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The
Brazilian Sound: Culture Planet |
Brazil Classics Series
Luaka Bop Records
Brazil Classics 1: Beleza Tropical
The first time I heard this album, I was in
modern dance class listening to crooning of Maria Bethania and Gal Costa on
"Sonhu Meu," (track #2) on this luscious album. I knew I had to have it! The
soft, seductive samba rhythm and the beautiful harmonies made me think of the
shores of Sao Paulo (I had never been there, but in my mind I had taken the
journey many times whenever the song was played!). I would say that 95% of the
songs on this album are just as a hypnotic. Everything from "Umabarumba" by
Caetano Veloso to "Calice" by Milton Nascimento (Popular Music of Brazil) were
engaging and beautifully written. Though, I speak no Portuguese the liner notes
in the CD are bilingual. Some of the lyrics are the prettiest poetry I have ever
read! This album is a great combination of uptempo danceable songs to slow
ballads. Now, that I have learned more about the styles of Brazilian music in my
Ethnomusicology class I can tell you that it covers a great cross sections of
music. We have the samba, MPB (Musica Popular de Brazil), batucada and even some
jazz thrown into the mix. This is only a small sampling of the immense talent of
musicians from Brazil. There are so many more out there that couldn't fit!
Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethania, and others should have
been introduced to the "Estadounidenses" long before.....This music is something
you could never replicate in this country. Every musician is truly in a class by
themselves. --an Amazon reviewer
Brazil Classics, Vol. 2: O Samba
Many loath this collection and say it is dated
and that David Byrne did not make the best possible selections to represent
classic Samba music. But this is one heck of a CD. The two opening tracks by
Clara Nunes will leave you mesmerized by those vocals and sad over what could
have been if not for her tragic death. Beth Carvahlo on track 7 is one of the
best Samba numbers from the 80s I've ever heard. Many other big name artists
from Samba's past are represented here and while maybe they aren't represented
by their best works, they are displayed well and this is one nice collection.
--an Amazon reviewer
Brazil Classics,
Vol. 3: Forró, Etc.
the music of Brazil's Northeast with
Luiz Gonzaga, Gal Costa, Dominguinhos,
Jackson do Pandeiro, Joăo do Vale, others
Brazil Classics, Vol. 4: The Best Of Tom Zé
Tom ze, the brilliant Brazilian Tropicalia member, has always marched to the beat of his own drummer, and in doing so has created some of the most amazing music to ever come from Brazil. (or anywhere else). Ze's music always is a wonderful mixture of traditional bossa nova and samba, but that's where the traditional aspect of it ends. From there, he will likely fuse musique concrete, avant garde, traditional classical, even techno, hip hop, etc. It doesn't matter to Ze. I liken him to a musical bandit, musically taking what he wants and needs, then re-distributing the music to the masses. Lyrically, his songs are at once caustic, poignant, ironic. He has an amazing clairvoyance that allows him to see the suffering and humanity of the world. A true gift. This cd is a wonderful introduction to the man and his music. It has a wonderful timelessness that will endear listeners to him for an eternity. While at times quite idiosyncratic, the music nevertheless is surprisingly accessible. -an Amazon reviewer
Brazil
Classics, Vol. 5: The Hips Of Tradition
limited availability
Pure Brazil CD
Series
Brazilian Music Collections
