VA - Brazilian Beats 7 (Mr Bongo presents) (2013)

Review
Following on from six volumes, a detour to Brooklyn and a cut-up megamix – as collected in a special 8 CD boxset – Mr Bongo’s famed Brazilian Beats compilation series finally returns. Brazilian Beats 7 continues the label’s dedication to shining a light on the country’s wealthy musical heritage, both past and present, while acting as an honest guide for listeners seeking exciting and different musical pastures.

Volume 7 collects 20 tracks, spanning a range of styles and scenes from the more obvious to the weirder and lesser-known gems to be found throughout Brazil. There’s cutting-edge, bass-heavy new school hip hop with Karol Conka and her trailblazing producer Nave; sunshine laden soul from Djavan; a Jorge Ben cover that does the maestro’s legacy proud courtesy of Junip, Jose Gonzalez’s band; funky Forro accordions from little-known Odair who used to play with Tom Ze; samba rock from SamJazz, a bonafide Sao Paulo classic, and Abilio Manuel; disco fusion from Coaty de Oliveira, taken from an album made for a restaurant no less; hard-edged bossa from the Jorge Autouri Trio; and last but not least Brazil-meets-LA funk in the shape of Jackson Conti, the unforgettable collaboration between Madlib and Azymuth’s drummer Ivan Conti.

Despite the breadth of musical styles on offer, or perhaps precisely because of it, there is a beautiful coherence to Brazilian Beats 7. You can opt to simply pick and choose what you like but a full dive in will be most rewarding. As always with this compilation series, the music and sounds on offer are as colourful and exciting as the country that birthed them.

Tracklist:
01. Karol Conka - Boa Noite
02. Bemba Trio - Melo do Vatapa
03. Som Sete - Esquindindin
04. Claudia - Deixa Eu Dizer
05. Djavan - Nereci
06. Junip - Oba, La Vem Ela
07. Odair Cabeca de poeta - Isso e Bonito
08. SamJazz - Nega Neguinha
09. Abilio Manoel - Luiza Manequim
10. Junior Com Orquestra E Coro - O Campeao (Meu Time) / Hindo do Flamengo
11. Coaty De Oliveira - Caminho Livre
12. Arnaud Rodrigues - Turma do Poie
13. Brazil Selection - Bananaticoco
14. Zapattta - A Mesa Santa
15. Jorge Autuori Trio - Autorizando
16. Cizinha - Pra Fazer um Samba
17. Quarteto Novo - Misturada
18. Wan Trio - Selvagem
19. Mestre Bimba - Corridos
20. Jackson Conti - Plateau, Pt. 1