Brazuca Sounds

Latest Episodes:

Brazuca Sounds #64: Music During Dictatorship in Brazil May 21, 2024

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In episode #64 we discuss songs censored during the military regime in Brazil (1964-1985). In April 1964, a coup d'etat took over Brazil, and four years later the government adopted even more restrictive measures with the Institutional Act nº5, so every cultural work (films, books, theatre, and music), required prior approval from the government to circulate. We had another episode on this topic on Brazuca Sounds #8. In this episode, we discussed songs censored by the dictatorship whether because of their political lyrics, their "poor taste" against morals, or simply by any rational reason. We also talked about mysteriously NOT censored songs and what the musicians did to accomplish that. Amongst the artists featured on the podcast are Luiz Gonzaga, MPB4, Ivan Lins, Odair José, Tim Maia, Rita Lee, and more. Access our playlist Brazuca Sounds Podcast Soundtrack.

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BONUS EP. (Wilson Simonal - "País Tropical") May 09, 2024

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Salve! This is a bonus episode for paid subscribers!

Every episode is a different song: "País Tropical" by Wilson Simonal (written by Jorge Ben) from 1969

Jorge Ben wrote this song for Gal Costa but Simonal after seeing her performing the song live asked his friend Ben for the scoop. Simonal then not only recorded "País Tropical" first, but his version became an instant hit. Combining elements of Latin jazz, samba, and soul, staccato brass arrangements, and the unmistakable voice of Wilson Simonal, is one the most popular Brazilian songs ever produced.

Brazuca Sounds #63: Elis & Tom [1974] Apr 30, 2024

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This episode is exclusive for paid subscribers.

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In episode #63 we discussed the 50th anniversary of Elis & Tom, released in 1974. Elis Regina completed 10 years at Philips, and the record label offered a gift to celebrate the occasion. She chose to record an album performing songs by Tom Jobim featuring the maestro himself. Recorded in Los Angeles, the album rejuvenated bossa-nova, which was slowly beginning to die in the water.

Elis Regina conquered all the prestige that she never had despite her popularity, and Tom Jobim achieved mainstream success that he never came close to having in Brazil despite his prestige. The album "Elis & Tom" was recently the subject of a documentary, "Elis e Tom, Só Tinha de Ser com Você", with rare and unseen images from the recording sessions. On this podcast, we're gonna expand on that, with all the backstory about one the greatest albums of Brazilian music history.

Access our playlist Brazuca Sounds Podcast Soundtrack.

PREVIEW | BONUS EP. (Gilberto Gil: "Eu Só Quero Um Xodó") Apr 23, 2024

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This is another bonus episode of Brazuca Sounds! Every episode is a different song.

This is the song today: "Eu só Quero um Xodó" by Gilberto Gil from Cidade do Salvador (1973)

The accordionist Dominguinhos once created a melody in his tiny apartment. Anástasia was cooking, left everything behind, and wrote the lyrics for the song. They intended to sell it off to a forró record label, but during a tour in France supporting Gal Costa, Dominguinhos played the tune in a soundcheck, Gilberto Gil heard it and the rest is history. "Eu Só quero Um Xodó" was released by Gil as a single, featuring Dominguinhos, and over the years became one of the most popular forró songs ever.

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Brazuca Sounds #62: Jorge Ben - A Tábua de Esmeralda (1974) Apr 09, 2024

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In episode #62 we discussed the 50th anniversary of Jorge Ben's masterpiece "A Tábua de Esmeralda", released in 1974. After a period of living in France, Jorge Ben got involved with alchemists. Hence, the album is a reflection of its secrets, legends, and fables, including the album's title (a reference to the Emerald Tablet) and the artwork that incorporates drawings from Nicholas Flamel, who was immortalized as a great alchemist for his work on the philosopher's stone. However, it's NOT only about alchemy as Jorge Ben also speaks about black culture in seminal tracks like "Zumbi", his love for women characters like "Minha Teimosia, Uma Arma pra te Conquistar", and more importantly, it is the last Jorge Ben album played entirely with the acoustic guitar. Access our playlist Brazuca Sounds Podcast Soundtrack.

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PREVIEW | BONUS EP. (Os Mutantes: "Ando Meio Desligado") Apr 04, 2024

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This is another bonus episode of Brazuca Sounds!

Every episode is a different song. This is the song today:

"Ando Meio Desligado" by Os Mutantes from A Divina Comédia (1970)

"Ando Meio Desligado" was a bit of post-Tropicalia from the album A Divina Comédia, with a more rock-infused sound, influenced by Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin (who ironically would both die a few months later). The arrangement is a straightforward power trio, a significant departure from the trademark orchestrations from their two previous albums. Over the years "Ando Meio Desligado" became a flagship for the band's discography, including its English version "I Feel a Little Spaced Out".

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PREVIEW | BONUS EP. (Sandra Sa feat. Tim Maia: "Vale Tudo") Mar 26, 2024

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Salve! This is another bonus episode of Brazuca Sounds!

Every episode is a different song. This is the song today:

"Vale Tudo" by Sandra Sá featuring Tim Maia from Vale Tudo (1983)

One may argue that "Vale Tudo" is the most popular Brazilian song from the 1980s. Tim Maia wrote it exclusively for Sandra Sá, who initially thought it was a pranking call. Although Sandra was already a successful funk-boogie singer, this song was undoubtedly her big break to stardom in the 80s. "Vale Tudo", featuring Tim Maia, was produced by Lincoln Olivetti and named Sandra Sá's third album, released by RGE in 1983.

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Brazuca Sounds #61: The Psychedelic Mind of Arnaud Rodrigues Mar 19, 2024

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In episode #61 we talk about singer, songwriter, guitarist, actor, and comedy writer Arnaud Rodrigues. One of the most underrated Brazilian musicians from the 1970s, Arnaud has released, at least, three classics under his belt:

"Murituri" (1974) released under his name; "Baiano & os Novos Caetanos" (1974), as a duo with comedian wizard Chico Anysio; and "Som do Paulinho" (1976) released under Arnaud's alias as Paulinho Cabeça de Profeta, a music caleidoscope combining Rock, Latin, Funk, Folk, Country and his regional influences from the Northeast, such as Baião e Forró.

A comedy writer for the megapopular sketch-TV show "Chico City", Arnaud was perceived by the public mostly as an actor/comedian, which perhaps explains the lack of exposure his music deserved. However, that he was a part-time musician makes him more interesting not less.

Access our playlist Brazuca Sounds Podcast Soundtrack.

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PREVIEW | BONUS EP. (Vinicius e Baden - "Canto de Ossanha") Mar 12, 2024

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Salve! This is another bonus episode of Brazuca Sounds!

Every episode is a different song. This is the song today:

"Canto de Ossanha" by Vinícus e Baden from Os Afrosambas (1966)

Considered the first recording in Brazilian music to incorporate Candomblé instruments, such as the atabaques, agogô, and afoxé into traditional elements of orchestration. With lyrics written by Vinícus and music composed by guitar virtuoso Baden Powell, "Canto de Ossanha" is one of the most famous songs from Brazil.

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PREVIEW | BONUS EP. (Elis Regina: "Como Nossos Pais") Feb 27, 2024

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Salve! This is a bonus episode of Brazuca Sounds!

Every episode is a different song. This is the song today:

"Como Nossos Pais" by Elis Regina from Falso Brilhante (1976)

Written by Belchior, and brilliantly performed by Elis, this is the definitive song about conflicts between generations. The song also encapsulates perfectly the historical and social context of the time and the anguish of youth living through a military dictatorship.

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