One of the Very Best
bordersj2 | Boston | 12/02/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I can't believe how time has flown. This album came out in 1999, and was a coming out party of sorts for the Ziriguiboom/Crammed label. The album would later be distributed in the USA thanks to another fantastic label called "Six Degrees", who would later go on to release several other artists featured in this release. To put it mildly, this is one of the most influencial samplers I've ever picked up. And it's easily one of the very best. It's un-mixed and featured so many talented and terrific artists who would later (if they hadn't already) establish very prestigious careers in the nu-Bossa and Brazilian Music and electronica scene. And if you had this at the time, you were getting into the scene just before the summit of the nova-bossa-nova sound.
The artists featured are great. The CD starts out with Bebel Gilberto's "Sem Contencao", which has a more contemporary feel and vibe to it. It's unlike the one featured on the album, as it was mixed by Arling & Cameron. Here we got an idea of the kind of sound she'd be going with in 2000 when her *debut* album on the label woudl be released. Following that up was Lenine with "O Diea em Que Faremos Contato", a song with a nice rolling beat and guitar plucks, telling of what happens if extra-terrestrials arrive in Brasil. Next is Arto Lindsay, with his very moody "Ridiculously Deep", a track laden with samples throughout and a very quiet, mellow feel that I loved. But then you're given another introduction - this time to Zuco 103 with "Outro Lado". This version is also different from the remixes and the one featured on their debut album, as in my opinion, it's much cleaner. The simplicity of the mix makes it more timeless to me. And after Zuco 103 is another band that was making strong headway in the nova-bossa nova sound named Smoke City, who are also one of my favorite bands. "Numbers" is the song used here and it's one of their best. Nina Miranda's whispy voice, not being overly sampled... Christian Franck on guitar in the background, and the song glides. While the rhythm is great, there so much character in the layers of sound on the song, and her voice is so interesting it keeps you engaged, even if the track's a little quirky.
The second half of the album is just as great. Arnaldo Artunes does a nice rendition of "Alta Noite". The song loses a bit of it's innocence with his very deep voice, but Marisa Monte's still there to add that perfect element of sweetness which is found on her original. Yes, this was right before they would join to form "Tribalistas". Daude's "Objeto Nao Identificado" is an awesome song. Again with a contemporary feel, but wonderfully produced - it makes most of my playlists. And afterwards you've got an introduction to who would become a legend, Suba, with "Voce Gosta". This wasn't my favorite song of his, but Taciana's vocals are crazy sexy. Another highlight is Vinicius Cantuaria's "Sem Pisar No Chao", which has a smooth bossa, nice piano, his guitar and very delicate effects in the background - a recipe for several albums to come. It's followed up with Andrea Marquee's "Carmesim". This is perhaps the most interesting of the songs here, as it featured the production work of Apollo 9, who would later be known as simply "Apollo Nove" (9). I love this song. It waves in and out of your speakers, right to left - it truly is a musical experience.
I didn't mention some of the other songs, but it's only due to a lack of time. I loved all of them, except for the Virginia Rodriguez track which seemed slightly out of place. But looking back at this album, I made so many musical connections and it was the start of many promising careers. Andrea Marquee did 'broadway' in Brasil and still dabbled in cutting edge electronica. Zuco 103 have upwards of 4 studio albums now. Suba himself helped launch several careers or enhance them, like Cibelle, Taciana Barros and Katia B. And he worked with Joao Parahbya, a member of samba rock band Trio Mocoto. Vinicius Cantuaria, who I've had the pleasure of meeting a few times, also continued down this path with his music and what a wonderful career he's made. Fernanda Abreu, Chico Science (remixed here by Mario Caldato Jr.), Airto, Lenine and all of the others have also gone on to make wonderful albums. And then of course there's Bebel Gilberto who has had cross-cultural success on her own, not just because she's the daughter of Joao Gilberto and Miucha.
This really is a wonderful album. A must have & one of my top 5 of nu-Brazilian compilations."
Tracklisting
S. Pross | Los Angeles, CA USA | 11/15/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"01 Bebel Gilberto - Sem Contençào
02 Lenine - O Dia Em Que Faremos Contato
03 Arto Lindsay - Ridiculously Deep
04 Zuco 103 - Outro Lado
05 Smoke City - Numbers
06 Arnaldo Antunes - Alta Noite
07 Daude - Objeto Nào Identificado
08 Suba - Você Gosta
09 Virginia Rodrigues - Negrume Da Noite
10 Vinicius Cantuária - Sem Pisar Na Chào (Co-producer Arto Lindsay)
11 Andrea Marquee - Carmesim
12 Chico Science & Nação Zumbi - Amor De Muito (Mario Caldato Jr. Mix)
13 Fernanda Abreu - Você Pra Mim (Remix)
14 Arakatuba - Josimar (Fila Brazillia Mix)
"
