Title: Brazilian Beat

Artists: Various

Label: Putumayo World Music

Formats: CD, MP3

Release date: January 31, 2012

Introduction into the diverse Brazilian music scene began early for me. I still remember going to my grandfather’s house to listen to Stan Getz, João Gilberto, and Antonio Carlos Jobim over dinner, or having my father pop in CDs by Os Mutantes or Jorge Ben while driving. Never fully appreciating the access to this form of music unfamiliar to many, it has become something I truly cherish. Putumayo now looks to do the same thing on Brazilian Beat, albeit with a more contemporary lineup, but nonetheless an extremely talented one.

Brazilian Beat is a mix of new and old. While keeping close to samba and bossa nova roots, many of the artists throw in outside influences such as electronic instrumentation or rock, and the result is nothing short of astounding. Still preserving that laid-back, relaxing but still danceable music, songs such as BungaLove’s “Minha Loucura” or Brazuka Fina’s “Samba Ti, Samba Eu” utilize electronic beats that keep Brazilian music as the foundation while expanding beyond musical commonalities in the genre. Brazilian Groove Band’s rendition of the classic “Bananeira” sounds much funkier than the original, with a grooving baritone sax playing the melody as a wah-wah-infused guitar keeps rhythm.

Additionally, it seems that the longer one listens to Brazilian Beat the more experimental the bands become, as Tita Lima’s “A Canto do Samba” demonstrates. With guitar once again playing samba rhythms through a wah-wah pedal, various rhythmic electronic bleeps are sent through the layer of music and fit surprisingly well. The final song on the album, Marcello’s “Anel de Saturno,” has a slightly contemporary R&B feel to it, although remaining in the samba rhythm. Electronic handclaps help keep the beat, blending together with both live and electronic instrumentation to create something that could only be concocted in Brazil.