" by Zebrabeat Afro-Amazonia Orquestra, "Ecos De Niafunke" by Andre Sampaio E Os Afromandinga, "Faria Lima Pra Ca" by Passo Torto, and "Feito Tamborim Para Ceu" by Fabricio. CD

One of those great little Abril Cultural sets – with a small 10" album, plus a booklet of writings and color photos about the master composer in the title! This one digs a bit deeper than most, and compiles 8 classic tracks by the legendary Dorival Caymmi – some sung by him, some by other samba and bossa artists. The quality of the material is very strong, and titles include "Samba Da Minha Terra" by Joao Gilberto, "Voce Ja Foi A Bahia?" by Os Anjos Do Inferno, "Joao Valento" by Caymmi and Oswaldo Borba, "Marina" by Dick Farney, and "Maracangalha" by Caymmi. LP, Vinyl record album

Later performances of compositions by this classic Brazilian songwriter – with Joel De Almeida, Elizeth Cardoso, Maria Creuza, Os Cariocas, Nara Leao, Angela Maria, Toquinho, and Marilia Medalha. LP, Vinyl record album

Pretty great sounds from the legendary Antonio Carlos Jobim – an album cut a bit later than his bossa years, but with a darkly sophisticated sound that's pretty darn compelling! The album features larger orchestrations by Claus Ogerman, and in a way, it's similar to the Jobim album on Decca from 1973 (aka Maita Pere) – in that it's got all the simple elements of Jobim's earlier bossa scoring, flushed out into moodier orchestral forms that we'd rank right up there with the modernist work of Gil Evans or Duke Ellington. A few cuts have a breezier sparer sound, and you'll hear English versions of some older bossa tunes. Titles include "Dreamer", "Canta Mais", "Olha Maria", "Wave", "Two Kites", "This Happy Madness", "Song Of The Sabia", "Estrada Do Sol", "Voce Vai Ver", "Off Key", and "Triste". LP, Vinyl record album

A gem of a record from the early 60s – a freewheeling set of bossa jazz, played by the combo of tenor saxophonist Juarez! There's a fluid, open groove to the record that's mighty nice – really romping rhythms that set fire to the tenor of Juarez right from the start – as he moves in long, soulful lines filled with plenty of improvisation – and leaps along with the grooves of the group, which also includes Nelson Dos Santos on trombone, Neco on guitar, and either Fats Elpidio or Tenorio Jr on piano! There's no string or other larger orchestrations – just tight core instrumentation, all acoustic – and mighty nice throughout. Titles include "Tema Pra Dede", "Lobo Bobo", "Direi Depois", "Samba Toff", "Maria Ninguem", "O Amor Que Acabou", and "Sincopado Triste". LP, Vinyl record album

A totally sweeeeeeeet batch of Brazilian grooves – recorded in San Francisco, with a great 70s Bay Area sound! Victor M leads the group on percussion and vocals – but the real charm of the set is in its electric piano riffing, and soulful electric vibe. Most of the cuts have vocals – kind of in a Sergio Mendes 70s style, or in the mode of some of Marcos Valle's more electric work – and although the tunes are mostly familiar numbers like "Reza", "Agua De Beber", "Zazueira", "Upa Neguinho", and "Crickets Sing For Anamaria", they're done in a mode that's very fresh – kind of a bridge between 60s Brazilian interpretations, and later ones by recent groups! CD

That's Brasil 65, not Brasil 66 – a distinction that marks a key early stage for the great Sergio Mendes – heard here on one of his first albums to mix together bossa jazz and vocals! The approach here is a bit more like vintage bossa dates from Brazil – or a bit like some of the Verve bossa records too – as Sergio's core trio is at the heart of every tune, playing with a great jazzy approach – then augmented in different ways by alto and flute from Bud Shank, guitar from Rosinha De Valenca, and vocals from the lovely Wanda De Sah! Production is perfect – really in a classic Elenco Records mode – and titles include "Let Me", "Consolacao", "Tristeza Em Mim", "Muito A Vontade", "Reza", "Berimbau", and "Aquarius". CD

A great little album by Elis – recorded for Warner/Elektra at the end of her career, but very much in the spirit of her classic work for Philips in the 70s. Like so many of those records, this one features arrangements and keyboards by Cesar Camargo Mariano – and the list of tracks is a stellar blend of work by some of Brazil's finest writers. Includes a wonderful version of Milton Nascimento's "Maria Maria" – plus "Alo Alo Marciano", "O Primeiro Jornal", "Marambaia", "Menino", "Redescobrir", "Sabia", "Onze Fitas", "Conversando No Bar", and "Redescobrir". Double CD, with all tracks from both volumes! CD

A one of a kind record that still sparkles as brightly today as it did back in the late 60s – an amazing collaboration between Brazilian vocalist Elis Regina and Scandinavian jazzman Toots Thielemans – done in a style that easily makes it one of the best records ever from both artists! Elis is at the height of her jazzy late 60s powers here – working in a soaring, breezy sort of style – but one with a lot more depth and soul than some of her contemporaries. She brings a great deal of feeling to the tunes, but always without doing too much – and this leaves plenty of space for Toots to add his touches – on harmonica, guitar, and even a bit of whistling – which really sits in nicely with the grooves. The production and overall sound is sublime – one of those never matched again sort of studio dates – and titles include great versions of "Canto De Ossanha", "Wave", "Voce", "Wilsamba", "Five For Elis", "Volta", and "O Sonho". LP, Vinyl record album

Lovely bossa from a lesser-known singer – and a rare little gem that was originally issued on the tiny Farroupilha label in 1964! The album's got a really unique feel – one that's certainly classic bossa at its best, but which also somewhat different than usual too. Vera's vocals are breathy and gentle – and they mix wonderfully with the light backings directed by Luiz De Andrade. But perhaps best of all is the guitar – played by Vera as well, often in a way that has the notes skipping along lightly at the high range of the sound spectrum – trickling beautifully like gentle drops of water, and forming a perfect accompaniment for her vocals! The tracks are all pretty darn fresh too – mostly originals penned by Vera, with titles that include "Samba Bom", "Era Uma Vez", "Rimas De Ninguem", "Minha Fe Meu Amor", "O Menino Desce O Morro", "Nao E Por Falar", and "Tema Para Recordacao". CD

Just about nothing could match the sublime quality of Jorge Ben's late 60s or early 70s – so we'll admit that we're quite biased against the work on this set, most of which is collected from the late 80s and early 90s. The roots of the music are still the same for Ben – with lots of choppy samba grooves, strong soulful vocals, and great guitar work – but most of these tracks are pretty slickly produced, rubbing off some of the edge that made the early stuff great. Still, Jorge's kind of always great – and if we didn't like his early material so much, we'd probably groove more to this set. Includes remakes of "Taj Mahal", "Pais Tropical", and "Charles Anjo 45" – plus "Cowboy Jorge", "Pelos Verdes Mares", "Homem Do Espacao", "Menina Sarara", and "Engenho De Detro". CD

Nice early stuff from Sergio – also issued as the album Brazil 65 on Capitol! That's Brasil 65, not Brasil 66 – a distinction that marks a key early stage for the great Sergio Mendes – heard here on one of his first albums to mix together bossa jazz and vocals! The approach here is a bit more like vintage bossa dates from Brazil – or a bit like some of the Verve bossa records too – as Sergio's core trio is at the heart of every tune, playing with a great jazzy approach – then augmented in different ways by alto and flute from Bud Shank, guitar from Rosinha De Valenca, and vocals from the lovely Wanda De Sah! Production is perfect – really in a classic Elenco Records mode – and titles include "Let Me", "Consolacao", "Tristeza Em Mim", "Muito A Vontade", "Reza", "Berimbau", and "Aquarius". LP, Vinyl record album

A great set of material by Brazilian poet and diplomat Vinicius De Moraes – pulled from records he cut in conjunction with Nara Leao, Os Cariocas, Angela Maria, Maria Creuza, Toquinho, and others. The set's a great way to get some of Vinicius' best numbers on vinyl – and very nicely put together, like all the other titles in this series! 8 numbers in all, including "Samba De Bencao", "Valsa De Euridice", "Insemsatez", "Rancho Das Namoradas", "Serenata Do Adeus", and "Loura Ou Morena". Features a 10" LP and booklet – and the booklet's filled with nice notes and some excellent photos! LP, Vinyl record album

The beautiful first solo album by Lani Hall – recorded after years of work with Sergio Mendes in the Brasil 66 group – and done in a style that certainly reflects her great vocals with that ensemble, yet which also expands her sound tremendously! The set was arranged and produced by Herb Alpert in a spare, almost folksy style that still has some sweet LA touches – and the album's worth it alone for the leadoff cut – a version of Lesley Duncan's "Love Song", done in a gently grooving mode that's got a real folk-funk feel! The set's also got a great version of "We Could Be Flying" – and other tracks include "Ocean Song", "Vincent", "Come Down In Time", and "You". LP, Vinyl record album

Sergio Mendes is definitely a swinger – especially on this jazz-based session that was recorded before his famous work with Brasil 66! This album was recorded in New York, at a time when Mendes was one of the hottest things brewing in the bossa scene in Brazil – and apart from the great Antonio Carlos Jobim on guitar, many of the other players are American jazz musicians – including Art Farmer on flugelhorn, Phil Woods on alto sax, and Hubert Laws on flute – all adding in some nice jazzy elements to the tunes! The music is all instrumental, and a great mix of jazz and bossa that really lets you hear the young Sergio's skills on piano. Titles include "Maria Moita", "Sambinha Bossa Nova", "The Dreamer", "Primavera", "Favela", and "Pau Brazil". CD

Sweet grooving from Lani Hall – a record that's a long way from her roots in Brasil 66, but which has some surprisingly nice touches at times! Herb Alpert produced – and handled arrangements along with Lani and Michel Colombier – and it may well be Colombier's highly rhythmic approach to larger backings that makes the best parts of the album so nice – because some unexpected moments bounce along with a very slight funky undercurrent, offsetting Lani's sometimes overdone vocals with leaner modes that push things past the clutter. Titles include a nicely grooving version of "Send In The Clowns", plus "Early Mornin Strangers", "Mr Blue", "Too Many Mornings", "Sweet Bird", "Dolphins Lullaby", and "At The Ballet". LP, Vinyl record album

An overlooked treasure from the great Jorge Ben – an album recorded between the fame of his "Taj Mahal" hit and Africa Brasil classic – and a set that's every bit as wonderful as those two records! There's a tight, choppy groove to most of the set – that mix of samba, soul, and currents of American funk that Jorge created in his music – turned here towards some of the unusual themes that showed up on his Tabua De Esmeralda album, but maybe given a bit more punch, too – so that even without the benefit of language, the vocals and grooves on the set are completely captivating to a global audience! There's loads of fresh sounds here – some real under-discovered gems from Jorge's key 70s years – and titles include "Cuidado Com O Bulldog", "Zagueiro", "Para Ouvir No Radio (Luciana)", "Jorge De Capadocia", "Dumingaz", "Se Segura Malandro", and "Jesualda". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the grooviest records cut by this incredibly groovy combo! The Gimmicks are a sweet pop harmony combo from Sweden – in a style that's a lot like Brasil 66 or Bossa Rio – and like the work of those two in the early 70s, this 1972 set shows The Gimmicks expanding their sound a lot, picking up influences from 70s LA pop, electric samba from Brazil, and some of the hipper styles of European pop-oriented grooves. The record's got a sparkling electric sound and some really wonderful harmonies – and tracks include "Que Maravilha", "Once I Loved", "Somewhere In The Hills", "Colours Of Love", "It's Too Late Baby", "Ye Me Le", "Pais Tropical", and "Stone Slipper Cindy". LP, Vinyl record album