Brasil 2Mil: The Soul of Bass-O-Nova

Amazon.com
This decidedly different facet of Brazilian music keeps the soft sounds and rhythms of the samba, but puts them quite firmly in a '90s context, with the loops, beats, and samples of electronica, hip-hop, and R&B as integral parts of the song. In other words, unlike much Brazilian music, this music looks ahead, rather than behind--for example, Fernanda Abreu takes the bass line for Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" for a remix of her song, and it works perfectly within a sensual groove. Given that more than 30 years have passed since Tropicalia, Brazil's last musical revolution, the time seems to be very ripe for a new generation to have its say. And the people on this compilation are very articulate indeed. --Chris Nickson

Tracks:

Sem Contencao - Bebel Gilberto
O Dia Em Que Faremos Contato - Lenine
Ridiculously Deep - Arto Lindsay
Outro Lado - Zuco 103
Numbers - Smoke City
Alta Noite - Arnaldo Antunes
Objeto Nao Identificado - Daude
Voce Gosta - Suba
Negrume Da Noite - Virginia Rodrigues
Sem Pisar No Chao - Vinicius Cantuaria
Carmesim - Andrea Marquee
Amor De Muito - Chico Science/Nacao Zumbi
Voce Pra Mim (Remix) - Fernanda Abreu
Josimar (Fila Brazillia Mix) - Arakatuba

Amazon.com

This decidedly different facet of Brazilian music keeps the soft sounds and rhythms of the samba, but puts them quite firmly in a '90s context, with the loops, beats, and samples of electronica, hip-hop, and R&B as integral parts of the song. In other words, unlike much Brazilian music, this music looks ahead, rather than behind--for example, Fernanda Abreu takes the bass line for Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" for a remix of her song, and it works perfectly within a sensual groove. Given that more than 30 years have passed since Tropicalia, Brazil's last musical revolution, the time seems to be very ripe for a new generation to have its say. And the people on this compilation are very articulate indeed. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews:

STELLAR Sampler.......2004-03-24

I definitely agree with Larry - this is tremendous and was a very influential cd for me. Anyone looking to do a true sampler compilation should take a look at what Ziriguiboom did with this. Ziriguiboom/Crammed has basically partnered up with Six Degrees Records and release great artists on the labels. This was fantastic at getting the word out and made me look forward to hearing their artists that were coming out, like Zuco 103, Suba and Bebel Gilberto.

This sampler is from 1999 and was also a fantastic prelude to the nu-brazil sound/electric Brazil sound altogether. The cuts here by Bebel Gilberto and Zuco 103 are prototypes of songs on their respective albums - they aren't the same as the ones on their feature releases. Another artist that would release an extremely successful album was Suba, who featured Cibelle, Katia B and Joao Parahyba to name a few. Here you hear the ultra sexy "Voce Gosta". Andrea Marquee, who does "Carmesim" here (a breathtaking and breezy summer cut that's only on this cd) later went to Sterns, released "Zumbi" and has been huge in live theater productions... what a voice she has! Rounding out the impressive musical line-up is Lenine's rockin' tale of aliens arriving in Brazil, a pretty light modern sounding Daude track I love, Arnaldo Artunes with Marisa Monte (Tribalistas!) re-doing "Alta Noite" while Fernanda Abreu's seductive "take a Walk on the Wild Side" finishes up the vocal tracks. Arakatuba has an electric samba to conclude the cd... as interpreted by Fila Brazilia.

I HIGHLY recommend this cd. Even today it's great compared to other similar compilations at the time. Just look at what's happened to some of the musicians featured here since this release - most (actually, all of them) have released terrific cd's; some more dated than others. Just do a search on Amazon for the artists - it's really impressive IMO. If you like this, of the artists here I would recommend the artists works; especially Bebel Gilberto and Suba. Also if you're looking for something similar, Ziriguiboom released a sampler at the end of 2002 titled "Now Sound of Brazil" which features more artists from their label. Also check out 's "The Brazilian Vibe Experience". Enjoy!

Yummy.......2003-05-30

I find it interesting that so many fans of Brazilian music disregard this collection as "inauthentic," "too electronic" or "too trendy." While it may lack the driving, infectious beats of samba or forro and the gritty, sweaty feel that sometimes goes along, the music often seems to me an extension of bossa nova: cool music for hot days. There are some very sweet tracks on here. It is a CD that doesn't demand much of you; it doesn't make you want to dance or thump something to keep time; mostly it makes you want to be somewhere breezy with a caprinha in hand -- beside a pool, say.

I'm not five-starring it because it's not wholly original: a couple of the tracks were a bit bland. But the rest were lovely, original gems. And the packaging rocks.

The BEST of the Brasil-Electro Samplers!!!.......2003-05-20

I can't believe the negative reviews below! This is the BEST CD sampler of ELECTRONICA BASS-A-NOVA that I've come across. Purists should look elsewhere. (Just because you happen to like Bo Diddley, doesn't mean you can't love They Might Be Giants or Radiohead too.) I, too, have over 100 Brasilian albums & CDs, but I still love this. I've had it for several years and it's a great introduction to a variety of new artists from Brasil including Lenine, Zuco 103, Smoke City, Suba, Arnaldo Antunes, Arto Lindsay, and Fernanda Abreu. It's full of modern electronica innovations, creativity, and rhythms. It's fantastic!

AWFUL!!!.......2003-03-31

I have been a long time fan of Brazilian music and own a huge collection of cd's from ballads to pulsating carnaval music. I agree with the reviewer who said this was garbage. This is NOT Brazilian music. It is repetitive, electronic "sound" that can become annoying and very boring. It does not do justice to the mastery of the Brazilian musicians most of us admire. If you are searching for a better representation of Brazilian music I would recommend the cd "Chill Brazil".

A niced middle ground between soul and modernization.......2003-01-09

A killer collection of Brazil's best new artists. Includes cult favorites such as Lenine and Arnaldo Antunes, as well as better-known musicians such as rocker Chico Science and novo traditionalist, Virginia Rodrigues. The emphasis here is on smooth soul, triphop, and novo bossa nova, and vague hints of the Brazilian electronica scene -- it's interesting that Brazilian pop, which has often stumbled so badly over cheesy overproduction, is now finding such fertile ground in the dreamy, slow, chill-room vibe... Although this album fudges a little to select mellower tracks by occasionally rowdier artists, it's a strong song selection, and flows well as an album. A sweet peek at some of the new stuff which can barely be heard outside of Brazil proper -- worth checking out.