Brazuca Sounds #82 - Lula Côrtes & Zé Ramalho: Paêbirú (1975)

In episode #84, we talked about several debut samba albums. After Martinho da Vila and Clara Nunes topped the Brazilian charts in 1974 and continued to do so a year later, all the major record labels rushed to find their next big thing. The year 1975 marked the release of Alcione's first album, 'A Voz do Samba', on Philips. We also talked about the debuts of Giovana, Emilio Santiago, Agepê, Leci Brandão, and Sonia Santos. We discussed the megahit "Moça", the song of the year performed by samba-rocker Wando, and even some obscure jams such as Milena, Aloisio Machado, and Avan Samba. The year 1975 marked the year when samba became officially mainstream, incorporating arrangements from MPB and replacing traditional percussion. Follow our playlist Brazuca Sounds Soundtrack on Spotify.

Salve! This is a preview for the bonus episode for ⁠paid subscribers⁠!Every episode is a different song. Today are two songs!"Kilariô" and "Se O Mundo Acabasse em Mel" by Di MeloAfter spending a couple of years living in Japan, singer/songwriter Di Melo moved back to Brazil with three songs in hand, including Kilariô and Se O Mundo Acabasse em Mel. Di Melo's 1975 self-titled album, release by Odeon, became a seminal work in Brazilian funk and soul music, featuring contributions from renowned musicians like Hermeto Pascoal, who plays the clavinet in both songs. "Kilariô", became a minor hit with its syncopated groove and infectious energy, but the sespite the success in, Di Melo faced issues with the music industry, leading to a period of obscurity. Also check our friends at Translationsmith for a full translation of this and other Brazilian songs.

In episode #83, we are celebrating the 80th birthday of Raul Seixas [1945-1989], and the release of his fourth album, "Novo Aeon", on November 1975. The most popular Brazilian rock artist, Raul's music is characterized by intense guitar riffs, soulful vocals and blend with several music genres, including forró, baião and afrosounds. Novo Aeon is an album signifacantly inspired by Alistair Crowley in its lyrics, with the exploration of themes such as individualism, sexual liberation and freedom.We also explored Raul Seixas' music by talking about all four albums written in partnership with bestselling author Paulo Coelho. We talked about all of Raul's chameleon portraits: the hitmaker, the esoteric, the storyteller, the rockstar, the alcoholic, the copycat, the madman, the activist, the human. Follow our playlist Brazuca Sounds Soundtrack on Spotify.Check Translationsmith for the translation of Brazilian lyrics.

Salve! This is a bonus episode for ⁠paid subscribers⁠!Every episode is a different song. This is the song today:"O Trem das 7" by Raul SeixasRaul Seixas is a foundational figure in Brazilian rock, blending his early influences from Elvis Presley with baião, Dylanesque storytelling, and psychedelia. He died too soon, but in this episode, we're celebrating 80 years of his birthday on June 28th, 1945. "O Trem das 7" is a metaphorical song about transformation, judgment, and a "spiritual awakening", evoking his readings of esoteric philosopher Alistair Crowley. The song is among the several great hits from his 1974 album "Gita", which sold over 600 thousand copies. Over the years Raul also broke cultural norms and became a cult-followed, Forrest Gump-like figure in Brazilian pop culture.Check Translationsmith for a full translation of "O Trem das 7".

Salve! This is a preview for our bonus episode exclusive for ⁠paid subscribers⁠!Every episode is a different song. This is the song today:"Homem com H" by Ney MatogrossoAfter disbanding Secos e Molhados, the singer Ney Matogrosso embarked on a successful solo career praised by the music critics. However, it was only with "Homem com H" from his seventh solo adventure that he claimed mainstream success. A blend of pop and forró, with a sappy vocal performance by Matogrosso, this was a defiant song in 1980s Brazil, as the country began to emerge from its military regime. "Homem com H" became so popular that it was recently featured in the Ney Matogrosso biopic, released on Netflix (although it received the English title "Latin Blood"). Check the work of Translationsmith for a full translation of the lyrics.

In episode #82, we talked about "Paêbiru", one of the most important albums from the Brazilian Psychedelic movement. Inspired by a trip to the archaeological site of Pedra do Ingá in the Northeast of Brazil, Lula and Zé Ramalho created a blend of folk experimentation, fuzz guitars, and spatial sound, mixed with Brazilian northeastern regional music. The album became a cult treasure among collectors after a flood submerged the record label factory, causing the loss of almost all original vinyl pressing of the original batch. Follow our playlist Brazuca Sounds Soundtrack on Spotify.

Salve! All bonus episodes are for ⁠paid subscribers⁠ only! However, this episode is available for everybody to celebrate Novos Baianos first-ever North American tour!Every episode is a different song. This is the song today:"Mistério do Planeta" by Novos BaianosIn this bonus episode, we uncovered a song from their classic album "Acabou Chorare". Co-written by Luiz Galvão (lyrics) and Moraes Moreira (music), with vocal performances by Paulinho Boca de Cantor,. "Mistério do Planeta" embodies perfectly their collective spirit and their fusion of MPB, samba, and psychedelia.Our friend Steve Smith at Translationsmith did another amazing job with a full translation of the lyrics. "Mistério do Planeta" is about embracing one's true self and navigating life's journey with a sense of mystery and freedom.Don't miss Novos Baianos playing in North America.

In episode #81, we shared 25 more songs talking about Brazilian places in their lyrics, this time centred in the Northeast. We traveled to Bahia with Dorival Caymmi, João Gilberto, Novos Baianos, and more. Then we moved to Luiz Gonzaga's Pernambuco, and Jackson do Pandeiro's Paraíba, and all the other Northeastern states. Djavan sings about Alagoas, Alcione praises Maranhão, and Fagner pays homage to his Ceará. Check the ⁠Translationsmith ⁠for lyrics translations.Follow our playlist 'A Trip to Brazil' on Spotify.Follow our playlist Brazuca Sounds Soundtrack on Spotify.

Salve! This is a preview for a bonus episode exclusive for ⁠paid subscribers⁠!Every episode is a different song. This is the song today:"Nanã" by Moacir SantosMoacir Santos was a highly influential composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist known for his innovative approach to Brazilian music, particularly his fusion of jazz with Afro-Brazilian rhythms. He mentored prominent musicians like Sergio Mendes, who recorded "Nanã" in 1964. Mario Telles then wrote the lyrics for the song, which became a tremendous success performed by Wilson Simonal. Recorded numerous times, Moacir Santos finally did his version of "Nanã" for his 1965 album "Coisas," a masterpiece arrangement unparalleled by any of the countless versions recorded before or after

Salve! This is a bonus episode for ⁠paid subscribers⁠!Every episode is a different song. This is the song today:"Manhã" by AzymuthAzymuth has been a staple in studio recordings since the early 1970s, collaborating with artists like Marcos Valle, Hyldon, Raul Seixas, and many others. In 1975, they released their debut album, propelled by the success of its opening track, “A Linha do Horizonte,” which gained widespread attention after being featured on a popular soap opera soundtrack.Over the years, the trio found even greater success abroad than in Brazil, with their distinctive fusion of samba, jazz, and funk, along with their pioneering use of synthesizers, all that summarized in today’s bonus episode, featuring “Manhã.”Don't miss Azymuth playing in North America this June.