:: Reviewing Brazilian Music We Like Since September 7, 2002 ::
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Good Samba & Choro Samplers One of the most frequent questions I hear when people are trying to buy their first Brazilian CD is what album I would recommend for someone not yet very familiar with Brazilian music. Choosing … Continued
A Book of Surprises After his successful releases Fina Estampa and Fina Estampa en Vivo, featuring classic songs from the Latin American songbook, Caetano Veloso followed up with a studio album with Brazilian songs. Highly anticipated, Livro also had a live album companion. The … Continued
Addictive, as Always! It is hard to imagine the long and successful career Rita Lee has maintained. From her early days with Os Mutantes, back in the late 1960’s, up to now, Brazil’s Queen of Rock continues to innovate … Continued
What a Debut! The instrumental group Marimbanda is as unique as its name. Formed in1999 in Fortaleza, Ceará (northeast Brazil), Marimbanda got its name from a song written by bassist Adriano Giffoni. With a good dose of improvisation added to … Continued
Brazilian quartet based in Fortaleza, Ceará, Marimbanda performs original compositions and Brazilian classics infused with the band’s own creative musical spin. Marimbanda (2001) Tente Descobrir (2005) Caminhar (2019)
A native of Rio de Janeiro, Maria do Céu is an accomplished guitarist who started her professional career with the Orquestra de Violões do Rio de Janeiro. Choros do Ceará (2000) Ceará de Choro e Valsa (2005)
Uncovering Minas I cannot help but wonder how Minas has been able to keep a lid on its secret. Perhaps it is because this husband and wife duo is constantly busy touring the United States and Brazil. With appearances in … Continued
Musical Innovation Along with Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil is responsible for one of the most significant musical movements in Brazil. Tropicalismo, as this movement was known, started in the late 60’s. Tropicalismo brought several foreign elements to Brazilian music. … Continued
Fraga’s Northeast I had no idea what impact Tudo Que Me Nordestes would have in my life. When I went to hear Eudes Fraga for the first time in July 2003, I knew nothing about him or his … Continued
A Good Body of Work This is the problem with Brazilian music: many excellent artists are not known outside of the Rio de Janeiro – São Paulo – Bahia triangle. There is excellent music being made in places such … Continued
New Heights Winner of the 6th Visa Award (2003) in the composer category, Chico Saraiva follows up his 1999 album Água with another gem entitled Trégua. Born in 1973, Saraiva shows with this new CD what an accomplished guitarist … Continued
Seductive Simone’s 3rd live album has a few surprises, such as the wonderful remake of Nana Caymmi’s hit “Resposta ao Tempo” and the not-so-wonderful cover of “V’Ambora.” Produced by Guto Graça Mello with arrangements by Ricardo Leão, Feminino’s weaknesses … Continued
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