Viagem

Light and breezy, pure and easy, that’s how I spent most of last week, and this album was a great soundtrack for it. Osmar Milito is an interesting figure in Brazilian jazz, having a hand in the famous Canecão club in Rio and playing with the likes of Sylvia Telles, Leny Andrade, and Flora Purim early in his career, and later on doing lots of soundtrack work for those venerable Brazilian exports, telenovelas. His post-bossa nova records are collectible for a reason: they’re damn good listening. Milito does the general arrangements and provides his groovy acoustic and electric piano stylings on a variety of tunes, many of which will be familiar to regular visitors to this blog. It opens with Jimmy Webb’s hit for the 5th Dimension, “Up Up and Away” aka “Beautiful Balloon” which sets the dreamy, laid-back tone right away.

Essa é uma lista da discografia das escolas de samba do Grupo especial do Carnaval do Rio de Janeiro por ano de lançamento. A lista traz as faixas contidas em cada álbum e seus respectivos intérpretes e compositores. O primeiro álbum foi lançado em 1968 e desde então é produzido anualmente.

"So Nao Toca Quem Nao Quer" (1987) was another brilliant album by the genius of Brazilian music. It's longer than any of his other studio album, which means there is even more catchy melodies than usual. Special guests are this time a.o. accordeonist Dominguinhos, guitarist Raphael Rabello and bassist Arismar do Espirito Santo. Group efforts are sandwitched by piano - vocal duets. Included is also choir that consists apparently of bandmembers relatives and friends. I think this was originally a 2-LP set, which was released by instrumental music label from Sao Paolo called Som da Gente.

Pianist Roberta Rust brings her own unique dynamism to the works of eight composers with whom she has had direct contact over the years. Dedicated to her late mother and step-daughter, this collection is as personal and touching as it is memorable for the broader audience.