VA - Café Brasil II - Edição De Luxo (2002)

In the mid-'60s, mandolin virtuoso Jacob Do Bandolim gathered together some of Brazil's finest musicians to form Época de Ouro, and enjoyed a great deal of success with the group until his death in 1969. Época de Ouro disbanded after his passing, but reunited under the leadership of César Faria in 1973 and has survived a rotating membership since. Café Brasil, Vol. 2 features the current lineup (still under the guide of Faria) augmented by a series of guest musicians wheeling through some lovely arrangements in the Brazilian style of choro, a style that incorporates the waltz, minuet, and polka, among other styles popular in Portuguese and African music. The outcome is a cheerful blend of polyrhythmic strings anchored by Dino Sete Cordas' seven-string guitar and an impressive display of not only dexterity and virtuosity, but of the players' knack to exercise restraint when necessary. Standouts include the opening cut, "Canta Brasil," performed with the Nó em Pingo d'Agua ensemble, the jovial "Dino Pintando O Sete," led by accordionist guest Sivuca, and the lovely waltz "Ana Carolina," accented by Nicolas Krassik on violin and the satisfying vocals of Ney Matogrosso.

Tracklist:
01. Conjunto Época De Ouro - Canta Brasil (6:09)
02. Conjunto Época De Ouro - Cegos De Luz (5:54)
03. Conjunto Época De Ouro - Santo Forte (3:42)
04. Conjunto Época De Ouro - Nova ilusão (2:57)
05. Conjunto Época De Ouro - Dino pintando o sete (3:42)
06. Conjunto Época De Ouro - Chorando No Campo (2:54)
07. Conjunto Época De Ouro - Uma Farra Na Ilha (3:24)
08. Conjunto Época De Ouro - Insensatez (3:52)
09. Conjunto Época De Ouro - Bom Jesus (3:08)
10. Conjunto Época De Ouro - Ana Carolina (4:23)
11. Conjunto Época De Ouro - Aperto De Mão (3:43)
12. Conjunto Época De Ouro - O bandolim de jacob (2:59)
13. Conjunto Época De Ouro - Desafinado (3:48)