Review: VA - Hidden Waters: Strange and Sublime Sounds of Rio de Janeiro (Mr Bongo)

If you're a fan of YATM, you're more than likely a fan of labels like Far Out Recordings, Soul Jazz Records and many others that have released compilations of music from Brasil.  

Top of your list might be Mr Bongo, so have they really been able to find 22 tracks that are "Strange and Sublime" and from Rio de Janeiro too?

In short, those sceptics out there are going to have to tip your hats off to the Mr Bongo's trawlings of the beaches of Ipanema, Copacabana and Leblon in in the shadows of Mount Corcovado as they have found some magical tracks that match/surpass  MRB074 frm over ten years ago; that's 'Psychedelic Pernambuco' to you and me.

And it's not from 1960/70s either as this is the 'current' [re]evolution of modern sounds from Bazil have roots in despot Military dictatorship regimes to the current political madness that's re-ignited with the debarcle of the World Cup 2014 with disgraced FIFA president Sepp Blatter.   

The most incredible track, 'Lua Comanche' by Bala Desejo only came out last year! Bala Desejo's Dora Morelenbaum has a solo track on here too, 'Vento de Beirada' that's all baritone sax moody brilliant and the Joana Queiroz track 'Dois Litorais' has a similar Mai Todd Dia feel.

From the leftfield electronica, 'La Cacundê Iauê' sounds like it could have been sampled from traditional Mauri chanting a la DJ Shadow to grunge pysch-pop 'Lê Almeida to Brazil does Motown/Northern Soul madness 'Gigolô' by Jonas Sa and not forgetting the jazzdance, António Neves & Thiaguinho Silva 'Das Neves' and Ava Rocha's electronic opus 'Boca do Céu' (Mouth of Heaven').

And did somebody say, "Psychedelic" 'Moços' by Ovo Ou Bicho which is 60s mod-rock Byrds end of it and then Latin fuzzbox meets jazz flute gang of Marcelo Callado's 'Simbora' featuring Silvia Machete.  In fact, these two tracks could have made a 7" for Mike D's recent RSD, Brazil 45s Boxset (see Review HERE) they are that 'out there'.

We end with some electronic surf reggae from Os Ritmistas' 'Sambolero', could Torvill and Dean (ask your grand parents) have danced to this? I'm saying no but this compilation is so well conceived and executed, every track is your new favourite track. 

Brilliantly researched with essays by professor and music critic Bernardo Oliveira and music journalist Leonardo Lichote, plus extensive notes on each track by the artists themselves and that great artwork designed by Rio music’s leading album artwork designer, Caio Paiva.

It is odd that the exiled community in my area have such a love of British pop/rock and so little interest in new or old pop/MPB from the home country; having more interest in even Paul Di'anno's Battlezone (well, that's what Paul once told me anyway).  But with 'Strange and Sublime Sounds' would seem to me to be a way to re-kindle the love and let's hop this 'Rio de Janeiro' edition is just the start of a revolving series from different parts of Brasil.

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Hidden Waters: Strange and Sublime Sounds of Rio de Janeiro

Release date : 12th May, 2023

Label : Mr Bongo

Catalog Number : MRBLPCD271

Format: LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review - Rosanna & Zélia – Baiao Da Luna (We Jazz Records)

You got me at "Brazilian reggae from rural Finland". What! 

This is such a fantastic find by We Jazz records as we've got a 7" with the Gilberto Gil's 'Extra (Brazilian Reggae)', the chill out tent/quiet lounge folk of 'Tonto Luar' and the 'traditional', 'Baiao Da Luna'.  

All far too short but if you are after so very rare Musica Popular Brasileira/Bossa a la Joyce/Nina Miranda/Gal Costa/Nara Leão,
Rosanna & Zelia is for you.

And, just too much to think these two were Finish  as they are, of course, from Brazil.

Playlisting and perfect to add to Mr Bongo's recent Rubinho E Mauro Assumpção release,  'Perfeitamente, Justamente Quando Cheguei' (see review HERE)

 

Artist: Rosanna & Zélia

Title: Baiao Da Luna

Release date: 21st April, 2023

Label : We Jazz Records

Catalog Number : WJLP53 / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Rubinho E Mauro Assumpção – Perfeitamente, Justamente Quando Cheguei (Mr Bongo)

It may have taken 50 years to 'arrive' but Rubinho E Mauro Assumpção's 'Perfeitamente, Justamente Quando Cheguei' has lost none of it's original 1972 brilliance of Brazilian-psych-folk-MPB. 

Originally released on Tapecar Records iyou won't find an orginal copy) you'll find these 11 tracks taking inspriation from all over the globe including British 60s pop ('Bloco Da Visão', 'Sozinho Não Estou', 'Qualé A Sua'), US. West Coast psychadelia/prog rock/Country/olk rock (Grateful Dead/CSN[&Y]/Doors, etc.) ('Dobra A Esquina P/ Ver O Sol', 'No Mundo da Lua'), Samba/Bossa ('Os Olhos), Tropicália.and a mixture of all. 

The sound/mastering is of high quality and the only slight moan, the tracks are 'punk length' short so there's no extended version - love to know what would have happened if the guitar (Rick Ferreira) pheak out at the end of 'Quero Companheira' would have gone or the funky horns on 'Qualé A Sua'.

If your a fans of Nara Leão, Milton Nascimento, Gal Costa, Gilberto Gil or Astrid Gilberto (her 'Now' album that was also released in 1972 is re-release today too, review HERE), this album has a lot for you and it's easy to see why this record has demanded such high prices over the years so many thanks to Mr Bongo for sourcing an official re-release.

Artist: Rubinho E Mauro Assumpção
Title: Perfeitamente, Justamente Quando Cheguei
Release date : 17th February, 2023
Label : Mr Bongo
Catalog Number : MRBCDLP276
Format: LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp