Paulinho Da Costa

The Brazilian percussionist appeared on many American
jazz and pop music albums in the 1970s and '80s and was
the most in-demand studio percussionist during that time

Brazilian Music

Agora
(1977)

In 1977, four years after his arrival in the US, this album was released. An almost forgotten classic, featuring Lee Ritenour on guitar and Greg Phillinganes on keyboards. The rhythm section is entirely Brazilian, as your body will immediately sense when you play this CD. Producer Claudio Slon on bass, Octavio Bailly, Jr. on Drums and Paulinho da Costa on Percussion. Simbora, the opening track, kicks off with a lot of energy and vigour. "Let's Go" is what it means and what it conveys to the listener as well. Jazz/Samba fusion at its best. The last track, Ritmo Number One, is a pulsating Samba Batucada, Brazil's polyrhythmic accompaniment to its famous Carnival parades. A dancefloor killer for the right crowd. In between there are four more songs ranging from traditional Afro-Brazilian folk call-and-response to sophisticated Latin Jazz and Jazz/Samba. A good, varied, and interesting album if you like rhythm. Ingenious big band horn arrangements, and beautiful solos over driving grooves. --an Amazon reviewer
 

Bahiana
Dizzie Gillespie with Paulinho da Costa
 

Happy People

Dreamflow is my favorite cut on this disk. I also wanted to point out that Paulinho DaCosta was a frequent session musician for many Earth Wind & Fire albums. He was also a session musician for many of the groups EWF produced. For all you Phillip Bailey (EWF) fans, the song "De Ja Vu" features vocals by the man himself. Just those 2 cuts alone make it worthy of adding to any serious collector's vault of music. --an Amazon reviewer
 

Sunrise

Paulinho has always been considered one of the best percussionist in the world for decades; and this album is just another great example why. Paulinho first recorded this album in 1984 and back then it was considered to be music ahead of its time, and now is considered music still fresh and up-to-date. The combination of rhythms, instrumentation, and vocals are fantastic; especially those Samba-Jazz cuts full of life and samba grooves. A must-have album for Jazz and Brazilian Jazz lovers. --an Amazon reviewer

Tudo Bem
Joe Pass with Paulinho da Costa
guesting Claudio Slon, Octavio Bailey,
Oscar Castro-Neves, and Don Grusin
(1978)