Customer Reviews

Afro Sambas

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was recorded in 1990, and is actually a re-working of the groundbreaking "Os Afro Sambas", recorded in 1966 with legendary Brazilian poet/songwriter/beatnik Vinícius de Moraes (with vocal help from the wonderful Quarteto em Cy, as on this new work). Unfortunately, Vinícius had passed away by the time Powell got around to re-recording their masterpiece. Powell's reason for re-working this was because the sound quality of the original sessions wasn't the best, as well as the fact that everyone was drunk and sloppy! The original recording is great--and this is an amazing re-working. I'm a huge Powell fan, and this is among his best--he hasn't lost his touch. Amazing guitar work, strong compositions, and top-notch production. The style is a blend of samba, African rhythms and a touch of classical guitar. (By the way, in case you're looking for the original "Os Afro Sambas", the CD by the same title on Amazon is actually a French pressing of the newer CD--this is the one I own. I think the only available copies of the original are imports from Japan).

I bought the CD on the strength of the first reviewer's recommendation, and immediately found why it was sought for so long. This is a refreshing departure from the well-established samba mold. It is more than well-played, well-arranged music. It has a raw, mystical power rare in modern commercial music. Five stars for sure!

Great music, the guitar is incredible, the vocals are subtle and haunting!!! My brother had a copy in South America, and I have been looking for it a couple of years with out luck!! Today I just click it and there it is...

This is a fantastic CD! It has all the familiar samba elements -- i.e. the upbeat, infectious rhythm, the melacholic melodies -- and so much more.