Putumayo presents: Brazilian Café

Reviewed: Alistair Radley

Released in July, this compilation of acoustic Brazilian music washes over the listener with a sensuous mixture of jazz, samba, and bossa nova evoking (presumably) the relaxing atmosphere of a Brazilian Café and, as in previous Putumayo collections, features a list of internationally acclaimed local artists.

The album begins engagingly with Djavan’s “Embola Bola (Caterete)”; a song that honours traditional Brazilian dances, followed by Marcio Faraco’s bossa nova “Casa Do Seu Humberto” (“At Mr. Humberto’s house”) which recalls the singer’s childhood years playing at his grandparent’s house. In “Para Nao Contrariar Voce” (“To Not Contradict You”) Teresa Cristina sings a bittersweet samba to Group Semente’s playful acoustic guitar. Carlinhos cor Das Aguas’ “Tempo Interno” (“Inner Time”) is a meditative reflection on personal time. Ceumar’s “Feliz e Trite” (“Happy and Sad”) is a clear counterpoint to the acoustic bossa nova that spins from the underpinnings of a guitar that chimes beneath it. In Toco’s “Outro Luga” (“Another Place”) rests some classic multi-layered Brazilian orchestration employing brass, a rhythm section, back-up singers and even a cello. In ‘Viajei” (“I Travelled”) there is a more interesting progressive use of syncopation that creates a compelling and irresistible movement as we are drawn along the narrative by the silky tone of Katia B. In comparison, Rosa Passos moves towards the jazz end of the spectrum in “Pequena Musica Noturna” (“A Little Night Music”), and scats to a classic electric guitar, high hat and bass trio combo. Alexandre Leao’s “Vumbora Amar” (“Let’s Go Away to Love”) is sweet if a little weak compared to some of the other tracks. Marcia Salomon’s “Quando o carnival Chegar” (“When Carnival Comes”) reminds us of Brazil’s other major export – Carnival – with a swift staccato samba that tip toes towards the promise of the emotional release of the festival – a lilting echo of things to come. Arranco de Varsovia – one of the leading forces in the current samba revival brings the first duet to the album with “Forca da Imaginacao” (“Force of Imagination”) which beams tropical sunshine upon the listener: “When the poet writes another samba/ He creates another town/ Complaining of his pain, he makes happiness/ The force of imagination in the shape of a melody.” Ana Costa and Oswaldo Cavalo round out the sampler with “Pra Que Pedir Perdao” (“Why Ask for Forgiveness”); a playful samba in which Costa sings about “Throwing away life in another bout of drinking” while all the while the music creates an itch to dance.

Like a box of dark sweet coffee-tasting chocolates, Brazilian Café offers the listener a selection of contemporary Brazilian music that reveals the samba is alive and well and as seductive as ever. Once again, a refreshing change and a reminder that music spans further than the English-speaking world. 6.5/10