Brazilian Tapestry Vol. 7 ~ O Mundo De Jorge Ben

Volume 7 of the compilation series dedicated to the essential sound of the Brazil '70, including Latin Jazz, Samba Funk/Soul and MPB. This volume is devoted to the iconic Brazilian maestro of "samba-rock" style (mix of samba with modern music), bringing together his most popular cover songs from "Mas Que Nada" to "Chove Chuva" by "Pais Tropical". It features brazilian all stars musicians such as Gal Costa, Osmar Milito, Sergio Mendes & Brazil '66, Tamba Trio, Bossa Rio, Wilson Simonal and Jorge Ben in charge of the opening and ending songs. All tracks recorded between 1963-1973, compiled & mixed by Be Hard Bop.

Marcos Valle ‎- Mustang Côr De Sangue

Year : 1969
Label : Odeon
Genre : Latin Jazz, Pop
Style : MPB, Psychedelia

The album that opens the Valle's psychedelic pop era including six masterpieces released from 1970 to 1974, whose the iconic "Bed Album" (the Marcos Valle self-titled album in 1970), "Garra" in 1971 and "O Fabuloso Fittipaldi Original Soundtrack" introducing the Brazilian Jazz Funk band "Azymüth" in 1973. "Mustang Côr De Sangue" is a sublime baroque-pop album tinged by Soul, Jazz and Samba elements, comprising a variation on the Bossa Nova standard "Summer Samba" (Samba De Verão 2), the up-tempo drum song "Frêvo Novo", the killer instrumental jazz-samba "Azimuth" (inspired the name of the same band), the latin pop tune "Mentira Carioca". Titles include also various collaborations with some major figures of the seventies Brazilian music scene such as arranger Eumir Deodato on "Dia De Vitória" featuring the Golden Boys quartet, guitarist/singer Milton Nascimento on "Diálogo", the percussionist Naná Vasconcelos, and bassist Novelli from Mário Castro Neves & Samba S.A., among others.

Wilson Simonal - Alegria! Alegria! Vol. 4

Year : 1969
Label : Odeon
Genre : Latin Jazz
Style : MPB, Bossa Nova, Samba Soul

Last act in the popular "Alegria! Alegria!" album series recorded between 1967-1969, by one of the finest Brazilian singer, including his smash hit "Pais Tropical" composed by his friend Jorge Ben. Since "Vou Deixar Cair" in 1966, Wilson Simonal is supported by the top latin jazz trio "Som Três", his regular backing band until 1969, lead by Cesar Camargo Mariano (p) featuring Sabá (b, vo) & Toninho Pinheiro (ds, vo). "Alegria! Alegria! Vol. 4" is a subtle blend of soulful music with jazz, samba, bossa and latin boogaloo sounds including beautiful strings arrangements directed by maestro Antonio Adolfo. Titles include gorgeous songs among the best ever recorded by Wilson Simonal, "Maquilagem", "Porque Hoje É Domingo", "Brasileira", "Canção Da Criança", "Eu Fui No Tororó", "Que Maravilha" (Jorge Ben), "Adios, Muchachos-Adios".

Célia - Célia

Year : 2018/1972
Label : Mr Bongo/Continental
Genre : Latin, Funk/Soul
Style : MPB, Soul, Bossa Nova

Fabulous self-titled album from the brazilian princess Célia Regina Cruz, tropicalism masterpiece with pop arrangements, funk/soul accents & psychedelia, including her best known song, own version of "Na Boca Do Sol" composed by Arthur Verocai. Conducted & arranged by maestro Arthur Verocai, one legendary arranger of the Tropicalia movement, "Célia '72" includes also an all-star composers collective featuring Marcos Valle, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vinicius De Moraes, Erasmo Carlos & Roberto Carlos. Finally reissued by Mr Bongo in 2018, "Célia '72" is the second of four self-titled albums serie released for the Continental label between 1971 and 1977, the first two with Verocai.

Jorge Ben - Jorge Ben

Year : 1969
Label : Philips
Genre : Latin, Jazz
Style : Samba, MPB

Since his psychedelic samba pop album "O Bidú: Silêncio No Brooklin", recorded in 1967, which contributed to the Tropicália movement emergence, Jorge Ben released during more than a decade various essential pieces of the Brazilian pop music, including the masterworks from his esoteric trilogy, "A Tabúa De Esmeralda" in 1974 & "Africa-Brasil" at the top of his career in 1976. This self-titled album is likewise a part of these, the first recording of a three album series and one "on stage" including "Forca Bruta" & "Negro É Lindo", introducing the Trio Mocotó as his new backing band until 1972. With only one album, Jorge succeeded to influence the main Tropicália artits, writting & composing among his biggest classics  including "País Tropical", "Que Pena", "Take It Easy My brother Charles" or "Charles Anjo 45", which became instantly standards, covered among others Gal Costa ("Que Pena" with Gil), Astrud Gilberto & Som Três ("Take It Easy...") or  Caetano Veloso ("Charles Anjo 45").

Brazilian Tapestry Vol. 6 ~ The Sound Of Brazil '70 (From Tropicalia to Black Rio)

The compilation series dedicated to the essential & versatile sound of the Brazil '70, EPISODE 6. From the Tropicália to the Black Rio movements, this volume includes Psychedelic grooves, MPB, Samba Funk, Soul, Disco & Boogie sounds, featuring Jorge Ben, Os Mutantes, Antônio Carlos & Jocafi, Célia, Renata Lu, Novos Baianos, Dom Salvador, Gal Costa, Antonio Adolfo, Bebeto, Tim Maia, União Black, Banda Black Rio, Cristina Camargo & many others. All tracks recorded between 1968-1980, compiled & mixed by Be Hard Bop.

Cravo & Canela - Preço e Cada Um

Year : 2011/1977
Label : Mr Bongo/Padrão
Genre : Jazz, Latin Jazz
Style : Samba, MPB, Bossa Nova, Jazz Funk

Originally reissued by japanese label Production Dessinée, "Preço de Cada Um" is one of the most unknown and most wanted original album from the late seventies, recorded in the Brazilian Jazz Samba style. Cravo & Canela, successor of the Sergio Mendes '66, plays Samba fusion with MPB elements & Jazz Funk arrangements, with the soulful sound of electric piano in the same line as Deodato or Antonio Adolfo. The band is lead by Aramis Barros and formed around guitarist Lucio Nascimento, pianist Reinaldo Arias & his wife Fabiola. Produced, recorded and arranged by Oswaldo Cadaxo, "Preço de Cada Um" includes a skilled line-up with experienced studio musicians featuring Teo Lima (sideman for Antonio Adolfo, Sergio Mendes, Gilberto Gil or Oscar Castro-Neves) and guest star musician, the world famous brazilian accordion player, Sivuca, who worked for Airto Moreira, Miriam Makeba and Paul Simon among others.

Gal Costa - Índia

Year : 1973

Label : Philips

Genre : Latin Jazz

Style : Jazz Funk, MPB, Tango

The post-Tropicalia album by one of the female figure from Brazilian music, Gal Costa, including the tango-dance-groove "Relance", selected by Gilles Peterson for the famous Brazilica compilation series released in 1994 on Talkin' Loud label. It features outstanding musicians among Gilberto Gil, Roberto Menescal on guitar, Tenorio Jr., Wagner Tiso on organ, arrangers Rogério Duprat & Arthur Verocai. With "Índia", Gal Costa left the psychedelic rock to embrace the Jazz & the World Music. Backing to her roots from the Bossa Nova, she replaces accoustic guitar at the forefront of her artwork, supported by the accordion play of Dominguinhos and a musical direction by his soul brother, Gilberto Gil. The songs benefited of the sophisticated arrangements, the result of genious work from Arthur Verocai & Rogério Duprat, including a great variety of styles : tango for the title-track, afrobrasileiro music for the portuguese protest song  "Milho Verde", Bossa Nova with the Jobim's cover "Desafinado" or the Jazz Funk "Pontos De Luz".

Antonio Carlos & Jocafi - Mudei De Idéia

Year : 1971
Label : RCA
Genre : Latin, MPB
Style : Psychedelic Rock, Samba, Funk/Soul

Fantastic debut album of the brazilian duet formed in 1969 by Antônio Carlos Marques Pinto (Antonio Carlos) and José Carlos Figueiredo (Jocafi) including heavy grooves, fuzz guitar and samba beats, featuring arranger Rogerio Duprat and jazz guitarist Lanny Gordin wo played for Gal Costa, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil among others. Antonio Carlos & Jocafi is one of the most famous Brazilian writing duo who worked for Wilson Simonal, Trio Mocotó, Milton Banana or Toquinho. From 1971 to 1996, they have recorded 13 albums, composed many soundtracks for brazilian telenovelas during the seventies, and other popular songs as "Vocé Abusou" or "Kabaluerê" (sampled by brazilian rapper Marcelo D2 on "Qual é?" in 2002). "Vocé Abusou" was a big success when it was sung by Maria Creuza and in France, with its cover "Fais Comme l'Oiseau" by Michel Fugain & Le Big Bazar released in 1972. Titles include also psychedelic rock songs in accordance with the Tropicalià movement (Se Quiser Valer, Quem Vem Lá...), samba (Conceição Da Praia, Morte Do Amor...) and beautiful pop ballads (Hipnose, Bonita).

Erasmo Carlos - Erasmo Carlos E Os Tremendões

Year : 1970

Label : RGE Discos

Genre : Rock, Latin, Jazz

Style : Latin Rock, MPB, Bossa Nova

Another jewel of Brazilian pop music featuring Jovem Guarda group "Os Tremendões" which made Erasmo, a pop star in Latin America. Recorded in 1969, "Erasmo Carlos E Os Tremendões" is a transition album opening a new era for Erasmo, which embraces definitly the artistic freedom of the US counterculture. The album incorporates various musical genres from Rock ‘N’ Roll by Soul & Bossa Nova (to the Tropicália style), including compositions by the writers duo Erasmo/Roberto, some brazilian cover tunes revisited of Caetano Veloso (Saudosismo), Antônio Adolfo (Teletema) & Ary Barroso (the unofficial Brazilian national anthem "Aquarela Do Brasil"), plus originals songs, such as "Jeep" & "A Bronca Da Galinha" which bring the Funk. Arranged by Chiquinho De Moraes.

Azymuth - Azimüth

Year : 2015/1975
Label : Far Out Recordings/Som Livre
Genre : Jazz, Latin
Style : MPB, Jazz Funk, Samba, Latin Jazz

One of the best brazilian jazz group whose the name "Azymuth" was inspired by a song from Marcos & Paulo Sérgio Valle, a jazz-funk trio formed in 1973 by Jose Roberto Bertrami (keys), Alex Malheiros (eb, eg) and Ivan Conti (ds, per). The group started as "Conjunto Azimuth" on the soundtrack of brazilian movie "O Fabuloso Fittipaldi" alongside Marcos & Paulo Sergio Valle, and the same year, as backing band for Marcos on his "Previsão Do Tempo" album. The group engaged in the post-tropicalia era with their self-titled debut album in 1975, mixing samba funk & disco beats, influencing in the same time, the nascent Black Rio movement. Always actives today, the band has gained an international audience with "Águia Não Come Mosca" album (released on Atlantic, first record of the band released outside Brazil), a noticeable appearance at the Montreux Jazz Festival '77 and by participating to the U.S. tour of Airto Moreira and Flora Purim. Then, they moved to the United States in the early eighties, by signing on Milestone Records in 1979. Titles include their pop hit "Linha Do Horizonte", the songs "Manhã" (remixed by Peanut Butter Wolf in 2007), "Esperando Minha Vez" (sampled by Joey Bada$$ in "Amethyst Rockstar" - 2013) and the killer soul jazz/rock track "Periscópio".

Erasmo Carlos ‎- Carlos, Erasmo...

Year : 1971
Label : Philips
Genre : Rock, Latin
Style : MPB, Funk/Soul, Samba Rock

Brazilian rock masterpiece by the samba rock pioneer and eminent actor of the "Jovem Guarda", the scene wich popularized western pop & rock music in Brazil, during the late sixties. Influenced by the tropicália movement & the hippie counterculture, Erasmo Carlos has enlisted former members of psycheldic rock group "Os Mutantes" featuring lead guitarist Sergio Dias, drummer Dinho Leme and bassist Liminha. The recording sessions benefited of the arrangements from the brazilian masters Chiquinho de Moraes, Arthur Verocai & Rogério Duprat and studio guitarist Lanny Gordin. The album opens with "Noite Na Cama", a controversial ode to marijuana, written by Caetano Veloso for him. Other titles include cover songs of Jorge Ben (Agora Ninguém Chora Mais), Marcos Valle (26 Anos De Vida Normal) and orignal songs co-writted with his longtime partner, Roberto Carlos (Mundo Deserto, Ciça Cecilia...). Produced by the tropicália producer, Manoel Barenbein.

Marcos Valle - Viola Enluarada

Year : 1968
Label : Odeon
Genre : Jazz, Latin
Style : Bossa Nova, MPB

"Viola Enluarada" is the second album from the Marcos Valle's pop era, tinged by a melancholic and sweet voice including baroque pop style, bossa nova materials and jazz expressions. Arranged by the brazilian maestro Dori Caymmi, Antônio Adolfo, Oscar Castro-Neves and Eumir Deodato (who played also piano), "Viola Enluarada" features some guests musicians such as Bossa Nova guitarist Roberto Menescal, and singers who lend their voice on several songs, the young Milton Nascimento on "Viola Enluarada" & "Requiem", the Jovem Guarda quartet "Golden Boys" on "Terra De Ninguém", and Valle's wife Anamaria on the catchy bossa song "Próton Elétron Neutron". Always written and composed with the collaboration of his brother Paulo Sérgio and produced by Milton Miranda.

 

Brazilian Tapestry Vol. 5 ~ The Sound Of Brazil '70

The compilation series dedicated to the essential sound of the Brazil '70, including Latin Grooves, MPB, Jazz Funk & Samba Rock featuring some eminent actors of the Brazilian Soul movement, called "Black Rio", such as Miguel De Deus, Toni Tornado, Banda Black Rio, Hyldon or Dom Salvador. Recorded between 1967-1977, compiled & mixed by Be Hard Bop.

Trio Mocotó - Trio Mocotó

Year : 2016/1973

Label : ViNiLiSSSiMO/RGE Discos
Genre : Latin
Style : Samba, Bossa Nova, MPB, Funk/Soul

Trio Mocotó was formed in 1968, in São Paulo, by three percussionists : Fritz Escovão, Joãozinho Parahyba & Nereu Gargalo. Their music is the result of a Brazilian sounds fusion (samba & bossa) with the American pop, often reduced to the name of "samba rock". But Trio Mocotó is more a synthesis between various musical styles from funk to rock, passing by the jazz, than some samba rock. The trio are mainly known as the Jorge Ben’s backing band, during the zenith of his career (1969-1971), when they took part in his great recordings as the "Força Bruta" & "Negro E Lindo" albums. Titles include the opening track "Desapareça" (a powerful afro-brasileira-samba-funk song), a funny variation of the pop cover "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" (Gotas De Chuva Na Minha Cuíca), and the Latin Jazz songs "Palomares" & "Eu Tou Por For Da Jogada". 

Arthur Verocai - Arthur Verocai

Year : 2016/1972
Label : Mr Bongo/Continental
Genre : Jazz, Latin
Style : Jazz Funk, Jazz Rock, MPB

One of the favourite Madilb's albums, the self-titled "Arthur Verocai" album has been sampled many times by various Hip-Hop artists  such as MF Doom, Common, Little Brother and more recently Action Bronson. Arthur Verocai is a brilliant brazilian conductor, pianist and guitarist, who has worked for several artists from the Tropicalia movement such as Jorge Ben, Marcos Valle and Gal Costa. Recorded at Studio Somil, Rio de Janeiro in 1972, this album incorporates the Brazilian musical direction taken by the Tropicalia, a skilled fusion of Jazz & Funk including some sound elements from the Blaxploitation music. Arthur Verocai has surrounded himself by prestigious musicians  including saxophonists Paulo Moura and Oberdan Magalhães from Banda Black Rio, the jazz drummers Robertinho Silva and Pascoal Meirelles, Serginho Do Trombone from Dom Salvador & amp; Grupo Abolição, supported by string orchestra. Titles include the beautiful folk song "Caboclo", the samba jazz "Seriado" featuring Célia, the funky "Presente Grego" and the jazz rock tune "Karina (Domingo No Grajaú)". Produced, arranged, directed by Arthur Verocai.

Brasilia Modern Six - Estréia

Year : 1969
Label : RCA/Victor
Genre : Pop, Latin Jazz
Style : MPB, Bossa Nova, Samba, Soft Rock

Obscure Brazilian Soft Rock group from the late 60's, formed by a chorus of six members who sings as well in english as in portugese, and a backing band featuring organist reminding the Walter Wanderley's style. In the same way as the Mario Castro Neves & Samba S. A.'s albums, titles include typical brazilian jazz style with bossa & samba songs (Roda De Samba, Homem Zero, Balanço De Criança),  but also international pop standards (a lounge version of the Doors' classic "Light My Fire"), and latin cover songs (The theme song of Chile movie "Morir un Poco", "Viento Dile A la Lluvia" from Argentina rock group Los Gatos). 

Golden Boys - Golden Boys

 

Year : 1973

Label : Odeon

Genre : Pop, Rock
Style : Latin Rock, MPB, Samba Rock

Golden Boys is one of the finest vocal groups coming from the Jovem Guarda movement (Young Guard), which bloomed under the spotlight of Brazilian Pop music in the sixties. Originally formed as a quartet in 1958, Golden Boys is a brazilian rock band composed of three brothers : Roberto (former member from 1958 to 1971), Ronaldo, Renato Corrêa José Maria and their cousin, Valdir Anunciação, all from the same family as the Trio Esperanza. In 1973, The quartet have already eight albums to their credit, whose "Fumacê" released in 1970 just before Roberto left the band (included the hit "Se Você Quiser Mas Sem Bronquear"). The quatuor contributed repeatedly to various productions of others brazilian artists, their most famous includes collaborations for Marcos Valle ("Terra De Ninguém" in 1968, "Dia Da Vitória" in 1969, "Esperando O Messias" in 1970). For most of the songs, we can find the trademark of "Abbey Road" sound by The Beatles, more than an evidence that the group was mostly influenced by this other famous quartet from Liverpool, in particular the tracks "Deixa Falar (Let Your Yeah Be Yeah)" & "Estranho (Strange One)".

Bossa Rio - Alegria!

 

Year : 1970

Label : Blue Thumb Records

Genre : Latin Jazz
Style : Bossa Nova, Smooth Jazz, MPB

Second album produced for the american market of the brazilian group Bossa Rio (not to be confused with the Sergio Mendes's Bossa Rio Sextet), featuring Gracinha Leporace (Sergio Mendes's wife), Pery Ribeiro, Manfredo Fest (org), Octavio Bailly Jr (b) from Bossa Três, Ronald Mesquita (ds) and Dwight Dickerson (p). Discovered and produced by Sergio Mendes, based on the Brasil '66 legacy, Bossa Rio borrows the similar recipe of the famous brazilian band, namely, a mixture of Jazz, Bossa Nova & Western Pop Music. The band performs the classics of Bossa Nova (keeping with their brazilian roots), from Jorge Ben (Que Pena, Zazueira) & Marcos Valle (Mustang Cor De Sangue), Jazz (Girl Talk) & covers songs by The Bealtes including others international pop hits (Spinning Wheel, The Night Has A Thousand Eyes, Don't Go Breaking My Heart).

Os Brazões - Os Brazões

Year : 2014/1969
Label : Mr Bongo/RGE Discos
Genre : Latin Rock, MPB
Style : Psychedelic Rock, Funk/Soul

"Os Brazões" self-titled album was originally released on RGE Discos in 1969, the unique record of the psychedelic group formed in Rio De Janeiro in the late sixties. Lead by guitarist/singer Miguel De Deus (the frontman of Black Rio movement) featuring Eduardo 'Edu' Rocha (ds) & Mandrake Som (perc), the band started as backing band for Gal Costa and Tom Zé during the early days of Tropicália period. As their countrymen "Os Mutantes", the iconic psychedelic group from São Paulo, "Os Brazões" produced a masterpiece of Latin Rock with North American influences fusing elements from Samba to Funk/Soul & Acid Rock. Titles includes cover songs from Gilberto Gil ("Pega A Voga Cabeludo", "Volksvolkswagen Blue"), Jorge Ben/Toquinho ("Carolina, Carol Bela", "Que Maravilha") or Tom Zé (Feitiço), instrumental by Brazilian Octopus (Momento B/8) and their well-known song "Gotham City".