A Visit To Tropicalia Discos in Rio

[jazdoc]

Had the opportunity to visit Tropicalia Discos in Rio De Janeiro during a recent vacation. The owner Marcio is incredibly enthusiastic and knowledgable about all things Brazilian music. He has 50k! releases to browse and with a turntable set up for auditioning. After two visits, I returned with a small treasure trove of long standing desires and a couple of new to me artists, including original copies of Joao Gilberto's and Caetano Veloso's "white albums". Prices were fair but reasonable and given the shipping costs to the US, a bargain.

 

[jazdoc]

First up: Joao Gilberto’s S/T LP aka as “The White Album’ (Polydor 2451 037). Spare, diaphanous recording on vinyl so thin you can almost see through it. Haunting, beautiful and one of the greatest bossa nova LPs ever recorded. Killer recording to boot. Best track: Jobim’s “Aguas De Marco”. Off to a great start!

 

[jazdoc]

Joao Gilberto’s “o amor, o sorriso, e a flor” (Odeon mono MOFB 3151, 1960). “The Love, the smile, and the Flower”

Highlights include Jobim’s “One Note Samba” and “Corcovado”.

This one is VG+ and a little noisy in spots, but the music is sublime.

 

[jazdoc]

Joao Gilberto (Phillips 199.055; 1970).

Another gorgeous record! While some of the arrangements are dated, the vocals and sonics are first rate. My copy is a bit noisy but not distractingly so. Worth seeking out

 

[jazdoc]

Had never heard of Bossa Tres. Big fan now. Great sounding mono LP

 

[jazdoc]

Another artist new to me. Old school afrosamba which is reminiscent of Marisa Monte’s essential homage with Velha Guarda Da Portela. Unfortunately there is some inner groove damage but musically a winner

 

[Solypsa]

Thanks for bringing these gems to our attention. Hopefully I'll hear a few next time I visit...

 

[jazdoc]

Elis Regina “Elis” (Phillips 6349 032, 1972)
A couple of the arrangements are a little cheesy but her voice is magnificent. Very nice recording.

 

[jazdoc]

Caetano Veloso's 3rd LP aka "The White Album". Recorded while exiled for speaking out against the military dictatorship (always think about that when a current musician claims to be 'brave'), it is an electic stylistic mix of tropicalia, samba and psychedelia. Nice mono recording.

 

[microstrip]

Although brazilian music is mostly known by the bossa nova, we should not for forget about the protest song when looking at it. My longtime favorite brazilian music LP - Zelia Barbosa "Sertão e Favelas":