Summer's hotting up, Wimbledon, The World Cup, festivals galore, it's the season for love, fun and music. So, despite my reservations concerning the political and social ramifications of The World Cup in Brazil, and despite the (inevitable) demise of Hodgson's England it would seem somewhat churlish if not downright rude to forsake the opportunity of celebrating a branch of the world's music tree that I've grown particularly fond of over the years. Though I have to say I'm more of an enthusiast than an export and this is a personal selection that barely scratches the surface of Brazil's rich and diverse music culture. Furthermore my focus is by and large on vintage music, the inspirational sound of Brazil in the classic era of MPB that continues to inspire a new generation of music makers who are now in the vanguard of the renaissance of those great traditions.
The first section is samba in slightly purer form without getting down into the deep folkloric nitty gritty, (which I could have done!!), there are bells and whistles and plenty of swinging energy. From there we take off into the boogie, the beach-bound sound of 2014 as far as I'm concerned, Brazilian music of this ilk, often sounds like Earth, Wind and Fire, ( It was very mush a two way exchange!) but swings like no there kind of funky dance music, because as I've always said when Brazilian musicians play other rhythms the feel is still samba , it's always there somewhere underneath.
Then we get deep into beauty and the harmonic lushness that is characteristic of so much Brazilian music; it's the influence of the European romantic tradition getting freaked out in the rain forest, it's the sound of conventional harmony with African looseness, it's the lineage that runs through Villa-Lobos and Jobim to a welter of disciples for whom melody and harmony is a key to unlocking the beauty inspired by the richness of nature.. or something like that.
Finally the tempo creeps up again, the bridge is Milton Nascimento, for any travellers wishing to explore Brazilaian music in any depth will surely be crossing over the majesty of his music.
I may be in danger of over-doing it on the purple prose front, so I'm going to reel myself in with the sobering thought that next week's show will be dedicated to the music of Horace Silver who recently passed away. Though of course that may well turn out to be another celebration too.
Enjoy ( the summer).
I'm at Southern Soul Festival in Montenegro this weekend…
http://www.southernsoulfestival.com
1.Verde & Amarelho - O Caminho De Samba
2. Sonzeira - Brasil Pandeiro
3. Cesar Mariano - Futebol De Bar
4. Brasil Selelection - Porque
5. Nega Atrevida - Samba O Portador Do Alegria
6. Sergio Mendes - Fanfarra
7. Os Originais - La Vem Salgueiro
8. Trio Mocoto - Swinga Sambaby
9. Marcos Valle - Estrelar
10. Sandra Sa - Terra Azul
11. Robson Jorge &Lincoln Olivetti - Ginga
12. Silvio Cesar - A Festa
13. Gilberto Gil - Palco
14. Jorge Ben - Oe Oe
15. Gal Costa - Bahia Da Todas As Contas
16. Cristina Camargo - Moral Tem Hora
17. Sergio Mendes - After Sunrise
18. Tamba Trio - Pregao
19. Dori Caymii - Gabriella's Song
20. Filo - Baiao Para A Sul
21. Orlando & Patricia - Num Dia Azul
22. Rosa Passos - Fossamba 70
23. Trama - Paciencia
24. Quintessencia - Cravo E Canela
25. Milton Nascimento - Club Da Esquinha No.2
26. Milton Nascimento - Fe Cega Faca Amolada
27. Ceu Da Boca - Bumba Meu Boi
28. Egberto Gismonti - Janela De Ouro
29. Dom Um Romao - The Angels
30. Marcelo - Algo No Ar
31. Da Lata - Ronco Da Cuica (Allstars Live Version)
