Brazil Classics, Vol. 2: O Samba (CD - 1990)

This is a compilation of samba from the collecting hands of David Byrne of Talking Heads fame. The selections primarily focus on the modern forms of the genre, more specifically on the studio end of the spectrum, with little or no relation to the large-scale productions associated with Carnaval in Rio. There are bits of reference to the classic sambas of the '60s in the songs here, and explorations into jazz on the side. Nods to Afro-Cuban influences are thick in the lyrics, going so far as to have a full song from the Candomble traditions based on the Yoruba orishas. Beyond this, though, there's a whole range of modern Brazilian music present in the background of these tracks, as slighter influences from MPB and Tropicalia quietly creep in now and then. The main force here though is the creative energy of a number of newer samba composers, forming exceptional works for the various singers. It can range from frenetic to extremely relaxed, but it's always solid music. It's the range of coverage, perhaps, that makes the album worth hearing. As such, it makes an outstanding jumping-off point for further listening in the realm of the samba. ~ Adam Greenberg

In 1989, David Byrne compiled and released on his own label BELEZA TROPICAL, which featured the artists of MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira), post bossa nova singers and songwriters like Caetano Velso, Gilberto Gil, Milton Nascimento, and Gal Costa, all of whom reached their greatest popularity in '70s and early '80s. This was perhaps the first time an American audience had been exposed to contemporary Brazilian songcraft other than the ever-familiar songs of Jobim.

Happily, Byrne followed up with this equally revelatory collection of contemporary samba, this time featuring singers even more obscure to North American ears. The highly percussive samba is Brasil's national music, at times furiously rhythmic yet still capable of sustaining a rich songwriting tradition. As befits a "peoples" music (which reaches a yearly apotheosis in the wildly competitive samba schools of Carnaval), the melodies are tougher, the lyrics earthier than the romantic pop music that people usually associate with this most musical of nations. Once more we must thank David Byrne for introducing us to great singers like Clara Nunes, reigning samba queen till her untimely death in 1983, as well as the equally celebrated Beth Carvalho and Martinho Da Vila. minimize