Various Artists “Black Rio 2 (1968-1981)” Review
Reviewing a compilation album can be a difficult thing. Who is to blame if some of the songs don’t hold their weight? The arranger? The artist? Luckily Black Rio 2, a new compilation of Brazilian samba from London’s DJ Cliffy doesn’t offer many opportunities for such schism. Much like its antecedent, number two takes a roll call of the mid to late seventies’ “black soul” bands. These were groups that had massive followings in Brazil in their day but also constantly had to struggle against class prejudice as well as perceived nationalistic “inauthenticity.” Their music was a mix of American soul, funk, and samba—hot-blooded Brazilian beats grinding up against the frets of a Gibson ES-175. Black Rio 2 seeks out even deeper cuts than its predecessor from artists, bands, and labels that have all but disappeared from popular culture.
For instance there’s the funky brass and guitar jam “Faz Tanto Tempo,” by former stunner Renata Lu. While Lu’s demure alto defies the soul singer-as-diva stereotype, it brings a little hint of sweet Tropicália to the otherwise blistering track. Rubhino E Mauro Assumpcao takes a similar tack with “Tu Tudo Ai,” a laid back vocal track set to a scorching rhythm section. Taking the album about as close to disco as it gets is Emilio Santiago, whose cover of Gilberto Gil’s “Bananeira” packs in enough funky jazz hooks to make it the record’s most danceable tune. “Oi Gere” by little known female fronted band Watusi, is a little two minute call and response number that reminds me quite a bit of the music of Tom Zé.
“Oi Gere” also brings up an interesting question: why do most female Brazilian vocalists always seem to have such sultry sexy low voices? From Astrud Gilberto to Rita Lee, it’s almost as if smoking a pack of cigarettes a day were the requisite path to a professional singing career. Personally I love that velvet raspiness (I went as far as to take a Brazilian foreign exchange student to prom because I liked the way she talked) so tracks like Claudia’s “Salve, Rainha” to Marlene’s “Sinal Vermelho” get my blood pumping.
The ladies aren’t present in the record’s very best gems however: the funk infused trio of Os Diagonais’s “Nao Vou Chorar,” Super Som Lord’s “BR Samba,” and Balanca Povo’s “Novo Dia.” Diamonds all, and recommended listening for anyone whose tastes range from Caetano Veloso to James Brown. It’s almost criminal that these tracks have been relegated to dusty record bins for the last 30 years, but thankfully DJ Cliffy’s brilliant picking and choosing has brought the some of the very best of Brazilian black soul to light.