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CD PicksThe following CDs offer some of the finest examples of Brazilian, Cuban, jazz and world music. If banished to a desert island with just these CDs, plenty of batteries and a portable CD player, I think I could live happily for several years (without checking voice mail or email!) There is no filler on this list. Each of these CDs represents a deep well of music. Overwhelmed by the options? Then start with my current obsessions. Let me know which ones you like best, or if you have personal favorites you would like to add to the list. Happy listening! — Gary Muszynski
I. CURRENT OBSESSIONSMaria Bethania — Ambar (Metro Blue/EMI) A stunning recent work by one of Brazil's greatest female singers. Features lush orchestration, passionate ballads and sophisticated compositions that combine classical music, jazz and rock. Amazing musicianship and production work throughout. Joyce — Astronautica (Blue Jackel) This loving tribute to Elis Regina, one of Brazil's greatest female vocalists, features stunning vocals by one of the world's outstanding voices. Musical styles include MPB (a blend of samba, rock, funk and jazz), samba, and bossa nova. Very innovative arrangements and instrumentation. Guest performances by American jazz greats Joe Lovano and Mulgrew Miller. Paolo Moura e Os Batutas — Pixinguinha (Blue Jackel) This style of Brazilian music, called Choro, was popular in the early 1900s. Somewhat similar to ragtime, Choro combines classical music, jazz and samba. Instrumentation includes mandolin, guitar, clarinet, saxophone, trombone and percussion.
II. BRAZILIAN MUSIC—COMPILATIONSOvewhelmed by the range and variety of Brazilian music? Try starting with a few compilations as a way of discovering which styles or artists hook you the most. A Century of Song — 4 CD set (Blue Jackel) This terrific set is divided into 4 CDs: Folk and Traditional, Carnaval, Bossa Nove Era, and MPB (Pop). The most comprehensive collection of Brazilian music available in the United States. O Samba — Brazil Classics 2 (Ryko) This compilation by David Byrne is a great introduction to samba. Includes performances by Agepe, Clara Nunes, Martinho da Vila, Gal Costa and other greats. Brasil Now (EMI) - Assorted This compilation includes more recent performances from greats such as Caetano Veloso, Lo Borges, Nana Caymmi, Eliane Elias and Paulinho da Viola. Yele Brazil (EMI) - Assorted Contemporary music from Bahia, Brazil - an area with a particularly strong African influence. Forro — Brazil Classics 3 (Ryko) - Assorted Forro, a regional style of music from the northeast of Brazil, is reminiscent of zydeco music from Louisiana. This compilation features many of the greats, such as Luis Gonzaga and Jackson do Pandiero. Visom Brasil — Contemporary Instrumental Music from Brazil (Visom) A great mix of samba, acoustic instrumental music, jazz and other influences. Terrific recording quality.
III. INDIVIDUAL BRAZILIAN ARTISTSEgberto Gismonti — O Sol do Meio Dia (ECM) This music from genius composer and performer Egberto seems to come from another time and planet. Featuring Nana Vasconcellos and members of the group Oregon, it is impossible to categorize. Influences include jazz, classical and Brazilian folkloric music from the Amazon and the Northeast. Be prepared for an amazing trip! Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto — Getz/Gilberto (Verve) This was an instant classic when it first came out and remains a classic today. If you've never heard the father of Bossa Nova, you'll never be the same after listening to this CD. Great collaboration between American jazz saxophone great Getz and Brazilian legends Antonio Carlos Jobim on piano and Joao Gilberto on guitar and vocals. Antonio Carlos Jobim and Elis Regina — Tom e Elis (Verve) Alongside Gershwin and Ellington, Jobim is one of the greatest composers of twentieth-century popular music. His compositions are marked by magical and unforgettable melodies, poetic lyrics and swinging rhythms. Elis is one of the great voices of Brazilian music. Gilberto Gil — Quanta Live This disc won a well-deserved Grammy for best world-music CD of 1998. High energy from start to finish, it captures a great group at its peak, on tour through Europe and the United States. His studio version, simply called, Quanta, is also dynamite and not redundant. Carlinhos Brown — Alphagammabetazado Carlinhos is a runaway legend in his native Salvador, the capital of Bahia. This music is a great blend of rock, funk, rap, rock, samba and jazz. Very skillful production work by one of the most innovative pop artists in the world. Daniela Mercury — Arroz e Feijao Daniela offers a wonderful example of contemporary pop from Bahia. Very eclectic, with Carnaval drumming provided by Groupo Olodum, joined with funk, reggae, jazz and samba. If this music doesn't get you dancing, better have someone call the coroner! Caetano Veloso — Livro A recent work by one of the world's great singer/songwriters. Combines Bahian Carnaval drumming with rich harmonies and orchestrations reminiscent of Gil Evans. Milton Nascimiento — Clube da Esquina This early work clearly shows why Milton is considered to be one of the most passionate and talented singers on the planet. This music sounds as fresh today as it did when it burst on the scene in the 70's. The compositions, lyrics, singing, and arrangements make this some of the most sophisticated and compelling popular music around. If you like this one, you should also check out Minas — another earlier work, and Txai for a more recent example.
IV. LATIN AND BRAZILIAN JAZZSarah Vaughn — Brazilian Romance Dizzy Gillespie — Bahiana (Verve) Wayne Shorter & Milton Nascimento — Native Dancer (Columbia) Chucho Valdes — Bele Bele en Havana (Verve) Jerry Gonzalez and the Fort Appache Band — Rumba Para Monk Michele Camillo — Rendezvous Andy Narrell — Down de Road Don Pullen and the African-Brazilian Connection — Ode to Life (Blue Note) Steven Turre — Sanctified Shells (Antiles)
V. CUBAN AND CUBAN—INFLUENCED MUSIC Cuba: I am Time (Blue Jackal) — Compilation From Afro-Cuban Music to Salsa (Piranha Records) — Compilation Los Van Van — Pone Cabeza Mala Ricardo Lemvo and Machina Loca — Tata Masamba
VI. JAZZ CLASSICS AND PERSONAL FAVORITES Miles Davis — Kind of Blue (Columbia) Les McCann and Eddie Harris — Swiss Suite (Atlantic) Keith Jarret — Koln Concert (ECM) Thelonius Monk — Straight, No Chaser (Columbia) John Coltrane — Best of John Coltrane (Atlantic) McCoy Tyner — Trident (Milestone) Chick Corea and Return to Forever — Light as a Feather (Polydor) Abby Lincoln — A Turtle's Dream (Verve) Art Pepper — Live at the Village Vanguard — Friday Night (Contemporary) Weather Report — Black Market
VII. BEYOND CATEGORIESThe Sambistas — RhythmFest — (One World Music) Dance grooves drawn from Africa, Brazil, Trinidad, and Cuba. This CD features a variety of styles including rumba, samba, samba-reggae, jazz and funk, and a few meditative pieces as well. This CD can be sampled in the products section of our site and purchased on-line with a direct link to amazon.com. Click here to visit our Products area and hear samples of RhythmFest by The Sambistas
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