Tags: Brazilian

Review: Diogo Strausz has previously released on Razor-N-Tape as part of the duo Balako but now steps up as a solo artist to kick off the label's 2021. A Sao Paulista now living in Paris, he brings plenty of musicality to the slick 7", firstly with 'Emancipacao,' which is awash with melancholic keys and rich bass but also plenty of fantastic leads from both synths and sax. It's splashy and splashy and colourful disco. '50 Anos Em 5' then gets playful and funky with a Latin twist as the salsa beats an squelchy bass all make you want to spin on your heels.

Review: Favorite Recordings returns with the second edition of its compilation series: Fusion Global Sounds. Comprising eight rare and hidden tracks produced between 1976 and 1984 in various parts of the world, this hot-off-the-plate comp delivers a mighty-fine array of dynamic, soul-feeding jazz, soul, disco, jazz and funk delicacies. As a fine collector of jazz-funk and fusion for many years, curator Charles Maurice can be credited for sourcing the ingredients for and cooking up this fine spread of forgotten entrees, this time brought together by a common Brazilian influence.

Review: Brazilian producer Zopelar is back with another crucial full length just over a year after he dazzled with his Universe album on Funkineven's Apron label. This one is another showcase of his analogue machinery and 80s synths styles. It transports you to a hazy Cali sunset with flame red skies and humid temps. Cuts like 'Festa' ride on bumpy beats with glowing chords up top while 'Virgo' explores a more broken up, even garage-tinged beat as those trademark chords light up the skies above. 'Passado' slips into a dazzling rake on piano-laced Chicago house and 'Do You Feel?' slows things down with sultry late night romance.

Review: Brazilian funk and MPB master Tim Maia was brilliant at making music, but less good at coming up with titles for his many great albums. Plenty of them come under his own name - often suffixed by a year - and in all there were 30 albums right up to the year he died in 1998. This self-titled one Mr Bongo is now reissuing on limited apple red and brown vinyl. It packs a real punch and exudes real heat across 12 tracks that fuse his sung-spoken lyrics and funky rhythms with sunny strings and jazzy melodies. Slower songs like 'Sem Voce' are for the romancing hours while plenty of others are pure dancers.