It all started with a tweet from Robert Squires. He sent me a funny video in YouTube and he said he was into so Brazilian fine tunes and if I had any suggestions…Well, I kept procrastinating, for it’s totally insane to make a playlist of Brazilian music, as there are so many fantastic singers and songs that I couldn’t even count for in a lifetime.
Networking again in the webheads group and I was answering an email from Robert Squires about Ning. Then, I just had an off topic moment telling him I was still thinking about the music playlist. Ronaldo, my great friend and wonderful sax player, replied saying he was in for the list. Great, I thought. Who would be better than Ronaldo for amazing Brazilian tunes. I added a page to the wiki we collaborate, BrazilBridges, and immediately after was Ronaldo there. To prove that passion leaves behind all kinds of procrastination, for I know how busy Ronaldo is right now!
I had a huge to-do list this morning. Forgot everything! Once I connected to last.fm, I spent the morning exploring my new passions and old ones, singing along, remembering, feeling uplifted, thinking how blessed I am to have been born in a country where music is everywhere, is part of our lives. Rythm, fine tunes, talents, wonderful beats…They give us the tone, the essence of who we are. I forgot about the other things I had to do. Happiness on a Friday morning is what counts!
I’m a proud Brazilian who loves these connections, networking, and sharing the best of what we have.
For more, check our BrazilianBridges.
What would you add to my Brazilian beats list?
Carla, what a nice mix…I love this music…thanks a lot.
Susan
Dear Susan,
I’m glad you liked it. I spent Friday enjoying myself rediscovering Brazilian music, my roots, my passions. My playlist is just a small taste of the Brazilian beats that I wanted to share with friends.
Yeah, life has been hectic lately, but getting my mind off everything and writing those suggestions was soothing…
I think we have a great reference page! I’ll probably go back later and add a few more things.
Ronaldo,
This was just such a fantastic collaboration. Just like you I had tons to do, but couldn’t help myself and spend a day just listening to music!
I’m waiting for more. Knowing what a great musician you are, I’m sure you still have tons of beats to share!
Your play list was my first introduction to Brazilian music and I loved it! Thank you for taking the time to put this together and for sharing it with us. Also, I learned about last.fm too!
I’ll keep you updated, Marysita! We have such a wide variety of rhythms and beats that it’s hard for people not like at least some of them. For me, it was reinvigorating! It was like taking a day off at work and pamper yourself!
Thank you again for the great music. I’ve been listening to some Sabrina Malheiros:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdpRJwI9NaQ
She’s wonderful if you don’t already know. The beauty of Brazilian music is that it’s so diverse.
Love your classy little blog, too.
Robert
When I say little, I mean awesome! Great stuff, Carla. I’ve spent a very enjoyable hour wandering among your comments and colleagues, I’m sure you know the feeling…
Best,
Robert
Dear Robert,
I’m glad you liked as you were the one who inspired us to prepare the list! I’ll check Sabrina Malheiros. Never heard of her before…Thanks for the tip.
Hello!
I stumbled across your blog when I was looking for Brazilian music related websites. I was wondering if you would be interested in checking out a new Brazilian fusion band from Brooklyn, Nation Beat.
Here is a link for three free tracks from our brand new album. We hope you enjoy!
http://www.nationbeat.com/freetracks/
-NB
Here is a bit of writing from the press release:
“…Nation Beat specializes in Brazilian (maracatu) and New Orleans second-line funk… the obvious affection for their sources and sheer moxie they bring make Nation Beat’s sound near addictive.” — Time Out Chicago
Which nation, and which beat? What makes this group special is that it offers no simple answers. They are rhythm gatherers, harvesting the fruit of 500 years of cultural crossbreeding, which is why the sounds of the northeast of Brazil and the southern United States blend together so seamlessly; NPR’s All Things Considered music writer Banning Eyre calls them “the most original and alluring fusion group I have heard in years.”
At the heart of Nation Beat’s new album, Legends of the Preacher, lies a totally original 21st century fusion between thunderous Brazilian maracatu drumming and New Orleans second line rhythms, Appalachian-inspired bluegrass music, funk, rock, and country-blues. Conjuring the spirit of powerful and liberated carnival queens, rising Brazilian star Liliana Araujo fronts the ensemble with her soaring powerhouse vocals. A recent finalist on Brazil’s “American Idol” spin-off program FAMA, Araujo evokes the righteous soul singers of America’s gold age of soul.
Bandleader Scott Kettner describes maracatu as “a really high-energy, percussive, Afro-Brazilian dance rhythm that gets all up in your bones and makes you shake. Imagine the sound of thunder when you see a big storm coming across the ocean — that’s what it sounds like when a maracatu group is parading toward you in Brazil.” Nation Beat brings the audacious energy of this musical storm to both their recorded work and especially their electric live performances. As a result, their explosive live show has attracted music fans from a wide demographic: bluegrass and country music fans, Brazilian music lovers, outdoor festival-goers, and pretty much anyone who loves to dance.
Please give us a listen and let us know what you think!
Tu-maraca! NATION BEAT
There is a channel in Romania – MyneleTv – that broadcasts “manele noi”, very similar music. – http://www.myneletv.ro