Brazilian Jazz & R&B classic! Like Earth, Wind, & Fire! Tota
Nikolos Miranda | Northwest, USA | 08/29/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This Brazilian Jazz/R&B classic album is an all-star 70's session.
Paulinho Da Costa is a percussion master, his credit having played on any
West Coast/L.A. Jazz, R&B, Pop and even Rock session from the Disco era to now.
Any producer with taste knows he's the best kept secret in the recording industry, but he is a musician's musician first. There are many talented musicians who play with percision. Paulinho Da Costa is of that elite caliber. Master of his domain, and in the percussion world he is the epitome of real perfection.
HAPPY PEOPLE is excellent because of the fine quality of playing, singing, songwriting, arranging and the All-Time classic R&B style by producer Larry Dunn of Earth, Wind & Fire. This is one of his best Jazz collaborations,
he also helped make the classic Twennynine featuring Lenny White albums.
These songs have a fantastic Brazilian Earth, Wind & Fire-influenced vibe, with the heart of the best of 70's Jazz & Soul. The R&B sound blends perfectly with the Jazz Fusion groove. The song "Love Til the End of Time" is a classic. The Black Eyed Peas sampled it on their first ever hit 'Joints and Jams'. Recognition to all the players on this session, all 70's Jazz masters.
Certainly these Happy People make it sound so great. The singers on here are the best kept secrets of all, you have to hear it to see what I mean!
If you simply like Earth, Wind & Fire, this is essential listening.
If you like REAL classic Smooth Jazz, or Brazilian Pop Fusion this is highly recommended! I knew this was a timeless recording the first time I heard it.
A fine 1979 album thats a 70's Soul & Latin Fusion classic, also from that same year check out George Duke -BRAZILIAN LOVE AFFAIR! -A great era for music!
*Important note: In case you're wondering, the few bonus tracks featured in this import version are from his 1984 album SUNRISE, another great recording, although not quite as essential as this. (Includes the cuts, I'm Going to Rio, You've Got A Special Kind of Love, and a another cut I can't recall, an instrumental maybe)
*Incidentally, HAPPY PEOPLE badly needs to be reissued. The 1993 Pablo Records (Original Jazz Classics) CD version is out of print and that's a crime. Such great music deserves to be available at a fair price!
Try to find it used, I guess the price here is steep, but it is a Japanese import.
Truly all of Paulinho Da Costa's solo work should be reissued and remastered, along with this including- AGORA, SUNRISE, and BREAKDOWN.
He also made a 2005 release that isn't available in the US.
Just try YouTube, search his name and you will find interesting things!
The Best Percussionist you've always heard, but maybe not seen at play!
-Nik Miranda, musician and American Soul/Jazz/Funk fan
"
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1