Record Reviews

ALEUDA ~ OFERENDA FAR OUT 045 (Barcode: 5030094054721) ~ BRAZIL ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1984 Released: 2000 This is an expanded reissue of an album by Brazilian vocalist AleudaFind albums by this artist, who was discovered by the Brazilian Jazz multi-instrumentalist / composer / bandleader Hermeto PascoalFind albums by this artist. Pascoal produced and arranged the album, composed some of the material and plays on the album with some excellent musicians, such as bassist Zeca AssumpcaoFind albums by this artist, flautist / saxophonist Mauro SeniseFind albums by this artist and many others. The original album presented eight tracks and this reissue includes two bonus tracks, which are remixes of two tracks from the album. The music is a magical amalgam of Pop, Brazilian Folklore and Jazz, beautifully arranged by Pascoal, creating often complex musical vistas and orchestral sound. The album is an excellent example of the depth of Brazilian music, and of course the Genius of Pascoal, which are way beyond the simplistic image of Samba and Bossa Nova, which most people associate with music originating in Brazil. Aleuda has a sensuous voice and surprising range, and handles the music with ease and elegance. The players are of course all excellent, and the music flows fluently, featuring many short, but superb solos by the musicians involved. There is not a dull moment on this album, from start to finish. Overall, this is a rather obscure but excellent example of Brazilian Jazz-World Fusion, which offers a diverse collection of musical trends, brilliantly arranged and performed by some of the best Brazilian musician, all under the watchful eye / ear of Hermeto Pascoal, who is one of the greatest musical Geniuses on this planet.

Updated: 29/04/2023Posted: 29/04/2023

CD 1 Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

HERMETO PASCOAL ~ HERMETO FAR OUT 07 (Barcode: 5065007965214) ~ BRAZIL ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1970 Released: 2023 This is a reissue / remaster of the debut album as a leader by the Brazilian Jazz multi-instrumentalist / composer / bandleader Hermeto PascoalFind albums by this artist, recorded in NY with some top American Jazz musicians, like woodwinds players Joe FarrellFind albums by this artist and Hubert LawsFind albums by this artist, trumpeters Thad JonesFind albums by this artist and Ernie RoyalFind albums by this artist, bassist Ron CarterFind albums by this artist and the Royal Brazilian Jazz couple: vocalist Flora PurimFind albums by this artist and drummer / percussionist Airto MoreiraFind albums by this artist, who moved to the US in the late 1960s, and who also co-produced the album. The album presents eight tracks, seven of which are original compositions by Hermeto Pascoal and one is by his older brother Jose Netto PascoalFind albums by this artist, all brilliantly arranged and orchestrated by Hermeto Pascoal, who plays keyboards and flute. The music is a divine example of early Jazz-World Fusion, with brilliant and intricate orchestral arrangements, which were completely different from what the usual American Orchestral Jazz sounded like. The sophistication and wild imagination that Pascoal incorporated in his music amazed the American musicians who were exposed to it, including Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, who regarded Pascoal as a musical genius, and rightly so. The album sounds amazingly fresh and contemporary, despite the fact that it is more than five decades old, and still offers today much to be learned from, not to mention of course an exquisite listening experience, full of sublime melodic themes, typical Brazilian touches and superb soloing by the players. Overall, this is a true classic Jazz-World Fusion album, which deserves to be heard and remembered, and which offers exceedingly original musical approach to orchestral Jazz. It is great to see the album available again, and hopefully it will be discovered by new generations of listeners. Personally I just can’t get enough of this music, with the CD playing on “repeat” mode. Kudos to Far Out Recordings for bringing this gem back to life!

Updated: 22/04/2023Posted: 22/04/2023

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

HERMETO PASCOAL ~ VIAJANDO COM O SOM FAR OUT 200 (Barcode: 5060211503535) ~ BRAZIL ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 1976 Released: 2017 This is a sensational archival album by the Godfather of Brazilian Jazz, multi-instrumentalist / composer / bandleader Hermeto PascoalFind albums by this artist. Recorded in 1976, this album remained unreleased for over forty years, only to be finally made available thanks to the fact that a copy of the original session recording was miraculously kept by keyboardist Lelo NazarioFind albums by this artist. Pascoal recorded this album following his return to Brazil, after spending some time in the US playing and recording among others with Miles DavisFind albums by this artist and another Brazilian expatriate Airto MoreiraFind albums by this artist. Pascoal is accompanied by a group of young Brazilian musicians, called Grupo Vice VersaFind albums by this artist, which consists of keyboardist Lelo Nazario, his brother drummer Zé Eduardo NazarioFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Nivaldo OrnelasFind albums by this artist, Mauro SeniseFind albums by this artist and Raul MascarenhasFind albums by this artist, guitarist Toninho HortaFind albums by this artist, bassist Zeca AssumpcaoFind albums by this artist and female vocalist Aleuda ChavesFind albums by this artist. The album presents just four lengthy pieces, three of which are original compositions by Pascoal and one is an arrangement of a Brazilian folklore theme. The sound quality of the recording is exceptional and sounds as if it was recorded recently, which is truly remarkable. The extensive liner notes describe the historic circumstances of this recording session and other background information, including photographs, for which the record label is to be praised. The music is a wonderful amalgam of Jazz, World and Improvised Music, which incorporates the Jazz and Jazz-Rock idioms with the riches of Brazilian music, weaving a unique tapestry, which is typical of Pascoal´s brilliant achievements. The vigor, dynamics and enthusiasm characterizing the contributions by these young players is strongly felt, balancing Pascoal´s more lyrical and contemplative approach, again creating magnificent tension and feeling of urgency. The extensive nature of these tracks allows ample opportunity for the musicians to contribute impressive solos and both individual and group improvisations. The music is light-years ahead of its time and sounds as contemporary and exciting as the best music recorded today, which places it instantly in the "classic" category. Like all great band leaders Pascoal cultivated generations of young musicians, who later on became leaders of their own. Following this session the Nazario BrothersFind albums by this artist, Senise and Assumpcao would create the Grupo UmFind albums by this artist, the first bona fide Brazilian Jazz-Rock-World Fusion ensemble, which greatly influenced the local scene for years to come. Of course many other players in his groups over the years were about to follow a similar path. This is an absolute essential piece of history, not only of Brazilian Jazz, but of the entire Jazz-Rock-World Fusion idiom, which still plays a central role on the contemporary scene. As such it should become an integral part of every serious album collection, owned by true music connoisseurs. The fact that this music had to wait for so long to be released is a great pity, but alas at last we can all enjoy it. Essential!

Updated: 01/01/2018Posted: 01/01/2018

CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

AZYMUTH ~ DEMOS (1973-75) VOLUMES 1 & 2 FAR OUT 210 (Barcode: 827565062621) ~ BRAZIL ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 1973 - 1975 Released: 2019 This is an archival album, which presents previously unreleased early recordings by the great Brazilian ensemble AzymuthFind albums by this artist, which precede their official eponymous debut album released in 1975. At that stage the ensemble was a quartet comprising of keyboardist Jose Roberto BertramiFind albums by this artist, bassist Jose Alexandre MalheirosFind albums by this artist, drummer Ivan ContiFind albums by this artist and percussionist Ariovaldo ContesiniFind albums by this artist. The album presents sixteen original compositions, mostly co-composed by Bertrami, Malheiros and Conti, and some by Bertrami. Azymuth played a wonderful amalgam of Jazz / Funk / Samba, which proved to be extremely successful in the 1980s, when they released their albums on the US label MilestoneFind albums on this label Records, which also signed other Brazilian Jazz artist, like the couple of Airto MoreiraFind albums by this artist and Flora PurimFind albums by this artist. Despite the fact than their music was popular, they offered a highly aesthetic approach to their Art and never compromised their musical principles, which resulted in a series of truly excellent albums. They also released individual solo albums over time. Bertrami sadly departed in 2012. Although the music on this album is somewhat raw, recorded in a straightforward and simplistic studio conditions, it offers the true spirit of Azymuth’s music, which combines brilliant melodic compositions and Brazilian rhythmic magic, superbly performed by the group members. Bertrami was a sublime keyboardist and managed to squeeze absolutely everything possible form his keyboards, which considering the time-frame, sound absolutely magnificent. The “simplicity” and straightforwardness of the music on this CD is absolutely captivating and touches on the hidden nostalgic strings, which again and again remind us that “they don’t make music like this anymore”, which in this case is even more evident than usual. Overall, this is a marvelous album, full of brilliant music and superb performances, with an emphasis of early synthesizer and electric keyboards, which are omnipresent herein and provide a great glimpse of the music made in the early to mid-1970s, far from where “the things were happening” and yet every bit as exciting and even perhaps more exciting than most. This is a brilliant historic document of Brazilian / South American music and thanks to Far OutFind albums on this label Recordings, we have an opportunity to revisit this music again fifty years later.

Updated: 22/03/2023Posted: 22/03/2023

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

HERMETO PASCOAL ~ PLANETARIO DA GAVEA FAR OUT 229 (Barcode: 5065007965085) ~ BRAZIL ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1981 Released: 2022 This is a phenomenal archival album by legendary Brazilian Jazz multi-instrumentalist (keyboards / saxophone / flute) vocalist / composer / bandleader Hermeto PascoalFind albums by this artist, presenting a live recording captured at Rio de Janeiro’s Planetarium. He is accompanied by some of the best Brazilian Jazz musician, which played in his various groups over the years: saxophonist / flautist Carlos MaltaFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Jovino Santos NetoFind albums by this artist, bassist Itibere ZwargFind albums by this artist and drummers / percussionists Zé Eduardo NazarioFind albums by this artist, Marcio BahiaFind albums by this artist and PernambucoFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Antonio Luis de SantanaFind albums by this artist). The 2CD album presents ten original compositions, which get here an expanded treatment, in one case over half an hour in duration. The music is the familiar magical mixture of Brazilian music, Pascoal’s brilliantly weaved melodies and Jazz improvisations, which these great musicians perform with superb skill and passion. Although the live recording is a bit rough on the edges sound wise, the enthusiasm and sheer virtuosity of these players combined with Pascoal’s music, works like a charm. Pascoal is undoubtedly one of the most important precursors of Jazz-World Fusion and all his work over the decades is a wonderful example of the power of the genre. His talent, recognized by many fellow musicians all over the world, is a beacon of ingenuity, inventiveness and universality of music. Overall, this album is a gift to all Jazz-World Fusion enthusiasts, saving this superb music from oblivion. Since most Pascoal’s albums are currently unavailable or extremely hard to find, this release fills a gap, not mentioning its importance as it presents several compositions that were never previously available on record. An absolute must!

Updated: 12/08/2022Posted: 12/08/2022

CD 2 Recommend To A Friend

GRUPO UM ~ STARTING POINT FAR OUT 235 (Barcode: 5065007965344) ~ BRAZIL ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 1975 Released: 2023 This is an archival album, which presents the previously unreleased album by the great Brazilian ensemble Grupo UmFind albums by this artist, which precedes their official debut album by a several years. At that stage the ensemble was a trio comprising of brothers Lelo NazarioFind albums by this artist (keyboards) and Zé Eduardo NazarioFind albums by this artist (drums) and Zeca AssumpcaoFind albums by this artist (bass). The trio gained experience by performing as members of the band led by legendary Godfather of Brazilian Jazz Hermeto PascoalFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions, four by Lelo Nazario and two by Zé Eduardo Nazario. The music is an absolutely staggering amalgam of Jazz, Fusion, Avant-Garde and Brazilian Folkloristic influences, combined in a unique way. Although the three albums Grupo Um recorded in the late 1970s and early 1980s (“Marcha Sobre A CidadeFind albums with this title” / “Reflexões Sobre A Crise Do DesejoFind albums with this title” / “A Flor De Plastico IncineradaFind albums with this title”) are all Masterpieces of Jazz-Rock-World Fusion, this album, recorded in the intimate trio setting presents some measure of creative naiveté and openness, which were quite naturally lost with time, especially the Avant-Garde / experimental touches. All three instrumentalists are obvious virtuosi already at that early stage of their careers, which of course was evident throughout their later careers. The album was released by the British Far OutFind albums on this label Recordings, a label specializing in Brazilian music, which released many superb reissues / archival releases, which are absolutely worth their weight in gold and all worth being discovered. Overall, this is a wonderful gem brought back to daylight, which offers another glimpse at the fascinating Brazilian Jazz / Fusion scene, which produced some fascinating music, which sadly is often little known outside of the native country and deserves to be heard by all fans of truly interesting music. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 19/03/2023Posted: 19/03/2023

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend