Search - Eli Goulart Banda Do Mato :: Bicho Do Mato

Underrated, Stellar Album

bordersj2 | Boston | 09/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was my feature CD of the summer. I credit Break & Bossa for making me aware of Eli Goulart thanks to Nicola Conte's remix of Meu Samba - but I have to give most props to the Brazilectro series for turning me onto the original sound of Eli Goulart e Banda do Mato. It was Brazilectro where I got to hear Destino and even Sunny (2003 single on vinyl). This is a album that is really from the "roots", and that combines so many different styles of Brazilian music from soul, to African rythms to samba to the general tropical feelings. The artists on this group hail from many different places, and what you have when combined with the incredibly rich voice of Eli Goulart is that which he wanted to create. The sound quality of the CD is fantastic, and the order of cuts is just right. In the right stereo, in the right setting in the summer, it's as if you can visual these guys performing - and enjoying performing. Heavy on the horns, this isn't a cd you'll want to play to death. But given the right atmosphere, this is the perfect, light cd that will spark nostalgia and put you in a good mood. Stand-out tracks to me were "Destino", "Bicho Do Mato", "Palavra and of course the original to "Meu Samba". But most of the tracks, if not all, had a hook that I enjoyed. Unfortunately this cd was discontinued - it really did take a while for it to gain the notoriety that it deserved. It's on the "Unique" record label. But should you find this, and have an interest in the sort of jazz/bossa/band/rich sounds of Brazil, don't hesitate - PICK THIS UP! This is definitely the favorite of the CD's I picked up in the summer of 2003. And if you do have this, and like this, you may also be interested in the Italian jazz group Bossa Nostra featuring Bruna Lopez. And of course, take a peek at the Brazilectro 4 + 5 that has samples of their cuts - and Break & Bossa 5 + 6 which feature remixes of two of their cuts. There's something here for everyone. Enjoy!"