BENJAMIM TAUBKIN - A Terra e o Espaço Aberto (1997) Mp3

Estréia em disco do pianista Benjamim Taubkin, com composições inéditas deste instrumentista com longa vivência nos palcos brasileiros e internacionais. Acompanhado por Lui Coimbra no cello, violão e charango, Toninho Carrasqueira na flauta e Marcos Suzano na percussão,trabalho totalmente acústico, traz leituras contemporâneas de ritmos e modos brasileiros: maracatus, choros, maxixes e outras canções. Indicado ao Prêmio Sharp/98 –  Revelação Instrumental e Prêmio Movimento/98.

Tracklist:

1- Quarta-feira 1:00,  T. Carrasqueira, M. Suzano, L. Coimbra e B. Taubkin

2- Domingo no Sítio dos Nakashima, B. Taubkin

3- A Terra e o Espaço Aberto,  Benjamim Taubkin

4- Improviso, Benjamim Taubkin e Caíto Marcondes

5- Maracatu do João, Benjamim Taubkin

6- Pena que a Vovó não está aqui ou O Dia em que John Coltrane esteve em Bebedouro, B. Taubkin

7- 54 West 16th. Street, B. Taubkin

8- O Passeio dos Elefantes, L. Coimbra, T. Carrasqueira e B. Taubkin

9- Ternura, K-Chimbinho 

Credits:

Benjamim Taubkin: piano e balaphon

Lui Coimbra: cello, violão e charango

Toninho Carrasqueira: flautas

Marcos Suzano: percussão

Guests:

Teco Cardoso: sax barítono em “Pena que a Vovó...”

Caíto Marcondes: percussão no piano em “Improviso”

MÁRCIO MONTARROYOS & STONE ALIANCE - Márcio Montarroyos & Stone Alliance (1977) Mp3

Márcio Montarroyos is an excellent Brazilian musician with an extensive resumé as a session man for Brazilian and international top musicians. Some of his later releases fell in a somewhat abusive commercial line, but this one preserves his musicality and adventurousness. A Brazilian fusion jazz album, originally recorded in 1977, it benefits from the international excellence of such musicians as Steve Grossman, Gene Perla, Don Alias, and the Brazilians Hermeto Pascoal, David Sion, and Dom Bira, among others. Mixing the American standard "A Child Is Born" (Thad Jones) with those musicians' originals, the album keeps a cohesive quality and creative improvisations provided by the amazing range of expression of each of its individual components. by Alvaro Neder

Tracklist:

1 Hey Bicho, Vamos Nessa 4:48

Congas [Uncredited], Cowbell [Uncredited] – Don Bira

Written-By – Steve Grossman

2 Rua Da Boa Hora 4:48

Percussion [Uncredited] – David Sion  

Written-By – Marcio Montarroyos

3 A Child Is Born 4:34

Written-By – Thad Jones

4 On The Foot Peg 5:51

Written-By – Marcio Montarroyos

5 Menina Ilza 6:39

Written-By, Piano [Uncredited], Flute [Uncredited] – Hermeto Pascoal

6 Risa 5:23

Written-By – Don Alias

7 Libra Rising 3:22

Written-By – Steve Grossman

8 The Greeting 4:10

Written-By – Don Alias, Erasto Vasconcelos

Credits:

Bass, Electric Piano, Synthesizer [Strings, Moog], Keyboards, Piano – Gene Perla

Congas, Drums, Guitar, Voice, Percussion – Don Alias

Percussion, Surdo, Voice, Cowbell [Bell], Cowbell – Erasto De Holanda Vasconcelos

Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Piano – Steve Grossman

Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Piano, Percussion, Synthesizer [Moog], Voice, Mellophone – Marcio Montarroyos

RABO DE LAGARTIXA - Quebra-Queixo (Jaw Breaker) 2000 / Mp3

Rabo de Lagartiza, literally "Tail of the Gecko," updates the century-old choro music of Brazil. Also know as Brazilian ragtime, this form allows the saxophone-led combo to make unexpected tempo shifts and melodic leaps. While choro is really an instrumental form, vocals show up here that strengthen the similarity to hot jazz and jump blues. At times fiercely swinging, this album also can be reflective and whimsical. This facet appears on the acoustic bass-powered "Melodia Sentimental." Together, the tracks that make up Quebra-Queixo: Jawbreaker are a rewarding musical experience. The Rabo de Lagartiza members are virtuosos with jazz passion celebrating the vibrant choro tradition. by Tom Schulte

TRIO DA PAZ - Partido Out (1998) Mp3

While the impact of bossa nova is palatable on some of '50s West Coast jazz, the inspiration went both ways. Trio da Paz, formed in 1986, exhibit on Partido Out not only this long-felt influence of American jazz on bossa nova, but international forms of samba and more. When, in the late 19th Century, Brazilian musicians fused their unique syncopations onto European polkas and waltzes, choro, a sort of tropical ragtime, was born. Inspiring a community of late night jam sessions, a new creative form of Brazilian jazz grew up out of this experimentation. by Tom Schulte

TUTTY MORENO - Forças d'Alma (Forces of the Soul) 2000 / Mp3

Many point to Europe as the land jazz emigrated to, the region where it found widespread acceptance and popularity after marginalization in America. Especially for specific career paths, this is so. However, in Brazil the art of jazz flourishes, bearing fruits of unparalleled creativity. Brazilian drummer Tutty Moreno exemplifies the sophisticated, advanced face of jazz in that country. On his album Forces d'Alma (Forces of the Soul) he participates in a piano trio drawing on Sao Paulo's best talent. Reed player Nailor "Proveta" Azevedo is part of the Grammy-nominated Banda Matiquiera. Bassist Rodolfo Stroeter also provides rhythmic support in fusion project Pau Brasil. Pianist Andre Mehmari is an exceptional keyboard master at the age of 21. Forces d'Alma combines the elements of the jazz soul: emotion, melody, theme improvisation, and the beauty of the appropriately unexpected. by Tom Schulte

ULISSES ROCHA - Moleque (Child) 2000 / Mp3

Ulisses Rocha is a master of the guitar and an important figure in modern, adventurous Brazilian jazz. With his talent, he creates intricate instrumental music. Rocha delivers the harmonic and rhythmic complexity of a trio on his album Moleque (Child). On "Rhythm and Romance," guitarist Rick Udler and vocalist Maria Alvim offer an understated beauty in the tradition of the beguiling simplicity with which Jobim first gave Brazil a global audience. by Tom Schulte

RICK UDLER & MARIA ALVIM - Rhythm & Romance (1996) Mp3

UZ 22 - Renascimento (The Music of Milton Nascimento) 1998 / Mp3

LADSTON DO NASCIMENTO - A Voz Do Coração (Voice of the Heart) 2000 / Mp3

Nascimento is a powerful and expressive vocalist on the Brazilian popular music scene. Like Sinatra he comes across as a popular vocalist with a touch of jazz interpretation in his delivery. On A Voz de Coracao (Voice of the Heart) you hear this master singer, a leading voice in the MPB (Brazilian popular music) genre. Malandro continues to maintain high quality and a broad mind in documenting the best of Brazilian samba, bossa nova, MPB, and other genres that have "at least a touch of jazz." by Tom Schulte

TERRA BRASIL - Mestiço (Mestizo) 1998 / Mp3

Diversity and musicianship are the keystones of the Malandro roster. Exemplifying this is the sextet Terra Brasil and their album Mestico (Mestizo). Their ensemble jazz is rich in Brazilian styles and the frantic energy of an urban populace. Originating from bustling Sao Paulo, they uniquely blend traditional Brazilian rhythms and traditional jazz. This is the dynamic paulista swing. by Tom Schulte

ULISSES ROCHA & TECO CARDOSO - Caminhos Cruzados (Crossed Paths) 2000 / Mp3

On Caminhos Cruzados, Cardoso brings several types of saxophone and flute to join in duet with jazz guitarist Ulisses Rocha. Beside the Jobim title track, there is another piece from that artist here, "Retrato em Branco e Preto." The bulk of the rest of the album is Rocha originals, and is exciting throughout. Like Jobim's music, this is not the type of excitement implied by most American jazz, that is, city nightlife. No, together with Cardoso's horns and various bamboo flutes, this is the tropical excitement of wide spaces, sunshine, and laughing children. Caminhos Cruzados reflects that unique ability of Brazilian jazz in the jazz universe to instead of taking us inside take us outside and incarnate for the listener sunshine and warmth. by Tom Schulte

NILSON MATTA & HENDRIK MEURKENS - Encontros (Meetings) 2000 / Mp3

This delightful CD is the long-postponed project of two popular interpreters and composers of Brazilian music: bassist Nilson Matta and Hendrick Meurkens on vibes, marimba, and chromatic harmonica, making wistful, soulful sounds that blend naturally into this harmonic landscape. The other players include the splendid Italian jazz pianist Dado Moroni on two tracks and four superb Brazilian musicians based in New York: guitarist Romero Lubambo, drummer Duduka Da Fonsesca, vocalist Maucha Adnet, and pianist Helio Alvez, known for his clean, swinging lines. Two Jobim standards are nicely done: the languid "Amor em Paz," with lovely soloing by Lubambo, and the triumphant "Chega de Saudade" (aka "No More Blues"), where the mix doesn't capture Adnet's satiny, live voice, but can't hide her impeccable time. The closer is a free-form romp on Hermeto Pascoal's "O Ovo," where Da Fonsesca finally gets to stretch out and shine. The rest are tuneful originals by the co-leaders, such as Meurken's evocative travel pieces -- "Summer in San Francisco" and "Prague in March" -- and Matta's beautiful bossa tributes to his mother, "Rosa," and wife, "This Is for Luisa." There's also Meurken's jolly, jazzy version of the traditional chorinho and Matta's churning salute to Baden Powell, which highlights his strong, warm bass work and contains a surprise: a Bach prelude that swings hard. Fine work all around and an excellent, varied sampler of Brazilian jazz. by Judith Schlesinger  

RICHARD BOUKAS & JOVINO SANTOS NETO - Balaio (Basket) 2001 / Mp3

Arguably the most important Brazilian musician in the last half century is composer and multi-instrumentalist Hermeto Pascoal -- whose open-minded brand of world music has attracted jazz greats like Chick Corea and Stan Getz. Of all the musicians in Pascoal's elite group, pianist and flutist Jovino Santos Neto best embodies the master's musical philosophy. His most important ongoing collaboration is with New York-based guitarist Richard Boukas, and this disc comes across as Brazilian music for hardcore genre lovers, rather than the easy to digest variety as on the Ivan Lins tribute. The set is divided between songs by Pascoal, Boukas, and Neto. It begins with the brisk, bright samba "As Cores da Menina," which captures the sharp interaction between the duo; Neto swirls piano improvisations over Boukas' punchy acoustic guitar lines. This sort of lively but sparse arrangement serves them well throughout the disc, as on the reflective title track and atmospheric "Campinas." The ballads get a little repetitive after a while, but frisky pieces like "Homeopatia" save the day. Boukas has a few vocal spotlights, most notably "Escuridao Da Passagem," which puts him into the Lins category for a voice that communicates passion to English speaking listeners even in Portuguese. by Jonathan Widran  

JUAREZ MOREIRA - Bom Dia (Good Morning) 1998 / Mp3

Guitarist Juarez Moreira on Bom Dia runs the entire gamut from choro to other basic Brazilian springboards to exploration, such as the simple melodies of toada and distinctive, syncopative style of baiao. This is the first U.S. release of the jazz guitarist and composer native to Minas Gerais, the interior of Brazil. The boundary-crossing album mixes world, pop, and jazz. by Tom Schulte

ZÉ LUIS - Guarani Banana (1999) Mp3

FILÓ MACHADO - Cantando Um Samba (Singing Samba) 1999 / Mp3

Guitarist and vocalist Filó Machado shines on this collection of ebullient sambas. With just one or two guests on most tracks, Machado frames the 12 songs here with brusque playing and a smooth, elegant voice that enriches all the material he takes on. Among many highlights, "Tema Discorcido" is the most beautiful. by John Bush

CARLOS MALTA - Jeitinho Brasileiro (Brazilian Way) 1998 / Mp3

In Malandro's tropical spectrum is Brazilian popular music, also known by the initials MPB. Examples of this genre include Simone, Jorge Benjor, and Djavan. One legend of that genre is Carlos Malta, whose career began with the birth of that genre in the '60s. Malta is master of all seven instruments in the saxophone family and exhibits his skills on the Malandro release Jeitinho Brasiliero (Brazilian Way). by Tom Schulte

PAU BRASIL - Pau Brasil (1983) Mp3

Faixas:
1 Azas Dos Ayres 4:25
Written-By – Azael Rodrigues, Nelson Ayres  
2 Na Baixa Do Sapateiro 9:28
Arranged By – Nelson Ayres  
Written-By – Ari Barroso 
3 Europa 1:38
Written-By – Roberto Sion
4 Frevo Do Pastóchia 2:30
Written-By – Paulo Bellinati
5 Jongo 5:19
Written-By – Paulo Bellinati
6 Pau Brasil 6:38
Written-By – Nelson Ayres 
Credits:
Drums – Azael Rodrigues
Guitar – Paulo Bellinati
Keyboards – Nelson Ayres
Saxophone, Flute – Roberto Sion
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Rodolfo Stroeter

PAU BRASIL - Pindorama (1983) Mp3

Tracklist:
1 Pindorama 5:17
Written-By – Wyatt, Ayres, Bellinati, Sion, Stroeter
2 Alakãi 3:03
Written-By – Hermeto Paschoal
3 Lundu 6:09
Written-By – Paulo Bellinati
4 Modinha 4:38
Written-By – Paulo Bellinati
5 Fogo No Baile 7:14
Written-By – Nelson Ayres 
6 Dança (Martelo) Das Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 4:28
Written-By – Heitor Villa Lobos
7 Só Por Amor 3:37
Written-By – Baden Powell, Vinicius De Moraes 
8 Bye Bye Brasil 3:39
Written-By – Chico Buarque De Holanda, Roberto Menescal
9 Caminho De Casa 7:25
Written By – Nelson Ayres 
10 Estilingue 8:11
Written By – Paulo Bellinati
Credits:
Piano, Keyboards, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Nelson Ayres
Flute, Saxophone – Roberto Sion
Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Violão – Paulo Bellinati
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Rodolfo Stroeter
Drums – Bob Wyatt

PAU BRASIL - Cenas Brasileiras (1987) Mp3

Tracklist:

1 Corta-Capim 3:19

Composed By – Nenê
2 Contados 5:07
Composed By – Paulo Bellinati
3 A Danca Do Saci-Perere 3:56
Composed By – Nenê
4 Cantilena 4:09
Composed By – Roberto Sion
5 Pixote 5:51
Composed By – Rodolfo Stroeter
6 Veranico De Maio 4:17
Composed By – Nelson Ayres  
7 Flora Do Mato 7:06
Composed By – Nelson Ayres  
Bonus Track
8 Cancao para Lupiscinio Rodrigues 4:27
Composed By – Nenê
9 Veranico de Maio 6:50
Composed By – Nelson Ayres 
10 Contatos 7:56
Composed By – Paulo Bellinati
Credits:
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Rodolfo Stroeter
Drums, Percussion, Featuring – Nenê
Flute, Saxophone – Roberto Sion
Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Cavaquinho – Paulo Bellinati
Keyboards – Nelson Ayres