NEW RELEASES - GILBERTO GIL, PAULINHO & PACIFICO MASCARENHAS, LUIZ CARLOS DA VILA

GILBERTO GIL - COPACABANA MON AMOUR

An incredible bit of soundtrack work by Gilberto Gil – and one of his best albums! The record was originally recorded to accompany the work of director Rogerio Szanzerla, and it's a wonderful mix of samba, jazz, and post-Tropicalia psychedelia – all recorded in a warm intimate style that's similar to Gil's legendary London recording from 1971! The tracks are some of the most pioneering that Gil ever recorded – and they break free of the time and space constraints of some of his studio albums, stretching songs out into long open-ended explorations, 4 of which are over seven minutes long. Gil's vocals are extremely soulful, and his guitar playing is free and jazzy, often interspersed with some nice funky flute and percussion work. Titles include "Diga A Ela" in two versions – plus "Mr. Sganzeria", "Blind Faith", "Yeh Yeh Yah Yah", and "Tomorrow Vai Ser Bacana". ~ Dusty Groove

PAULINHO & PACIFICO MASCARENHAS - UM PASSEIO MUSICAL

A really obscure little set from late 50s Brazil – and a record that's a key link between jazz and bossa nova! Singer Paulinho's got a style that's definitely rooted in jazz – as is the Pacifico Mascarenhas combo, which uses great piano lines to underscore the light rhythms on drums and percussion – but there's also an early bossa vibe going on here – one that borrows a bit from Latin piano combos from New York and Havana, but tunes them down and mellows them out – creating a sense of spaciousness that's perfect for the vocals. Paulinho's also got this light style that's more bossa than most Brazilian singers of the time – and titles include "Foi Assim", "Em Teus Bracos", "Vieram Me Contar", "Pam Pam Pam", "Por Favor Amor", and "Juras De Amor". ~ Dusty Groove

LUIZ CARLOS DA VILA - PRA ESFRIAR A CABECA

An overlooked gem from 80s Brazil – a rare bit of indie samba work from Luiz Carlos Da Vila – and a record that's definitely a cut above the usual material in the genre! There's a wonderfully rich sound to the record right from the start – soulful vocals from Luiz Carlos, and some rootsy percussion – but also these warmer backings that almost have jazzy changes at times – of the sort that you might get if Joao Donato ever arranged a samba record. The original was issued on the small Arca label – so has escaped the attention of global ears for years – but the set's a record well worth seeking out. Titles include "Morro Molhado", "Diamante", "Das Origens", "Bracos De La", "Notavel Amiga", "A Flor Da Esperanca", and "Tudo Se Ilumina". ~ Dusty Groove