Latin | Brazil Vinyl 343 Items

This cool release
compiles some of the best tunes in Creole boogaloo. The charm
of the restored sound of these old 7-inches is only matched by
the ardor of the interpretations. Like no music genre ever
before, boogaloo brought together African Americans and
Latinos, who already attended the same parties, but danced to
different tunes. Indeed, boogaloo overtook the West Indies with
amplified keyboards and electrified guitars, and this new wave
knocked out hierarchy and habits.

Mumbia Y SUS Candelosos is a Tokyo-based cumbia band led by percussionist Mutsumi Kobayashi, who has played with Minyo Crusaders and other groups. Following their debut album "Hokkori Time/Cumbia Ducha", which marked the beginning of a new chapter in the Japanese tropical music scene, part 2 of the Tokyo Cumbia Trilogy is now available on 10"/45rpm! The center label artwork is a gorgeous collaboration between Mutsumi Kobayashi himself for the illustrations, Mateo Rivano for the logo, and Katsumi Tanaka of the Minyo Crusaders for the total design.

A new world of accordion music pioneered by the Meridian Brothers, who lead the tropical music scene with their unique approach to Colombian musical heritage and twisted pop sensibility, andCONJUNTO Media Luna, who revive the charm of authentic cumbia sabanera in the present! Despite the simplicity and minimalism of the live instrumentation, the collaboration "paz EN LA Tierra", released in 2021, has no hint of the conventional acoustic music mood, but is instead a collection of songs with the rhythmic intensity of house and techno. Two of the tracks have been further edited, mixed, and mastered to be released as exclusive 7" versions.

Pellegrino & Zodyaco, with their new single 'Malìa', continue the aesthetic and sonic journey of the project led by the Neapolitan producer, with a mixture of Neapolitan disco-funk and fusion steeped in Latin flavour that already explored the innermost corners of the soul with 'Quimere'. This new work captures the frenzy and vibrant character of Naples, with its rarefied atmospheres and infectious groove that evoke the beating heart of the city and take us on a journey through the wonder of life in search of the Mediterranean essence. The 'Malìa' is enchanting, it’s that mysterious force that hides deep inside, transforming itself into a vortex of emotions through the fusion of involving rhythms and reflections on inner battles, on the importance of finding the 'light' to overcome conflicts and difficulties that hinder the ability to choose, a dreamlike mirage that opens a window on human vulnerability, a hymn to authenticity, to self-acceptance.

The celebration of dance in the Caribbean Escapade version is also an exhortation to escape from everyday life; it takes us into a sonic imagery that plays with the Neapolitan musical tradition and the freshness of Caribbean and Latin sounds. This summer single becomes an ode to the vital energy of dance music: there is no more time for hesitation, one must let oneself be carried away by the enthralling embrace of 'Malìa', like a call to awareness and the search for authenticity in life. Malìa becomes the guiding thread, the mystery that urges us to go beyond the confines of everyday life, to explore and celebrate the complexity of existence.

Future Rootz has collaborated with Canal Sounds and Egrem to release two funky Afro-Cuban tracks recorded in 1973 by Los Caneyes. This is the first musical project of Juan Pablo Torres, one of Cuba’s most influential musical innovators, and this is the first time that these tracks have been released on vinyl. The discs are in a 7" format.

Acting and singing prodigy child Marisol is one of the greatest stars in Spain ever. She was incredibly big in her country, and her popularity soon reached other lands, some as far away as Japan where she issued some records and even recorded one of her hits in Japanese. Germany was another country that saw a market for a German-sung 45, as was Italy with a couple of rare Italian-sung tunes released. Marisol also sang in English, and even Chinese-as you willhear on the songs compiled on this LP, which features some of her non-Spanish sung sides alonside with very rare performances from TV appearances on vinyl for the first time ever! The selection is completed by tunes based on rhythms from the world and a couple of other favourites from her more classic repertoire.

Discos Más has managed to squeak one more stellar release across the finish line for 2021 with Grupo MAJEZZA's most popular dance floor inferno, "La Chica Pikosita" backed with the equally blazing bhangra tinged "Cumbia de los Puchikas" on the flip. Vinyl only DJs and sonideros of the world will finally have access to these cumbias released here for the first time on wax.

Original compositions by Gabriel Reyes-Whittaker created with an analogue Oberheim synthesizer, a Midi sequencer, and an effects unit.

Bigamo come with another nugget which crossed the path of Frank Wiedemann’s way. Modern tropicalia soundtrack coproduced by Red Axes. It totally has this Honest Jon’s vibe.

A great samba release, pressed on 10-inch wax and featuring a.o. Betty Reilly & Les Baxter, Dircinha Batista, Noriel Viela, Barney Kessel and Silva & Gade.

Creole dance music by Shinsuke Fujieda, a flute and saxophone player active in Mumbia y Susu Candelosos and i-dip, leads a group of virtuoso musicians. The sound that responds to the French Caribbean~Zouk revival that has been making waves in the European club scene finally emerges from Tokyo! Shinsuke Fujieda's call has brought together such renowned musicians as Shinichi Tsukamoto (TRIAl Production) and Masaki Nagata (Zainichi Funk) to form the Shinsuke Fujieda Group, which has garnered attention for its groovy, sometimes ceotic, deep and emotional sound that is based on jazz but is distinct from so-called "club jazz. After the release of their magnum opus "informel" in 2021, they have further strengthened their groove intensity and have chosen dance music from the French Caribbean as the theme for their new journey.

Trippy, dark and mysterious. A new development of the popular Mexican Sonidero style cumbia by the hottest cyber cumbia unit of the moment! The cover is a reversible sleeve by Ryohei Kazumi, the genius of Entertainment. This is part 1 of a two-part work, and the two pieces will be placed side by side to complete a single picture.

Debut 7" of a 7-piece Caribbean + Afrobeat + Dub combo led by Frente Cumbiero saxophonist/clarinetist Marco Fajardo! This is a masterpiece that shows how Colombian dance music has cultivated its mellow sound by greedily incorporating Caribbean and African music through the culture of the Pico Sound System, which is popular in the Caribbean Gulf Coast region, especially in the Caribbean city of Barranquilla. The artwork was drawn by Inti-Huayra Guevara Rios from Bogota.

Grupo Rebolu has been a mainstay in the extensive Colombian community of New York City for well over a decade, bringing the quintessential sounds of their home country to countless live shows and events throughout the five boroughs. Musically steeped in the folkloric traditions of the Afro-Caribbean discourse, the band has consistently combined first class musicianship with the echoes of their upbringing. Throughout their four self-produced albums, they have incorporated some of Colombia's most cherished traditions —gaita,cumbia, andbullerenguebeing just a few of the disciplines that Rebolu has infused with the modern songwriting and compositions of band leader Ronald Polo. As a natural step in the band's continued musical evolution, Rebolu has connected with Names You Can Trust for a one-off recording to deliver two original songs and productions that seamlessly fit the preferred format and the label's catalog, while further incorporating the group's sound into the wider NY musical spectrum. Whether it's champeta gone disco, or bullerengue gone reggae, this handy double-sided single packs a fresh take on the roots and traditions of Rebolu's musical lineage.

Georgina's Rumba is a magnum opus in the field of latin music in the broadest sense. Gabriele Deiana Sardinian guitarist, composer, arranger, producer and lyricist brings together 36 musicians for this work, including the winners of the Latin Grammy 2021 Alain Perez and Ivan "Melon" Lewis. 15 Cubans, 12 Spanish gypsies, 5 Spanish and 3 Venezuelans give life to a musical biographical journey that ranges from latin jazz to bolero, salsa, flamenco-jazz, tropical, nordic argentine style, son montuno and modern flamenco. The record also features former members of the Paco de Lucia sextet including Jorge Pardo and Carles Benavent. The best of the best of each genre. The vinyl format is gatefold and contains a 6 pages insert 30cm x 30cm with photos and the history of the album.

A true and fascinating novel in that began in 1992. The cover is a hand-painted watercolor by the illustrator Gianluigi Concas and contains an encrypted rebus that can be solved by reading the novel in the insert.

Roberto Laneri's works always convey a clear artistic certainty: a total composer with an eclectic cultural background. In this latest adventure it seems to propose a kind of weird and curious Exotica music; his Mediterranean ragas release glows and shadows, but the music plays more the plateaus of the Maghreb than the Indus Valley. Like a sorcerer piper, the sax shapes alchemy and hypnotic phrasing become: vague dances of camels, ecstatic progressions of an aboriginal vortex or a mystic arabesque tropicalisms. He doesn't neglect his training as a jazz clarinetist, with gentle and smooth orchestral veins that are decidedly retrò and old-style; remembering the dreamlike compositions of Nino Rota for Fellini's movies. There is no lack of esoteric voices from distant islands, Amazonian soundscapes, or rocking Brazilian moods. Laneri filters hidden traces of different traditions, creating unknown geographical syntheses without borders, furious extrapolations of compositional elements and famous themes misrepresentations. A visionary gaze, but also a good dose of ironic plaesure and fairytale humor. Not surprisingly, the original cover-art of Noura Tafeche does nothing but suggest the idea of a tasty psychedelic fruit-salad.

After the trilogy of King Sporty & The Ex-tra's EPs in 2018, Emotional Rescue returns to the music of Noel Williams with this first ever single release of his 1976 reggae disco bomb, Safari, backed with a special discomix by Lexx.
Taken from William's debut album, Deep Reggae Roots, it can be considered a culmination of his career to date, from growing up on the streets of Kingston, Jamaica, to his first singles for Studio One and Trojan, his relocation to Miami and the birth of his Konduko label and moves to incorporate the local clubs growing affiliation with funk and disco.
Prescient to the coming wave, Williams enlisted some of Miami's finest in George Perry and Clay Cropper (Chocolate Clay), Ron Smith (KC & The Sunshine Band) and legendary producer Alex Sadkin (Compass Point, Bob Marley, Grace Jones, Talking Heads).
The stand out from the album, Safari, with it's hazy, low slung groove of razor sharp rimshot, guitar licks and funk bass is topped with an incessant chant 'Disco, Safari'. Criminally brief, the choice of Lexx to step in the mix was a simple one. His dubbed rework is perfect, laidback, letting the groove roll and King Sporty's mantra shine.

Having made her mark on Brazil’s rich musical legacy with three best-selling albums to date, Rio’s original nu-bossa queen returns with a tour de force of golden-era Brazilian soul music.

Oakland's own Ritmos Tropicosmos follow up their excellent debut single with another pair of cumbia groovers. Since their first release, ELI Reyes and Lesli Rodriguez have joined the lineup and are featured on vocals in this latest offering of bass heavy Bay Area psychedelic cumbia!

Mumbia Y SUS Candelosos' masterpiece, long awaited by the cumbia community not only in Japan but all over the world, is finally here! This is a very important work that heralds the beginning of a new chapter in tropical music from Tokyo! Mutsumi Kobayashi, the leader of the group, is widely known for his skill as a percussionist who can electrify a full house with a single bongo, regardless of country, through his work with the Minyo Crusaders and other groups. However, his talent and evolution are not limited to performing. He not only composed and produced the music, but also did the trackdown himself this time, with mastering by Frankie Merritt and artwork by Mateo Rivano.... It took 5 years and a lot of passion to complete this release.

Finally, and thanks to the hard work of the fine folks at Inamu (Instituto Nacional de la Música de Argentina) and the amazing selection job of Nekro (Fun People & Boom Boom Kid), we're proud to present "The Crazy World of Music Hall vol 3", the third of a 3 volume set of mind blowing lp's compiling the finest of the 60's and 70's cuts output from the legendary Argentinian label Music Hall. This final volume presents tracks from both decades with a great selection of hot sounds ranging from pure unaltered wild Rock'n[Roll to Psychedelia, Latin sounds, visceral Hard Rock, Soul or Funk. Can't miss this final installment, the cherry on top of an amazing set!

Ipek Yolu is the Turkish name for the Silk Road which connected the East and the West. This band does not deal in silk but they connect flavors, smells and sounds from different corners of the globe, connecting the world.
The band merges bass-heavy electro-tinged cumbia grooves, saz riffs and surf guitar into a multicultural melting pot of South American rhythms, Anatolian folk music and 60s psychedelic rock. A unique universe of sound that bridges the tropical jungles and the dusty deserts in a kaleidoscopic blend of music. Ipek Yolu has used 2020 to write their debut album Tropical Anatolia and are ready to hit the venues and festivals.
The members of Ipek Yolu first got together for an improvised jam session during the Aarhus Roots & Hybrid Festival in 2018. The show was set up as a special one-time-only show merging members from the bands Hudna & Junglelyd. The show ended up lasting for almost three hours. It didn’t take them long to discover they were onto something special. If you know any of these bands mentioned you know you’re in for a body-shaking party, characterised by musical curiosity and improvisation.
The three members of Ipek Yolu have all been part of the Danish music scene for several years. The band leader, Orhan Özgür Turan, is a well-known and respected saz player all over Denmark, and has made a name for himself through his efforts in the Anatolian Folk band Hudna. In 2018 he won an award as Global Roots Artist of the year at The Danish World Music Awards. Olaf Brinch and Lasse Aagaard have worked together for many years making high energy cumbia with their band Junglelyd and Afrobeat with their band African Connection. Olaf is also an integral part of the Danish band AddisAbabaBand. In addition, Olaf and Lasse have toured and recorded with great musicians such as CC Yoyo, former drummer of Fela Kuti, in both Ghana and Denmark. All of the past experiences collided to create Ipek Yolu.

Recorded in Brazil after spending the late 70s in the US, Marcos Valle brought together his innate talent and diverse influences on this irresistible record bursting with groove. Among a selection of top musicians, the line-up features Lincoln Olivetti & Robson Jorge and Leon Ware. Includes the Brazilian boogie anthem ›Estrelar‹, Marcos Valle's biggest hit from the 80s and one of the most celebrated songs in his entire career.

The album is full of soaring disco tracks, killer vocal boogie numbers and blissing instrumentals over a well-balanced tracklist that satisfies both the listening pleasure and the dancefloor needs. Essential! Presented in facsimile artwork.

Brazilian music at it's finest! 2x7" set with four beautiful songs from Piry Reis. Disc one is a reissue of his 1975 "Heroi Moderno" and includes the sought after 7inch version of "Cisplatina". The second holds the rare cuts "Reza Brava" & "Céu De Manágua". The project came together with the blessing of Piry Reis himself and is released on the sub-label of Rush Hour recordings, New Dawn - set up for less electronic but equally adventurous releases by artists we love. Artwork by Amsterdam's Sekan with a touch by Megin Hayden.

The time has come again: Another edition of the much-loved and highly praised by critics from all around the globe compilation «Paz E Futebol» will be released on Sonar Kollektiv. After 2006 and 2016 this is already the third sequel of this terrific series of light-footed Brazilian gems and other rarities transporting the Brazilian feel for the ball musically.

Two times Jazzanova took care of the collection, now Junior Santos is responsible for digging up the tunes. The Brazilian drummer and producer is a true expert when it comes to Brazilian music. He already caught the attention of Jazzanova’s Jürgen von Knoblauch with the 2014 released compilation «Brazilian Disco Boogie Sounds (1978-1982)» on Favorite Recordings. Together the two diggers selected eight songs that fit simply perfectly. Due to licensing reasons, the digital compilation features 2 additional songs. Chico de Abreu and an unreleased track by Beto Luiz called "Uma Canção Que Fale” chosen by Juergen von Knoblauch.. Although the contributions originate from three different decades (1979 - 1992) they all have the discoid and boogiesque vibe in common mainly to come alive in productions from Maranhão, Rio and Bahia.

The release is accompanied by extensive liner notes by Junior Santos (in Portuguese and English). Just now in the colder and greyer season this compilation is great fun and radiates so much joy like only Brazilian music can.

Pulsing Afro-Latin roots and UK jazz combine on Grown, the latest album by London-based quintet Waaju, released via Olindo Records. Fusing dexterous hand-percussion, hypnotic guitar riffs and soaring melodies, Waaju connect a wide range of traditional musics percolating at different corners of the global soundscape yet with a distinctly of-the-moment and British jazz flavour. Led by drummer and percussionist Ben Brown (Alfa Mist, Dizraeli, Ashley Henry), and comprising members across the UK’s extensive music scene including, percussionist Ernesto Marichales (Jordan Rakei, Sigala), guitarist Tal Janes (Nubiyan Twist, Bahla), Sam Rapley (Fabled, Maria Chiara Argiro) and Joe Downard (China Moses, Judi Jackson), Waaju’s unique and divergent sound connects the dots between the likes of Beth Carvalho, Oscar D’Leon, Alain Peters and Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, Waaju formed as a means of exploring music’s hidden connections, from trance-inducing Moroccan gnawa to Caribbean carnival music, and embracing them to reflect the different layers of London’s own musical culture. It was the band’s love for Mali’s folk music – and Ali Farka Touré’s stylistic prowess in particular – that first set the project in motion. London’s Jazz Cafe invited Waaju to reinterpret classic tracks from Farka Touré’s catalogue to sold-out audiences in 2018 and 2019. According to Brown: “Ali’s one of the best. He has such a unique sound. His playing is so gnarly. His spirit and attitude are things I always think of when making music.” Waaju (meaning ‘to urge, inspire or influence to take action’ in Bambara) blend Latin polyrhythms, psychedelic Malian blues licks and dancefloor-oriented UK jazz arrangements. Following the group’s 2018 self-titled debut LP, Grown represents Waaju at their most distinctive and refined. The record begins with Moleman, a reminder of the craft and intricacy of composition Waaju has become known for. Gritty, clattering metal defines its sonic makeup, whilst gently hinting at influences such as dancehall and jungle. Listening Glasses follows and it’s clear why this is the album’s lead single – its Afrobeat-like energy and joyful interplay between guitar and tenor sax lies somewhere between Tony Allen’s grooves, chimurenga guitar and Headhunters’ funk. Joe Downard’s skulking bass frequencies take centre stage as heavy dub grooves almost tear themselves apart on late night jam Rollando. Time’s Got a Hold was co-written by Waaju and Jordan Rakei for a live show together in November 2018. Kicking off side B, this version features guest vocalist Will Heard and some rhythmical triplets, evocative of 1970’s sega from La Reunion. Pulling back the tempo and dimming the lights, cavernous percussion fills each corner of the room on the sparse yet purposeful Wassoulou, whilst the title and final track shows off the many dynamic sides of the outfit’s far-reaching sound, with its expansive harmonies and explosive climax spanning influences as wide as Yoruba Andabo to Hendrix, signing off an exciting and energetic second LP from Waaju, at their most commanding.

180g LP. On his debut album Travesseiro Feliz (Happy Pillow) Rio de Janeiro based dreamer and new Far Out Recordings signing Ricardo Richaid melds his tropical heritage with his love for psychedelic music, jazz and rock.He also takes inspiration from the many Brazilian greats - Caetano Veloso, Arthur Verocai, Hermeto Pascoal, and Azymuth (to name a few) - who he has worked with as an engineer, assistant and producer, in Rio's former RCA studio, Cia dos Tecnicos.

Some crate-digging compilations are often the result of someone hand-picking their choice favourites from another country’s musical history, perhaps unaware or uninvolved with its cultural lineage in the process. On Soundway’s latest release - a treasure trove of synth jams, pop, samba boogie, balearic and electro from 1980 & ‘90s Brazil - the tracks are picked by Millos Kaiser, one half of the Brazilian duo Selvagem, who are at the helm of throwing some of the country’s best dance parties. It’s a rare compilation that offers Brazilian music actually picked by a Brazilian.
Whilst names such as Ricardo Bomba, Villa Box, Fogo Baiano, Electric Boogies and Batista Junior may not be household names, they tell an untold, yet rich and important part of musical history in Brazil. The release also covers a decade that has been intentionally forgotten and brushed aside by many in the country.
Onda De Amor is a release that is loaded with smooth grooves, bubbling bass, glistening synthesisers, funk strutting guitar lines and sheen of production that undeniably marks it of its time. For Kaiser this compilation is about reintroducing music during a period of reappraisal, catching a new wave and hoping contemporary listeners will ride it with him. “The idea is to do justice to these songs. Songs that combine all the right ingredients that should have put them on radio playlists when I was growing up or at least in the cases of more adventurous DJs”.
Millos Kaiser is a DJ, digger, vinyl junkie/dealer born in Rio de Janeiro and living in São Paulo for the past 8 years. He launched the dance party/club night Selvagem with partner Trepanado in 2010, bringing thousands of dancers one Sunday a month to a public square in the heart of São Paulo.

Founded in 2018 by DJ and producer Deni-Shain – the man behind acclaimed compilations Space Echo and Pop Makossa -, Atangana Records is the logical follow-up to more than 20 years of travels, constantly on the lookout for new artists and music around the world. As a “tropicalist globetrotter”, in this new project Deni-Shain, in partnership with Thomas Vicente, co-owner of the French restaurant “Le Verre Volé”, aims to dig, reproduce & transmit cross-cultural music, usually unreachable and/or less known by the public.
The goal is simple: share the love of music and to rediscover the pleasure of voicings, percussions and sadly forgotten harmonies, whether you find yourself in a jam packed club or the intimacy of your home.
Atangana’s first releases will be looking at the Caribbean’s Islands, especially into Haiti with the reissue – highly expected by various diggers – of the acclaimed single « Divizion » by singer Fedia Laguerre. Originally released in 1981, this first 12" comes with a remix by Voilaaa and an instrumental cut exclusively based on the additional work by the French afro-collective.

More Afro-Cuban Roots Of Boogaloo' - The third release in the series that collects music by Latin bands that were based in New York between the '40s and '60s, expanded with recordings done in Cuba by orquestas or conjuntos such as Félix Chappotín, José Curbelo or La Playa Sextet, all of whom had a big influence on the Latinos in New York.

A 7-inch record coupling "Tour Of Jamaica", a sample cource of the Japanese hiphop classic "mess/age" by Seiko Ito and Yann Tomita, and one of the selector's must-haves, "Under My Skin", will be released from Think! Records!!

Som Imaginário are the stuff of MPB mythos. Integral to Brazil’s Clube Da Esquina movement in the early 1970s, a heady blend of progressive rock, folk, psychedelia, jazz and traditional Brazilian rhythm flows through the three studio albums the band recorded between ‘70 and ‘73. Flying the countercultural freak-flag amid the context of military dictatorship, the Brazilian prog lords shared much of the sense of experimentation and bountiful fuzz bequeathed by their tropicalismo forbearers. But armed with genius composers, arrangers and stupendously high-level musicianship, Som Imaginário introduced a potent harmonic complexity to Brazilian popular music, which would inspire generations of artists to come.



On 4th October 1976, having finished a spell of recording and touring with Milton Nascimento, Som Imaginário performed a concert in celebration of Nature Day in Brasília. The recordings of the show would become “Banda Da Capital”, which, for the past half century, has laid dormant, waiting for its mystical power to be untapped.



In the band that day were original members Wagner Tiso and Fredera, joined by Nivaldo Ornelas, Paulinho Braga and Jamil Joanes. Operating within such a hugely creative and free-spirited scene meant line-up fluctuations were inevitable and former Som Imaginário members also include Laudir de Oliveira (who left to join Chicago), Nana Vasconcelos (who also moved to work in the US), Zé Rodrix, Robertinho Silva, Novelli and Toninho Horta.



Titled after the Belo Horizonte radio station where they would practice during their youth, the show opens with “Rádio Guarany”, an improvisation led by Paulinho Braga and Nivaldo Ornelas. The track morphs into Nivaldo Ornelas’ composition “Xa Mate”, which also opens Milton Nascimento’s Milagre dos Peixes ao Vivo album, featuring Som Imaginário and a 32 piece orchestra.



Having grown up together in Minas Gerais, composer, arranger and keyboard player Wagner Tiso had been another close musical partner of Milton Nascimento’s. Some of their work together includes many of Bituca’s most beloved albums, including Clube Da Esquina, Milton Nascimento (1970) and Maria Maria / Ultimo Trem, as well as Native Dancer: Nascimento’s album with Wayne Shorter.



Explaining the inspiration behind two of the tracks on Banda Da Capital “Igreja Majestosa” (written with Nivaldo Ornelas) and “Os Cafezais sem fim”, Tiso remincies:



“On Sundays I used to watch the coffee plantation workers entering the church. I´d see them working all week, in their humble, dirty clothes. But I was always enchanted by their immaculate dress on Sundays. Taken from a line in a poem by my father, which became the hymn of the city of Três Pontas, the song “the majestic church and the endless coffee plantations ” became sacred for me, because it came from something joyful, from the workers.”

One of the album's most tender moments is a beautiful rendition of the post-tropicalista folk-rock classic “Sabado”, written by Fredera for Som Imaginiaro’s debut album. The lyrics are typical of the “desbunde”: those on the Brazilian left whose response to authoritarianism was a politics of pacifist, often psychedelic, non-conformity (similar to that of “dropping out” in the US)...



“Eu quero o céu e vou com guizos nos sapatos / Minha roupa em farrapos coloridos vou rasgar / E vou dançar entre os cristais azuis do tempo e esquecer”

“I want the sky and will go with bells on my shoes / I will tear my clothes into colourful rags / And I will dance among the blue crystals of time to forget”.

Jamil Joanes, best known as a member of Banda Black Rio, is another Minas Gerais native. His composition for the album is “Imaginados”, a stunning unplugged guitar and vocal performance, highlighting Som Imaginário’s south-eastern home state’s influence on their sound.

Global pointing Brazilian jazz trio will release a new album Agôra, that sparkles with electric funk and Herbie-esque eclecticism. It features a myriad of guest vocalists and musicians including Brazilians Xênia França and Zé Leônidas, Jembaa Groove's Ghanaian singer Eric Owusu and South African artists Bongani Givethanks & Mpho Nkuzo Re-wiring the concept of 'fusion' for 2023, Agôra is Brazilian trio Caixa Cubo’s resurgent new record with the title referring to 'now', based upon the intuitive and fluid nature of the trio’s method, and this inspired recording. With shoots to black music culture, from Brazil to Brooklyn, Ghana and South Africa, Agôra is the group’s ninth album yet is their first where they’ve invited guests, mainly singers, onto each track and follows their last, Angela from 2020, released on Heavenly Records, which won a BBC 6 Music Album of the Year (Huey Morgan’s selection) granting them much deserved international recognition.

The core musical elements of Caixa Cubo are Henrique Gomide (keys), João Fideles (drums) and Noa Stroeter (bass), all from São Paulo, Brazil and where they met as teenagers and would continue their friendship and musical bond at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, Netherlands. Now all in their mid thirties, João and Noa live back in the city where it all started but Henrique has settled in Cologne, Germany where the recording of Agôra took place, over the course of 3 days, at the home cum studio of Chris ‘Dusty’ Doepke, their friend and owner of the label they signed to, Jazz & Milk.

In line with all their creations where flow and energy provide the magic, allowing what the moment provides, the album shines not only for its virtuosity but for its minimalism, the depth of space, and for the first time, the ability to figure in and outside of the jazz fold, as the trio decided, for the first time, to bring in singers and add a new aesthetic to their sound.

“Agôra is a wake-up call to reality, a reminder that the infinite possibilities of technological progress should not disconnect us from the earth, from eye-to-eye relationships, and from moments lived in person” the band are keen to point out. “And that we must not be consumed by greed, for all we truly possess.... is the NOW.”

Turning hope and metaphor into music, the debut single Sábado, an electrified future- jazz-fizz reflects perfectly the spontaneity that permeated the entire recording of the album. “When we got to the studio, we had no idea what we were going to record. We started playing a groove, kind of inspired by Gilberto Gil's 80s albums, and our drummer João started singing this funny song 'Sábado Barrigudão' (Big Belly Saturday) alongside the bass groove and that was that”. Inspired by their city of birth, São Paulo, it features long time collaborator and vocalist Zé Leônidas, with cuicas, tamborim, agogo and shakers providing the most obvious Brazilian affect from the album.