São Paulo Confessions

Suba | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 1, 2000)
• Original Release Date: February 1, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Six Degrees
• ASIN: B000044U30
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,245 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #24 in Music > Latin Music > Urban > Latin Electronica
  • #44 in Music > World Music > Latin Music > Samba

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com's Best of 2000

Yugoslavian-born producer Suba moved to São Paulo, Brazil, in the late 1980s, bringing with him experience in jazz, classical music, theater, ballet, and film. São Paulo Confessions brings the 18-million-strong city to musical life with an ambitious and unique fusion of classic Brazilian styles and modern electronics. The result is a magical blend of Afro-Brazilian rhythms, dreamy vocals, and forward-looking techno. --Marc Greilsamer

Amazon.com

First heard on the Brasil 2Mil compilation, the late Suba was part of a new generation of South American musicians (although he was originally from Central Europe) who married airy melodies and percussion with the electronic scene. His music worked especially well because he was a trained musician, and he contributed not only programming but also keyboards to this record. Aided by various vocalists and percussionists, he created grooves that were a million miles from Latin dance but spoke both to Brazilians and club goers. There was a lushness to his sound that captivated, and when the percussion exploded, it came on like fireworks, not a firestorm. This is the sound of one of the world's biggest cities, where darkness can lurk even under the blue skies. It's a shame there'll be no more music from Suba. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Groundbreaking and Phenomenal, January 4, 2004

By 

bordersj2 (Boston) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: São Paulo Confessions (Audio CD)

I hadn't written a review on this one but I felt the need to correct a few misconceptions on the previous review. Suba was a fantastic producer and artist out of Sao Paulo (but I believe from Yugoslavia originally) that focused on the new sounds of Brazilian music and he loved the Brazilian underground sounds. He worked with Joao Parahyba (of Trio Mocoto fame) and many many other talented and respected producers and musicians out of Brazil. In fact, before Suba tragically passed away, he had finished this album and was producing Bebel Gilberto's "Tanto Tempo" (Suba, Bebel Gilberto, Zuco 103, Celso Fonseca, Cibelle are all on the same label at the time - Ziriguiboom). Unfortunately, he passed away in a fire in Sao Paulo. I believe he made it out of the fire, but died when he returned to his apartment to recover his works.

This album is awesome. It's very dark and mysterious - it embodies what he wanted from this album - to show a dark side of Sao Paulo through music. It's consistent through in through with breathtaking beats & samples and sexy vocals. Suba features Taciana, Katia B (her album is okay too), Cibelle (her album is great!) and even Arnaldo Artunes in the cuts. Each artist integrates a certain touch to this cd, and helped to establish the sound and feel of this cd. I literally enjoy every single track... especially Tantos Desejos, Segredo, Pecados da Madrugada and Na Neblina.

I have to recommend this - you haven't really checked out electric Brazil if you haven't heard this cd. So many artists have gone in a direction similar to Suba's. And if you have this, you MUST check out his "Tributo" album where fantastic artists remake his songs + some uncut Suba tracks are there. The song: "Are You Sleeping", featuring Katia B is soooo Suba. Also, again, Bebel Gilberto's cd has his touches on it as he produced it. And the compilation Caipirissima has a cool cut on it + some dark Bossa. Other comps I recommend with Suba: Brasil 2Mil, Rough Guide to Brazilian Electronica, Brazilectro series.

I will personally miss Suba's music - he left too soon! One can only imagine how much more great music there would be if he was with us today.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunningly unique and totally addictive..., October 9, 2001

By 

nicjaytee (London) - See all my reviews

This review is from: São Paulo Confessions (Audio CD)

Looking for a mix of laid-back bossa-nova, acid-jazz, industrial techno & slowed down electro-grunge, with an Irish jig violin and a demented Brazilian chanter thrown in for good measure?... No?... Well shame on you because that's what we have here and it's quite wonderful. Featuring some of the most complex and innovative fusing of styles I've ever heard, this record is unique, challenging, often beautifully atmospheric and totally addictive.

Describing the music is a challenge in itself: imagine Astrud Gilberto's vocals, Café del Mar's ambience, Talking Heads' poly-rhythmical back-beats (often sounding like, and for all I know actually based upon, a group of Brazilian street-kids playing syncopated bin-lids), coupled with odd electronic sounds and insidiously looped samples and you're getting close. How Suba conceived of such a bizarre combination is a marvel in itself; how he forms it into a satisfyingly cohesive whole is stunningly impressive. And, before you know where you are you've been happily drawn further and further into his weird world to emerge wanting... more!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Romantic and Rhythmic Music For Your Soul and Body, April 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: São Paulo Confessions (Audio CD)

Even if you can't speak Portugese, this music transcends all barriers to enjoyment. First off, it is unmistakably Brazilian in its musical character, taking the best of influences of the Brazilian master musicians of the past and imbuing it with a very modern feel. Nothing is lost of the wonderful sambas and percussive flavor that defines Brazilian music. It's all there and more. The singers are silver throated, the musicians, messengers from the Gods. You will hear many familiar melodies intertwined in the arrangements of these songs as they seamlessly blend in with the modern mixing that the late Suba put together. It really is a loss that this fellow is no longer with us to continue this work, but, I'm sure others will step up. This cd is far above the other release that 6 degrees has put out, Zuco 103. This is a much more modern and masterful offering with great tracks that deepen with each listening. Zuco 103 is much more middle of the road stuff, not bad, but, not far reaching as this music is.