Eliane Elias - Light My Fire

Styles: Brazilian Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:35
Size: 125,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:18)  1. Rosa Morena
(4:03)  2. Stay Cool
(5:19)  3. Aquele Abraço
(5:38)  4. Light My Fire
(4:00)  5. Isto Aqui O Que é
(4:31)  6. My Cherie Amour
(4:24)  7. Toda Menina Baiana
(3:28)  8. Bananeira
(5:12)  9. Made In Moonlight
(3:39) 10. Turn To Me (Samba Maracatu)
(5:13) 11. Take Five
(4:46) 12. What About The Heart (Bate Bate)

In a career that spans around 30 years and over 20 albums, singer and pianist Eliane Elias has come to epitomize a cool, sophisticated jazz sensibility, especially on the bossa nova songs of her native Brazil. On Light My Fire, she set out to extend the range of styles and grooves in her music and, in so doing, mixes Brazilian music with a couple of jazz standards and one or two famous pop and rock songs. 

The Brazilian songs, which comprise the majority of the album, are splendidly cool and generate a real sense of positivity and optimism. Gilberto Gil's "Aquele Abraço" and "Toda Menina Baiana" are especially effective; Gil and Elias forming a beautiful vocal partnership on both, while Elias' daughter, Amanda Brecker, adds backing vocals to "Toda Menina Baiana." Elias' own "What About The Heart (Bate Bate)" is romantic and upbeat, the pianist's sparkling solo carrying the tune through to the fadeout. Two jazz classics also get a makeover. Kenny Dorham's "Stay Cool," with Elias' own lyrics, also works beautifully; it's a slinky, seductive rendition, with Lawrence Feldman's flute adding to the sense of laidback, casual sensuality. Elias' rework of Paul Desmond's iconic "Take Five" is an atmospherically relaxed contrast to the original another success, despite a rather repetitive section replacing Joe Morello's famed drum solo and features the pianist's vocalese and Randy Brecker's muted, sparse, trumpet.

The Doors' classic "Light My Fire" also gets the slinky, laidback treatment, but works less well. Jim Morrison's original vocal was a yell of desperation, as if the act of "lighting his fire" was the most vital thing in the world; here, Elias sounds far less concerned. This apparent lack of connection is also present on two versions of Stevie Wonder's "My Cherie Amour," one sung in English, the other in French. The musicianship on Light My Fire is superb, with every player slipping effortlessly into the required groove. Even if a couple of numbers don't quite come off, it's still good to see established artists taking a few chances, and there's still plenty of music that does exactly what it should.~Bruce Lindsay(http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=40237#.UhaimX-Ac1I).

Personnel: Eliane Elias: vocals, piano; Gilberto Gil: vocals, guitar; Randy Brecker: trumpet; Oscar Castro-Neves: guitar; Romero Lubambo: guitar; Ross Traut: guitar; Lawrence Feldman: flute; Marc Johnson: bass; Marivalso dos Santos: percussion; Paulo Braga: drums; Rafael Barata: drums; Amanda Brecker: vocals (7).

Light My Fire

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Toots Thielemans - The Brasil Project

Styles: Guitar And Harmonica Jazz
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:51
Size: 128,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:57)  1. Começar de Novo
(4:23)  2. Obi
(3:00)  3. Felicia And Bianca
(4:10)  4. O Cantador
(2:57)  5. Joanna Francesa
(4:26)  6. Coisa Feita
(3:18)  7. Preciso Aprender a Ser Só
(5:41)  8. Fruta Boa
(4:29)  9. Coração Vagabundo
(3:29) 10. Manhã de Carnaval
(3:39) 11. Casa Fortes
(2:35) 12. Moments
(9:41) 13. Blusette

This popular set matches the brilliant harmonica player Toots Thielemans with such top Brazilian performers as Ivan Lins, Djavan, Oscar Castro-Neves, Dori Caymmi, Ricardo Silveira, João Bosco, Gilberto Gil, Milton Nascimento, Caetano Veloso, Luiz Bonfá, Edu Lobo and Eliane Elias, in addition to bassist Brian Bromberg, keyboardist Michael Lang, trumpeter Mark Isham and Dave Grusin. Thielemans is often in a supportive role behind the many soothing Brazilian singers and performers. The atmospheric date surprisingly does not have any Antonio Carlos Jobim songs, instead emphasizing lesser-known tunes (other than Toots' greatest hit "Bluesette"). Easily recommended to fans of Brazilian pop and jazz, this CD was soon followed by a second (and equally rewarding) set featuring many of the same performers. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-brasil-project-mw0000081385

Personnel: Toots Thielemans (harmonica, guitar, whistle); Milton Nascimento, Chico Buarque (vocals); Djavan, Joao Bosco, Dori Cayammi, Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Edu Lobo, Luis Bonfa (guitar, vocals); Lee Ritenour, Oscar Castro-Neves, Ricardo Silveira (guitar); Mark Isham (trumpet); Dave Grusin, Eliane Elias (piano); Gilson Peranzzetta, Mike Lang (keyboards); Ivan Lins (keyboards, vocals); Brian Bromberg, Jamil Joanes, Nico Assumpcao, Marc Johnson (bass); Teo Lima (drums); Cassio Duarte, Bira Hawai, Jose Roberto, Paulinho Da Costa (percussion).

The Brasil Project

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Gilberto Gil - The Essential Gilberto Gil

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:07
Size: 155.9 MB
Styles: Brazilian traditions, Brazilian jazz
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[6:39] 1. Maquina De Ritmo (Rhytmn Box)
[4:17] 2. Eu Vim Da Bahia (I Came From Bahia)
[4:51] 3. Estrela (Star)
[4:12] 4. Quanta (How Much)
[5:00] 5. Futurivel (In The Future)
[3:53] 6. Eu Descobri (I Discovered)
[3:34] 7. Outra Vez (Again)
[4:27] 8. Não Tenho Medo da Morte
[3:58] 9. Juazeiro
[3:53] 10. Tres Palabras
[4:35] 11. La Renaissance Africaine (The African Renaissance)
[3:46] 12. Panis Et Circenses
[6:21] 13. Oriente (Orientate)
[4:02] 14. Andar Com Fe (Walking In Faith)
[4:31] 15. Domingo No Parque

Legendary Brazilian singer/songwriter Gilberto Gil has over five decades and 57 albums to his credit. A pioneer of the tropicalia movement of the 1960s and '70s, Gil celebrated his 70th birthday with a sold-out show at Brazil's Theatro Municipal in Rio de Janeiro on May 28, 2012. Featuring his steady five-piece touring band, which included son Bem Gil on guitar, and backed by a symphony orchestra, the concert acted as a broad overview of his lengthy and diverse career. Beautifully captured here on this live recording, the 15-song set features a variety of essential cuts from his own catalog along with interpretations of songs by Caetano Veloso and Antonio Carlos Jobim. Gil's voice and guitar playing sound as vital as ever and the arrangements are full of the elegance and taste we've come to expect from this great artist. ~Timothy Monger

The Essential Gilberto Gil

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Gilberto Gil, Vusi Mahlasela - The South African Meeting Of Viramundo

Styles: Vocal, Guitar, Latin World
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:34
Size: 116,7 MB
Art: Front

(6:08)  1. Tempo Rei
(4:12)  2. La Renaissance Africaine
(7:19)  3. When You Come Back Nakupenda Africa
(4:23)  4. A Raca Humana
(5:17)  5. Estrela
(4:57)  6. The Beauty Of Our Land Ubuhle Bomhlaba
(5:56)  7. Kao
(4:18)  8. Piece Of Ground
(3:56)  9. Oracao Pela Libertacao Da Africa Do Sul
(4:06) 10. Viramundo

This album was born from the meeting of Gilberto Gil and Vusi Mahlasela during the filming of the documentary Viramundo. Some titles are from concerts which took place during the filming in Johannesburg in May 2011 and others were recorded a year later in Switzerland during the Montreux Jazz Festival. Gil carries out a fundamental role in the constant modernization process of Brazilian popular music. For 46 years, he has developed one of the most relevant and renown careers in this field. ~ Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/South-African-Meeting-Viramundo-Gil/dp/B00C9FXWWW

The South African Meeting Of Viramundo

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Ernie Watts & Gilberto Gil - Afoxé (Ah-Fo-SHAY)

Styles: Vocal and Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:05
Size: 131,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:34)  1. The Green Giant, Part I
(3:32)  2. Show Me
(5:01)  3. You're My Thrill
(7:37)  4. From Japan
(1:50)  5. Meditation
(3:49)  6. Rituals Of Spring
(7:44)  7. A Raca Humana
(4:13)  8. Free Afoxe
(4:33)  9. Gondwana
(5:32) 10. Oriente
(3:07) 11. The Green Giant, Part II
(4:28) 12. From Japan (Portuguese version)

Afoxé (pronounced ah-fo-SHAY), much like the music Ernie Watts, Gilberto Gil and their friends have created here and in Brazil itself, is the sum of striking contradictions. In Bahia, the vast coastal state known as the heartland of African culture in Brazil contemporary secular version of sacred Afo-Brazilian candomblé hymns are called afoxés. (The ritualistic candomblé sect is the product of an innovative blending of Catholic tradition and the beliefs of the secretive African religious societies.) The procession of musicians and singers who bring the candomblé message to the streets of Salvador every year during carnaval is itself known as an afoxé. And so are the drums, Brazil's answer to the Cuban conga. Even a popular percussion instrument today as much at home in high school band rooms in the U.S. Midwest as it is in the winding back alleys of Salvador's historic Pelourinho neighborhood, has taken the name afoxé. http://www.erniewatts.com/discography/afoxe.html

Personnel:  Ernie Watts – Saxophones;  Gilberto Gil - Vocals, Guitar; Robert Sadin – Keyboards;  Dunn Pearson - Additional Keyboards;  Sharon Bryant – Vocals;  Marlon Graves – Guitar;  Ray Bardani - Synthesized Percussion;  Marcus Miller – Bass;  Kenny Kirkland - Electric Piano;  Romero Lubambo - Midi Guitar;  Mark Egan – Bass;   Victor Bailey – Bass;  Frank Colon – Percussion;  Jack DeJohnette - Kalimba, Drums;  Eddie Gomez – Bass. 

Afoxé (Ah-Fo-SHAY)

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VA - Dorival Caymmi Centenario

Size: 132,0 MB
Time: 56:23
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Brazilian Rhythms
Art: Front

01. Caetano Veloso & Chico Buarque - O Que E Que A Bahiana Tem (4:19)
02. Nana Caymmi - Sargaço Mar (3:33)
03. Caetano Veloso - Saudade Da Bahia (3:45)
04. Gilberto Gil - Rosa Morena (3:24)
05. Caetano Veloso - Dora (4:15)
06. Danilo Caymmi - Vatapa (3:08)
07. Caetano Veloso - Joao Valentao (3:51)
08. Mario Adnet - A Vizinha Do Lado (3:46)
09. Caetano Veloso - A Lenda Do Abaete (3:20)
10. Gilberto Gil - Samba Da Minha Terra (3:18)
11. Caetano Veloso - Sabado Em Copacabana (4:00)
12. Chico Buarque - Marina (4:08)
13. Danilo Caymmi - Nem Eu (4:32)
14. Dori Caymmi - O Bem Do Mar (3:46)
15. Nana Caymmi, Danilo Caymmi & Dori Caymmi - Cançao Da Partida (3:11)

Dorival Caymmi (born April 30, 1914 in Salvador, Bahia - August 16, 2008, Rio de Janeiro) is considered to be one to the most important songwriters in Brazilian popular music. The son of an Italian immigrant and a black Bahian woman, he has a distinctive style of his own and is the writer of many classic songs. The sambas, such as ‘O Samba Da Minha Terra’, have become standards of Música Popular Brasileira. He also wrote ballads celebrating the fearless fishermen of Bahia, including Promessa de Pescador and O Vento.

Although his songs celebrate the people of Bahia and he himself is enshrined in the popular Brazilian imagination as the archetypal Bahian, he moved to Rio de Janeiro to find fame in the 1930’s and never moved back to Bahia.

He became a contemporary and sometimes rival of composer Ary Barroso and enjoyed a lifelong friendship with Bahian author Jorge Amado. Dorival Caymmi first achieved success in the late 1930s with Carmen Miranda, for whom he composed ‘O Que é Que a Baiana Tem?’. He recorded for five decades, both singing solo with his own guitar accompaniment, and backed by bands and orchestras. In the 1960s many of his songs were covered by bossa nova pioneer João Gilberto, and he collaborated with Antonio Carlos Jobim. Among the many musicians heavily influenced by Dorival Caymmi are Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil.

Dorival Caymmi passed away at age 94 on August 16, 2008 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, of multiple organ failure.

Dorival Caymmi Centenario

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