Customer Reviews

BRAZILIAN GROOVE

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

 

 

I definitely don't agree with the reviewer who gave this album only 2 stars. Perhaps I'm not as much of a connoisseur of Brazilian beats as they are, but I still have a pretty good ear when it comes to appreciating a solid album, and this one was definitely solid (albeit a little too short). It's too bad the critical reviewer didn't recommend an alternative album, being such an expert and all.

This is a smooth and seamless compilation of contemporary Brazilian beats, with elements of funk, lounge,jazz and electronica melded together with the classic Brazilian styles of samba, samba-cancao (singing samba) and bossa nova as well as western pop styles. The album has a great atmosphere, conjuring up the cool and subtle sensuality that Brazilian music has long been prized for, but with funky beats and basslines to give it a contemporary edge. The opening track (Maria Moita) pairs a sinuous catchy melody with a jazzy retro feel and starts the album off with a bang.
Other great contributions are Outro Lado (very cool and melodic), Lagoinha, Mas Que Nada (a beat-driven remake of the 60's classic), Laura (a delicate love song) and Coco do Mundo, which has a trippy syncopated beat and lyrical pattern to match.

Overall, Brazilian Groove is deliciously sunny compilation, something you can dip into anytime for a bit of lightening up. However, there is a caveat: this album is not very heavy on electronica, so if you're into that, check out Sao Paulo Confessions by Suba, the ultimate in Brazilian electronica. If you're new to this whole thing and want an overview of all areas of Brazilian music today, check out The Now Sound of Brazil, a more wide-ranging compilation than Brazilian Groove, which includes the wonderful sounds of Bebel Gilberto, Cibelle and Suba.

This is a great CD whether you are an "expert" in Brazilian beats or a new comer; I don't agree either with Ms. Katayama and I have a considerable huge collection of Brazilian musics.
Each collection or style of music needs to be compared to its own context, and this CD is great in showing us new styles coming out of Brazil. Just listen to the great cut "Linda Cancao" and then you tell me what you think about it; that song alone makes this CD worth your time and money. Viva Brasil!!!!!!!!!!

Despite this album being a touch on the short side (a little under 50 minutes and the only reason I give it 4 stars) it still has so much to offer.
Beginning as it means to go on, "Maria Moita" is a drum and bass influenced track that gets you in the Brazialin mood, and urges you to listen on and allows you to gain an insight into beautiful Brazilian funky soul.
There are elements of hip hop and electronica as well as traditional Brazilian rhythms to provide a sensual backdrop to the start of any and every evening.
I really do recommend this compilation as a way to see how Brazil has shaped the music we listen to today - for me it was an education and a non-stop ride down to the sunny parts of Brazil through a magical musical journey!

Do not drive when listening to this very "DANGEROUS! your focus will be on the energetic beat that some of the tracks have and the others kinda bossa novaish, so your feet will want to bossa instead of breakish! I really have enjoyed this.

This is a great CD, fun, and good to listen to over and over again. We definitely recommend it.

Samba and bossa nova hop on the International electronica wave, and also add a bit of funk and soul, as the new generation of Brazilian musicians shake up tradition. Rosalia de Souza stays rooted in the traditional sounds of Bilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso, but mixes things up with contemporary club beats; Zuco 103 creates a totally new sound keeping a bossa nova back beat, but stirring in pop melodies, trip-hop ambience, and smoky jazz trumpet; Aleh introduces a bright electric guitar back drop, a surprisingly successful combination; Barrio Jazz Gang offers a mellow jazz-infused bossa nova track laced with surreal electronic dubs. Tracks range from traditional sounding to pop-like to jazzy-funky-carribean mixes, such as Electro Coco's danceable "Coco do Mundo."

I love this CD! It is so smooth and so cool. It is absolutely great music and if you're like me, you won't be able to help yourself from cranking it loudly in the car. Hey, who knows, it might even make you look cooler while you're cruising down the street (it could happen!).

Seriously, though, this collection is a refeshing change from the usual sad offerings from the American music scene. Getting to know the artists who are included has made me want to find more of their music. So, it's educational (and lifesaving!) as well as wonderful to listen to.

I highly recommend it to anyone who would like to branch out and spread their wings musically.

It's okay!There's NO Barry Manilow on this album--trust me.This is an EXCELLENT compilation of new Brazilian sounds.This is also one of Putumayo's better Groove albums.

Highlights-
1)Maria Moita-A retro,'50s styled song with a florid saxophone solo.For all its perkiness,it's about domestic violence.Despite its grim subject matter,the song is beautiful.
2)Outro Lado-A jazzy song from Zuco 103.Perfect music for relaxing with a cold margarita or mojito.And to think the song is about an unfaithful lover!
3)A Historia de Morena-Max de Castro blends a Hammond organ with a horn section to make a funky song.It's a very inventive song--and it's all about a woman who dances wearing nothing but body paint at Carnival.
4)Lagoinha-Carlinhos Brown recently contributed tracks to Bebel Gilberto (the peppy "Aganju"&"Jabuticaba" if you're curious)This song confirms why he's one of Brazil's greatest percussionists.He spices it up with Middle Eastern violins.
5)Mas que nada-A space age version of a Sergio Mendes classic.Yes,I'm using the term "space age" in its 50s&60s retro meaning.
6)Sou do bem-A joyous reggae-funk samba song.Has the strange cuica,a friction drum which could be called the Brazilian theremin.
7)Beleza-An upbeat hymn to beauty.I once had all 5 of my CDs on shuffle,and the CD player played this song,then Chico Cesar's "Beleza mano" on his self-titled CD.
8)Coco do Mundo-A delightfully weird,syncopated song.The singer,Viviani Godoy,looks like the Brazilian Jennifer Aniston.This is one of those "Must Hear Again&Again" songs.

This is an enjoyable album.Makes you think of the beaches in Rio....

I don't remember how promptly the Cd's came, but I think they came promptly. I cared more about what the music sounded like, and I like many of the songs. :)

I won't say this was a horrible CD because it wasn't, it's just when you've heard enough good Bass 'n Nova/Jazzanova albums, you will realize that this album cannot compare to the others that are out there on the market. Most of the songs on this album don't grab your attention the way they do on really great albums (and you all know what I mean - you know that feeling when you pop in a CD for the first time and just get hooked by the addictiveness of a great album? - well folks that's what I'm talking about). Unfortunately this album failed to deliver that effect. It's too bad because the artwork on the cover is really nice, not to mention the fact that Putumayo usually puts together an enjoyable, reliable series of world music. The inside of this CD also has a booklet which tells you a little bit about the artists and the songs, which is always nice to know. Having been an avid listener of Brazilian music my entire life, I am enjoying the transition of old meets new in Brazilian electronic music. It doesn't have the annoying, frantic beats that American techno/trance music has. Rather it is a simple, but truly enjoyable blend of samba and bossa nova mixed with modern and futuristic electronica dance beats and sounds. However if you really want to find out more about this new wave in Brazilian music, I would recommend checking out another album. Although this album has a decent lineup of new Brazilian electronic Bass 'n Nova/Jazzanova artists, it doesn't take advantage of showcasing any of their good songs.