Brazuca Sounds #81 - A Trip to Brazil in 100 Songs [Part 2]

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.

Salve! This is a previous of our latest episode. All episodes are available for only a week before becoming exclusively for ⁠⁠subscribers at Patreon⁠⁠. In episode #80, we talked about the history of the vocal group Os Tincoãs. They introduced a new musical concept, not yet explored in Brazilian popular music: vocal arrangements for songs originating from Afro-Brazilian religious rituals, so present in their homeland in Bahia. We dived deep into their album "O Africanto dos Tincoãs", released in 1975, but we also expanded by talking about their beginning, their biggest hits, the importance of religious synchretism in their music, and the cult status that followed the trio since the early 2000s. Follow our playlist on Spotify: Brazuca Sounds Podcast Soundtrack.

Salve! This is a bonus episode for ⁠paid subscribers⁠!Every episode is a different song. This is the song today:"Samurai" by DjavanRecently signed with RCA Victor, Djavan recorded his debut album for the label in Los Angeles, with production by Ronnie Foster. When asked about Stevie Wonder's feature on the album, Djavan revealed that he wrote “Samurai” entirely in his hotel room during a single night. The song became the biggest hit from the album Luz—a classic blend of R&B infused with Djavan’s unmistakable Brazilian touch. Linguistically, this is a pretty straightforward song, but its simplicity hides a wealth of poetry in the words. Check out the full translation of the song at Translationsmith.

Salve! This is a trailer for the latest bonus episode for Brazuca Sounds ⁠paid subscribers⁠!Every episode is a different song. This is the song today:"Falador Passa Mal" by Originais do SambaWritten by Jorge Ben, the song was a megahit on the radio and TV from Originais do Samba's sixth album, released in 1973. An ensemble of six percussionists, with the same core for over a decade, the group also incorporated elements of mainstream samba, such as bass, guitar, and traditional drumset. "Falador Passa Mal" is the ultimate snitches-get-stitches type of song, and it is a Brazilian samba classic even today. Check our friends at Translationsmith for a full translation of the song.

Salve! This is a previous of our latest episode. All episodes now are only available for a week before becoming exclusively for ⁠subscribers at Patreon⁠. In episode #79, we discussed one of the best instrumental albums ever recorded. It is the Quarteto Novo's first and only album, released in 1967 via Odeon in Brazil. This album was fundamental in bringing Northeast folklore music to a national audience, sparsely blended with bebop jazz, bossa, folk, with cinematic arrangements and great musicianship. The quartet of percussionist Airto Moreira, guitarist Heraldo do Monte, bassist Theo de Barros and flutist/pianist Hermeto Pascoal deviated from conventional time signatures and created a very innovative sound not only in Brazil, but for the whole world. Quarteto Novo recently had its first vinyl reissue in 25 years by French new record label Jazzybelle. Follow our playlist on Spotify: Brazuca Sounds Podcast Soundtrack.

Salve! This is a bonus episode for Brazuca Sounds ⁠paid subscribers⁠!Every episode is a different song. This is the song today:"Emoriô" and "Naturalemente" by Fafá de BelémToday we're celebrating the first compacto (single) released in 1975 by singer Fafá de Belém. "Emoriô" was written by João Donato with lyrics by Gilberto Gil, and its Afro-Brazilian arrangements, heavy percussion, and repetitive chorus elevated 19-year-old Fafá into a Brazilian star. The B-side, "Naturalmente", written by Donato with lyrics by Caetano Veloso, is no less impressive, with its carimbó rhythm, and putting a spotlight for the first time on the North sounds of Brazil, especially the state of Pará, where the singer was from. Caetano's lyrics are "a veritable linguistic playground", almost a catalog of Amazonian terminology, and I recommend checking out the full translation with our friends at Translationsmith.

Salve! This is a preview to our bonus episode for ⁠paid subscribers⁠!Every episode is a different song. This is the song today:"Jorge da Capadócia" by Jorge BenApril 23rd is a state holiday in Rio de Janeiro, celebrated in honor of Saint George's Day. Among his many devotees is Jorge Ben, who paid tribute to the saint in several songs, sometimes blended with Afro-Brazilian spirituality, through Saint George's syncretic counterpart, Ogum. One of his most iconic songs is "Jorge da Capadócia", released in 1975 on the album Solta o Pavão, featuring direct lines from a traditional prayer to Saint George, invoking protection against enemies. Find the full translation with our friends at Translationsmith. Over the years, the song has become a staple of Brazilian music, covered by influential artists like Caetano Veloso, pop singer Fernanda Abreu, and hip-hop legends Racionais MCs.

Salve! This is a previous of our latest episode. All episodes now are only available for a week before becoming exclusively for ⁠⁠subscribers at Patreon⁠⁠. In episode #78, we discussed Tim Maia's album Racional Volume 1, released in 1975. By 1974, Tim Maia had become deeply involved with Cultura Racional, a spiritual philosophy he believed could "save humanity" through the teachings found in Universo em Desencanto. This belief consumed him to the point where he temporarily gave up drinking, smoking, and drugs, and began dressing in all-white, cult-like attire. Despite the controversy, the music is now recognized as some of the most funky and innovative ever recorded in Brazil.With the album nearly finished, he revoked his contract with RCA Victor, secured the master tapes, and rewrote all the original lyrics to reflect the teachings of Cultura Racional. He founded his own independent label to release the album, Seroma Discos, which features six full songs, three spoken-word vignettes focused on the book’s message, and one track in English aimed at reaching an international audience. Follow our playlist on Spotify: Brazuca Sounds Podcast Soundtrack.