NEW RELEASES: BAIANO & OS NOVOS CAETANOS; AZAMBUJA & CIAl; JOHAN LINDSTROM SEPTETT - MUSIC FOR EMPTY HALLS

BAIANO & OS NOVOS CAETANOS - BAIANO & OS NOVOS CAETANOS

Baiano & Os Novos Caetanos is Anysio and Rodrigues’ satire on Brazil’s Tropicalia movement. Having a friendly crack at the likes of Caetano Veloso and psychedelic rockers Novos Baianos, the musical characters ‘Baiano’ and ‘Paulinho Boca de Profeta’ played by Anysio and Rodrigues respectively, are righteous tropicalistas, poetically denouncing the dictatorship, while simultaneously mocking those who took themselves too seriously. Azymuth’s free and funky psych sounds combine with accordion, harmonica, brass and plenty of rural Brazilian rhythms, with Orlandivo who co-wrote many of the songs, and renowned multi-instrumentalist and producer Durval Ferreira also featuring.

AZAMBUJA & CIA - AZAMBUJA & CIA

Azambuja and Cia, based on the ridiculous Carioca conman Paulo Maurício Azambuja (who would flog his own mother’s leg if he could) showcases Anysio and Rodrigues’ songwriting smarts, with Azymuth’s futuristic funk sound combining with traditional Brazilian roots elements for a record equal parts organic and ahead of its time. With Fender Rhodes, Arp Strings, Arp Omni, Clavinet and Hammond Organ, Azymuth’s keyboard maestro Jose Roberto Bertrami, who also arranged the album alongside renowned conductor and composer Jose Menezes, elevates the music’s sexy weirdness to another dimension (check ‘Verde’ to see what we mean). This bonkers Brazilian bonanza also features fabled jazz saxophonist Victor Assis Brasil.

JOHAN LINDSTROM SEPTETT - MUSIC FOR EMPTY HALLS 

A rich vision in sound from Johan Lindstrom – not just a guitarist, but a hell of a composer too – working here with an all-star group that features other great players on the Moserobie label! Yet despite that connection, the vibe here is very different than other Moserobie music – uniquely Lindstrom's own, with these sounds that are not only vivid in themselves, but which also draw a lot from the performance – handled by players who include Jesper Nordenstrom on piano and organ, Jonas Kullhammar on saxes, Per Texas Johansson on tenor and bass clarinet, Torbjorn Zetterberg on bass, Mats Aleklint on trombone, and Konrad Agnas on drums. There's a few surprises along the way – including a bit of piano effects from Lindstrom on one track, and guest voices and strings on another – and the whole album has this beautifully unified feel, and rich textures of colors – maybe in the same spirit as some of the earlier large ensemble projects from Charlie Haden. Titles include "Dance Of The Marble Hearts", "Serengeti", "Music For Empty Halls", "The Assent", "Hymn", and "Sleepless Lapsteels". ~ Dusty Groove