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Disillusioned with the vapidity of manufactured national pop - pagode, axé, lambada, brega and the rest – Brazil’s millennial musicians started digging for rare soul, funk, reggae and hip hop records for inspiration, an entry-point to the Blue Note and soul-jazz classics of America’s east coast, as well as richer meat – Sun Ra, Roland Kirk, Pharaoh Sanders and afrobeat. They also started listening more to European jazz: a fascinating ‘full-circle’ effect, because early twentieth century choro jazz was strongly influenced by European music in template if not in tempo.
The large majority of players on this compilation are under 30 years old, most from São Paulo and Rio De Janeiro. Many have played with each other and are familiar with each other’s work – as were Rio’s 1960s bossa nova community. But the sheer range, energy and boisterousness of the approach is thrilling.
This cutting edge Rough Guide digs deep into today's dynamic, shape-shifting Brazilian jazz scene – leaving 'The Girl From Ipanema' lounging in the shade.
Available now on CD, Download & with Subscription
Iconili, Nomade Orquestra, Höröya and Bixiga 70 are essentially gafieira (dancehall) orchestras – with all the discipline, skill and ‘listening to each other’ that it implies – playing from a different songbook: a repertoire inspired by Nigeria, Guinea, Ethiopia, the Caribbean and New York. Thiago França’s sharp-elbowed genius makes itself felt in his solo work as well as in the more modal Space Charanga and European fans may know Thiago from the touring combo Metá-Metá. Juçara Marçal and Karina Buhr’s voicings explore similar territory to Carla Bley while Tulipa Ruiz’s sparkling Roy Ayers-style jazz-funk contribution wouldn’t be out of place on the 1980s London dancefloors of Dingwall’s, the WAG or the Electric Ballroom.
There had to be a hip hop track – so many Brazilian millennials got into jazz via hip hop – and new teenage sensation Tassia Reis was a no-brainer.
And it’s no mistake that the collection is sandwiched between contributions from young Turks Fernando Moura & Ary Dias and (for this compiler, at least) probably the most complete mainstream jazz musician that Brazil has ever produced, Victor Assis Brasil.
Innovative music is alive and kicking in millennial Brazil: although it never really left the building.
