Customer Reviews

Red Hot + Rio: Pure Listening Pleasure

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I got this CD on a whim a few years ago, and it's now one of my favorites. Like another reviewer said, I had to listen to it a few times before it grew on me. But that doesn't mean it's bad; that just speaks of its uniqueness. What "Red, Hot & Rio" offers is not something I'd ever heard before, or since, really.

There are several reasons I like this CD. For one, the proceeds go to benefit AIDS awareness efforts. Second, this is good "background" music -- even when upbeat it allows you to hold a conversation and not get distracted by the music. But the coolest thing is the selection of music itself.

"Red, Hot & Rio" contains almost a mini-evolution of Brazilian music. It starts out mellow and somewhat traditional. The sound of the bossa nova "Desafinado," for instance, is quite laid-back and timeless. But gradually, the music begins to rev up, as current performers experiment with classic sounds. Some techno beats are thrown in, some modern hooks, lots of interesting drums and percussion, even some rap. The end of the CD sounds completely different from the beginning of it -- almost like you've just gone through 40 years of Brazilian music on one CD.

I can't honestly say I love all the songs; I tend to favor the first half of the CD over the second, save a couple of songs (such as "Refazenda"). But that's the beauty of CDs: You simply skip over those songs you don't care for.

Of course, people who like the "original" bossa nova or samba sounds will be disappointed. They don't want the music to have changed and evolved, but to remain exactly the same as it was 40+ years ago. (Ironically, samba enthusiasts felt the same way about the bossa nova movement in the 1950s.) But that's what I love about this CD. It pushes the limits of this style of music. The core of all the songs is the same, just the techniques and deliveries have changed. That's what makes it interesting.

People who have records of Antonio Carlos Jobim and Gilberto Gil and expect this to sound like more of the same should stay away from this CD. People who are open-minded to experimentation with a classic style of music would be more likely to embrace it.

If you like Bossa Nova, particularly Antonio Carlos Jobim, you will love this CD. It has covers by many current artists of his songs, as well as some other Brazilian music. I like how the liner has the lyrics in English, but almost all the songs are in Portuguese. The David Byrne Waters of March in an exception, where he sings in English, and a woman is singing in Portuguese, but it works out very well.

An excellent addition. I have most of the songs on the album on at least two other CDs, but the artists have played with the songs enough to complement the originals.

RED HOT + RIO is by far one of the best compilations out there. The album is an eclectic mix of Brazillian-influenced music (Samba, Porteguese, African, and Indigenous beats, ryhthms, and melodies). It doesn't matter if you don't know Porteguese, you'll find yourself humming a long, perhaps even dancing to the provocative and beautiful songs. I must have listened to this album through hundreds of times...it's perfect for long drives or as background music for dinner parties. The duets on this album are particularly strong; Astrud Gilberto and George Michael's duet and David Bryne and Marisa Monte's duet are very inspiring, sensuous, and beautiful. Overall, though, this album is a must have for anyone's collection. You'll certainly keep pressing repeat on this album.

Now, mind you, I can't tell the samba from the bossa nova from...some other type of music that might be played in Brazil. But I still have an interest in hearing the quasi-tropical cocktail lounge-style pop tunes of this mighty South American giant. They speak Portugese there, you know. And are known to launch at a moment's notice into the lamabada, which is a forbidden dance.

Most of the songs contained herein were written way back in the day by Antonio Carlos Jobim and at least a few should be vaguely familiar: "The Girl From Ipanema", of course, but also "One Note Samba", "Waters Of March", and "Water To Drink". But these aren't the original versions--they're updates in a variety of styles. Some work pretty well, some will make you want to hurl (mainly Sting's take on "How Insensitive", which is droning and pointless).

Notable are: a punched-up synth-heavy "Ipanema" by one-hit-wonder Crystal Waters, jazz group Incognito on "Water To Drink", world-music-loving David Byrne and sultry Marisa Monte on "Waters Of March", the well-known Caetano Veloso and Ryuichi Sakamoto with the lesser-known Cesaria Evora on "E Preciso Perdoar", Stereolab's quirky and strange "One Note Samba", and Bebel Gilberto on "Preciso Dizer Que Te Amo".

The Red Hot series, which started with the Cole Porter tribute "Red Hot + Blue", has always done excellent work and this compilation is no exception. If you'd like to sample Brazilian pop music of a certain era but you're terrified of breaking out your dad's dusty old Jobim LPs, this is a great way to see what's what.

Also the liner notes are extensive and informative, so you really get your money's worth. I'm still not clear on the divide between samba and bossa nova, but I reckon that's my fault.

I loved this CD. The first song I heard from this CD was the Chrystal Waters version of "the Girl from Ipanema". From there, I looked all over for the song but could not find it. Finally I did on an English Dance compilation, which led me to this CD, Red Hot + Rio. From there, I fell in love with the first song, which is a little bossa nova, the last song, and everything inbetween.

This disc, made in 1996 I believe, in some ways I think can be credited for some of the new sounds coming from Brazil, like Brazil 2 Mil and BossaCucaNova and etc. Although the songs are revisited and remade classics, the popular musicians of that time internationally and in Brazil all contributed. Caetano Veloso, Marisa Monte, David Byrne along with Stereolab (they made a brilliant remake of 1 Note Samba with Herbie Mann), George Michael, Maxwell, Money Mark (beastie Boys) and Gilberto Gil - and what some people will love is that Bebel Gilberto is even on the final track titled Eu Preciso Dizer Que te Amor (I must say that I love you) that was recorded with Cazuza, who passed away due to AIDS, I believe. That is by far my favorite track on the CD.

A terrific disk. You will not be disappointed - and FYI - it has two companion pieces - Nova Bossa, which has the original versions of most of the songs as performed by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Gilberto and Stan Getz (Album cover and disc is almost identical to this one) Ondha Sonora - Red Hot and Lisbon - tributing to the Sound of the Portugal, Angola and Brazil - major Portuguese speaking nations and their music.

Have you ever listened to music and had it truly speak to you? I cannot and would not want to speak for anyone but myself; however, this CD is truly moving in its complexity, simplicity and beauty. Bossa Nova is one of those musical gifts from God and it is a pleasure to have some of today's more talented artists experimenting with it. Bom Dia!

I love every song on this CD and it has led me to purchase many other Brazilian artists CD's. It is a great introduction to Samba and great remakes of some Brazilian artists. I recommend it as a great starter for anyone interested in Samba/Jazz.

..except for a small number weak tunes and the odd 'short blips' between full songs, this is a wonderful CD. Favorite tracks include a very hip 'Corcodova' by Everything but the Girl and a wonderful duet by George Michael and legendary girl-from-Ipanema, Astrud Gilberto. Maxwell, the David Byrne/Marisa Monte duet, Cesaria Evoria and Caetano Veloso are also outstanding. I taped the video of this album when it first came available in various PBS channels on VHS. Unfortunately the quality is poor especially on HDTVs so I wish MTV through it's original producer, subsidiary MTV Brasil would someday make a DVD available.

This is one of the few CDs I am really enthusiastic about. The sound quality is perfect and so is the choice of titles and their new interpretation. The fact that by purchasing this wonderful latin jazz compilation you also contribute to AIDS help organisations is just the icing on the cake.

of the many red hots i've listened to, this one is the best!

the music, those great catchy samba and bossa nova tunes that became wildly popular during the 1960s, are suited to each of the artists making a guest appearance on the cd.

among the highlights are the trip-hop infused 'corcovado' by everything but the girl, the dance-club happy 'boy from ipanema' by crystal waters--which also contains one of her best vocal performances--, sting's loving, pensive 'how insensitive', maxwell's calming 'security' and caetano veloso's highly erotic 'e preciso perdoar'.

the collection, generally speaking, is a great party cd and each song is treated with a great deal of ingenuity and integrity.