Customer Reviews

Black Rio: Brazil Soul Power, 1971-1980

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Certainly one of the strongest sets of Brazilian funk and soul that has been compiled to date, drawing heavily on the rarities of the so-called "Black Rio" scene that arose in the late 1960s and early '70s. Like other similar sets, this has a strong disco tinge, but it is mercifully short on the strained soul ballads by thin-voiced crooners such as Cassiano and Hyldon, opting instead for more rugged material bu the likes of Uniao Black, Copa 7 and Dom Salvador. Also included are big name artists like Banda Black Rio, Jorge Ben and Ben's one-time backup, Trio Mocoto, but also a slew of lesser known gems by Manito, Miguel de Deus, Eklipse Soul and others. This album's biggest coup is the inclusion of Antonio Carlos & Jocafi's surprise sizzler, "Kabaluere," a bass-heavy funk bomb with a strong Isley Brothers feel, recorded in 1971, by this otherwise fairly wimpy songwriting duo. Also has one track by Gerson King Combo, whose music remains mysteriously unmined by the retro crowd. This is a very strong collection; hopefull strut can come up with a follow-up volume or two of equal calibre. Recommended!

I picked this up out of the blue just based on the recommendation of a friend who owns a record store. I really hadn't even heard of this Brazillian funk movement. Wow. That's all I can say about this album. This is Sergio Mendes meets Parliment. If you ever get a chance to pick up this album, don't pass it up! It is a completely different slice of music history for those of us who think we've heard everything.