Customer Reviews

Tales of High Fever

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

So what is the mark of a great disc? One that has longevity, rarely leaves your stack of discs to play and consequently does not collect dust. Of course, the music has to be above and beyond the norm, or for that matter, even good discs. All that criteria holds for this CD by Zuco 103. They just have the coolest sound, so retro, so now; it is innnovative yet classic stuff. Take track five, "Curso de Reclamacao,"(Complaining Course-Lesson 1) for example, as it begins with a smoking guitar picking introduction, followed by a snazy combination of organ tech and what sounds like one of those bizarre Australian instuments or some kind of electro fiddling that leads into the smooth vocal stylings of Lilian Vieira. Suddenly the music has shifted into a pure bossa nova groove and your under the hypnotic spell of Vieira's Brazilian musings. This is a group of three that makes music that sounds like many more thanks to the prgramming by the Stefans Kruger and Schmid. The addition of their drums and keyboards compliments the vocals perfectly, soft and suttle blending for an earthy sound. Their sound is combination of jazzy, electro, bossa nova, trip-hop, drun'n bass samba, puntuated by mesmerizing sexy vocals in Portuguese and English. The music is a happy concoction that leaves you wanting to hear it over and over. This is one of the best discs from last year that will surely be getting play for many years to come. Lilian Vieira is an electric Girl from Ipenema for the 21st century that teams with her European band members musicians for some very eclectic but great contemporary music. This is an excelelnt disc that deserves to be in your world music collection. It's eclectic electric samba carnival time!

I came to purchase this CD in a very round about fashion. As a fan of the brilliant Uruguayan guitarist Leonardo Amuedo, I had purchased his extraordinary cd Angel de la Guardia and many other cds that he played on. This led me to the Amsterdam based recordings of Bacan, of which the cd Cara is my favourite. Bacan has two cds which features Lilian Vieira, the self titled cd Bacan (1994) and their second release Cara (1996). I was enthralled with the breadth of Lilian's vocals and how she can be both sensual and powerful at the same time. She is now one of my all time favourite vocalists, so naturally I had to find out what Zuco 103 was all about. Needless to say that this is an exceptional recording that is both modern but doesn't throw out the musicians with the bathwater! It incorporates complex rhythms that make you dance on the inside ;-), great compositions and arrangements with a modern edge and 'beats' that don't overshadow the music but organically merge all the elements. Leonardo Amuedo and a host of other guest musicians make it even more enjoyable. The two Stefan's are master craftsmen to say the least. So what are you waiting for..? Buy it!!!

I saw this group in Barcelona and they have such an amazing energy surrounding them that kept the international crowd interested and hopping as well as infusing their music with influences from hiphop, techno, and jazz! awesome group live and on cd!

Most of the reviews for this incredible CD are right on the money - a progressive blend of numerous styles. I am only adding my two cents worth here because I can honestly say that I do not like "dance mix" or "electronica" in general, but am usually a fan of jazz, Brazilian jazz, singer/songwriter, etc. But I love this CD!! Despite one or two tracks that I find aimless and annoying, I am willing to give it "5 stars" - because it is brilliant! These three musicians and their numerous cohorts have cooked up an unbelievable blend that has a little something for everyone. Further, the way the lead singer changes her vocal tone to suit the song makes this CD worth purchasing in itself. A great CD to connect fans of many musical genres.

I couldn't agree more with the other reviewer. I also saw them playing in Seattle at Bumbershoot and it was simply amazing. Everyone just couldn't stop dancing. If you like artists like Suba, you're going to love Zuco 103. On their live performance not only they played songs from Tales of High Fever but also covers of recent Brazilian music classics like Chico Science and Jorge Benjor. Highly recommended.

This band from Amsterdam combines different musical styles from Brazil with a groovy, jazzy and funky touch which is very much their own. The hybrid which resolves does justice to both musical styles and results in a very good CD. Compared to their first CD this one is much more mature musically and is not likely to disappoint you. Highly recommended.

I just saw them live and it was one of the best performances I have ever witnessed. It was their first in this country - GO SEE THEM!!! The energy was fantastic! The music is so good - international trip hop. WOW.

Zuco 103 is my favorite of the nueva bossa nova groups. These guys are funky, and this album much moreso than outro lado (which was more drum and bass sounding). Lilian Viera is an excellent vocalist with a lot of personality. The mix of sounds is amazing, and with every listen you will notice something new. I haven't heard a funlier album since the Brand New Heavies. Can't miss tracks:

Treasure: great bass line and sing-able chorus
Peregrino: awesome dance track
Babette Vambora: a super funky remake, unrecognizable
Voltando: more on the vibe of outro lado...downtempo track
Brasil 2000: classic sounding track (like mas que nada) with some elecro mixed
I came, but...:: think of a smoky bar with a band like the Roots

Also look for one up and one down, as well as similar-sounding bands like Si*Se and Esthero and Red, Hot and Rio

This cd is alot less mellow than their album Outro Lado. The sound is definately Brazilian, but jazz, blues, electronica, hip hop, world pop and rock influences seem evident. Zuco takes these disparate elements and synthesizes them with a very pleasing result.

A great example of this would be track 5, Curso de Reclamacao. I'm not sure what genre you would place it in, but whatever it is its great!

Actually, I bought this CD for the first song imagining that the other songs would be as good as the first one. However, they are not even close to the quality of the first song. The album does not have a consistent melody or unity in it. Also, African flavors do not go well with the Latin tunes!