Customer Reviews

Beleza Tropical 2: Novo! Mais! Melhor!, Compiled By David Byrne

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

 

 

This comparison might be a stretch, but here goes: as JACKIE BROWN is to PULP FICTION, so is BELEZA TROPICAL 2 to the first BELEZA TROPICAL. The first BT is the best collection of "world music" I have heard. Naturally, I was prepared to be disappointed with part two, but seen in its own light, it is good, entertaining work. Where the first collection is generally lyrical and acoustic, the second is more overtly percussive and electronic. If you like the first, you'll probably like the second.

I am confused as to why Brazilian pop continues to be so overlooked by us North Americans. Why are we so culturally isolated? Except for fleeting, childish things like the lambada or dancing the macaroni, we are a myopic people. Don't get me wrong: I am inferior to most people in most ways. All I am saying is that this is great music that is worthy of a much, much larger international audience. Over the past few years, names like Gil, Nascimento, and Veloso have worked their way in my own estimation up to the status of, well maybe not Dylan and Lennon, but certainly Simon, Young, and Browne. Anyway, whatever.

I was first introduced to Brazilian music with Byrne's Brazilian Classics, prefering above the others, the Beleza Tropical #1. After loving that album so much for so long, the first time I heard Beleza Tropical 2 I was disappointed. BUT now I LOVE this CD! I don't know what the others who reviewed this CD are griping about. This is a great CD with a lot of fun tracks and talented artsits. There's a lot of MPB I really don't like but there is not on song on this CD I don't think worthy of a compilation like this. Ever since buying this CD, I haven't gone back to the first one. It was time for me to update my tastes for Brazilian music.

The title read Novo! Mais! Melhor! and had David Byrne's name on it. But it was anything but the title. Actually I thought this was downright dull. There are loads of compilations with much more flair-- like Nova Bossa for old, Cuca Nova/Red Hot+ Rio for new renditions. Great artists like Mercury, Monte and Veloso are wasted on this-- they're why the CD has two stars instead of one. The only song I enjoyed was "What is This", but I would suggest buying Sergio Mendes' Brasileiro instead of this one. Disappointing CD.. save your money

This CD is pants. Unfortunately, the Amazon system doesn't allow you to give less than one star. The cover artwork is shite, there is absolutely nothing new on the record, and it's a total waste of time and money. As a statement about Brazilian music of the 90s, look no further than the fact that one of the tracks was written in the 60s. The title, for those who don't speak Portuguese, means new, more, better. It's old, less, worse. Guess Byrne's love affair with Brazil must have gone off the boil. Try Chico Cesar's CuzCuz Clă instead. Now that really is new, more, better

Beleza Tropical, released 10 years ago, was the first release on David byrne's Luaka Bop label. It contained a perfect selection of Brasilian music and introduced thousands of people to the most wonderful music of South America. Now, ten years later, we've got Beleza 2. In stead of a new surprise with every song, we get a carefully selected list of songs that sound commercially enough to make it sound good to anyone -but where's the excitement ? This album is plain boring, except for maybe 2 or 3 tracks... (Sergio Mendes' "What is Love" to name one). No Beleza 3, please...

It's been a long ten years since David Byrne kickstarted his world music label with the first Beleza Tropical compilation, which highlighted the best contemprary Brazilian music of the eighties. A lot has happened to Luaka Bop (his label) since then and even more has happened to the music of Brazil. Where the first compilation had many downbeat, political songs, this new compilation is more bright and exuberant. The disc also captures the diversity of the country from its classic musical heroes (Gilberto Gil, Tom Ze, Marisa Monte) to new stars (Chico Science, Carlos Carega). Each song blends in native samba styles into new production techniques that embrace many styles from around the world. The result is as fresh as can be. World music junkies will probably be familiar with many tunes here (as some date back from 1989), but anyone with half an ear can enjoy the cultural richness and exuberance that flows throughout this compilation. Kudos also to the liner notes that provide both Brazilian lyrics and English translation.

It's very good to hear new artists like Carlos Careqa, Lenine and Arnaldo Antunes and of course the late Chico Science anthology of Brazilian music. I recommend to look for Carlos Careqa's MUSICA PARA FINAL DE SECULO and OS HOMENS SAO TODOS IGUAIS and CHICO SCIENCE'S AFROCIBERDELIA AND MANGUEBEAT. Congratulations to Luaka Bop.

This is a fair album if we compare it to the first one. David leaves outside many great singers/groups like Daude, Suzano, even the great Ed Motta; and on the other hand, some cuts are not worth listing in a "Beleza" (Beauty)album. Anyhow, Gilberto Gil's cut is excellent among two or three more. I stick with the first one.