Brazuca Sounds

In episode #17 we tell the story behind Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil's self-titled albums released 50 years ago in 1971. Recorded at the same studio, with the same producer, for the same music label, both album covers were also made by the same photographer. Caetano and Gil were both living in Chelsea, London (UK) in exile following their prison by the military regime in Brazil. The nostalgia a...

In episode #16, we discussed some of the Brazilian rare albums released only on vinyl. Jorge Ben's "Live in Tokyo"; Arnaud Rodrigues' "O Som do Paulinho", Naná Vasconcelos' "Nana, Nelson, Novelli", and some real obscurities gems released by Nonato Buzar, Impacto Cinco, and Dom Mita, we went deep inside Brazil's crate collection. F ollow our playlist "Soundtrack: Brazuca Sounds" , but u nlike other...

In episode #15, we talk about three Brazilian vocal groups: Trio Ternura, Trio Esperança, and Golden Boys. All centered around family members, more or less like a Brazilian proto-version of the Jackson 5, these three groups showcased a variety of backgrounds and genres.

In episode #14, we talk about João Gilberto's self-titled album released in 1973. The Architect of Bossa Nova, according to the New York Times "his work became a sign of the relative prosperity, optimism, and romance of Brazil in the late 1950s, and thereafter an ideal of musical restraint and mystery." Joao Gilberto (1973), also known as the "white album", for his more experimental tone, is João...

In episode #13 we celebrate Erasmo Carlos' 80th birthday telling the story behind his album "Carlos, Erasmo", released in 1971. A transitional album in his career, Erasmo was moving from being a rock n' roll Jovem Guarda star to becoming a great lyricist, influenced by Folk, MPB, and Soul. "The other Carlos" when compared to his writing superstar partner Roberto Carlos,...

In episode #12, we continue our conversation about the Black Rio movement from Brazuca Sounds #11 , with some of the Best Funk Albums That You Never Heard of. Black, soul, and funk-influenced records, from obscure classics such as Waltel Branco's "Meu Balanço" (photo) to DJ favorites, like Evinha's debut "Cartão Postal". We also discussed albums released by Tony Bizarro...

In episode #11 we discussed the beginning of the Black Rio movement sparking funk and soul in the 1970s. Alongside Tim Maia, other names such as Dom Salvador, Toni Tornado (aka the Brazilian James Brown), and Gerson King Combo (the Brazilian...well...James Brown) put together a collection of songs influenced by the American Soul and Funk that would influence generations to come, especially a group...

In episode #10 we celebrate Roberto Carlos' 80th birthday discussing his self-titled album released 50 years ago in 1971. After a short transitional period of immersing himself in Soul and Funk music, this is the record that would set the tone for the rest of his career. From being a Brazilian Elvis to a full-blown version of a Brazilian Sinatra, or simply, O Rei (The King). Follow our playlist on...

In episode #9 we talk about the record label Underground, an obscure subsidiary for Copacabana Discos in the 1970s. While Copacabana was making tons of money with albums from their corny radio-singers cast, Underground has been founded as a subsidiary to release what the record executives considered "experimental" music. Funk and soul artists such as Marku (photo), Miguel de Deus, sa,ba-...

In episode #8 we discussed how the military government in Brazil that forcibly took power in 1964 influenced Brazilian music. The regime applied high officials to work as censors, and many songs would not get permission to be recorded or were forbidden for playing on the radio and TV. Chico Buarque, Gilberto Gil, Adoniran Barbosa, were all censored. The levels of censorship varied, normally associ...

In episode #6 we listed three of our favourite Brazilian albums of 2020: Kiko Danucci's "Rastilho" (photo), Matheus Aleluia's "Olorum", and Zé Manoel's "Do Meu Coração Nu". We also presented some other favourites such as Liniker, Boogarins, Sessa, Bixiga 70, and Academia da Berlina. This episode is a blend of MPB, afro beats, psychedelic pop, instrumental...

In episode #5 we talk about the "malditos," a generation of MPB songwriters who never achieved the same popular status as their peers. Jards Macale, Jorge Mautner, Walter Franco, and Sergio Sampaio never took off as planned, either due to their difficult relationship with record labels, experimentalism, or even bad luck. "Malditos" can be roughly translated into English as &quo...

In episode #4 we talked about the 50 years release of Mutantes' fourth album, Jardim Elétrico, released in March 1971. After originally starting to record an English-language record in Paris, ultimately they quit the project and travelled back to Brazil. "Jardim Elétrico" was heavily influenced by the use of LSD, leading up to a series of internal conflicts, musical and personal. Rita Lee would ev...

In episode #3 we present the work of two incredible drummers, Dom Um Romão and Wilson das Neves (photo). Altogether they recorded many Brazilian classic songs, from Bossa Nova to MPB jams, such as Tom Jobim's "Wave", Jorge Ben's album "Samba Esquema Novo", and Gilberto Gil's "Aquele Abraço" (das Neves). Altogether they are credited for more than 800 records, and that is on top of their own solo re...

In episode #2 we present the work of Clara Nunes (photo), Bethânia, and Gal Costa and their connections with the Afro-Brazilian religions. We discussed how they introduced Candomblé and Umbanda into their music in a country dominated by Christians, regardless of whether it was samba, MPB, or Tropicalia. Follow our playlist on Spotify " Soundtrack: Brazuca Sounds ". --- Send in a voice message: htt...

In episode #1 we present the work of three pioneers of Brazilian soul music from the 1970s: Cassiano (photo cover), Hyldon, and Wilson Simonal. We discussed how they dissociated themselves from samba, and how they inspired a generation of artists leading up the Black Rio Movement in the late 1970s. Follow our Spotify playlist " Soundtrack: Brazuca Sounds ".   --- Send in a voice message:...