São Paulo Confessions

<BartGetsFamousMeme.jpeg> Milhouse (surrounded by Bart’s onlooking classmates): “Say the line, Bart!” Bart: [sighs] “Why isn’t Stereolab’s ‘Dots and Loops’ on this list!?!” Classmates: “YAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!”

Mid '90s wine bar music. The Brazilian aspect makes it both a little more interesting AND even more clichéd, somehow. This drifted by pleasantly, but it was a bit too electronic in places to hook me in fully.

I'm taken completely by surprise. I don't understand one word of this album, but it's one of the best recommendations so far! It's not perfect, but some of it is absolutely fabulous! First track was rough, but it picked up quickly. Great chill music.

Pleasant in a really innofensive type of way. A little bland. Wallpaper music for a dull wine bar.

Mitar Subotić, better known under the name Suba, was a Serbian-born musician and producer who pioneered electronic music in Yugoslavia before he emigrated to Brazil, as he fell in love with the country and its musical landscape. In what was a short-lived prolific time for him, he produced this album, a single album with fellow Serbian musician Milan Mladenović under the name Angel's Breath, and Brazilian singer Bebel Gilberto's acclaimed third album Tanto Tempo. During the post-production of that last mentioned album, Suba's studio caught on fire, and out of desperation, he risked his life to save the recordings. Suba would pass away a few days later, at the young age of 38. I bring all this up to say it sucks for an artist to die tragically at such a young age just as they were starting to realize their potential. I say this because São Paulo Confessions showcased his unique production style effectively. It's an eclectic mix of downtempo, bossa nova, and acid jazz, where the vibes were immaculate. This album offered a fresh electronic spin on Brazilian music that puts me in a trance, where the organic instrumentation and loops are blended into such rich, evocative soundscapes. Pair that with the few singers like Cibelle expressing their desires for freedom and happiness in the spare yet expressive Portuguese lyrics, and the experience is elevated. São Paulo Confessions is an eye-opening record from a man who was just hitting their stride. Descanse em paz.

pleasant but featureless. bumped up a point as it helped me sleep on a plane ride

In the late noughts I knew a guy who loved soft, smooth, relaxing electronica, and made a decent living as a DJ playing this stuff in posh hotels, often on Park Lane in London. Five of us went to see him play in the Dorchester one night, a small bar, and we soon realised that apart from an embarrassed couple next to us, the rest of the patrons were either well-kempt, elderly foreign businessmen or expensively and scantily dressed escorts. A lot of pricey scent was in the air. I remember in particular one white-haired gent, impeccably groomed, silently haughty while he listened to his companion talk to her friend. His companion rubbed her backside onto his front as she talked to her friend, the man impassive and aloof. Writing this, I wonder if he’s still alive, and I wonder if this album was playing.

Dark, smokey, sultry. Rainy, late night mood music. Reminds me of Burial, and some of the darker, more ambient projects that came out of vaporwave (see 2 8 1 4). Favorite tracks: "Sereia", "Antropofagos"

Det är album som detta som gör listans genomgång värdefull. Så bra... Tanke: Brasilien drar ut det bästa ur typ alla artister... kanske Ny Batteri borde fara dit och skriva+spela in en EP...

Taken me a few days to digest this album, but Iv come to the conclusion this is an absolute masterpiece, no idea what any of the vocals mean but the whole ambience of the album is absolutely brilliant, some of the later songs reminded me of billie ellish, feel this must of be some sort of influence therefore still sounds so fresh in 2022.

Hypnotic and seductive. Interesting atmospheres that are simultaneously textured and smooth.

Haven't heard of this before. A Serbian man making Brazillian music on paper sounds fascinating and I wish I liked it but it's so deeply mediocre. 2/5

yassss

Never heard of this or him. Really enjoying it. A little dated, but still sounds great, and nowhere near as dated as other electronic music from this time can be. Reminds me of some of the chill down psychedelic trance circa Northern Exposure, with bossa nova lilts and beats. Gets much more of the latter than the former after the first couple of tracks (although noone can say it's lacking in bossa from the off!), I really dig this. As others have said, good working music vibe also. Getting a 5 because its the first NEW thing this has introduced to me in a while that I've really enjoyed.

I worked in a furniture store in Glasgow called Habitat in 1998 and this would have sent the managers into raptures because it would mean they could sell more hatstands.

This bored me. It just kept going and going. It never sounded any different, it never changed tempo, it just existed for an hour. It had no right going as long as it did. 2/5.

No not for me Sounds like music you're forced to listen to while on hold to a Contact Centre I've got no idea what it's doing on a list of albums you need to listen to before you die???

They must have been struggling to find enough albums for this list and had to throw this on here to make up the numbers.

I got sidetracked when listening to this album and ended up listening to some of the "Toy Story" soundtrack. That was way better than this shit.

Not sure what this is trying to be but it's not Electronic; it's not Ambient; it's not Jazz; nor is it House, it doesn't fit in the Downtempo category either as much as it seems to try and it isn't 'elevator music' either (too much going on for that) and it certainly isn't Avant-garde or even Samba either. It tries to be all of these styles and more, failing distressingly to the very end. Track #5: Antropofagos almost came close to being something of worth until a three year old was let loose with a $5 violin (I'm unsure if it's synthesized because the intonation is completely off which leads me to believe it's a human playing it), the whole song went downhill drastically after that point. Track #7: Um Dia Comum is the perfect example of throwing shit at the wall but including the parts that didn't stick. This is just little snippets of ideas that would be worth listening to if they had been developed further, instead they're just looped and forgotten about. Track #8: Sereia is another example of an under-developed (or maybe over-engineered?) song. Remove the terrible synth overlay or at best lower its presence through the track, and you could potentially have a great drum and bass track as these are the only two elements that actually work here. Overall a very insipid and wearisome album with very same-y repetitive sounds, uninteresting rhythms and terrible off-key Jazz style vocals. Plenty of tracks make you wish that something interesting would happen, sadly they never do, making this a very difficult listen. tl;dr Avoid like the plague.

The opening track made me immediately think of being cosy inside while outdoors, the day starts with a crisp cold rain. It’s instantly got the purity of a perfectly cooked bowl of white rice wafting through the air. Instant comfort.

Me encantó lpmmm

WOW

As someone who's not an EDM fan, I was really surprised how much I loved this album. Really good stuff, and tragic how early it ended for Suba.

Beautiful album, a really good surprise. I dont even know the genre, but its amazing, remind me to dummy, by portishead.

I really loved this album. I liked the, I don't even know what to call it but the vibe that reminds me of Dee-lite. I liked the mix of bossa nova with the electro dance beats. I can't articulate what I'm trying to say. The dreaminess of it...

Musician and producer Mitar Subotić moved from his native Serbia to Brazil in the 1990s, adopting the name Suba and was immediately captivated by the country. He experimented with combining traditional Brazilian rhythms with experimental European electronica and quickly became one of the country’s pre-eminent producers. He produced Tanto Tempo by Bebel Gilberto - one of my favourite albums from this list - and had just finished this record when he was overcome by smoke trying to rescue tapes from a fire in his studio and tragically passed away as a result. This album gives a perfect example of his unique and influential style and it’s a great loss that he was taken from the world of Brazilian music so young. It shows how much different cultures can learn from each other, to the enrichment of both. Rest in Peace Suba and thank you for your music.

Groovy album. Enjoyed the beats and vocals. This is an album I'll revisit.

this album blew my mind. each track is an adventure, and anyone who is into music theory should drop everything and listen to this now. be patient though -- these aren't your usual tracks.

surprisingly really good 10/10

album d'ambiance de fou ?!

Didn't know about this lovely album, thank you!!!

Brazilian-Serbian trip hop? Yes please.

I'd never heard of Suba before yesterday and I'm glad the generator brought us here - this is a brilliant record, it has no weak tracks and it has a few spectacular ones - my favorite is Samba do Gringo Paulista but there are many to take your pick from. This isn't bossa nova lounge stuff by any stretch of the imagination and baffled by the top reviews suggesting this (did they listen past the first two downtempo tracks?) - it's electronic music in a bunch of different styles, with so much colour and imagination. Anyways I really loved this and giving it a 5.

Who doesn’t want a strong dose of trip hop in their Brazilian music? I’m sure some ppl but whatever I was vibing. One of the most 1999 sounding ass albums I’ve ever listened to in my life.

Feels like this whole 2LP passed by in an instant, in a good way. I love how clearly passionate about Brazil this guy is, even if he's from the opposite side of the world. It brings a very clear love and intention to making the album and really allows him to break new ground with whatever genre it's trying to Latinize, sounds very Acid Jazzy. For it being effectively a Samba/Bossa Nova album that throws in some electronics, it's very innovative. About as innovative as it is relaxing, very easy to get lost in everything and just let it all go around you. Everything is pretty varied, but it's all excellent.

Toll 10/10

Surprised I've never heard this album.

Fucking phenomenal. It sounds absolutely perfect and the mix of electronic and acoustic elements is genius. Shame Suba never got to show us what else he had in store, this stuff is really great

Samba-type music - took me back to Rio. Great music for either working to or chilling on the lanai.

This was a very pleasant surprise. Reading some of the reviews it felt I was in for a borefest of lounge bar moosek, but I don't know what they were listening to cos this is a great album. Full of surprises it goes from acid jazz to samba electro mixed with beautiful vocals backed with great jazz piano. It's interesting from the first track to the end with zero weak spots and I loved it. Such a shame he didn't leave us with many more albums to enjoy.

I don't know WHAT I just listened to. Suba has thrown bossa nova, heavy experimental sounds, acid house, new-age hippie music, and down-tempo electronica into a blender, and weirdly, it's kinda great. Definitely one of the more out-there albums I've listened to recently, but it feels like a layered and complex love-letter to São Paulo and its mashup of cultural influences. Very interesting and unique collection of sounds.

Excellent electronic album, love the samba and chill vibe. I would have had this on constant repeat if I was aware of it when it was first released. No filler and great flow. Doesn’t rise to a full 5 stars to me but very close. Would be 4.5 if I could do it.

I remember reading Suba’s biography and thinking, almost cynically, "São Paulo Confessions better be a masterpiece — he died to save the recordings." Though I don’t understand a single word, the music feels dark, ethereal, and almost divine — a sharp departure from my usual taste. It’s hauntingly immersive, with trip-hoppy keyboards layered under restless, often unsettling sound effects: sirens, whirrs, and drones. "São Paulo Confessions" feels more like an art exhibition than regular music. Is it just me or is the album reminiscent of POiSON GiRL FRiEND's "MELTING MOMENT"? If my ears were not trained to appreciate experimental music, I definitely wouldn't of liked "São Paulo Confessions." Irrespective, I agree that the album is a bit too long, and it drones on at the end.

Really interesting fusions. Songs are all under ten minutes and include lots of wild production, which my non-jazz brain requires. Great stuff!

Very unique and fun listen

Acid jazz good.

I love Bossa Nova and was thrilled to lean that Suba was the producer on some of my favorites like Bebel Gilberto and Arnaldo Antunes. Cebille has an ethereal voice that brings a dreamy airiness to the tracks. Overall, it leans further into electronic and trance-like repetition for 5 stars for me.

This music comes from the heart. I really hope there isn’t a dark backstory to this album too… I can’t take another one.

I guessed exactly what this would sound like from the album art and I was exactly right. Very, very of its time, bereft of substance and flatly mixed, but I liked its malevolent, trip-hoppy edge. RIP Suba.

Portuguese Sade. Sounds like she’s trying to cast spells on me.

OK. A little more complex than your average white noise blockout electronica. 2.5, but rounding down because the first and last tracks are a let-down

Another token samba album

This week has been painful with the T1001 selections teed up for me. From the first vocal of "Tantos Desejos" I knew it wasn't my thing. Was it just me or did her voice quiver and sound like she was straining her range? What set this apart from any other Latin American release? It's kinda atmospheric jungle and the production is interesting, not necessarily great though. I think they were trying for a modern Latin sound and failed. A single song with over 750K listens, the rest are mostly 35K-100K listens, meaning no one is listening to this, and likely for a reason. "La Neblina" was annoying. Never heard that sound/instrument before and don't wanna hear it again, same can be said for the irritating background sounds in "Sereia". "Antropofagos" & "Um Dia Comum" were just so busy and repetitive. "Felicidade", the one song with a lot of listens, has her average vocal and literally goes nowhere, no hook. The last 4 tracks are filler, zero payoff. Nothing of value. I see no reason this should be on the T1001. I dig Latin/Brazilian infused stuff from the late 90's/early 2000's, but this doesn't make the cut. 1 star, it's just so average.

BRAZIL MENTIONED... but in a bad way because it's São Paulo, land of polluted air and bad music. There are better things in our country than this compilation of loops to listen to in the background of some boring disco club.

This record is the sound of a nervous breakdown disguised as art. Suba’s São Paulo Confessions — a collision of synthetic beats, bossa nova traces, and late-’90s club pretensions — feels less like music and more like an endurance test. It’s the sort of album that makes you wonder whether your speakers are broken or your patience. The idea was, apparently, to modernize Brazilian music. What we get instead is a relentless blur of electronic percussion, digital gloss, and occasional Portuguese murmuring, all of it radiating the sterile heat of a malfunctioning espresso machine. “Antropofagos” sounds like a warehouse rave hosted by an MDMA enthusiast with a conga fetish; “Felicidade” resembles a chemical hangover set to a drum loop. There’s history here — Suba (born Mitar Subotić) fled Yugoslavia, settled in São Paulo, and produced Bebel Gilberto’s Tanto Tempo before dying in a studio fire. That Gilberto album at least had melodies and charm; this one just has anxiety and a pulse. To be fair, there are moments — brief ones — when the synthetic textures almost coalesce into something interesting. “Segredo” is the least manic track, and for a minute or two you can imagine what this might have been if anyone had remembered to write actual songs. Otherwise, it’s a 61-minute assault of slick emptiness — music for people who believe nightlife is a spiritual calling. Give me death metal any day; it’s calmer.

No thanks. Minus the thanks.

It's sleepy music.

What a load of nonsense. beats that go nowhere. can't tell the difference between tracks. Not a clue why this is on the list - I'm 100 days in and haven't had anything by the Beatles or Stones

Bloody hell. I didnt expect to hear the Serbian answer to William Orbit when I stuck this on. Yes, it must be that good if I'm comparing Suba to the king of chill out ambient electronic music. There was so much going on in every song, that I was hooked from the start. I shall need to have another few listens to see if this retains the five stars I am going to give it.

So good!!

Perfect album to get lost in.

bosanova

A bot boring but some of these beats are incredible.

chill, mellow, great background music

I feel like I should try to learn Portuguese whenever I get an album like this. I like the jazzy bossa nova style.

Cool. Like Thievery Corp.

goated

Warm, soft-edged beats, lived-in basslines, fantastic melodies and jazz-tinged harmony, downtempo electronics, and subtle Latin rhythmic traces. It only took 3 albums for the generator to give me a solid one. Five stars!

A modern day equivalent to Clube da Esquina, São Paulo Confessions is a record that encapsulates a lost opportunity. Its creator, Suba, was taken from us not long after this album's release and it hangs over like a cloud. But it doesn't define it. What defines it is the several twists and turns that the album takes sonically while keeping its center and, for the most part, it works out well. Based on what's in here, one can only wonder what could have been had Suba lived on to the present day. But São Paulo Confessions sounds as present day as it is.

5 stars it's like either an indie game or persona game soundtrack

Mr 🅱️oppers 🅱️enguins absolute 🅱️opper

A stunning fusion of Brazilian rhythms and electronic textures, São Paulo Confessions is a timeless masterpiece. Suba masterfully blends bossa nova, samba, and downtempo with modern production, capturing the vibrant, chaotic soul of São Paulo. The album is both deeply emotional and rhythmically rich, with standout vocals from Cibelle adding a haunting beauty. It’s not just an album—it’s an atmosphere. Essential listening.

I love this fusion of electronica and latin rhythms. It's going in my Tidal library.

9/10 crazy good! even tho I usually don’t love electronica that much, this sure was enjoyable :)

Delightful! Felt like I was at a hip tapas bar living my best life. Really enjoyed it!

Love this! Great combo of traditional and electronic musics

This is a great late 90s downtempo album, and I’m pretty sure I remember listening to it back in the day. I also remember a lot of his music ending up on compilations and DJ mixes. An interesting backstory to this album is that shortly after it was released, Suba’s apartment and studio caught on fire. He initially made it out safely, but decided to run back in to save some of his gear and the recordings he was working on. He ended up suffocating from smoke inhalation and lost his life. What’s sad is that right after his death and the release of this album, it became a huge success in the global market. Like enough success that it could have at least given him the capability to replace everything he lost in the fire, if he had never gone back inside.

Surprisingly great, booty shaking record. Had me moving all day

Grooooovy! Dig it. Will def listen again.

fascinating vivid ambient soundscapes. one of those albums i wouldn't have guessed that i would enjoy it that much. one of the tracks reminds me of UT's "Facing Worlds" soundtrack.

Me encanto

Awesome chill vibe. I love this stuff.

Interesting album, with an interesting artist behind it. Suba actually describes the streets of Sao Paulo with every track, so if you close your eyes you could see the people, the chaos and in the chaos a kind of harmony. This is a loveletter to a city where a Yugoslavian man found a new home. In the end it ended as a last will and testament of sorts, as Suba died around the time of its release. The mix of Brazilian roots rhythms, bossa nova and electronica and sampling of everyday sounds is incredible. It might drag a little bit, but all in all it is an incredible listen. 4.5/5

Na Neblina

I like this :)

Never heard this. Fantastic. Kind of Portugese Portastatic but more dreamy. Loved it.

the fact that this list has both suba and sabu on it is very confusing sometimes. good album though!

Going right next to DJ Shadow in my collection

São Paulo Confessions is a vivid, atmospheric portrait of the city’s nightlife, fusing electronic music with Brazilian rhythms to create a richly cinematic sound. Through its beats, textures, and vocal performances, the album captures the pulse of São Paulo after dark, evoking crowded bars, neon-lit streets, and lingering early-morning moods.Suba’s production balances sophistication and sensuality, allowing each track to feel like a different corner of the city’s bohemian life. The result is an album that not only sounds modern and innovative, but also functions as a musical love letter to São Paulo’s restless, nocturnal soul.

Great! I really really love this

Mid-90s nouveau samba. Wish I had heard this at the time. Excellent choice for this list.

Irgendwie erfrischend. Geil experimentell aber auch nicht total ab vom schuss. Housy latin rhythmen lass es mega groovy klingen. Irgendwie viele Gems drauf.

This was quite the beguiling slice of neo-Tropicalia which despite my love for the genre had previously passed my radar. Also love some of the references, nods to de Andrade's Manifesto Antropófago in particular....

This album is great! It even had stephen dancing to its songs. At its worst it sounds like a bad deep focus song, but then the fiddle shows up in Antropofagos and it reminds you why you like this. 5 stars. Listened to it twice.

Amazing!! Can’t stop listening to it. Tragic story, the artist died in a fire the same year was released, just one album, that’s all he left us. So damn good. So perfect. Even caught Jasper’s attention. You feel as if you’re living this album. Perfect atmosphere, reminds me of the Lost Highway soundtrack.

Loved this…would of never guessed they were from Serbia. Lo fi spacy chill theme i would play this at a party!

Dit is wel een ontdekking. Soms is het een zeer creatieve geluidenverzameling, die verrassend goed samengaat, soms trekken we diep Brazilië in en soms voeren de westerse break-beats de boventoon. Het zorgt voor een uniek en interessant geluid. Dit album zet ik zeker nog eens op, maar ik laat er wel wat tijd tussen zitten. Het heeft toch teveel muzikale impact om vaak achter elkaar te luisteren.

So sweet, love that sound

## In-Depth Review of *São Paulo Confessions* by Suba *São Paulo Confessions*, released in 1999, is a seminal album by Serbian-born producer Mitar Subotic, known as Suba. The album is a rich tapestry of electronic music infused with Brazilian rhythms, showcasing Suba's unique ability to blend traditional sounds with modern production techniques. This review will delve into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and its lasting influence, while also discussing its pros and cons. ### Lyrics The lyrics of *São Paulo Confessions* reflect the complexities of life in São Paulo, a city characterized by its vibrant culture and stark contrasts. The themes often revolve around desire, urban life, and introspection. - **Cibelle's Contributions**: The album features prominent vocals from Cibelle, whose lyrical content often explores themes of longing and the human experience. Tracks like "Tantos Desejos" (So Many Desires) encapsulate these sentiments, expressing a yearning that resonates with listeners. - **Poetic Imagery**: The lyrics are imbued with poetic imagery that paints a vivid picture of São Paulo's nightlife and emotional landscape. For instance, "Na Neblina" (In the Fog) evokes feelings of mystery and introspection, embodying the city's enigmatic atmosphere. - **Collaborative Spirit**: Suba collaborated with various artists, including Taciana Burrows and Arnaldo Antunes, each bringing their own lyrical styles that enrich the album's narrative depth. ### Music Musically, *São Paulo Confessions* is a groundbreaking work that merges genres such as electronic, acid jazz, downtempo, and Latin music. - **Eclectic Soundscapes**: The album features complex beats and intricate song structures that create an immersive listening experience. Tracks like "Samba Do Gringo Paulista" showcase Suba's ability to weave traditional Brazilian samba rhythms into contemporary electronic music. - **Instrumentation**: The use of live instrumentation alongside electronic elements is a hallmark of the album. Percussionist João Parahyba's contributions add a layer of authenticity to the tracks, grounding them in Brazilian musical traditions while allowing for innovative electronic manipulation. - **Production Techniques**: Suba’s production style is characterized by meticulous layering and textural richness. The interplay between organic sounds and electronic samples creates a lush auditory environment that invites repeated listens. ### Production Suba's production on *São Paulo Confessions* is often lauded for its sophistication and innovation. - **Studio Environment**: Recorded at Wah-Wah Studio in São Paulo, the album captures the essence of the city. Suba’s intimate knowledge of Brazilian music allowed him to create a sound that feels both local and global. - **Manipulation of Sounds**: The album exemplifies Suba’s skill in manipulating sounds to create new sonic landscapes. He blends field recordings with studio techniques to produce tracks that feel alive and dynamic. - **Legacy of Production**: Critics have noted that *São Paulo Confessions* set a new standard for Brazilian electronica. It paved the way for future artists to explore their cultural roots through modern production methods. ### Themes Thematically, *São Paulo Confessions* explores several key ideas: - **Urban Experience**: The album serves as a sonic exploration of urban life in São Paulo. It captures both the vibrancy and the darker aspects of city living—temptation, desire, and existential reflection. - **Cultural Fusion**: Suba’s work embodies a fusion of cultures—melding Serbian influences with Brazilian musical traditions. This cross-cultural dialogue enriches the album’s texture and appeal. - **Introspection and Confession**: The title itself suggests themes of revelation and introspection. Each track can be seen as a confession or an exploration of personal truths against the backdrop of a bustling metropolis. ### Influence *São Paulo Confessions* has had a lasting impact on both Brazilian music and the broader electronic genre. - **Catalyst for Electronica in Brazil**: The album is credited with helping to establish a distinct Brazilian electronica scene. It inspired numerous artists to incorporate traditional sounds into electronic formats rather than relying solely on sampled elements. - **Recognition in Global Music Circles**: The album has been included in various lists of essential albums, such as *1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die*, highlighting its significance beyond Brazil. - **Continued Relevance**: Even years after its release, *São Paulo Confessions* continues to be referenced by contemporary musicians seeking to blend electronic music with organic sounds and cultural authenticity. ### Pros and Cons #### Pros - **Innovative Production**: Suba’s pioneering approach to blending electronic music with traditional Brazilian sounds creates an engaging listening experience that feels fresh even today. - **Rich Textural Quality**: The album’s layered soundscapes invite deep listening; each track reveals new details upon repeated plays. - **Cultural Significance**: It serves as an important cultural artifact that reflects the complexities of urban life in São Paulo while showcasing Brazil’s musical heritage. #### Cons - **Accessibility Issues**: Some listeners may find the fusion of genres challenging or may not connect with the Portuguese lyrics if they are not familiar with the language. - **Limited Discography**: Given Suba's untimely death shortly after this album's release, listeners are left wanting more from an artist who showed immense potential for further innovation. ### Conclusion In summary, *São Paulo Confessions* is not just an album; it is a profound exploration of life in one of the world's most dynamic cities through the lens of an artist who understood how to fuse tradition with modernity. Its rich production values, evocative lyrics, and innovative sound make it a landmark work in both Brazilian music and global electronica. Despite some accessibility challenges due to language and genre fusion, its strengths far outweigh any drawbacks. This album remains essential listening for anyone interested in understanding the evolution of contemporary music influenced by cultural diversity.