RNZ Music delves into its Brazilian collection for an Olympic soundtrack.
To scratch the surface of Brazilian music is to discover a universe unto itself; a melting pot of people, cultures and styles with a strong undercurrent of psychedelia, driven by 500 years of rhythm.
Astrud Gilberto & Stan Getz - The Girl From Ipanema
Currently holding the gold medal for streaming.The Girl From Ipanema is arguably Brazil’s best known export. Its subtle rhythms swept the world in 1964, bringing together US sax giant Stan Getz with bossa nova pioneers Antônio Carlos Jobim and João Gilberto. Astrud Gilberto, Joao’s wife, was coerced behind the mic at the New York recording session as she could speak the best English. Though untrained as a singer, the naïve vocal - in contrast to the polished musicians - proved to be an inspired move.
Tamba Trio – Mas Que Nada
Another title synonymous with Brazilian music, Mas Que Nada was first written & recorded by Jorge Ben in 1963. The world was seduced by its samba rhythms when Sérgio Mendes release his version in 1966 but our favourite has to be Tamba Trio’s 1963 take.
Airto Moreira – Celebration Suite
In a musical culture built on rhythms, from gentle bossa to raucous batucada, percussionists are king, and none are greater than Airto Moreira. A key figure in many of jazz fusion’s greatest moments - including Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew sessions - if his 1977 recording of Celebration Suite doesn’t give you the urge to samba like you’re at Carnival then check your pulse.
Marcos Valle - Estrelar
The renaissance man of Brazilian music, Marcos Valle is a singer, producer and arranger who over a 50-plus year career has weaved his way through bossa, jazz, funk, soul and soundtracks. Aside from being one of the most important musicians to emerge from Brazil he makes our list alone for this sun-soaked boogie number from 1983.
Milton Nascimento and Lo Borges - Tudo Que Você Podia Ser
A collective of musicians known as the Clube da Esquina created a movement that resonated across Brazil during the 1970s. Spearheaded by Milton Nascimento and Lo Borges, they wrote intricate melodies and laced them with poetic and socially conscious lyrics. The whole album has a kind of magic about it and is a great example of the most beautifully soulful music to come out of Brazil.
Lucas Santtana - Super Violão Mashup
Lucas Santtana is the sound of a new generation of Brazilian musicians building on the guitar traditions of the past with innovative new approaches via samplers, pedals and filters. With his 2011 release Super Violão Mashup he manages to create something that sounds simultaneously cutting edge and traditional.
Sepultura – Attitude
Even heavy metal can’t escape a Brazilian touch. And it works! For their 1996 album Roots, acclaimed heavy metal band Sepultura travelled to the heart of the Amazon rainforest to record with members of the indigenous Xavante community, fusing their heavy guitar sound with tribal drums, chanting and berimbau. Spot the All Blacks jersey too.