With its amazing mix of Portuguese, African, and Indian musical genres, dances, and instruments, Brazil's pop scene is unique because so much of it is acoustic. This disc is a pleasing potpourri of mostly non-electronic t... more »unes sung by some famous and not-so-famous artists. Of course, the samba--the country's most dominant genre--and its offshoots are well represented here. The disc includes some well-known, previously released selections, including the Bahian, Tropicalismo pioneer Caetano Veloso's existentially poetic "Cajuina," guitarist Marcio Faraco's festive, Nordeste-nuanced "Ciranda," with the superstar vocalist Chico Buarque, and the perky, Maranhao-born Rita Ribeiro's samba-reggae number "Tem Quem Queira." Some lesser-known artists include the Arab-Brazilian vocalist Glaucia Nasser, Lula Queiroga, and Monica Salmaso, whose "Moro Na Roca" is a powerful, Angola-derived lundu/jongo homage to the legendary Clementina de Jesus. This disc adds credence to the phrase, "keep it real." --Eugene Holley, Jr.« less
With its amazing mix of Portuguese, African, and Indian musical genres, dances, and instruments, Brazil's pop scene is unique because so much of it is acoustic. This disc is a pleasing potpourri of mostly non-electronic tunes sung by some famous and not-so-famous artists. Of course, the samba--the country's most dominant genre--and its offshoots are well represented here. The disc includes some well-known, previously released selections, including the Bahian, Tropicalismo pioneer Caetano Veloso's existentially poetic "Cajuina," guitarist Marcio Faraco's festive, Nordeste-nuanced "Ciranda," with the superstar vocalist Chico Buarque, and the perky, Maranhao-born Rita Ribeiro's samba-reggae number "Tem Quem Queira." Some lesser-known artists include the Arab-Brazilian vocalist Glaucia Nasser, Lula Queiroga, and Monica Salmaso, whose "Moro Na Roca" is a powerful, Angola-derived lundu/jongo homage to the legendary Clementina de Jesus. This disc adds credence to the phrase, "keep it real." --Eugene Holley, Jr.
Sure, it's got sambas, though not the more upbeat ones.....
Mr Groovy 70s | Hobart, IN | 02/19/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
".....but still very fun and relaxful to listen to and enjoy. This is a nice set of low-key sambas, bossa nova, and acoustic guitar melodies which makes you feel more at ease with yourself (and sung in Portuguese, one of the world's most musical languages, even if you don't understand a word of it).
My favorites are tracks 1,3,4,5,7, and 9. In fact, this comment from the liner notes on page 18 about "Tem Quem Queira" (Someone Else Will Want It, track 7) by Rita Ribeiro should be rather interesting: (It) reflects the blend of Portuguese and African influences that are the foundation of Brazilian music (not to mention, the majority of the songs from this compilation).
Even if this isn't like the more high-energy sambas with the dozen-plus backup singers, the rhythms and harmony here are just as great, if not better. :)
BRAVO AGAIN PUTUMAYO"
Most songs great
Robert Lipsitz | Washington D.C. | 02/16/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Bought this at Wholefoods Market, they were playing while I was shopping and it sounded good. Now I listen to it at work and it helps me relax. I do not speak Portuguese but you dont need to.
The music is a compilation of samba, bassa nova and Brazilian folk music...obviously all acoustic and very good.
Highlights singers include Gal Costa, a modern day Gilberto Astrid. Anna de Hollanda full of evocative emotion. Marcio
Faraco perfect combination of guitar melody and singing harmony.
Tracks 5,6,7,8 really pack musical punch as haunting tunes that you'll find your self humming in the shower. Tracks 2, 10,11 dont do much for me but the CD ends on an ubeat note with Lula Queiroga. If you like Latin music, you cannot go wrong with this buy."
Great music
R. Goodman | No. California | 07/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I got this CD to dance my 8 month old baby to sleep -- it worked great for that. I've heard it so many times, but I love it everytime, and it keeps getting better. Track 4 is my favorite at the moment!"
Brazilian Brilliance
Amaranth | Northern California | 09/08/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Putumayo has never gone wrong with its Brazilian compilations.Like "Brasileiro",its first Brazilian compilation,this album is focused on the country's acoustic music.This album is reflective,relaxing,and at times bittersweet,like dark chocolate.
Highlights-
1)Aquele Frevo Axe-On this song,Gal Costa sounds like the more famous Bebel Gilberto.It's a delightful song,despite its theme of lost love.
2)Samba Triste-Ana de Hollanda sings a lilting,melancholy song.Her niece is Bebel Gilberto.It's unusually catchy for a "sad samba."
3)Ciranda-A bittersweet,powerful song about memory.It's also very hopeful.Marcio Faraco sings "If I want to run,time stops/If I stop to watch,the world goes on."
4)Meu Monde e Hoje eu sou assim-This is like a Cape Verdean morna.
5)Tem quem queira-This song sounds like a Brazilian version of a mariachi song.It's almost as if Rita Ribeiro was on Linda Ronstadt's "Canciones de mi padre." Very beautiful.Rita Ribeiro is a star in Brazil with her powerful voice.
Caetano Veloso,Chico Buarque and Monica Salmaso also contribute thoughtful,delicate songs.
This is a must for any Brazilian collection!"
Feels like a warm breeze brushing your skin
Scubafiend | St. Petersburg, FL USA | 11/23/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As with all Putamayo compilations this CD contains a variety of music from a specific region - in this case, Brazilian artists. Sometimes compilation CDs are very uneven in feel because of the variety of artists represented but this CD combination is a cohesive group of beautiful Brazilian accoustic music that makes me close my eyes and sway to the music.
This is a terrific compilation. There is not one bad song on the list. The quiet, accoustic feel is consistent throughout.
If you enjoy Brazilian music and want something a little less mellow I suggest the Putamayo compilation "Brasiliero". Other good Putamayo Latin mixes include "Cuba", "Latino Latino", and "Music from the Coffee Lands"."