Anytime David Byrne gets the chance, he pays homage to Brazilian music by releasing compilations on his Luaka Bop label that document the South American country's rich and varied musical legacy. From samba to forro, bossa nova to Tropicália, and recently an album featuring innovative artists from Pernambuco's mangue beat scene, for 20 years the Brazil Classics series has demonstrated Byrne's keen insight into what's brewing in Brazil -- past and present. Of course if he has any doubts he can always call up his friend Caetano Veloso. The latest in the series is "Brazil Classics at 20: Anti-Aging Solutions Revealed” a collection of crucial cuts from previous Brazil Classics compilations, seven in all. The ten-track album is being released in a limited edition vinyl format and digitally with some extra tunes. The record opens with Brazilian funk master Jorge Ben Jor and his "Ponta de Lança Africano," a paean to futbol player Umbabarauma that rides on the wave of Ben Jor's mighty riff and hypnotic percussion. Tropicália experimentalist Tom Zé follows suit with "MA" and MPB icon Chico Buarque chimes in with "Caçada," a forro-inspired tune he wrote in the early 70s. "Brazil Classics at 20" also showcases newer mainstays Lenine and Marisa Monte, along with other classic heavyweights such as Luiz Gonzaga, Maria Bethania, and Gilberto Gil. If listening to good music is a key to longevity, this is a record no Brazilian music lover should be without.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Luaka Bop's Brazil Classics Series Never Gets Old
Anytime David Byrne gets the chance, he pays homage to Brazilian music by releasing compilations on his Luaka Bop label that document the South American country's rich and varied musical legacy. From samba to forro, bossa nova to Tropicália, and recently an album featuring innovative artists from Pernambuco's mangue beat scene, for 20 years the Brazil Classics series has demonstrated Byrne's keen insight into what's brewing in Brazil -- past and present. Of course if he has any doubts he can always call up his friend Caetano Veloso. The latest in the series is "Brazil Classics at 20: Anti-Aging Solutions Revealed” a collection of crucial cuts from previous Brazil Classics compilations, seven in all. The ten-track album is being released in a limited edition vinyl format and digitally with some extra tunes. The record opens with Brazilian funk master Jorge Ben Jor and his "Ponta de Lança Africano," a paean to futbol player Umbabarauma that rides on the wave of Ben Jor's mighty riff and hypnotic percussion. Tropicália experimentalist Tom Zé follows suit with "MA" and MPB icon Chico Buarque chimes in with "Caçada," a forro-inspired tune he wrote in the early 70s. "Brazil Classics at 20" also showcases newer mainstays Lenine and Marisa Monte, along with other classic heavyweights such as Luiz Gonzaga, Maria Bethania, and Gilberto Gil. If listening to good music is a key to longevity, this is a record no Brazilian music lover should be without.
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