:: Reviewing Brazilian Music We Like Since September 7, 2002 ::
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Saving the Sounds of the Amazon Good music touches a sensitive chord, and I have to admit that Marco André’s music does that to me. It all comes together for me: tradition, contemporary accents, fantastic musicianship, originality and not … Continued
Acoustic Pressure If you liked Kees Schoof’s review of Sambajazz Trio’s Agora Sim!, here is another release honoring the traditional piano-bass-drums ensembles. With just the right amount of original pieces and classic Bossa Nova — the album is equally … Continued
Pleasant Surprises As a follow-up to his 1998 Quebra Mola, Tony Mola did not rest on his proven ability as a percussionist. What a smart move that was, especially since the sambas he performs in Samba+Samba take him to … Continued
Intimacy Though recorded in Rome, Italy, in 1999, Duets finally got its worldwide release in 2005. Intimacy is the operative mood in this soothing recording. Never has Toninho Horta’s sparse vocals blended so beautifully. Stilo’s touching flute solos are … Continued
Musical Watercolor The first thing that will catch your attention in Mú Carvalho’s new album is its title: Óleo Sobre Tela. Even before hearing any of the original 13 tracks, you cannot help but enjoy the gorgeous liner notes. The … Continued
A Special Treat Originally released in 1996, Brazil Duets added three bonus tracks for this choro extravaganza. On mandolin and guitar, Mike Marshall shares some of Brazil’s best choros by masters ranging from Pixinguinha to Hermeto Pascoal. Playing side by … Continued
Some Fine Moments For his debut solo recording, Brazilian guitarist Manoelito Martins performs a mixed collection of music from Brazil and the world. A native of Cubatão, São Paulo, Martins moved to the United States in 1999 to pursue a … Continued
Sultry Vocals Brazilian music indeed seems to cover the whole world. Just when you think you have thought of all places, you discover a new group performing Brazilian classics. Whether in Japan (Minaswing), Israel (Tucan Trio) or Texas (Catavento), … Continued
This group is based in Japan, but the music is all Brazilian and with strong influences from Minas Gerais and a solid dose of Brazilian jazz. You can visit Silvio Anastacio to learn more about Minaswing. Beautiful Horizon (2003) Mineral (2005)
Bossa Nova High No matter what naysayers might want to imply, the truth is that Bossa Nova will never die. The light keeps burning and maintaining Bossa Nova alive and well. The good thing is that in spite of … Continued
Piano-Bass-Drum Tradition With this album the Sambajazz Trio pays tribute to the good old piano-bass-drums tradition that used to be present in Brazil’s major cities. As a contradiction, the success of those trios was the beginning of the end. … Continued
A Winning Combination Following its 2003 debut, Beautiful Horizon, Japan-based Minaswing comes back with a winning formula of original songs and well-known pieces by Milton Nascimento and other songwriters from the state of Minas Gerais (the famous … Continued