Stereo Deluxe

Brazilution
música electrónica com sabor do Brasil edição 5.4
präsentiert von Marcelo dos Santos Paraíba aka Marcelinho

Brazilution, the successful compilation series of Brazilectro creator Arndt Kielstrøpp, comes up with a serious punch in round four after changing its homebase to exquisite German label Stereo Deluxe. Ranging from acoustic listening pearls to deep club sounds, from rare grooves (watch out for Arthur Verocai!) to topical hits and from stars of the genre (Joyce, Marcos Valle, Bebel Gilberto) to brand-new discoveries (Apollo Nove, Cibelle, Sabrina Malheiros), this edition offers a unique sound panorama covering the most vivid songs and a cornucopia of surprising sounds. With fascinating insight and love for music, this compilation breathes new life into the otherwise dusted Brazil-genre. Three exclusive productions by Ian Pooley, Janice and Concorde à L’Orange add further value. Like the previous edition, this stylish and voluptuos double CD is subdivided into the smooth Sol Side and leg-warming Luna Side (in the mix by Arndt Kielstrøpp).

The SOL SIDE takes a laid-back and rather jazzy approach by offering a mixture of Bossanova classics, cool but funky Brazil tracks and some of the smoothest Latin tracks of today. The often quoted ease of the Brazilian way of life drips from every beat while the blessed singers of Brazil sweeten every song in a unique fashion.

The openeing act Apollo Nove (one of the most exciting young Brazilian producers) heralds upcoming pleasures with his bizarre space sounds with a knack for Hawaian influences. This crazy guy supposedly calls his own more than 60 vintage synthesizers and keyboards he makes heavy use of in his productions before peppering them with Ambient, D&B and NuJazz elements. The song “Inexplicata” not only radiates sophisticated vintage sound but also reveals his good sense of humour.

Diva Joyce who was born in Copacabana in 1948 is one of the rare great female acoustic guitar players of Brazil. Since the mid-1960s she has released close to 25 albums in various constellations. Her song “Rio Bahia” from the eponimously titled album (hailed by BBC 2 as “a thing of rare beauty” gepriesen), offers classic Bossa Nova enriched with jazzy flavours. Airy Support comes for Jazz pianist Kenny Werner.

In a funky and percussive way follows Marcos Valle “Nao Tem Nada Nao” (taken from his widely acclaimed 1973 album ”Previsao de Tempo”). This prolific singer/songwriter and producer conquered the world in the late 1960s with his classic album “Samba ‘68” and was rediscovered in the mid-1990s by the European club scene. He helped establish the Drum’n’Bossa sound and kept on releasing albums for Rare Groove fans who love his sensual Easy Listening productions with tasteful and organic electronic ingredients.

Otto is another highly-merited young artist who compels with his elegiac but swinging groove. His sound is like the art of a painter who splashes colour far beyond the actual painting. That’s why his song “Bob” directly tickles your soul and creates a gut feeling of squirming sound pleasures.

Like smooth splashing in the bathtub starts “Esplendor”, the beautiful contribution of former model and recent London inhabitant Cibelle Cavalli who was showered with praise (“She’s the bossa!”) after her 2003 debut release “Cibelle”. Roots magazine declared her “more adventurous than Bebel Gilberto, more interesting than Morcheeba.”. The former lead singer, muse and companion of Suba endows us with a floating piece of Brazilian pop music drenched in a charming version of authentic tristeza. Careful listening is rewarding, as the closing sing-along break meets some gracefully smooth final guitar chords.

What follows is the gorgeous ballad “Vivente” by Dutch band Zuco 103 centered around Brazilian singer/songwriter Lilian Vieira, the funky Bossa of British band Jazzinho (lead by Portuguese singer Guida da Palma) who allow beautiful Jazz and soul harmonies to shine in “Velejo”. Next come the Jazz Fusion track “Jogo do Amor” by Janice and the sophisticated groove of “Aqua” by Nina & Chris who like many of their gifted fellow musicians release on the renowned Far Out label. As conclusion to the Sol Side we are offered the smooth Bossa “All Around” by superstar Bebel Gilberto which was recorded in cooperation with Japanese guitar maestro Masaharu Shimizu. The feel of the song is like sinking into a sleek and pillowy cocoon.

Before all this, edition 5.4 has quite some diverse songs in store. Among the big highlights is Arthur Verocai who wins over hearts with his stunningly beautiful Soul crossover “Na Boco de Sol”. This song is taken from his 1972 debut album “Arthur Verocai” which today is traded at 500 US Dollars. Recorded under the regime of the military dictatorship, the album defies musical conventions and makes excessive use of figurative language to sneak under the censorship radar. However, this masterpiece recorded with full string orchestra never was a commercial success. Verocai returned to being music producer and advertising executive. It took him 30 years before he released his second album “Saudade Demais” in 2002.

Another Brazilian legend is singer/songwriter and guitarist Vinicius Cantuaria who is one of the major creative forces on the Brazilian pop world and has collaborated with some of the greatest artists ever, such as Laurie Anderson, David Byrne, Brian Eno, Bill Frisell and Arto Lindsay. On his 2005 album “Silva” he serves a compelling mixture of Bossanova, Jazz and Electronica. The album song “Saudades de Você” (”Longing For You”) however is quite an exception and bows to the the early days of Bossa Nova, a time when almost every lyric spoke of nothing but love, smiles and the blossoms of spring. After this rather traditional approach, the Nirvana cover “Come As You Are” by Roberto Coelho comes as mind-boggling surprise which makes us smile and curiously expectant for the offerings of the second disc.

On the LUNA SIDE Arndt Kielstrøpp presents a danceable mixture of uptempo Bossa, club Samba and seductive Latin House. As a charming detail right at the beginning, Bossa Futura alleviate the transition between sol and luna side with their song “Sol Y Luna”. British guitarist and his Columbian wife Annamaria combine spacey effects, Latin percussions, guitar and trombone solos with luscious vocals to make this song an all out winner.

Of course, big names such as Ian Pooley (with the exclusive and tremendously compelling track “Maestra” including a surprising Electro-Disco break), Thievery Corporation, Boozoo Bajou and Bah Samba (with their wonderful percussive hymn “Portuguese Love”) all show up to make this compilation an alluring treat.

Among the other highlights are Paolo Fedreghini & Marco Bianchi who since their 2005 debut album “Several People” and their version of retro Jazz buttered with plushy House beats have been a critic’s choice. Their sound ranges somewhere between the elegance of Milano and the warmth of Adriatic beaches, coated with a patina of melancholy and dreaminess. The album track „Spread Your Love“ adds high danceability to the seductive mix. A completely different groove reigns the exclusive title of German band project Concorde à L’Orange who casually drop some Brazil quotes, add some French House bonds and spice it up with Latin percussions to turn „A Bela e a Fera“ into an easygoing dance pleasure.

Miriam Aïda, daughter to a Swedish mother and moroccan father, studied at the Jazz Institute of Malmö where she first encountered the fascinating world of Bossa Nova. It was love on first sight, as Miriam ever after was determined to dedicate her life to this strong current of Brazilian music. In 1999 she teamed up with fellow musicians to form the band A Bossa Electrica ever since exploring new ways of finding contemporary answers to the classic calls of the Bossa Nova. The song „Skindo Lele“ from their 2004 debut album „Eletrificaçao“ sounds like a sensual summer’s dream: sunny but tinged in sweet melancholy. The Sumo Rebounce mix translates this dreamy tun into a tasty club tune.

Another special treat placed right at the center of CD2 is the Earth, Wind & Fire classic „Brazilian Rhyme“ framed by two of the most exciting young Brazilian singers Sabrina Malheiros (here remixed by Kenny Dope) and pop jewel Rosalia de Souza.

The brilliant pickup to this daringly selected trio is up to Rosalia de Souza who in her modern Samba “Canto de Ossanha“ (taken from her 2003 debut album „Garota Moderna“ = „Modern Girl“) allows to catch on the signature sound of producer Nicola Conte. Her endearing voice seems to melt down a sugar loaf in just one song and is supported by Easy Listening organ and vibraphon solo. Then Brazilution mastermind Arndt Kielstrøpp salvages the Earth, Wind & Fire classic „Brazilian Rhyme“ (featured on their 1977 album „All’n’All“ as interlude and live version) thus allowing a quick breather in the midst of all these powerful club productions. Combining cliché and class, this instrumental track radiates pure listening pleasures and triggers big smiles everywhere. Vocal grace Sabrina Malheiros descends from a renowned music family tree. For 30 years, her father Alex has been leading the legendary band Azymuth on bass. Being his offspring she highly profited from this special relation as her father invited some of his long-term studio pals for the recording of her 2005 debut album „Equilibria“. The album is devoted to both Samba and Bossa. Here we are blessed with the beautiful Bossa „Estaçao Verao“ which at the hands of Kenny Dope was taught some nice and easygoing groove.

The title of the final song „Jazz Room“ is slightly misleading as the 'Spiritual South Remix’ is a truly wicked track for the dancefloor. Paul Murphy & Marc Woolford Project deliver their hypnotic club sound tittilating the desire to leave the comfy listening couch and head for the next club with música electrónica com sabor do Brasil. Mission accomplished!

Edition 5.4 is presented by Marcelinho (football star of Hertha BSC Berlin) who contributes a song teaming up with the band of his homeboy Novinho (included as bonus track on CD1). The acoustic song „Mãe“ sounds as melancholic as it is animated and features Marcelinho on percussions and with additional vocals. During the FIFA WM 2006TM he will further promote this compilation with some live gigs – a true cultural ambassador Brazil!