Brazuca Sounds #88: Gilberto Gil - Refazenda (1975)

Salve! This is a bonus episode for paid subscribers!Every episode is a different song. This is the song today:"Atalaia" by Guilherme CoutinhoGuilherme Coutinho was an obscure keyboardist from Belém, in Brazil’s Amazon region. “Atalaia” first appeared in 1978 on Guilherme Coutinho e o Grupo Stalo, released by his hometown radio station’s label. It's a laid-back song with an atmospheric groove driven by Coutinho’s Fender Rhodes, and subtle analog synth lines drift in and out, adding a cosmic, slightly psychedelic feel that bridges Brazilian rhythm with 1970s fusion and ambient soul. Atalaia is a coastal town located in the north, where the river meets the ocean, and is known for its mangroves, dunes, and extreme tides, which are all referenced in the lyrics. Guilherme Coutinho passed away in 1983 at the age of 41, making this a true cult album that has been recently reissued by Mr. Bongo.Check the song's translation with TranslationSmith.

In episode #87, we celebrate 45 years of the album "Feminina" released by Joyce Moreno in 1980. Arguably, her most important work, with feminist ideas ahead of her time, especially considering the Brazilian socio-political context. A jack of all trades, Joyce wrote all the lyrics and plays the guitar beautifully, enhanced by her charming voice. Among the album's highlights are "Feminina", an intergenerational conversation between mother and daughter; "Clareana", written as a lullaby song for her young daughters; and "Aldeia de Ogum", rediscovered by DJs in the 1990s. "Essa Mulher" also became a trademark song performed by Elis Regina, a song that encapsulates the "feminine" album theme of motherhood and sexual desire.Check Translationsmith for a full translation of "Clareana", and don't forget to follow our Brazuca Sounds playlist on Spotify with over 50 hours of music

In episode #89, we discussed some of the best Brazilian albums released in 2025. Among the artists we talked about were BaianaSystem, Alberto Continentino, and Seu Jorge, with his first album in 10 years.We also discussed singer-songwriter Luedji Luna and her two albums released in 2025; the latest album from Jadsa, the psychedelic duo Parque do São; millenial singer songwriter Rubel; and the new album released by Sessa. Follow our updated playlist: "⁠Soundtrack: Brazuca Sounds⁠". Follow our brand new playlist, The Contemporary Music of Brazil, with all songs from our New Sounds collection.Similar episodes:Brazuca Sounds #74: Best Albums of 2024Brazuca Sounds #49: Best Albums of 2023Brazuca Sounds #29: New Sounds of 2021Brazuca Sounds #6: Best Albums of 2020

In episode #89, we discussed some of the best Brazilian albums released in 2025. Among the albums discussed were BaianaSystem, Alberto Continentino, and Seu Jorge, with his first album in 10 years.We also discussed singer-songwriter Luedji Luna and her two albums released in 2025; the latest album from Jadsa, the psychedelic duo Parque do São; millenial singer songwriter Rubel; and the new album released by Sessa. Follow our updated playlist on Spotify: "⁠Soundtrack: Brazuca Sounds⁠". Follow our brand new playlist, The Contemporary Music of Brazil, with all the songs we shared in our New Sounds collection since 2020Similar episodes:Brazuca Sounds #74: Best Albums of 2024Brazuca Sounds #49: Best Albums of 2023Brazuca Sounds #29: New Sounds of 2021

Salve! This is a preview of our bonus episode exclusive for paid ⁠⁠subscribers⁠⁠!Every episode is a different song. This is the song today:"Onda" by CassianoReleased on the third Cassiano album, Cuban Soul-18 Kilates, from 1976, "Onda" was never a big hit in Brazil until it found success through hip-hop samples. Combining Brazilian rhythms with American soul and funk elements, the song created a unique fusion, which now stands as a milestone in Brazilian black music. It's a psychedelic funk trip of nearly 8 minutes, repetitive vocals, sounds of crashing waves and seagulls, and one of the most beautiful bass lines ever recorded in the country. A genius but troubled figure, Cassiano faced many battles with record labels during his career, and imprecise accounts suggest that in 1978, he lost a lung to tuberculosis.Check the song translation at TranslationSmith.

Salve! This is a preview of our latest bonus episode. Subscribe now at patreon.com/brazucasounds to unlock.Every episode is a different song. This is the song today:"Onda" written and performed by CassianoReleased on the third Cassiano album, Cuban Soul-18 Kilates, from 1976, "Onda" was never a big hit in Brazil until it found success through hip-hop samples. Combining Brazilian rhythms with American soul and funk elements, the song created a unique fusion, which now stands as a milestone in Brazilian black music. It's a psychedelic funk trip of nearly 8 minutes, repetitive vocals, sounds of crashing waves and seagulls, and one of the most beautiful bass lines ever recorded in the country. A genius but troubled figure, Cassiano faced many battles with record labels during his career, and imprecise accounts suggest that in 1978, he lost a lung to tuberculosis. Check the song translation at TranslationSmith.

Salve! This is a bonus episode available for all!Subscribe to our Patreon to unlock all of our archive of bonus eps!Every episode is a different song. This is the song today:"Boas Festas" written by Assis ValenteThis is the quintessential Brazilian Christmas song. Samba songwriter Assis Valente wrote it in 1932 while living alone, far from his family, in a boarding house in the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro. Sad and nostalgic, the song challenges Santa Claus (Papai Noel) to deliver the ultimate gift: happiness. Caetano Veloso, who later recorded “Boas Festas,” has argued that it is the Christmas song that best encapsulates the Brazilian spirit, as its lyrics openly acknowledge the excluded. Its tone is deeply connected to Valente’s own troubled life, marked by poverty, illness, and repeated personal crises.

Salve! This is a bonus episode available for all!Every episode is a different song. This is the song today:"Boas Festas" written by Assis ValenteThis is the quintessential Brazilian Christmas song. Samba songwriter Assis Valente wrote it in 1932 while living alone, far from his family, in a boarding house in the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro. Sad and nostalgic, the song challenges Santa Claus (Papai Noel) to deliver the ultimate gift: happiness. Caetano Veloso, who later recorded “Boas Festas,” has argued that it is the Christmas song that best encapsulates the Brazilian spirit, as its lyrics openly acknowledge the excluded. Its tone is deeply connected to Valente’s own troubled life, marked by poverty, illness, and repeated personal crises.

This is a preview of our latest monthly episode.It was initially released in full and is now available exclusively to our subscribers on Patreon⁠.In episode #88, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Refazenda, the landmark album released by Gilberto Gil in 1975. Conceived as a return to his Northeastern roots, the record marked a decisive shift away from the Tropicalia movement and the more rock-oriented phase of his careerRefazenda features key collaborations with accordion master Dominguinhos, who co-wrote classics such as “Tenho Sede” and “Lamento Sertanejo.” The change in direction was warmly received by audiences, making the album Gil’s biggest commercial success and launching his celebrated trilogy ⁠— alongside Refavela and Realce.Check Translationsmith for the translation of many songs from the album. Follow our playlist ⁠Brazuca Sounds Soundtrack with over 50 hours of music on Spotify.

In episode #88, we celebrate 50 years of the album "Refazena" released by Gilberto Gil in 1975. The album was intended as a return to Gilberto Gil's Northeastern roots, moving him away from Tropicalia and the more rock 'n' roll period in his life. "Refazenda" relies on several collaborations with accordion great, Dominguinhos, who co-wrote the songs "Tenho Sede" and "Lamento Sertanejo". The switch was well received by the audience, turning Refazenda into Gilberto Gil's biggest commercial success, which in turn led to its famous trilogy (along with Refavela and Realce). Check Translationsmith for the translation of many songs from the album. Follow our playlist ⁠Brazuca Sounds Soundtrack with over 50 hours of music on Spotify.