Search - Marisa Monte, Paulinho Da Viola, Joao Bosco :: Cafe Brasil

A very good introduction to choro

John P. Rickert | 06/30/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This anthology is a fine introduction to choro and includes some well-known classics from Ernesto Nazareth, Pixiguinha, Jacob do Bandolim, and so on. Whether you are curious but unfamiliar or are a true aficionado, I would recommend this disk. Overall the playing is very good; the singing is somewhat hit-and-miss for me, however, which is about the only reason I can't quite give it 5 stars. Martinho da Vila's new recording of his own "Choro Chorao" is a lot different from the original version -- I like it alright, but it is different. If you get this disk and like it, you really have to get Jacob do Bandolim. (Which is 5+ stars by comparison.) The closing number, played by Jacob's group, is really superb -- pure choro -- you'll think you've died and gone to choro heaven. I hope you enjoy this disk if you get it, but I hope it's only the beginning for you if you are new to this genre."

A Great Choro CD

M. Lee | Santa Monica, CA | 02/13/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First a warning to those of you who are shopping for Brazilian music with the impression of Carnaval and samba beats....The style of music on this CD is called "choro". It's a more traditional style of Brazilian music and sounds different from samba, bossa nova or any of the other styles that many non-Brazilians associate as being Brazilian music. However with that in mind, you must still check this CD out! I've always been a big fan of choro music since I was a child listening to it, and it's taken me years to find a good compilation like this one. If you are a big fan of Brazilian music like bossa nova and samba, you will not be disappointed by choro (especially THIS choro album in particular)!"

Brilliant instrumental tracks, dodgy vocals

Dendem | Melbourne, Australia | 03/28/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The best way to appreciate this album, and to get the right perspective on the choro genre, is to set your cd player to skip all the vocal tracks. Don't get me wrong, most of the vocal tracks are fair to excellent, but they totally destroy the flow. Choro is essentially instrumental in character and the producers of this album as well as the follow up Cafe 2 should let the public appreciate on their own merits one of the best bands on the planet, the awesome Epoca de Ouro, Brazil's very own Funk Brothers."