Azymuth is a three-piece electric funk jazz group from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Formed in 1972, the members are Jose Roberto Bertrami (keyboards), Alex Malheiros (bass, guitars), and Ivan Conti (drums, percussion). They call their music "Samba Doido", which means "Crazy Samba". From 1979 to 1988, they released many albums for Milestone Records. They have been releasing albums for various labels steadily since. They had a major hit with "Jazz Carnival" in 1979.
While classically trained, Brazilian guitarist Luiz Bonfa became one of the prime movers of bossa nova, recording with Antonio Carlos Jobim and Stan Getz, and composing many bossa nova standards, including the classic "Manha Da Carnaval" from Orfeu Negro. O Violão e o Samba, originally issued in 1962, features a somewhat more upbeat program than Bonfa’s other albums of the time. And the added presence of lyrical flute and mellow vocals makes this an even more attractive addition to any afficianado's collection of original/first wave bossa nova discs.
Rather than play a watered-down version of bossa nova in New York studios (which was becoming quite common as the bossa nova fad hit its peak in 1962), flutist Herbie Mann went down to Brazil and recorded with some of the top players of the style. Guitarist Baden Powell and the group of then-unknown pianist Sergio Mendes, which included drummer Dom Um Romao, formed the nucleus for this generally delightful album. Antonio Carlos Jobim himself dropped by to sing two of his compositions, including "One Note Samba," and even on the token jazz standard "Blues Walk," the music is as much Brazilian as it is jazz.
Herb Ellis is known primarily for playing with small ensembles, so this recording as part of an octet is a departure for the great guitarist. This "all-star" combo includes trumpeter Roy Eldridge in a sublimated role, while tenor saxophonist Buddy Tate is featured a bit more, and pianist Ray Bryant solidifies the nucleus of a very talented band of old pros and unsung heroes. Trumpeter Frank Assunto may not be a common garden-variety name to most, but he asserts himself quite well during this session. Twin bass underpinnings from Israel Crosby and Jimmy Rowser add heft to the rhythm section, while always reliable drummer Gus Johnson shows his mettle as a solidly swinging timekeeper. The fare is split between standards, originals, and favorites, including Duke Ellington's rousing "It Don't Mean a Thing" with the jamming Eldridge leading the charge, and "Things Ain't What They Used to Be" as everyone joins in and Assunto takes a fine, distinctive solo…
Influenced by artists as diverse as Django Reinhardt and Daft Punk, Caravan Palace is the self-titled debut album from the French six-piece that combines big-band swing and Gypsy jazz with modern electro and hip-hop beats. Produced by Loïc Barrouk, the 2008 release includes the singles "Jolie Coquine" and "Suzy".