Mid-terms are almost over, so I should be posting again regularly starting Tuesday. For now, I wanted to send over something to enjoy. From the East East website: “This film, directed by Ricardo Lua and first released in 1985, exemplifies a non-hierarchical, ecological, and playful approach to music developed by Continue Reading
Brazilian Jazz
Airto & Flora – A Celebration: 60 Years – Sounds, Dreams & Other Stories
Those of you who know Brazilian jazz will need no introduction to this glorious pair, but for those who don’t, here’s a lovely introduction thanks to the good folks at Barely Breaking Even Records’ Bandcamp site: “Airto Moreira and Flora Purim, the legendary King and Queen of Brazilian Jazz, have Continue Reading
Azymuth – Carnival
We received news from friends and from Far Out Records‘ press release that legendary drummer and a founding member of jazz-rock icons Azymuth, Ivan “Mamão” Conti, passed away yesterday at 76. He had been prolific over the past few years, and his passing comes as quite a shock. In honor Continue Reading
Grupo Um – Starting Point
This release is an absolute mindblower of an album, documenting the debut of Grupo Um, one of Brazil’s most adventurous fusion bands. From their Bandcamp site: “Starting Point was to mark the inception of one of Brazil’s most daring instrumental groups. Their debut now sits in the lofty echelon of Continue Reading
Hermeto Pascoal & Grupo – Só Não Toca Quem Não quer (1987) – Remastered
Brazil’s finest living export (to my ears, anyway) has been quite active over the past few years, but it’s nice to see some forgotten releases getting some exposure. The personnel on this album plays some wonderfully, uniquely Brazilian fusion. Hermeto Pascoal: Bandola, Piano, Teclados (Keyboard), Flugelhorn, Harmonium, Flauta Baixo (Bass Continue Reading
Sean Khan – Starchild
I came across Sean Khan’s work a couple of years ago when he paired up with Brazilian jazz legend Hermeto Pascoal on a phenomenal record called Palmares Fantasy. He’s back on his own a new Samba-infused track and a remix of it for your listening pleasure.
[Article] How Bossa Nova Brought Frank Sinatra to This Sunset Blvd. Studio by Josh Kun
This article at The Getty’s blog does a great job tying Frank Sinatra, Antônio Carlos Jobim, and the legendary recording studio they worked at here in Los Angeles. Many thanks to my friend Andrés for pointing me to this and so many treasures over the years.
Marcos Resende & Index – Marcos Resende & Index
This album is a sort of ‘holy grail’ for Brazilian jazz. From Marcos Resende’s Bandcamp site: Beyond their highly sought after 1978 album Festa Para Um Novo Rei – home to the mystical jazz-funk classic ‘Vidigal’ and released on Philips’ iconic Musica Popular Brasileira Contemporanea series (MPBC) – little is Continue Reading