Brazil Music Download Surprises at Audio Lunchbox

If you're searching for independent artist and indie labels, Audio Lunchbox just may fit the bill. They seem to offer a  wide selection of artists as represented by the many genres listed on the homepage. The cover art in the ALB Staff Favorites and Weekly Editor's Picks makes finding your music easy. I never thought of my myself as an indie fan but a few random searches turned up several CDs already in my collection, many of them were purchased during my trips to Brazil.

I was surprised to find Rica Amabis' Sambadelic. This artist takes an unusual approach to rhythm, always the adventurist but sometimes it's hard to follow the melody.  Sambadelic is one of my earliest electro Samba CDs, I picked it up without knowing anything about the artist. If you're a fan of Amon Tobin, Rica Amabis may be appealing. But it's an aquired taste to be sure.  

I was pleasantly surprised to come across the always exciting BossaCucaNova and their CD, Um Batida Diferente. I first came across this group via the now classic Brasil 2Mil: The Soul of Bass-O Nova compilation, which I highly recommend. Through the use of turntables, electronica and hip-hop beatz, these guys always pay their respects to the Brazilian classics as they work the groove into a different beat.  

Other than Peter Gabriel's Real World Records, the Luaka Bop label, spearheaded by David Burne of Talking Heads fame, has to be one of the coolest labels in bringing authentic world music to a larger audience. If you've been paying attention to any of these posts by know you know I practically swear by compilations. The Brazil Classics series volumes 1-5 is an excellent series and it's available on audio lunchbox. Here you'll find original genre classics, popular artists and liner notes that read like a mini encyclopedia,  giving you the full background and history of the artists and their influences when these timeless music was created.

Tracks are .99 cents and albums are $ 9.99. Audio bitrate are 192 Kbps VBR MP3 and Q6 Ogg Vorbis. Using the shopping method purchases are finalized with credit cards, paypal or lunchbox  lunchcards.  Two interesting features of this website are the community message boards and the fact that cover art is included with your purchases.

3 Nu Bossa Brasileiras Found on Mp3aim.com

This week’s artist search focuses on three top selling contemporary Brazilian artists, Rosalia de Souza, Sabrina Malheiros and Bebel Gilberto.

(want to know how mp3aim.com rates ?, see previous post)

Sabrina Malheiros CDs were filed under the Lo-Fi & Latin genres.

The daughter of Alex Malheiros of the Brazilian jazz group, Azymuth, Sabrina seems to have the vocal skills singers like Bebel Gilberto are still searching for. Her rhythms borrow from Nu Jazz no doubt given her father’s influence, but there’s shadings of hip-hop, R&B and electronica to give it that new feel. Which shows she's not content with living just off the family name. Her debut CD, Equilibria, is outstanding, favorite tracks are Love Sorte, Capoeira Vai, Saudade Rio, but the list can go on. For clubbers and house music thrill seekers the follow-up remix CD, Vibrasons (Vibrations) is simply a tour deforce. The list of remixers on this project includes some impressive new comers, Beatnix and highly respected craftsmen, Spiritual South, Kenny Dope and Nicola Conte. I really like this project. Mp3aim.com has a good selection of Sabrina’s CDs and remix singles.




Rosalia de Souza CDs were filed under the House, Samba & Lo-Fi genres.

The Modern and Different Girl
With strong songwriting skills and a top notch producer, Nicola Conte, Rosalia has made a very strong showing among the crowded field of female singers from Brasil. But judging from the rapid response to remix her debut CD, Garota Moderna (Modern Girl) and its success, it seems this attention and praise are well earned. mp3aim.com has the debut and follow up CD, Brasil Precisa Balancar, plus several of the remix singles. Unfortunately is their missing Garota Diferente (Different Girl), the real treat where the remix masters go to work on the well received debut. Notable tracks: The Rio de Janeiro remixes are excellent house standouts.




Bebel Gilberto CDs were filed under the House, Dance, Latin, Jazz, Samba, Beat & Other genres

Bebel’s Momento CD was named one of Amazon’s Best of 2007. Her first release Tanto Tempo, produced by the late DJ Suba, redefined the bossa nova sound with electronica to bring us Nu Bossa. Bebel was one of the first singers to make a big splash, although I attribute her success to the musical visionary Suba and his DJ and production skills. One need only listen to his monumental CD, Sao Paulo Confessions to see he was the creative force behind the Bebel phenomena. I’m sure many will take issue with that proposition but with the amount of success and Bebel product that has flooded the market, I would have a difficult time persuading others to my way of thinking. On mp3aim, you’ll find plenty of CDs, remixes and imports to satisfy your Bebel cravings. I enjoyed the debut CD because it was something new. The Tanto Tempo Remix CD reinvented these nice pop/electronica tunes, the standouts being Agangu (Latin Project Remix) and the hot August Day (Da Lata Remix). But was this success a fluke ? Perhaps song and production arrangements, on subsequent releases allowed the weakness in vocal clarity to dampen a strong debut.