Brazilian Beats CD - Import

Latin music specialists Mr Bongo have assembled an overwhelming compilation in BRAZILIAN BEATS. Though it's probably targeted at the advanced listener, the disc is so diverse and consistently surprising that it's just as likely to ensnare the curious Brazilian music novice too.

Beginning with a trio of remixed heavily rhythmic tracks, the listener is transported to Rio via a house party. Airto Moreira's famous "Celebration Suite" is stripped to a dancefloor cut, a deliberate nod to both past and future. While other name artists appear--Jorge Ben's Afro-groove "Carolina Carol Beta" and Milton Banana's "Cidade Vazia" are present and correct--many of the delights come in the form of lost treasures. Tenorio Jr and Trio Mocato respectively highlight the breadth in Brazilian jazz and pop, its influence on Western pop, and the foreign elements it soaks up in return. Samba, bossa, mangue, even funk, and a wealth of complex regional styles engulf the listener throughout this collection.

A spectacular triple disc collection of the great tracks from way south of the border where the samba and bossa nova are king and inspire the next generations that have followed in their tracks. Here you'll find a vast variety of sounds from the clubs of Rio and Brasilia from some of the best artists that use electronic instruments to bring the soul of Brazil into the 21st century.The Wire (5/00, p.62) - "...Skowa & Mafia's cover of The Headhunter's 'Deus Me Faca Funky' and Anna Mazzoli's electro-shocked 'Eu Sou Mais Eu'. The best tracks...are those which stick to standard Brazilian blueprints..."
Muzik (3/01, p.70) - 5 out of 5 - "...It's always refreshing to sample a new genre....An excellent selection of music..."