Musica Do Brasil IV

[Alex_1]

She was smokin'... I'll post a pic later on today. But yeah, any review on Amazon that has "bordersj" is pretty much one of mine. I'm not a master of writing them but try to put a few titles out there if I can.

[Alex_1]

Have another album on the way entitled "Supernatural". However, much like the last two, I anticipate this being a hellacious find. Their previous albums "Love Unlimited" and "Free SPirit" took months to track down - and I had to get both of mine from Europe. Yikes.

Since then, I've tracked down a lot of miscellaneous singles like "La Boca Del Rio", "Rendevous-a-minuit", "Saudade" and etc. Problem with them was that their sound on their CD's isn't the same as their latin/Brazilian flavored releases on compilations. They are sort of like Mo Horizons in that way... who are like a better versiou of Zuco 103.

OH well. Let you know how the disc is if I can get it. :rolleyes:

[Alex_1]

I know that I usually focus on compilations - borderline Eurocentric/Brazil style compilations. So if anyone wants to focus on the individual artists by all means go ahead. Especially if you know more about the day to day MPB/Pop stars. TO be honest I haven't really bene into that since Marisa Monte was big... or more specifically, I haven't gottne into it again since maybe 1998 or so. But I do know the classicals and older Bossa Nova and the new stuff.

Hey so far with my Brazli compilations the artists have ranged from Germany, Italy, France, Holland, England and, most surprisingly to me, Japan. Japan is huge with the Bossa Nova sound and heavily contributes today. I'd lvoe to go to Japan to hear the Jazz clubs, but from Ryiuchi Sakamoto to Towa Tei to Kyoto Jazz Massive, it's all there. This CD:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00002ZZ1Y.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

is awesome. Bossa Trez.... Jazz. I love it. It's a double disc compilation that fuzes Brazilian sounds with European, Brazilian and predominately Japanese DJ's and producers. IT's awesome. Some of my favorite tracks are the St. Ernesto "Easy In" track. The CD has it's beats, but it also has some smooth, laid back renditions like the acoustic remake of Vai Minha Tristeza... and this CD also features Salome De Bahia!! When I first got this, I was a bit hard on it but over time really got to appreciate the artistry that went into the work. IT is a great collection piece and I recommend it to diversify the collection. IT's great too - I slip it into the CD player on my way out for the weekend. ;)

[Alex_1]

Good news! Amazon.com has Los Ladrone's album "Montana Rusa", but at last check, only two copies remained. They're an awesome group... based out of the UK with Brazilian/Latin rythm's and beats. Mostly, they go for a latin fusion style.

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00005RIHF.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

I love this CD. It's one of my top 20 list for sure - despite the semi-amateur singing the girl does in Spanish. But to be fair, there are better, like Reminiscence Quartet, which is far and away, IMO, the best in that genre. WHen it comes to beats and festive moods, I'd pick them over Zuco 103, Ladrones, Nicola Conte and etc. And actually, I recommend getting chillout comps with Los Ladrone's on them instead of shelling out the 26 bucks for the 11 track CD. Serve Chilled has one of their tracks, as does "Beach House" (same label - HedKandi).

Anyway, I did reviews on both groups on Amazon - but I picked mine up last time I was travelling abroad though + can't find it anywhere in the US. I'd pick up Reminiscence Quartet first, however. Remember Orlandivo? Their remake to Onde Anda Meu Amor is kickin'.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00002DDMS.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[Alex_1]

I almost forgot - Nicola Conte is coming out wit ha new album.. well, sorta. It's a remix of Jet Sounds, or "Bossa Per Due" as it is sold in the United States. Since i am cool I got Jet Sounds j/k, I got Jet Sounds because the US one wasn't out yet.

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00004Z53V.03.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
"Jet Sounds"

It's gonna be a remix of the Jet Sounds/Bossa tracks. Hopefully he'll throw a few bones in there too, like what he did to Mo Horizon's Foto-Viva on the Best of BossaBrava compilation + what he did with Schema (the label he's under in Italy) in Break & Bossa vol V. That was an awesome double disc set.

Still no news on S-Tone Inc's new one... or Soulstance for that matter. I'm dying to see if Soulstance pipes out another release. If you heard B&B vol V, you'll know their tracks there were decidedly different than on En Route, Act On, and Truth, SImplicity and Love (which is a combo of En Route and Act On). I have a feeling I'll be making an order to pick those up nad not find em'.

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000063T2Q.03.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
Break N' Bossa V

[Alex_1]

My my my... I found a real gem in the store the other night. Bored and not in the mood for clubs, I hot footed iton a cd spree. Started at Newbury in Cambridge - they had a few things - Break & Bossa's but nothing new. Then went to Newbury but, no parking, so I went around the corner to Tower in Boston, the one by Fenway. It's been months since I went there and man, they had some decent stuff. Last time I was there, the sales guy obvious didn't know much about beats/dj/Brasil genre but knew of the compilations and said: "Yeah, we don't have those here..." At the time, they didn't.

But this time they had a few good ones. Particularly, one that slipped under my radar - Nueva Bossa Nova. AMAZING compilation. If you've seen some of the previous "Musica Do Brasil" threads, you know of the "Glucklich", "Break & Bossa", "Brazilectro", "Boss-A-Troniq", "Brasil 2Mil" Compilations. The thing with those - they're all different labels. Glucklich is Compost-Germany (Rainer Truby), Brazilectro is SPV-Audiopharm-Germany, "Boss-A-Troniq" is Warner-Dutch, Bossa-Tres-Jazz, I'm not sure of but is Japanese. And Brasil 2Mil was Zuirigiboom/Sixdegrees (Brasil/US).

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00006GA3U.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

"Nueva Bossa Nova" is Wagram-France, and takes tracks from all of the labels (not necessarily the comps). Familiar artists included are Bebel Gilberto, Mo'Horizons, Suba, Da Lata (with Christian Franck of Smoke City), Nicola Conte, Marcos Valle and Tom & Joyce. I have a few of the tracks here and there on this, but most are pretty unique, including Bebel Gilberto's August Day Song, the duet with Nina Miranda of SMoke City. Bad assed track. One of my favorites on this disc though has to be the Jet Sounds remix of Maxwell Implosion's "Tic-Tac" - as done by Nicola Conte, of course. ;) Sexy, Kinky track... reminds me of something on a Hotel Costes CD. "Volume", by Carla Alexandar is great as is "Vista Do Mar" by Les Hommes.

Definitely pick this one up. Just when I thought the genre might have been on it's way down (thanks to the lackluster Brazilectro Vol 3 and bad bossa on "Brazil 5000"), this life raft was thrown at 10:45 on a Friday night. FYI - Brazil 5000... I found out that it was an AMerican release after all. Nothing wrong with that - a lot of US bossa releases/artists are fantastic. But this was horrible.

I also picked up "Sister Bossa Vol 3". Haven't checked it out a lot - so far it seems solid - will review later. Also picked up Brazilectro Vol IV, on loyalty to the first two. Listening to it now, it already sounds better but... the jury's still out. Hard to beat 1 and 2, which had everything from Jaffa, to Ian Pooley, to Los Ladrones to S-Tone Inc. to Orlandivo to Truby Trio. lol

[Alex_1]

I've had a busy labor day weekend - picked up a ton of music! I started out with Nueva Bossanova, but then picked up a few others. While Nueva Bossanova ranks as one of my favorite comps I've ever purchased, the reign of #1 was shortlived when I finally got my hands on Brazilectro Vol 4.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000069CTG.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

This comp is amazing. The third one was somewhat of an experiment by the label - to be more melanchollic. But they went back to the root + beyond with this one and it's awesome. Featured familiar artists are Fantastic Plastic Machine, with an interesting bossa remake to "The Whistle Song" (think late 80's, early 90's for the original). But the releases that blew me away were both songs that had Janice on them. "I'm Running To You" is a great slow track, and "One Day" is something out of a movie... reminds you of the lady of your life. Well, me at least. Then you also have S-Tone Inc' featured - a remake of "Arejar" as done by Soulstance! Surprised it wasn't Nicola Conte - definitely a bossa sound, although to get the gist of it, it's a magical remix - one of the best I've heard. Reminds me of La Septima Ola by "Los Ladrones" (see above review) meets Nicola Conte.

THe CD ends with Mondo Grosso's "Star Suite", which is probably metaphoric for the label. The group tells a story with a quick bossa nova beat in the background (for 16 minutes!!). It's a great track - pretty much the moral is "what you're looking for usually isn't that far away - but you'll never know that until you give the world a look over".

I definitely recommend this CD. Two discs, both of them are excellent and trust me, I left out a lot of other great tracks in this review - and the Janice songs aren't available on any other comps at the moment. Enjoy - and I'll give ya another review in a few.

[Alex_1]

I found S-Tone Inc's new cd - will review it as soon as I have it in my hands. The title is "Subernatural" :confused:. It's supposed to be pretty good - I hope it's better than the others. After hearing the singles: Arejar, Ainda Sonhar, La Boca Del Rio, Rendevous A Minuet, etc. I was psyched about getting their individual CDs. But both Free Spirit and Love Un-Limited were like, contemporary music that you'd hear on a US soft jazz station.

Another series of Bossa Jazz as done by the Italians is Sister Bossa. I have the second and third and passed on the first becaus of overlap. I'll review them later - but as a preview - the third is pretty damn good. And I think that is it for now... So there's much to come.

Folha Anytime you see a review on amazon by bordersj, that is me! I think i overdid it there - anytime you see the "artists who bought this also bought..." is sometimes sort of because of me I think.

[Alex_1]

So... found a few gems. Tom Y Joyce finally released a feature album! And of course, I have tried to get my hands on it to no avail yet I am optimistic that I'll have one by the end of the month... hopefully. Their star track is "Vai Minha Tristeza" - as heard on a ton of compilations, from Thievery Corporation's "Jet Society" to Bossa Tres... Jazz. Also, they have an awesome track on Nueva Bossa Nova called "Para Bailar" (interesting, considering the singing is in Portuguese). They're also featured on Brazilectro vol 4 too.

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00005Y1GR.08.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

Next review is Sister Bossa Vol. 3. This is a nice compilation, but not nearly as strong as Brazilectro 4 or Nueva Bossa Nova. I'd rank it alnog the lines of the Cafe Noir series - perhaps a step above. The label is "Irma", based out of Italy, so already you have an idea of the percussion style and flute usage. But one thing about this CD that makes it a step above the others - authentic Brazilian music. The final track is pure Joao Donato... percussion, the lyrics and the tone is so Brasil. As is the Banda Favela song, too.

But the Italians have their additions... mostly. Montefiori Cocktail's track is okay - but I hate the singing style so I guess it's nice for about the first 5-10 seconds. Sam Paglia's "After Pizza" is okay, but a little cheezy... no pun intended - and seems to be inspired by Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Samba Do Uma Nota So" (One note samba). And the Italian Secret Service's "Sunday Morning Samba" reminds me of the movie "Blame it on Rio". Meanwhile, towards the end you'll hear a song by a group called Freetempo called "Snowfield" - the song is so eerily a rip-off of Nicola Conte's Bossa Per Deu, you'll nearly faint. Gone are the subtle female vocals and replacing them is a track about, well, I don't know what. But the baseline is exactly the same. It's not a bad track, actually. Smooth flowin'. Just takes you off guard for a second.

I recommend this CD becuase, well, it is an awesome beach cd after all. A bit cheesy, which in some ways lounge can be. I suppose if I had to make a comparison between CD's, I'd say that this is like a mix between the "Easy Tempo"'s and Break N Bossa's (not the fifth one though). So yeah, still pick it up. It'll fit nicely with any BOssa ITalia collection... as will the other two for that matter.

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0000632A9.08.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[nicodemus]

Has anybody heard this disc yet? I listened to it a little bit in the store last night and it was pretty cool. A bunch of Jobim tunes arranged for piano, cello and female voice. It is a Ryuichi Sakamoto project. Check it out:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00006FIBO.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006FIBO/qid=1031324805/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-5508546-1267840?v=glance&s=music

[Alex_1]

Wow - I haven't heard of that one until just now. Is it more like a bossa nova style? Ryuichi Sakamoto does so many different projects now - hard to really say what the style is. I'll definiteliy check it out this weekend - if I can find it!

[nicodemus]

It was in the listening booth at my local Barnes & Noble so it can't be too hard to get a hold of.

[Vampeta]

Originally posted by nicodemus
Has anybody heard this disc yet? I listened to it a little bit in the store last night and it was pretty cool. A bunch of Jobim tunes arranged for piano, cello and female voice. It is a Ryuichi Sakamoto project. Check it out:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00006FIBO.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006FIBO/qid=1031324805/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-5508546-1267840?v=glance&s=music

These folks appeared live in San Francisco a few
wks. back w/Ryuichi. I have this disc, and yes,
it 'tis kewl.


While I'm here, for those who wanna listen to some
musica on the web, check out 'Latin Jazz w/Jessie
Varela" on kcsm.org., Sun 2-6p PST. He always
sets a block of time for Musica do Brasil, featuring
some of the same stuff that Alexandrinho talks
about in this very thread.

[Alex_1]

There is a new Trip Do Brasil hitting the American shores!

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00006588T.08.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

For those that don't remember, this is a series of heavy beats, nice rythms, and summer tracks featuring DJ's from Sao Paulo/Rio predominantly, along with a few guys like Armand and DJ Cam. They've had some big name DJ's in the first two and, well, it's time for a new episode.

But this one isn't all that new... they are remixs. It is funny because, well, the first Trip Do Brasil had a lot of remixes. lol. So if you have the first two, you will only be getting a handful of new songs although all of the tracks will seem different anyway because of the DJ's and the new renditions.

I'm still going to pick it up - the first Trip Do Brasil was one of the biggest reasons I got into the compilations - I got it over a year before I'd even heard of Break & Bossa or Brazilectro. The first Trip Do Brasil, ahh... transports me back to summer of 2000, cruising the streets of Boston to the clubs. Nice... beautiful ladies on the street - blasting the electric samba in the car.

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0000249H4.08.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[nicodemus]

Originally posted by nicodemus
Has anybody heard this disc yet? I listened to it a little bit in the store last night and it was pretty cool. A bunch of Jobim tunes arranged for piano, cello and female voice. It is a Ryuichi Sakamoto project. Check it out:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00006FIBO.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006FIBO/qid=1031324805/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-5508546-1267840?v=glance&s=music

Normally, I don't quote myself, but there is an awesome article about this project in the lastest issue of Songlines Magazine, a supremely cool world music magazine that comes out of the UK.

http://www.songlines.co.uk/

[Alex_1]

I am going to have to chekc that out. Everyone is saying that is a great CD... well, I've only actually heard about it in here lol. But I'm gonna check it out at Borders or Barnes/Noble as suggested.

I'm also looking forward to picking up a few new single CD's too. Can't wait for Calra Alexandar's to come out, as well as Brown, Smith & Gray nad more than anything, Janice! Helena Azul already has had an album out... not released here though I don't believe. NIcola Conte's new CD is just DJ remixes of "Jet Sounds", but still, should be very good. Included artists are Thievery Corporation among others. I think the first of the albums I'll pick up is Marcos Valle's... heard too many good tracks from his lates, including "On Line", to keep passing over it. And of course, Rosalia De Souza, if she can ever break away and get the Italians to feature her in a real release instead of just compilations.

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00005Q2RW.08.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

All in all, there's always a lot of good bossa music coming out this time of year so keep your eyes open. I picked up Tom & Joyce's along with a new Bossa Mundo so hopefully I'll be able to review them in the next few weeks. WHo knows what else is coming out? OH yes, Maxwell Implosion... new CD came out a few weeks ago. Looking forward to that, although the track I like is a Nicola Conte remix and sounds very "French". Cant' beat the cover art though..

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000060JZT.08.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

I'm pissed I missed Jazzanova when they were in Boston earlier this summer... but if anyone knows the shows, definitely check them out. I hear they played great bossa tracks. Also, Bebel's concerts, she plays pretty much what I recommend here... hmm.... I wonder if... j/k

[Alex_1]

Picked up Maxwell Implosion and Les Hommes new CD. BUt I don't think they're really belonging to this thread - more along the lines of Lounge... hardcore lounge. Maxwell Implosion has sort of a "De-PHazz" sort of sound and feel, while Les Hommes could go here more so, but is a lougne/jazz CD.

But hey, at least Les Hommes features Rosalia De Sousa! :eek: So that is her group? Go figure. I will hoepfully have time to review later.

[Alex_1]

Nicodinho!

Yes, I picked up the Ryuichi Sakamoto CD on your suggestion and yes, it is very very good! Classic Bossa Nova and I love the remakes! They actually remade one of my all time, or perhaps it really is my favotire bossa nova track of all time "Estrada Blanca". But the entire CD is smooth - very nice. Perfect for when you come home from work and want to unwind to a glass of red wine before closing your eyes for a moment. It was funny actually, at the music store the clerk had been looking for it as the system said they had one copy remaining. IT took a junkie like me to look through the rows and find the last one!

I also picked up a few others: Bossa Nostra (they're a group), Chill Brazil (comp), Trip Do Brasil 2.5 (Comp), and finally, at long last, but certainly not least, Tom & Joyce to name a few!!!

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00005Y1GR.08.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

I will review later, but at first glance, all seem rather nice - Tom & Joyce is smooth. I thought it would be more like Reminiscence Quartet, but it's hardly like them at all. And the new Bossa Tres Jazz II is also pretty smooth - the two releases are similar actually.

LIstening to them now - will update later.

[Alex_1]

You know of him from the classic: Crickets sing for Ana Maria" or Os Grilos (which was ironically, going to be my screen name here before I decided on Alex_1)

Well, I finally picked up Escape over the past weekend. I'd been meaning to get it for months and months, until it turned into a year! And I must say, I can't believe that I wasted so much time! The CD is absolutely fantastic!

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000059ZZT.02.MZZZZZZZ.jpg

The tracks are smooth, and contemporary. He fuzes the old with the new. If you like the Brazilectro sounds, or the Nueva Bossa Nova you'll love this release too. The most popular track that you'll recognize is "On Line". It's on a few of the comps I've reviewed in here, and is always in the lounge playing. But my favorite track is Apaixanada por Voce... cute cute cute voice.

I guess what is cool to me is that it is so Brazilian. OF course I like the new sounds but this is really cool. It is like finally, the older generation is melding styles with the new one. In some ways it is like a very very polished Bossa Cuca Nova. You know, how Roberto Menescoal teamed with his son and the young dj's to make a few releases? This is different htough - more mature, and IMO, better music although Cuca Nova is okay too.

Pick it up! This is one of those albums that I would definitely recommend to someone that's a fan of MPB, but cautious about pursuing the more abstract comps that I've reviewed. Young or old, you'll enjoy this release!

[Alex_1]

First, Nicodemus - if you like the Morelenbaum/Sakamoto album, you will really love the latest CD from Luciana Sousa

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005NTQG.01._PE18_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

I actually met her - very cute, of course. lol But it was thanks to my then girlfriend so I couldn't lay any moves on her.

Anyway, she's smooth and jazzy. Nice sound - similar to this. She's also a music instructer - so she knows her stuff. Good artist.

Now for Tom Y Joyce:

Originally posted by Alex_1
http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00005Y1GR.08.LZZZZZZZ.jpg


Can't be bothered to get the url again. Amazing CD! It wasn't really what I expected, but at the same time I did not know what to expect. I figured maybe they'd be like other French group Reminiscent Quartet, but they're not as beat heavy. Then maybe like Los Ladrones, but no, they're more polished and smoother. Smoke City? Well, sorta, but more festive - Andrea Marquee? In a way, but still not quite that Brazilian trip. I guess you could combine all three into one and there you go. They have some pretty kickin' beats, and Joyce is a great singer!

If you can find it, I'd get it. I know I lucked up. But this is a terrific album as well - so count it 2 for 2 when it comes to good albums for the week!