Customer Reviews

Back In Brazil

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I have to admit that I have a great deal of respect for Gilles Peterson as a DJ. Which is funny because I've never been to one of his shows (I had the opportunity to see him in Tokyo for New Years which I opted out of due to expenses. Not too bad since I got to see Ken Ishii rip it up instead). However, based on the Brazil Podcasts coming off his website, I was overwelmingly impressed his knowledge of music and love of music in general. Like Mr. Scruff, he seems less worried about overtechnicallities or mixing and just about amazing track selection. Which has influenced me to take chances in my DJ sets and be more adventurous with my sets. While this this is the only Peterson collection I have, I have to say I am impressed with it exposed me to even more music, making me the most annoying person in all of Niigata, Japan to talk about music with.

I'm definitely more in love with the first disc. I absolutely love that old Brazil sound and this CD is loaded to the gills with, favorites include Jorge Ben and a beautiful cover of California Soul. It covers the wide range of Brazil's sound (funk, soul, salsa etc.). The second disc has no shortage of hits too. Exploring a more modern Brazilian sound, it contains tracks from original Brazilian and influenced artists but with the dancefloor squarely in mind.

While I wouldn't mind hearing what this album might sound mixed, the unmixed presentation is a pleasure and allows for complete digestion of all of these songs, which there is neary a miss on here (though some of the tracks may not to be your liking). I recommend this album to anyone looking to expand their tastes into some South American territory, Wax Poetic readers, and jazz/soul/funk fans.

Most people give way more lip service to Brazilian music than they give actual time in their stereo systems. Even among the people who truly love the music, very few of them know a great deal about the artists they are feeling. Gilles Peterson is one of those rare people who both love the music and know it inside and out.

Gilles has been rocking Brazilian tunes over the airwaves and in the clubs for decades now. Back in Brazil is the iconic British DJs second foray into Brazilian compilations. This time out, he splits his focus on a double CD by dedicating one disc to legendary Brazilian musicians from the `60s and `70s, while reserving the second for modern Brazilian reggae, bossa jazz, and funk.

As I fall into the category of those people who love the sounds but have little idea about the artists, I'm not going to go into what is featured on this album or talk about stand-out songs. Suffice it to say, Gilles is an expert. If you are looking for an expert guide through some wonderful music, then this is the record for you. Back in Brazil is a wonderful introduction for novices and will probably fill some holes in the knowledge of more educated Brazilian music fans as well.

Is there such a thing as a dud Gilles Peterson compilation? Nope.

BACK IN BRAZIL's first disc is another amazing collection of classic and rare Brazilian grooves from the 60's and 70's, just like Gilles' first Brazilian comp. There are moments of absolute genius here and every last track is memorable. California Soul is a study in the bizarre: you have a karaoke-style vocal that wrecks the lyrics by someone who sounds like she would look positively stunning, yet is about to pass out from too much alcohol ... the rhythm section is off at times ... yet it all ends up being exquisite. Great stuff that must be heard to be believed, lol.

The second disc of BIB never really lights my fire until nearly the end, when we actually get some of the sounds most would want on a Brazilian comp, especially after the expectation set by Gilles first set. None of the songs are bad, but they don't stand out either.

All in all, I prefer the first IN BRAZIL better just because of the comparative weakness of the second disc here. But "weakness" is a relative term and it's fairly certain that you will like this set if you are a Gilles fan. Recommended.