eMusic has the Power

I've been using eMusic for at least a year now. It's been one of my top five regulary accessed msuci sites. Didn't think I would like a subscription service having cut my teeth on iTunes many moons ago. 

So what changed my mind? Quite simply the content, i seem to find tracks, compilations and CDs that I haven't been able to find anywhere else.  I'm a Motown, R&B child by nature, but over the past 15 years electronica, in a it's forms, has been a dominate force in my digital collection. Brasilsian electronica in particular is at the top of my list and eMusic seems to satisfy.

About six months ago they changed the pricing plans, again. Can't say I was very happy about that. Their policy of "use it or lose it" bites though and I've fought it twice via customer service. But I can say they are pretty responsive. I don't like paying for something up front and being forced to use it in 30 days or else. But now I make it a ritual to use the site often to get around this.


Other important features: 

Profiles & Friends 

Booster Packs 

Saved Items (Think of it as your wish list) 

Lists (Collections you create to share) 

Reviews and Ratings 

YouTube link 

Flicker link 

Charts 

eDownloader (separate app for downloading and sharing) 

It's worth checking out! 

Enjoy, Bahia97

Free Brazilian DJ Mixes Find a Podcast

Somewhere between digital rights management (DRM) and Creative Commons, podcasting has managed to deliver audio and video content to an appreciative global audience. Brazilian artists, musicians and DJs are joining the digerati in record numbers to promote and distribute their creations with a unique style. From London, Italy, Brasil, and practically every corner of the globe, Brasilian podcasts are available for us to sample and appreciate this very diverse culture. A random sample reveals a variety of content formats, radio style, continuous mix, audience call-in among others. Some podcasts also have website tie-ins to foster social networking, as well to search for song titles and artists information.

One of my favorites is Lounge Brasil Podcast
http://loungebrasilpodcast.podomatic.com/
for its mix of electronica and MPB artists, the included song/artist playlist and website. Podcasts are available from iTunes, Podcast Directory or the link above. RSS feeds are also available.

More Brazilian MP3s Than Expected at Russian Site

Based on appearance, my first impression of mp3lava is that I probably wouldn't use it often. 

Given the visual appeal of many mp3 download sites, mp3lava seems quite plain. But after giving it a once over the site does have a few good offerings:

• tracks starting at 15 cents, plus discount options
  
• a good selection of Brasilian artists and CD compilations
  
• rare and hard to find tracks
  

The site's design and layout are sparse. At these low prices one has to be somewhat concerned about the legality of purchases from outside the United States. However, the site's terms and conditions page doesn't t inspire much confidence. Likewise beyond the legalese sidestepping, I still felt a sense of "buyer beware".

My first pleasant surprise happened while I was searching by genre.  I was able to locate several of my favorite and popular Brazilian artists under the "Samba" "House" and "Latin" categories respectively. I'm usually disappointed by the results of this type of search on most websites, but here the results seems crossed referenced with other genres. For example, Carlinhos Brown of Timbalada fame, appeared on my list of Samba artists but was actually listed, incorrectly in my opinion, as a Reggae artists. As a former Reference Librarian, I've always felt cross referencing to be extremely helpful in locating information that can be classified almost anywhere. I wish all music download websites had the insight to include this. The impact it could have on purchasing decisions and the many ways it would improve overall user satisfaction, make it well worth the effort. The built-in Flash player with it's scrubbing feature let's you audition the full track.

When I can find Brazilian Promos, imports, remixes and vinyl tracks on a music download site, I am impressed.  Finding rare tracks in addition to standard single and double CDs are a bonus of using mp3lava. Pricing begins at 15 cents for single tracks up to about $4.00+ for a double CD (approx. 30 tracks). According to the volume plan you sign up for, the price could be even less. Sale pricing on certain tracks is also featured throughout. This pricing structure reminds me of boxmp3 and mp3aim music sites. The way search results were displayed also lead me to believe there may be some relationship between these music download sites.

To test my suspicion I signed on to mp3lava with my boxmp3 account and was greeted by my login name and current balance. I did the same at mp3aim. So, the likely conclusion is company XYZ, located somewhere in Russia, is successfully operating three (or more) mp3 music download sites. This isn't uncommon and doesn't take anything away from the user experience but is worth noting. As I mentioned in another site review, I've had technical issues with boxmp3 and their once responsive tech support seemed to have vanished. Although the pricing is similar among these sties, the catalog of contemporary Brazilian artists can vary.  That's principally one of the reasons why I've stayed with boxmp3.

Some of the surprises I found were the hard to find eletrosamba CD. I had been looking for this CD for sometime and refused to pay import prices from Amazon's music store. Also interesting was the extensive catalog of Imports, Remixes, and Limited Editions for Bebel Gilberto.

Highly recommended is Paula Morelenbaum's Berimbau CD - it's easy to think of her as just another lite vocalist placed before brazilian electronic rhythms, but if you're a rhythm junky like I am, Berimbau has a lot to offer. Standouts are, Tomara, a wonderful swinging groove. Starting with the intro with it's spatial placement of the side snare hits and 70's style keyboards, in your left ear and deep deep bass and atmospheric keyboard coloring.

Seule, is another favorite for it's breezy bossa drum 'n bass-like groove. The fresh interpretations of classics like Consolaçao and Canto de Cassnho with it's blending of 70's Bossa swing and 90's hip-hop scratching, keeps it new.

Demonstrating true vocal versatility, Paula Morelenbaum, although with her husband, Jacques and the renowned Ryuichi Sakamoto, cello and piano, respectively, can also be appreciated on the Jobim tribute albums, Casa and A Day in New York.

BraziLounge, Still a Major Force in New Music from Brazil

The BraziLounge CD series is one of the best, if not the best, compilation series of the new Brasilian sound.  Even though the hard-to-find import series was released between 2003 and 2006, it still remains an outstanding and relevant world music meets electronica collection. 

Sure, there have been others, Trip Do Brasil, Break n' Bossa, to name just two, but this is one is a real standout. What make it special is the execution and production values. These artists and DJs splice the true elemental foundation of Samba, Bossa Nova, Forro for example, with downtempo, acid Jazz, chill-out, ambient, drum n' bass, giving each track that special Brasilian flair. Sometimes it's the soft female lead vocals or the percussive force of the batucada as it drives the rhythm. 

Encompassing such a wide range electronic styles, this compilation could have been a very eclectic package with no direction. But the focus has always been clear, starting with BraziLounge 1 to BraziLounge 3, head to the dance floor with disc 1 (urban) and chill-out to the warm sounds of disc 2 (leisure). For reasons still unclear, BraziLounge 4, was issued as a single CD.

Several cutting edge dance/electronica artists, DJs and producers from Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Pernambuco and Salvador da Bahia are featured throughout, including Edson X, DJ Delores and Funk Como le Gusta. Its fascinating to listen to the compositions from the larger states to hear the world influences while those from smaller ones place their emphasis on traditional or local styles.  BraziLounge 3 was unique because it featured some of the best know remixes from the soundtrack of the hit movie Cidade de Deus (City of God). 

These fresh compositions keep me listening to my favorite tracks. Whether the music is blaring through my Harmon/Kardon Soundsticks II speakers attached to my iMac or through the headphones of my iPod, in each repeated listening I hear some new rhythm I didn't notice before. Sometimes its more clarity to the layered African/Latin rhythms, the light and airy synthesizer horn lines used for affect, or the beauty of the Portuguese language used as a backdrop to a tender melody of saudade.

BraziLounge 2 - disc 2 - (leisure), Renata Gebara's Meditaco - starts with a funk intro yet changes up quickly and glides into a midtempo mellow groove. Renata's vocal are so on, mellow yet expressive, this woman sings effortlessly. If you listen with a good pair of headphones you'll pick up the bossa nova guitar licks and hear the subtle waves of the Copacabana beach. 

BraziLounge 2 - disc 1 - (urban), Metro's - Mensagen De Amor (Message of Love) uses an electronica groove reminiscent of Suba's great accompaniment to Bebel Gilberto's breakthrough CD Tanto Tempo. They're never overpowering, just bubbling beneath the melody line. Another nice subtle touch in this groove is the whispered conversation of love between couples in varies languages. 

BraziLounge 4, Marco Andre's Funcao Das Coisas, is a swinging samba groove with irie atmospheric electronics but it works well, its offset by the familiar Olodum style batucada. I love to play this one loud but to appreciate the midrange harmonies, use headphones. What a funny move using the rhythm of an outboard motor to begin the groove. 

BraziLounge 3 - disc 1 - (leisure), Maracutaia's Tristeza Camará, is an easy samba groove where the melody begins with the guitar, is handed off to a clarinet, then a bass clarinet, flutes and back to the guitar. The cuica (a hollow drum that's rubbed from the inside to produce a squeaky sound) adds that Brazilian spice to the track,  but just after three minutes into the jam the splattered percussion rolls add an emotional depth making for a powerful ending . It makes a dramatic impact, but doesn't over power at all. 

BraziLounge 3 - disc 1 - (urban), I just love Stolen Beat's Going South (Glamor), this cool lounge track has all the best downtempo elements. The melody is carried by the Fender Rhodes, alternating hazy synthesizer lines against spoken Portuguese in a female voice. You can't get much more chilled out than that. 

Other BraziLounge highlights are Aleh's funk style, Dona Da Banca. Also worth checking out is his 2004 CD Mpbsoulsambagroove, a nice mixture of Samba, Soul, R&B.  Then there's Forro funk from Beto Brito on Pandeiro Sideral; or DJ Dolores on No Future Mix, a hypnotic drum and bass with a sassy hook. There's so much inventive material here is hard to select just a few. 

For those interested in a more authentic sound, don't be too put off by the heavy use of electronics here. There are several tracks on the BraziLounge series from producers just as inventive but prefer to reply of Northeastern traditions of call and response and native instrumentation. This is a highly recommended CD compilation series.

Pernambuco's Modern Sound

Whenever I discover new music, it always seems to brighten my day. It reminds me of how important it is to try and remain open to all that life can bring. The child-like quality that satisfies when the simplest needs are met.

That's how I felt this morning as I was surfing Calbash's Tune Your World and discovered Bonsuccesso Samba Clube. This five member band combines reggae & ska rhythms with Samba and other world elements. Their sound, primarily from the Northeast of Brazil, utilizes more traditional rhythms in their music than the sounds coming out of Rio or Sao Paulo. But it still has a fresh and exciting feel. I've covered some of this before looking at Forro music. Luaka Bop's Brazil Classics 7: What's Happening in Pernambuco, released just last month, is a compilation CD that surveys artists of this region, including established acts like Chico Science and Nacao Zumbi and Otto.  Bright up your day with some new-fashioned sounds from another side of Brasil.

Bonsuccesso Samba Clube

Carnival Groups Reach Proves Successful

Trios eletricos and blocos, are electric trios and blocks or groups of people that parade in the same costume. These large street bands produce a big sound from their massive speakers that can be heard from the favelas (slums) to the top of Corcovado. Many of them play samba and a mix of traditional rhythms such as coco, ciranda, and xote. 

Some of the very popular blocos, like Monobloco, Timbalada and Olodum appeal to those looking for a hip and contemporary sound like samba-reggae, funk, hip-hop and the high energy of axé music. They're extremely popular in Salvador da Bahia and Rio de Janeiro. During Carnaval (Carnival time) it's practically impossible to travel through certain parts of the city without running up against throngs of people laughing, singing dancing, making out, drinking beer and partying themselves into a wild and joyous frenzy. Since trios electricos are on wheels the crowds literally following the bands throughout the city.

Monobloco is perhaps one of the most famous blocos at this time, their popularity is so immense the city of Rio has asked them repeatedly to hold their post carnival concerts at 9:00 am, in hopes of drawing smaller crowds. But once again it backfired when 80,000 people crowded the streets of Copacabana. The bands 2002 CD, Monobloco may not be well known in the States but this import captures the excitement, pulsating batucada and the global appeal of this exciting bloco. Monobloco has multiple lead singers and their voices complement each other as if to sound like one whether they're singing in unison or solo. These fine male vocals are allowed to shine and hold their own against the superior rhythms of the batcuda (percussion section) and strong melodies in songs like Alagados, Maracatu Embolado and the hot samba funk of Immunização Racional (Que Beleza), featured on their CD.  If you're the type that loves being part of the energy of the music, you must experience the infectious sounds of Monobloco, Timbalada and others.

Monobloco - Que Beleza

Timbalada • feat. Carlinhos Brown & Daniela Mercury - Beija Flor

Samba Funk From Brazil

About two years ago, I went to Mexico City for the first time. Where ever I travel, I usually find time to shop for new music. It was here of all places that I discovered the Brazilian artist known as Curumin.

Some described him as a modern day Jorge Ben Jorge or a Jamiquori, but only more talented. Well, neither reference though well meaning, comes close to describing his very personal sound, in my opinion. Blending his stylist approach to R&B, Hip-Hop and Jazz with Samba and Bossa Nova,  has rightfully captured much attention north of the equator. 

His debut CD, Achados E Perdidos (Lost and Found) is highly listenable, its one of those laid back and shake your head kinda grooves. I hope we hear a lot from Curumin in the years to come. He does a fairly good cover of Stevie Wonder’s You Haven’t Done Nothin, (I'm a Stevie fanatic, so I tend to be critical here), but the standouts are Solidao Gasolina, Tudo Ben Malandro and Samba Japa. You can listen to 5 of Curumin's tracks and download free Mp3s. He’s been appearing at World Music festivals and similar clubs in promotion of the CD.