St. Julian Samba Showdown 30 by J Thyme (2011) 320 kbps - 188 mb

My message with this series is pretty simple. Look at the cover art. It communicates a love of the "LP" and "The Song". Look at the cover art. It says,"here's a great LP and a song from that LP." That said, here's 25 more tasty bites of sound sushi. I could eat these all day long.
Wow. Did we just listen to 726 tracks? That was fun. Let's do it again real soon! I just love Brasilian song from the sunny shores of the 60's/70's. Our time-travel machine transports us safely from the easy glide postion. Enjoy the ride.
Happy holidays everyone. A season's greetings from me to fans of this page & new ones too. Welcome & Enjoy!

St. Julian Samba Showdown 30 by J Thyme (2011)

01. Das 200 Para Lá - Eliana Pittman (1971)
02. Ninguém Ensaiou - Os Magnatas Do Samba (1971)
03. Em Cada Verso Em Cada Samba - Juan Bourbon (1972)
04. Ao Amigo Tom - Claudette Soares (1971)
05. Do Lado De Ca - Ana Maria E Mauricio (1972)
06. Briguemos - Briguemos (1977)
07. Muito Obrigado - Djavan (1976)
08. Catimba Criolo - Os Originais Do Samba (1972)
09. Coração - Paulinho Da Viola (1971)
10. Pelas Ruas Do Recife - Cynara E Cybele (1968)
11. Sete Boia - Abaetê (1977)
12. Beija-Me - Marcos Samm (1970)
13. Bonita - Antonio Carlos & Jocafi (1971)
14. Antes Que A Tristeza Venha - Cyro Aguiar (1976)
15. Incompatibilidade de Genios - João Bosco (1976)
16. Despedida De Mangueira - Johnny Alf (1971)
17. Quem Vem De La - MPB 4 (1970)
18. Morrendo Verso Em Verso - João Nogueira (1972)
19. Patota De Ipanema - Maria Creuza (1973)
20. Acreditar - Roberto Ribeiro (1976)
21. Comunicação - Dóris Monteiro (1970)
22. A Historia Se Repete - Sivuca (1979)
23. Roda Mundo - Ana Mazzotti (1974)
24. Casa De Bamba - Martinho Da Vila (1969)
25. É Isso Aí Moço - Jorginho Pessanha (1971)

This series is nothing more then an experiment in continuity. It's also a look at a highly literate musical culture. I can learn something about "Musical Literacy" from this culture! Bravo to that!

St. Julian Samba Showdown 29 by J Thyme (2011) 320 kbps - 179 mb

This one was for June 21st, but was busy with travels, so I put a little extra love into this volume since I was slightly delayed. For my friends of this page. You know who you are!
Quick question? Does anyone find studying this form of musics from South America slightly mythic? I sometimes feel as I study this music much the same way as if were studying Greek or Roman mythology. Anyone have similar findings?


St. Julian Samba Showdown 29 by J Thyme (2011

01. Caminho Livre - Ana Maria E Mauricio (1972)
02. Tristeza De Uma Embolada - João Bosco (1973)
03. Rosa Da Gente - Claudette Soares (1969)
04. Beco Sem Saída - Silvio Cesar (1971)
05. O Meu Amor Tem Preço - Dona Ivone Lara (1979)
06. Coração Leviano - Paulinho da Viola (1978)
07. Você Não Tá Com Nada - Marlene (1972)
08. Partido Do Lê Lê Lê - Elza Soares (1974)
09. Ave Maria Do Salgueiro - Os Originais Do Samba (1977)
10. Bandeira 2 - Marilia Pera (1972)
11. O Que E Que Houve - O Som Livre (1971)
12. Bahia Comigo - Paulo Diniz (1973)
13. Eu Sou Mais Eu - Ana Mazzotti (1974)
14. Roça Errada - Antonio Carlos e Jocafi (1980)
15. Um Tem P'ro Simon - Johnny Alf (1974)
16. Doce Veneno - Os Magnatas Do Samba (1971)
17. A Noite É Uma Criança - Os 3 Morais (1975)
18. Palavras Perdidas - Maysa (1972)
19. Se é questão de adeus, até logo - Dóris Monteiro (1973)
20. Tudo Está No Seu Lugar - Benito Di Paula (1976)
21. Maria da Pá-Virada - Jackson do Pandeiro (1970)
22. Na Baixa Do Sapateiro - Wando (1975)
23. Pisa No Tabuado - Abaetê (1977)
24. Ta Hi Alo Alo - Brasilian Singers (1974)
25. Hoje Não - Jorginho Pessanha (1971)

A few words about this volume. Caminho Livre by Ana Maria E Mauricio is noteworthy for the super-lovely flute work. Listen to the clarity of recording on the flute. Nice trilling at the end of the song with some additional scatting by the flute player. Sweet!
Track two by João Bosco is amazingly handled by arranger Rogério Duprat. This track is so major. A moment when classical ideas are merging with popular modern folk forms creating a new type of "Modernist Pop". The combination of RCA Victor on the science end of things & Rogério Duprat's trippy classical framing bring a whole new mythic quality to the language that would become MPB. Listen to the special care given to the Surdo. RCA Victor deserves gold stars for their ideas on FIDELITY. The bass register is so masterful. Grounded, full & expertly played & recorded. Fidelity is depth, width & breadth of a sound. The handling of the Surdo here is faithful to the concept of fidelity!!! The song starts like a cloudy day with promises of storm & when the choral singers emerge it is as if the sun shines again. "Baroque Samba" is what I'm left with after studying this song.
Track 3 Rosa Da Gente by Claudette Soares from 1969 is another example of perfectly selling a song. There's another version of this song on the "Coisas Do Mundo" LP by Nara Leão, also from 1969. Of the two, Claudette's version wins me over by the crispness of the arrangement. This is a lovely Marching song. When I think of the "Marches" transformed from their humble roots as military music & morphing into something as light hearted as this type of "March" I just marvel at the genius of it. I adore her voice & Claudette's reading is simply perfect & inspired. Love the counter-point flutes here as well.
Short break...be back with more insights shortly...

Orlandivo - A Chave Do Sucesso [1962 Musidisc] 320 kbps - 70 mb

Hey everyone. Just a quickie to say hello to my page & you. An early one from Orlandivo on the Musidisc label. 1962 is the first wave of Brasilian goodies lapping upon foreign shores. Let's see what all the fuss about this Bossa-Nova Madness is all about? A nice early Bossa spinner. My fav here is track three "Samba Toff". Enjoy!

St. Julian Samba Showdown 28 by J Thyme (2011) 320 kbps - 174 mb

Happy full moon.
Happy Birthday to me and you too, since you get the same present as me. I'm happy with it and I hope you are too? I adore Música Popular Brasileira. In this volume I pay a little extra attention to the style called Forró. I really start to really fall in love with this country style that filters it's way into the musical landscape of the Brasilian sound. There are certain sounds that I associate with this style. The acoustic guitars, the accordians and the triangle.
All I can say about this volume for now is, that when you love something it does love you back.
I feel all the love I give to this series come back to me instantly! Let's see if you feel that love too. Thank you to all of you out there who have followed me this far. You're real bunch of Sambistas & Forró-heads. As always, ENJOY!

St. Julian Samba Showdown 28 by J Thyme (2011)

01. Bom Dia, Portela - Elza Soares (1974)
02. Tudo Sobre Eva - Péricles Cavalcanti (1991)
03. Aldeia Global - Burnier & Cartier (1974)
04. Baby - Quinteto Ternura (1974)
05. Contra-Veneno - Antônio Carlos & Jocafi (1975)
06. O Namoro De Maria - Maria Creuza (1976)
07. Brinde Ao Cansaço - Candeia (1975)
08. Contrariedade - Os Originais Do Samba (1977)
09. Sabiá Marrom - Alcione (1980)
10. Canto Da Ema - Jackson do Pandeiro (1970)
11. Forró - Baiano & Os Novos Caetanos (1975)
12. Menino Da Lera - Nonato E Seu Conjunto (1978)
13. Chuculatera - Luiz Gonzaga (1971)
14. Minha Viola - Téca & Ricardo (1978)
15. Enganadora - João Nogueira (1979)
16. Alì Fevereiro - Dóris Monteiro (1972)
17. Meu consolo é a viola - Os Magnatas Do Samba (1971)
18. Dono De Casa Boa Noite - Djalma Dias (1974)
19. Porta Aberta - Brasilian Singers (1974)
20. Batuque Na Cozinha - Martinho Da Vila (1972)
21. Sentimentos - Paulinho Da Viola (1973)
22. As Mariposas - Adoniran Barbosa (1974)
23. Não Entendi Bulufas - Gordurinha (1962)
24. Foi No Carnaval - Zuzuca (1972)
25. Há Quem Diga - Jorginho Pessanha (1971)

P.S. I really want to highlight that track 3 by Burnier & Cartier. This is one of the finest examples of Brasilian Basswork. Listen to the umph on the Bass. Up front for a supporting instrument. Not just upfront, but beautifully recorded electric bass. Lovely pluckings from this player and masterfully recorded by the fucking genius's over at RCA Victor. This is that allusive "11" that they go on about in "This Is Spinal Tap". After hearing this track, this is way I want to hear the bass recorded! BOLD! VIGOROUS! LIVELY! BASS TEMPO!
One last tally for all 28 volumes = 676 tracks. Those of you who have listened thus far have the appetite of a scholar. I know, I'm one.

St. Julian Samba Showdown 27 by J Thyme (2011) 320 kbps - 198 mb

This is my hello to Spring post. Spring has come a few days earlier here, so I'm sharing my latest installment of the Samba Showdown series. I hope you fans of MPB enjoy this. If I can find another 24 tracks that sound good, then I'll be back. Until then, enjoy this tour through 70's Brasil. Happy Spring!
My favorite track here, in terms of fidelity, is the Elton Medeiros track "Vazio". I marvel at the amazing tape saturation, compression and warmth of the composition & the expert handling of material. When this sits next to another track, the jump in fidelity is quite noticeable!

St. Julian Samba Showdown 27 by J Thyme (2011)

01. Até Parece - Dóris Monteiro (1973)
02. Desfigurado - Cartola (1977)
03. O Patrão Mandou - Paulinho Soares (1978)
04. Toda Tarde - Trio Mocotó (1975)
05. Menina Da Ladeira - João Só (1971)
06. Perspectiva - Antônio Carlos & Jocafi (1975)
07. Tatuagem - Nelson Cavaquinho (1972)
08. Terecô - Nonato E Seu Conjunto (1978)
09. Tá Chegando Fevereiro - Os Originais Do Samba (1970)
10. Pimenta No Vatapá - João Nogueira (1977)
11. Nao é Hora de Tristeza - Elza Soares (1974)
12. Ironia - Batatinha (1976)
13. O Mundo Encantado de Monteiro Lobato - Jair Rodrigues & Escola De Samba Acadêmicos Do Salgueiro (1971)
14. Não Suje O Meu Caixão - Alcione (1979)
15. Num Arredo O Pe - Djalma Dias (1974)
16. Tocar Na Banda - Adoniran Barbosa (1975)
17. Caramba - Ed Lincoln (1966)
18. Dia 4 Dezembro - Aquarius Y Luiz Antonio (1973)
19. Maria Portugal - Paulo Diniz (1973)
20. Miudinho - Paulinho Da Viola (1978)
21. Requenguela - Brasilian Singers (1974)
22. Vazio - Elton Medeiros (1973)
23. Pros Filhos Do Ze - Ely Arcoverde (1972)
24. Tem Mais Samba - Chico Buarque de Hollanda (1966)
25. Que Samba é Esse - Jorginho Pessanha (1971)

P.S. This very special post goes out to my friend Paul Kennedy. This one's for you Paul. Happy belated Birthday and congratulations on your new home & new family member.
Also, I could compare this series to "raiding the candystore". All 27 volumes of this series equals 651 tracks and that's a lot of gathered candy.

Ed Lincoln - Ed Lincoln [1966 Musidisc] 320 kbps - 72 mb (reup)

So much of what is contained on this really fun slice of mid-60's MPB can be sensed by the LP cover. What a great cover! I must have spent the past 2 or 3 years trying to decide what I really think of this set. At first I thought it just a sweet little record with a slightly comical edge, almost a novelty record. A nice pop vibe and an almost light-weight and humorous recording, but I've since grown to really fall in love with this latin gem.
Ed Lincoln has a warm, jumpy organ style & has put together a nice Rock/Soul/Jazz slice of MPB. Groovy would be a good word for this album. Upbeat & light-hearted too. I won't hype this and call it the greatest record ever out of Brasil, but it is a very good little record with a nice, fun vibe & every track is a winner. Also, this one is fairly rare & out of print. This was up on the Loronix site for a while, but since that page is missing in action I chose to give this another shot at being heard. As always, enjoy!

P.S. Many thanks to Quimsy's Mumbo Jumbo blogspot for this lovely share!
One last thing. The length of this is only 29 minutes. I really marvel at the tightness of the compositional style and production of classic 60's/70's MPB. Twelve songs in less then a half hour is very punchy Pop songwriting! How many artist can you think of today who can deliver 12 songs in such a "to the point" way? Very few, if any!

Toquinho - Toquinho [1970 RGE] 320 kbps - 97 mb

What more do I need to say about this very fine guitarist other then that he would go on to collaborate with the mighty Vinícius de Moraes to become the duo of Vinícius & Toquinho, who released many fine albums during the 70's. I'll remind those new to this page about the importance of Vinícius de Moraes, who wrote the play "Orfeu da Conceição" that would later become the film Black Orpheus (Orfeu Negro). There is no greater break out moment for the popularization of Brasilian song then the very important international film sensation "Black Orpheus" from 1959. It introduces us to not just the talents of Vinícius de Moraes, but Antônio Carlos Jobim, Luiz Bonfá & Bola Sete as well. This very fine document finds Toquinho working with Jorge Ben on a few outstanding Pop numbers, "Que Maravilha", "Zana" & "Carolina Carol Bela", but also leans towards classical styles on many numbers to show off Toquinho's learned skills on the guitar. I really enjoy this early look at this talented artist. A sweet album from 1970. This would sit nicely next to "Jorge Ben (1969)" or "Samba é de lei" by Os Originais Do Samba as a point in time. This is a little slow in spots and leans towards the classical a bit, but wins out for me as a very nice start to the 70's in Brasil. Enjoy!

P.S. Really nice mix of Classical meets MPB. The Pop numbers are great and the classical pluckings of Toquinho are majestic!