​​45LIVE SHOW:Extended liner notes

​This page serves as a companion piece to my guest set on Greg Belson's mighty 45 Live radio show on Dublab LA, which can be found​ here.
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I've tried to cover some ground here, spotlighting some of the various Brazilian styles that move me, connecting dots between funk, soul, forró, samba rock, MPB, batucada, jazz funk, disco, boogie and Afro Brazilian grooves. It's the kind of mix that if you skip ahead a track or two, you may wonder how you got there. But, hopefully, listened to straight through, I was able to  keep the wheels from coming off. I'll let you be the judge.
Grande abraços from brasil xo-tee
Pedrinho Batera - "Bananas"
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Batera, drummer and vocalist for Brazilian prog/funk outfit, Som Nosso de Cada Dia, cut this killer 4 tracker, his only solo release, for the obscure Royal label in 1981. Depending on the moment, I've been known to play every track off of this compacto duplo that swings stylistically between reggae, funk, prog and soul influences. The track though that I've kicked things off with here is the aptly-titled groove, "Bananas".
Morris Albert - "The Throat"​ (Instrumental)
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Heads will know this classic of raw, early 70s Brazilian funk. What you may not have known is that it's by the same cat, Maurício Alberto Kaisermann aka Morris Albert, that brought us "Feelings". Yes, that song.
Almir Chediak - "Zé da Severina"

I included this as a fine example of what happens when the North Eastern regional style of Forró heads down to funky and cosmopolitan, Rio de Janeiro. Chediak is best remembered for a couple of things; literally writing the book(s) on Brazilian Popular Music and producing Tim Maia's bossa nova LP from 1991. Sadly, he was gunned down in a robbery at the age of 52 while in the midst of writing a biography on Maia. This compacto duplo from 1975 is also noteworthy for featuring the great Antonio Adolfo on keys as well as handling the arrangements.
Cassiano - "Central Do Brasil"

​A tune that should need no introduction. Eccentric soulman, Cassiano, perfectly captures through this relentless groove the bustling energry of the Rio train station that links commuters from all parts of the city and beyond and lends the track its name. Classic material.
Os Tincoãs - "Ajaguná"

I'm a huge fan of Os Tincoãs and their fusion of Afro-Brazilian spiritual themes and rhythms with soul music. This 7"-only track from 1982 floors me every time with it's sheer beauty, fantastic arrangement and pristine production.
Orfeu Negro - "Pinguin Dance"
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Obscure Brazilian jazz funk number on the equally obscure Urbis label. This 7" comprises the entirety of the bands recorded output. Under the radar and still can be had cheap.
 Music Corporation - "Theme From S.W.A.T."
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The first of a couple of covers included here. The 70s produced some of the baddest TV themes ever and S.W.A.T. is probably my favorite of them all. This Brazilian version, most likely recorded by a Som Livre house band, rivals the OG, in my opinion. BR studio bands covering popular American themes were quite common, most likely as a way to keep expenses down while still capitalising on the popularity of a tune. Released on a 7" only as part of this "Dose Dupla" mini comp from 1977.

Amelinha - "Por Fora e Por Dentro"
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​Heavy boogie rock vibes on this 1980 release from Amelinha with lyrics as heavy as the groove.
Elis Regina - "No Céu Da Vibração"
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A killer Gilberto Gil-penned 7" only b-side from Elis' period with Cesar Camargo Mariano handling her arrangements. Those only knowing Regina's work from the bossa nova era may be surprised how raw and funky she gets here. Heavy tune.
Mão Branca - "Melô Do Mão Branca" (Instrumental)

Brazil's soul brother #1, Gerson King Combo, under cover as Mão Branca, a legendary vigilante from Rio's Baixada Fluminense area. The vocal A-side is seen as an early example of Brazilian rap but I usually go for the instrumental. Nice break in there as well. RIP GCK!
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Chico Batera - "Oxossi"
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Drummer, Batera, brings a heavy Afro-Brazilian influence to this beautiful and madly funky tune. Some crazy syncopation going on here.
Miss Lene - "Sorridente"
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Massive BR boogie tune from 1980 released on a seven as a promo only.
Adriana - "Tanto Emoção"
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A favorite Lincoln Olivetti-produced disco joint from 1980, released only on this 7". B-side wins again.
Ugo Marotta - "Summertime"
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Going by Discogs alone, you wouldn't know what's the deal with this, as it's just listed as a Sarah Vaughan release. No mention of the killer jazz funk version on the flip, produced and arranged by Ugo Marotta, featuring Wilson das Neves on drums and Osmar Milito on keys (wait for his killer solo at the end). Private release for either a film or a clothing store. I've heard both. The track names would hint it's a film theme but I've heard from reliable sources that Tavares was a men's clothing store in Rio.
Ed Lincoln - "Betty"

Lesser known release from legendary dance band leader on his own Savoya imprint. Such a unique tune, 7" only and rare as hen's teeth. This is an eccentric slice of Brazilian soul masquerading as a simple pop ditty. Found mine for pennies from a guy selling used books in the street in the same box, amazingly, as the next record.
The Britain Singers - "Woman"
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Dope version of this classic as performed by a house band of the Equipe label. Nothing else they released (assuming it was ever the same line-up), comes close to this one. David Mancuso is widely recognised as breaking this tune to forward-thinking DJs and dancers in the US so for it to have shown up as a cover in Brazil shortly after its initial release is pretty wild.
Severino Araújo E Sua Orquestra - "Africano"
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Amazing orchestral batucada track from 1960 featuring Sorongo aka Pedro dos Santos on percussion, best known for his Krishnanda LP from eight years later. Bit of a stretch to fit this one in but had to do it. Very unique and tough to find. Also worth noting that this is the only actual 45 in the set, as nearly every Brazilian seven cut after the very early 60s was done at 33 1/3.
Lee Jackson - "Mas Que Nada / Xico Da Silva"
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Heavy samba rock medley of two Jorge Ben classics. Love the way it switches up from the stomping 4/4 beat to the half speed samba breakdowns. This one goes like a mfer.
Marku - "Zamba Ben"
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One more that shouldn't need any introduction. Massive Afro samba rock tune from the master, Marku Ribas. His nonsensical scat style, which heavily influenced Ed Motta, was apparently thought by the military dictatorship to be some kind of subversive code on this track and Ribas resorted to fabricating some lyrics to submit to the censors to appease them. Played here off the original Underground promo pressing that predated its release on a Copacabana 7" by two years.
Edwardo Araujo - "Esteira De Vime""

​No idea how to really categorize this one other than 'bonkers'. Wait for that squeeze box / flute break, followed by the arpeggiated synth.
Zimbo Trio - "Fé Cega, Faça Almolada"
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Had to end on this one. Absolute face melting instrumental version of the Milton Nascimento and Ronaldo Bastos tune that appeared originally (with Beto Guedes) on Nascimento's "Minas" LP.  Easily in my top 5 BR jazz joints. ​Promo only 7".
Hear the entire 45 Live Show with Greg Belson and Tee Cardaci from December 4, 2020