Reviews (page 3 of 12)
fun, new to me music.
This album was so much fun and really lifted me out of my Neil Young Youtube funk (I am actually feeling a bit bad about my recent Neil Young review - I was a bit too salty! ha ha) These were the perfect backing tracks to driving around today and taking my kids and their mates to the beach - good summer vibes - I'll be back to listen to this groovy album again! Maybe even this evening with a cider on the balcony! Fave track: Camisa 10 Da Gavea
funky and suuuper cool. If I want to show people that I'm smart and worldly, I'm putting this on. great for the beach or a dinner party. Looove it!
5/5. Dang, didn't think was gonna so hard. I do not speak Portuguese but his vocal melodies and harmonies are smooth and work so well with the band and guitar riffs. The ad-libs in the background create an environment that feels like I am in a large room in the basement of a bar or something. It goes really hard, just great musicianship and fun stuff.
Ohhhh, one I don't know! This is exciting. What a cool album.
time to dance! i would rate it a 4.5 but going with 5 since i don't have half star options i was looking for new bossa nova and this is like a great energetic bossa nova album. i bet if i understood the lyrics, they would add to the quirky vibe that i'm getting i feel like modern music/modern indie music makers would plagarize the shit out of some of these songs
I loved this album! The music just made me feel good/awake/alive. :)
A fervently dynamic album that keeps you dancing from track to track.
Wonderful album! This will be one I share with others and okay again!
Sounds like it was recorded yesterday!
fantastic
Como eu não sabia que esse álbum e a música Taj Mahal existe?
Great, incredible grooves
This is the stuff that keeps me into this project. I have never heard of him, but the title alone was enough to make me assume I’d like this album and I sure did. Great energy, amazing groove.
so good
Kein Ethopop, sondern gelungene Mischung unterschiedlicher Stile
What an album! I had only heard Ponta De Lanca Africano before and loved it. The rest of the album is just as good with really no lulls. Adding this to the regular mix!
Frenetic African inspired samba and mbp Brazilian set. I loved it.
Amazing album.
Certainly passed the steering wheel test.
Loved it- would definitely listen again.
Amazing opening. - Full of interesting rhythms and cultural references. - I might be mistaken but this version of "Taj Mahal" sounds very different - Love the story telling
really cool (but WOW rod stewart blatantly plagiarised “Taj Mahal”) Best tracks: Ponta de Lança Africano, Hermes Trismegisto Escreveu, Taj Mahal, Camisa 10 Da Gávea, Cavaleiro Do Cavalo Imaculada
One of the greatest world albums I have ever listened to: the funk and flow of the music was smth I have never heard before. This may have to enter my regular rotation bc the depth to this album was exceptional. Would totally recommend.
really nice
MASTERPIECE!
Wonderful!!
VMP
loved it
I know a track from this album and it's the best song ever, so this will probably be great. Update: it was amazing. One of my favorite new listens of the year.
God damn this shit slaps so hard
Certified banger of an album. These songs have an old-school vibe but definitely do not sound dated. No idea what he is saying but the musical talent is there.
Foreign language but the music is upbeat with some nice backup instruments. Great listen, especially when trying to concentrate since I wasn't distracted by the lyrics.
Heard before: some Inject this in my veins! So funky, so smooth, so tropicalía! This band is unbelievably strong; I hope the cumbía player got paid double time. It’s a seamless mix of sensual Brazilian rhythms and sounds, the drive and urgency of rock and funk, melodies and strings floating above, call and response refrains, and Ben Jor’s lovely voice holding it all together. This is the real melting pot here. Lyrically, it seems like a lot of these tracks are about fùtbol and family, which just makes me like fùtbol even more. Umbabaraumba, goal man go! Top tracks: Meus Filhos Meu Tesouro, O Filósofo, Cavaleiro do Cavalo Imaculado
My biggest thrill in the 1001 albums list so far is finding these fantastic Brazilian albums.
COME TO BRAZIL!!! Brazilian Funk, hell yeah. The ‘record scatching Animal Crossing noise’ (Cuíca Monkey Drum) stressed Mochi out. O Plebeu was a fuckin jam. Taj Mahal is a certified banger 🔥. His voice is great, the instrumentals are great, the back up singers are great, album is great. A História De Jorge was the weakest song and still pretty damn good. Super solid album from start to finish. This will make its way into my playlist. I have already relistened to this album 3 times. 9/10
I've already heard this album before, and I absolutely love it! One of the best albums to come from Brazil ever!
This was fantastic! Lots of great guitar tones and polyrhythms. A nice album to end the week with.
This was fire. The rhythms, the energy, the instrumentation. I loved it front to back. This is definitely something that Shea’s going to come home from work, walk in on me in the kitchen preparing dinner, and go “What the heck are you listening to?!” And I’m going to be like “Samba, baby!”
Fantasticly funky and brilliant. 5 stars.
Oh yeah, that hits the spot. This is the album I've been searching for. Easy listen, complete album, funky
This album absolutely rules and is a blast.
BL: never heard of this artist before just as yesterdays album but I hope it is another hit like the Talvin Singh record was. AL: this was also an incredibly strong record. The combination of Brazilian & African rhythms make this a pleasure to listen to, and I reckon even more of a pleasure to dance to. Having two world albums like this in a row is a blessing, and reminds me how much music there is just outside my language barrier which can completely change my world. FT: “O Plebeu”, “Ponta de Lanca Africans”, “Cavaleiro do Cavalo Imaculado” 5/5
9/10
Très bien
Great music! Great found
Yes to this. Give me more tropicalia and tropicalia-adjacent. It is literally all gold. A good excuse to check more of his albums. I went straight to his proper, self titled, tropicalia album.
Another great one!
This is not the best Jorge Ben album, but it's still a too much strong release to do not to rate with 5 stars.
This one is for the blues and jazz fellas. This record jumps between being Rock n Roll, Funk, Jazz, Blues, and Folk and drops your jaw at every turn. No machines, no computers, just humans. 5/5.
Very energetic, incorporating funk sound’s combined with African + Brazilian instruments and musical styles. Best album on this list so far and still lives up as fun and entertaining listen in 2023. Favorites: All Least Favorites: none son
This was joyous and brilliant will listen to again for sure
Agora eu penso que aqui teria que ter nota 10 por motivos de Camisa 10 da Gávea.
So I'd never heard of Jorge Ben Jor before today, but I'm glad the list has introduced me to his work. This is an amazing blend of samba and funk. The instrumentation is amazing and the vocals are wonderful even if I can't understand Portuguese. It's a fun and motivating album that just makes a pleasant summer's day even brighter. I really liked this. Also today I learned what a cuíca is! I've heard it numerous times before but always thought that noise was some kind of wind instrument. Favourite: Cavaleiro Do Cavolo Imaculado
Unexpected never before heard surprise. Amazing
Amazing
Day 107 I hate football, always did. I already knew the first song on this album, Ponta de Lança Africano (Umbabarauma) in the version by Max Cavalera's Soulfly; I love that song but it's a song about football and we all should agree that music should never be about football. Well, Jorge Ben in 1976 made a whole album of songs about football, and it's a freaking blast start to finish; Umbabarauma and Hermes Trismegisto Escreveu, the first two songs, are an irresistible one-two punch as Afro as Fela Kuti and as funky as Sly and the Family Stone; by the third song, O Filósofo, the Brazilian elements become more prominent, and that's the direction that the record takes from that point onwards. I guess this is the music everybody imagines as being the Carnival soundtrack. The 6th track, Taj Mahal, is possibly the most well-known (and infectious) hook to come out from Brazil. A Histôria de Jorge could be featured in an Italian Poliziottesco movie ambiented in Rio, if that ever existed. Hooks, that's the word I was looking for. Jorge Ben seems to master the art of hooks impeccably; there's plenty of danceable, sing-along hooks on this thi6 I hate football, but I am going to buy this record, and you should too. Rating: And the whole stadium went "Goooooolllllll"
Amazing album. Absolutely loved it, what a great surprise.
Damn this was fun to cook to.
Jorge Ben Jor representando o BR
Love an album in Portuguese
10/10 I’m so glad Brazilians exist — their music is out of this world
Funky Jazz and Samba Rhythms. Put a smile on my face and I found myself wishing I spoke Portuguese so that I could join in - A remarkable album which I will definitely return to
The opening track was such a jam! This is something I could definitely listen to repeatedly.
aquela sonzera brasileira que o patriota aqui adora né. eu gosto da maneira como no começo parece que tu vai ouvir uma musica dos stones com riffs de rock, e de repente, booom o samba chega. eu entendo o porque teriam pessoas que não gostariam, justamente por não estarem acostumadas com o jeito brasileiro das musicas, mas eu que cresci ouvindo os sons de samba e esses instrumentos unicos brasileiros me soa muito nostalgico ouvir isso.
My favorite part of this list is finding music that is brand new to me and music that is just a blast to listen to. This album is one of those
Really fun one! Feels like a bottle party with lots of good energy and interesting genre clashes. Revised: Upon further listening... this one slaps! You've been upgraded Jorge! 9/10
Great album, fela afro beat sound with French pop vocal
Normaal gesproken is dit niet echt mijn ding, maar dit was echt goed! Geweldige ritmes, lekkere nummers.
Good energy and classic 70’s world music instrumentation
This was such a fun fusion of samba and south american sounds with funk feeling. I loved every second of this.
An example of low expectations being blown out of the water. What a bop.
This one was great! I had never heard of either the artist or the album. I was a bit leery going in when I noticed it was in a language I didn't speak. Once I started listening, I loved it! I added it to my music library in Apple Music. I would've never found this album if not for this project.
This was incredible. Never heard of this artist before but I enjoyed this a lot. Upbeat Brazilian songs with incredible rhythms and sounds. Thought Taj Mahal sounded a little familiar and lo and behold it turns out Rod Stewart ripped it off. Anyway, good job, list, for introducing this to me.
Best one so far.
Me encantó
👏 I 👏 am 👏 here 👏 for 👏 world 👏 music 👏
Jorge come over and let’s have a dance party in my living room.
this was great! no idea about the lyrics, but everything else was genuinely excellent
Sometimes funky, sometimes melancholic, sometimes rocking. Always elegant. I truly become a fan of Brazilian music.
rnr
Great album
Excellent salsa vibes
Loved it
what a vibe! you can hear the influence of later artists in the work. really digging the sound of these 70s albums.
I absolutely love this
2º melhor álbum do Jorge Ben. Uma experiência muito boa ouvir em sequência. Com vários clássicos dele. Melhores músicas: Taj Mahal, Xica da Silva e Ponta de Lança Africano
This album is an excellent example of how adventurous Brazilian musicians are and how open they are to fusing musical styles. This is a real treat.
besto disco. Ponta, historia do Jorge,meus filhos 10/10
Love. This. Album.
barabaradumba
I really loved this. Great voice, funky, groovy. An easy 5/5 for me. Added to my library immediately!
Theres a lot of bangers on here
Porra, bom pa caralho.
Fun and refreshing. Lots of cool instruments making cool sounds. Reminds me how much fun this kind of music. Definitely will check this out again.
Relentlessly fun interesting album that sounds timeless - there is no fat here - every note and rhythm has its place and even after repeated listens it never gets boring.
Makes me wish I understood what he was singing about, but even that isn't necessary to enjoy the funk.
Even nowadays when you go to samba-funk bars in Brazil you might hear some songs from this album.
great album. could listen to this album over and over again.
Incredible brazilian album
Álbum que representa o há de mais brasileiro na musica nacional.
365 DAYS!!!!! And couldn't have landed on a better album for it. SAMBA FUNK. So much fun. You could play O Plebeu on repeat and just strut around town for probably 12 hours straight with out even a drink of water or muslie bar. Plus the drum fills in that song are absolute perfection. Also so happy that my 365th featured the Cuica so heavily, it's fast becoming my new favourite instrument, look out ride cymbal. Anyway just so stoked with this whole process at the one year mark, have discovered so so many five star albums. Looking forward to the next two and a bit years.
This is the kind of thing I came here for. It wouldn't occur to me to seek this kind of music out and, even if I did, I wouldn't know where to start. And how else would I find out that Rod Stewart got sued for stealing the melody for "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy"? Lots of fun.
Samba brasileña muy animada. Venga, le pongo un 5.
In a vein next to Seu Jorge and ACJ. A very good vein
Really good, lively and well made. If you’re the best in brazil you know you have something going on
This is great! But it had to be with a title like that.. First album i've downloaded so far.
Groovy and a little bit gnarly. Yes I am IN TO this. Party funk rock! (I am also a sucker for a nice cuica)
Anyone can be Fantano. Just put this album on and say the following: "Sure, Bruno Pernadas is a great example of MODERN Portuguese Language Jungle Jazz Funk, but of you want to truly understand the genre, you have to go back to the OG." An extra star for the pretentiousness potential. More like this, less tired boomer rock from the 70s
Love this. Reminds me a bit of Fela. Great drummer.
extrem starke Album! Einige Klassiker dabei, u.a. Umbabarauma :)
Wątpię, czy będę obsłuchiwać jak głupia, ale to było fajne
Awesome. Great music with lota of life and personality. Just what i needed.
ICON
All day, all day
I love this but i don't know what he's saying. Absolutely fantastic album, i was jammin
Best find of this process so far, loved this from the moment i heard it.
5/5
Great great vibes
i liked it more than i thought i would, the music is fun and light. easy listening
Phenomenal. Multiple listens in store for this one.
Loved this album. Funky world music.
Afrobeat Brazilian ftw
Its not as good as A Tábua de Esmeralda or Força Bruta, but still a damn good and classic Jorge Ben album. closer to a 4.5
Love it! Great vibes
I've heard Taj Mahal before but for some reason never went to listen to the artist - damn that's a mistake! Anyway, better late than never. This is very good.
Me in the shower when I control the shampoo dead with a first touch
This album is awesome. Groovy and funky. Even though I can’t understand the lyrics myself from a bit of research they seem to carry a lot of weight, talking about race, poverty and colonialism. A brilliant discovery
Woo doggie, what an album. The chants, the beats. Barely understood a word of the lyrics but vibes had me. Ponta de Lanca Africano and Taj Mahal were my faves.
Heerlijk. Samba met meer rock invloed.
Complex yet accessible Perfect blend of funk/samba/rock influences
Liked this quite a bit, but wasn't totally blown away.
I didn't understand it but I enjoyed it. 4/5.
Wow! After a run of bad to meh albums this is a breath of fresh air! This almost seems to me like what it would sound like if Sly Stone was born in Brazil.
Very cool guitar.
Bit of a mixed bag, with some tracks perfect for a summer BBQ/party and others just a little too innovative for that vibe. Worth checking out other material though - and also this genre
Uplifting and funky album. Reminds me of 90s soccer.
Groovy yet energetic
Second time through for this. It’s wonderful. Don’t need to know Portuguese. Music is a universal language. 4 Boolean:True
This was really fun! The opening track was my favorite.
Cuica labai gera. Gaila, kad pusės dainų nėra prieinamų.
This album is very enjoyable, with some pretty nice jazz moments and a mixture of different latin musics. I've loved listening to it. It's been a very beautiful musical experience, full of joy and different sounds. It's a pretty interesting album, with some bits of experimentation and fusion that match the music in here perfectly, giving it also some wonderful layers.
Another great album from Brazil in the early 70s. This was a fun, lively album collection of beautifully written songs. 'Ponta De Lança Africano', 'Xica Da Silva' and 'Taj Mahal' were my favourites.
taj mahal really good song
I genuinely enjoyed this album. I love Brazilian music and I love learning about Brazilian culture.
I need to listen to more Brazilian music, the instrumentation on this album is so cool and it's super catchy. Favourites: Ponta de Lança Africano, Taj Mahal, Xica Da Silva
Vergonhosamente, é a primeira vez que escuto um álbum inteiro do Jorge Ben. Gostei, achei bem vibes carnaval, tranquilo, até bem clima copa com várias referências de futebol. Preciso ouvir ele outra vez prestando atenção nas letras, já que como ouvi trabalhando acabei captando mais a vibe e o ritmo. Em termos de vibe e ritmo, achei gostoso mas não teve nada que me surpreendeu e que foi diferente para meus ouvidos como o álbum do Otis, por isso estou entre dar 3 ou 4 estrelas. De todo modo, acho esperado não ter nada surpreendente, afinal deve ser familiar exatamente pela influência basilar que Jorge Ben tem na música brasileira - nada mais justo.
Right off the bat I enjoyed this - the guitars and drums that open Ponta De Lança Africano immediately gripped me, and what followed was vibrant, energetic and full of life. The rhythms and grooves created on this album are just so fun, and the vocal arrangements compliment it beautifully. The middle section definitely blended into the background very slightly, but that doesn’t take too much away from how great the album is. 9/10.
What a GREAT breath of fresh air!!!
Would be great to get high to.
Fun energy, strong start, really catchy rhythms hard not to put you in a good mood. Some songs towards the end make you feel like your in a football stadium but dont feel like songs so much. I dunno, fun vibe, feeling a 4.
Sorry i’ve been slacking but this was great, a top tier commute accompaniment!
I thought this was really cool! never heard of him before, don't really know what it was about or how it fits into a broader context but it sounded good. The father of samba rock says Wikipedia. The 22nd best album of all time says at least one Rolling Stone list. Loved Ponta de Lança Africano and Hermes Trismegisto Escreveu
I really enjoyed this and I can’t tell you why.
Ich hatte mir ehrlich gesagt mehr E Gitarre und mehr Afrorhythm erwartet auf dem berühmten Sambafrika Album, auf dem er elektrisch geht. Horneindruck ist damit wahrscheinlich nicht fair: ich mag das alles, einiges sogar sehr, aber so richtig wow ist das auch nicht. Vorausschauend auf die weiteren hörgänge daher knappst
A very fun listen! Upbeat and pleasant to the ear.
Not really my kind of music, but I could enjoy the album and had a good time. Totally a must have on this list
jorge ben jor altijd leuk en gezeli
First Listen; 3.5; This was a really fun album. Upbeat the entire time, with really good musicianship. Funky and quirky in places. The album also has a good degree of diversity, which I think is saying something since (for me) this album is in a foreign language. Rather than sounding all the same, the songs mostly have a different feel. Another album that I am glad was included on this list. Favorite Track: Cavalerio Do Cavalo Imaculado
J’aime bien la première chanson, je trouve que c’est instrumentalement intéressant et diversifié Je suis à meus filhos et je sais pas si je suis juste devenu fou mais c’est encore un album de grand malade. Ma streak ne s’arrête pas Taj mahal ! Je vais pas noter toutes les chansons que j’ai aimé, juste : banger
groovy
Put this record on and you can picture the people making it immediately — flashy 70s clothes, complete confidence, a band that knows exactly what it's doing and is having the time of its life doing it. That quality of vivid presence is rarer than it sounds, and it's what separates África Brasil from records that merely blend genres from one that fully inhabits its own world. The production is the first thing that pulls you in — horns and background vocals deployed with real flair, rhythms that blend Brazilian samba, African tradition, and American funk into something that feels completely natural rather than calculated. Jorge Ben Jor's percussive, syncopated rhythm guitar gives everything a physical momentum that makes the whole record feel alive rather than assembled. The highlights accumulate on closer listening. "A História de Jorge" grabs you with autobiographical conviction riding one of the record's most irresistible grooves. "Camisa 10 Da Gavea" — a tribute to a Flamengo football shirt — gets a referee whistle into the arrangement so effectively it feels inevitable rather than gimmicky, the kind of audacious choice that only works when the music around it is fully committed. And yes, there's Hammond in there too, woven into the fabric rather than announced, doing exactly what organ should do. A record that encapsulates a time and a vibe with complete authenticity — and rewards the closer listen with more than it gives up immediately. A genuine four.
8.3/10
Really liked Taj Mahal, the four piece album was very crisp and short for the morning. Makes sense why herb Albert and the tijuana brass used his music or recorded it.
Similar to Siembra which I had earlier in that it's an international album with lyrics and style I'm unfamiliar with. However, I really enjoyed this, much more than Siembra. Also interesting to read about.
I love samba. Portuguese flows rhymically. Upbeat and fun and poetic. Tropical to Palm Springs.
I should definitely be listening to more Bossa Nova. I like the energy. I heard “Taj Mahal” and it was instantly recognizable. I had to look it up, but sure enough Rod Stewart sampled the melody for “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy.” So that’s cool, and once you hear it you can’t unhear it. Catchy tunes.
Surprisingly fun!
interesting, upbeat, well-produced
Really enjoyed this one, gave me Sergio Mendes vibes with hint of reggae
I couldn't understand the lyrics, but it felt like a great clash of cultures. The mix was well and individual instrument parts were complex for the time.
I love brasil
Great album. opened my eyes to foreign music
One of the better new-to-me albums I’ve listened to on this journey. Very fun, highly energetic, lots to like.
Every now and then this pops up an undiscovered gem like this, well worth a listen!
good listening, I wish it had been more widely known in N. America
Cool, driving funk. Not a big fan of the vocals, but the whole album is interesting and fun to listen to. A much-welcome addition to my journey after The Cramps (bleh) and the Talking Heads (bleh).
Me encantó este disquito. Está muy divertido y fresco. La verdad que los brasileiros tienen toda la onda
que alivio escuchar algo que no sea ingles por el amor de dios. Me gustó mucho, no se si es lo que vengo del desierto de escuchar dos discos tan aburridos pero se siente tan fresco, divertido, disruptivo. Combina el rock con los sonidos tradicionales de la samba del Brasil. Hoy estamos mas acostumbrados a escuchar el samba-funk o el samba-rock pero no se que tanto antes de este disco se haya empezado con esa tendencia. Esto no es menor. Creo que es un disco que habla mucho de lo que es y debe ser Brasil, un país con tradición y que no tiene miedo de asimilar culturas foráneas porque siempre lo van a adaptar a la brasilera. No presté tanta atención a las letras pero si noté que son temáticas regionales también, que acompañan este mismo análisis. queda guardado, un gustito. Eu quero ser jogador de futebooool
3.75 I like it
I have no idea what he was singing about but it sounded great.
Pretty cool.
Osvježavajuće divan, savršen za dugu ljetnju prazničnu vožnju.
I loved this album. The groove was infectious. The first album in a while I listened to a few times in the same day.
this was definitely very interesting but not as good as i thought it was gonna be or maybe i just had a predetermined idea that i wanted it to follow i will probably have to give this one another listen
first listen really really really good
very fun
Brazilian Samba/funk. I don't understand it, but I like the vibe. Pitchfork: n/a Rolling Stone: n/a Best Songs Ponta De Lanca Africano Taj Mahal Xica Da Silva Cavaleiro Do Cavalo Imaculado
Really diverse and fun and pretty timeless. Might even get back to this.
unexpected banger
I need to listen to more of Jorge Ben Jor immediately.
Great album. Sounds really modern, all things considered (including that it was recorded 50 years ago!).
Great album. It’s in Spanish, so there’s a language barrier for me, but the music was great and the singers voice and delivery are also great. Every song is good.
Never heard of the artist, but I can assume this is some Suda-americano jazz fusion. Opener track starts off with the rock style riff that the song build off. The sound on "O Filosofo" reminds me of "Watermelon Man" by Herbie Hancock. Fourth track is a jam. So is "Xica de Silva". This type of jazz fusion is very much my jam.
It's fun
Really enjoyed this album. I thought his voice was lovely and the music had a really nice energy. Would definitely listen again. Fav song: O Filósofo Least fav: Xica Da Silva
Start of the album so good I passed by the Brazilian embassy on the way to work and was considering going in for a passport. Minus points for the midway slump and herbie Hancock sounding repeating beat. Specific rating - 4.4 Fav song - ponta de lanca africano Least fav - camisa 10 da gavea
It started so strong, what a gorgeous song! Read that he sued Rod Stewart but I was still jump scared by the Da Ya Think I'm Sexy melody when it started. I'm not a huge cuíca fan and after a while the squeaky sound of it started to annoy me a bit, but it was more than made up for the stunning vocals, rhythms and the other drums. Favourite song: Ponta De Lanca Africano Least: Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro
Didn't understand anything about what he was saying, but it sounded good
pretty nice and refreshing, but some instruments are a tas annoying
sim Jorge ben, me conte sobre a história do amor entre o príncipe Shan-Jahan pela princesa Mumtaz Mahal
Pure swing, wish I could sing.
uhhh a really confortavel songg
I enjoyed this album quite a bit. I loved having the full sound there, and it demanded a bit of attention.
Great album, never would have listened to it on my own, but it kept me engaged all the way through.
3.5 stars
Shame that artists like Jorge Ben Jor only get one album featured on this list and the freaking beatles get 1001.
Beautiful album, beautiful, beautiful. (3/1001) Another album full of hope, damn it... it makes me feel happy, it shows us that we can be happy with the simplest thing like dreams and sports, and love of course. I knew it was gonna be a whole vibe once I saw it was brazilian lmao. 4.5/5
Very much enjoyed this.
Je connaissais pas celui-là!! Mais Jorge Ben c’est toujours trop bien
Bon délire !
Such a fun album, keeps the energy up from start to finish.
Tons of fun.
Awesome. Some ridiculous songs on here.
Alright! Best Song: all of them Rating: 7.0/10 Stars: 4
Number: 97 Date: 04/10/2026 Artist: Jorge Ben Jor Album: Africa Brasil Year: 1976 Genre: Samba Funk Rating: 4 Notes: Before: ======= Never heard of this album or person. During: ======= Right off the bat I like it. Who knew Funk x Reggae would work so well. I immediately add the first track to my faves of 1976 list. 4 Ponta De Lança Africano (Umbabarauma) 3 Hermes Trismegisto Escreveu 3 O Filósofo 4 Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro 3 O Plebeu 3 Taj Mahal 4 Xica Da Silva 4 A História De Jorge 4 Camisa 10 Da Gávea 4 Cavaleiro Do Cavalo Imaculado 3 África Brasil (Zumbi) ----------------------------------------------------- 3.60 WEIGHTED AVERAGE (accounts for song lengths) After : ======= Well that was fun. I went on to listen to one of his first album "Samba Esquema" Novo released in 1963, which is quite nice. 4 my personal rating 5 suitability for this list 4 impact ----------------------------------------------- 4.3 composite rating
Another album where I know it from commercials, but, even that can’t take away from how great this is. I already liked Jorge Ben from his earlier samba work, but this is a stunner.
What a fabulous find! Awesome album.
I like this. There’s a language barrier of course but I just really enjoyed every song on here musically. This is two solid “world” albums in three days, super happy about that. Any time a successful use of the dog bark keyboard sound is used it deserves credit.
First time hearing the artist/album, super cool.
Very creative MPB album.
Joyful
the vibes:96.5%
Musically awesome. I just wish I spoke the language. It’s difficult for me to completely vibe with an album if I can’t understand the language and the message the singer is sharing. Worthy of a listen just for the awesomeness of the music
really enjoyed this; would be perfect for background music at social events where some forward high energy vibe is needed. Not a bad track on the album. Not exactly funk, but certainly is funky. A great time.
Fascinating beats, made a refreshing change of pace / auditory experience. Really enjoyed this album.
Ah, the beguiling sounds of Portuguese, samba and bossa nova. Somehow I’d never heard of this Brazilian master, Jorge Ben. Impossible to not love, but I’m going to be circumspect about a 5, as it’s a first listen and I don’t necessarily think I should grant 5’s whenever a seductive genre like this appears. I’ll probably reserve those for albums by someone like Gil Gilberto who I’ve appreciated for some time (and saw live in Brazil!)
bangers !! geheel onbekend maar erg van genoten
Really digging this funky shit
mags sehe mich am strand DAS BASS INTRO VON SONG 10!!! solide 3/5 wäre 4/5 wenn es mein genre wäre
favs: meus filhos, meu tesouro; o plebeu, xida da silva #REALMUSIC
Cohesive album although I didn't understand the language. A few tracks like A Historia De Jorge were very good.
It wasn't bad
Enjoyed the album, nice mix of driving driving beats and Brazilian dance music mixed with "rhythmic groove", had no expectations and was impressed
When rating an album sung in a language that I don’t speak, I usually try not to let that fact get in the way of the music itself. However, in an album like this that includes so much lyrics, it’s hard for me not to enjoy it as much as someone who understands Portuguese. Nevertheless, I could tell how high quality the music was, and despite the repetitiveness of the lyrics, I can only imagine that the lyrics must be up to par.
MPB, samba funk, samba rock, soul.
Love the vibes!!
Loved it! Really fun and interesting to listen to.
A very pleasant, optimistic album - I feel like it’s a perfect blend of alternative, traditional, and pop/rock music. 7/10
Fabulous!
This was awesome - I’d never heard it before. Put a smile on my face from the beginning.
Creative and funky. I thoroughly enjoyed the first half in particular. Loved the horns and the grooves and it was refreshing to hear something outside the English language bubble. It feels like it must have been influential for the contemporary Latin Dance artists who dominate the modern charts.
Very groovy and eclectic!! Will probably need to give another (few) listen(s) further down the line, but did not have time to this day.
This was funky and fun. A great pick me up as I was slogging my way through a Friday morning workday. In my listening notes I had written…How did Rod Stewart not sue them over Taj mahal? I thought they were covering Da Ya Think I’m Sexy. I read some of the reviews from others afterwards, and apparently he did but lost.
I never would have had the chance to hear this if not for this list. A true gem in a sea of sad British men.
I thoroughly enjoyed this album. What a joyous blend of genres that moves both body and soul.
It's World Beat music, sure, but you can hear the influences of funk and soul.
So good! Nice and summery.
International arty disco at its near finest.
Brazilian culture is so beautiful
I have been wanting to hear some more MPB music after being enthralled by Clube da Esquina thanks to the 1001 albums to hear before you die list. Thankfully there was more MPB to go around thanks to Jorge Ben's África Brasil. Not nearly as engaging as Clube da Esquina, this project still manages to be just as weird as it is catchy with some very cool and incredibly groovy instrumentals capped off with Jorge's very cheerful vocals. Despite the eerie album cover this project is a pretty joyous and sunny experience that feels full exactly like sunshine on your face and a nice cold Modelo in your hand. All in all it is hard to not enjoy a project like this unless you truly cannot comprehend a project you don't know every word of every lyric to. Yet another banger for the MPB genre and I hope to find many more both from and outside of the 1001 albums to hear before you die selection.
The soundtrack for The White Lotus set in Brazil. This is a record to shake!
4/5
The international selections on this list are a mixed bag, but this one worked for me. Fun stuff. 3.7
No clue what genre but I love it!
More like a 4.5
Such a good vibe from front to back.
Actually loved this. My only gripe is that I wasn't listening to this on my drive home, accompanied by a beautiful sunset and maybe a beach. The Masayoshi Takanaka of Brazil
This is a great find for me. The music is fun and funky, the vibe is lively and engaging, and the vocals are intriguing even if I don't understand the lyrics (they also have a bit of Dylan quality, in a good way). All the parts together create something really enjoyable to listen to. Every track on here is good, with some being a bit better than others. I didn't dislike anything that came up on it. Even as it got toward the end, I found myself grooving along just as much as I had to the earlier songs. There aren't many things I could point to as negatives. Even so, I don't find it to reach much higher than a very good album. That's not really meant to be a knock; the consistent quality is impressive. It's just not up to my threshold for something great (I'm picky). Regardless, I still really liked this album. More of this kind of stuff, please! Overall: 3.75/5
muito bonito. sigo descubriendo referencias de otros artistas
Such a fun album makes me wanna get up and dance. No understanding of lyrics needed, pure vibes.
Very fun!!!! Unique sounds
This was great. I like the disco vibe and I think I like what sounds like the Jingle Bells dog barking in tune to most of the songs. I couldn't help but notice that Taj Mahal sounded like it was ripping off Do Ya Think I'm Sexy by Rod Stewart. Turns out it was Rod who stole it from Jorge true story, and Jorge actually sued and won. https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/z09kax/til_that_rod_stewart_confessed_in_his_2012/
Excellent album. Jorge Ben Jor's foray into electric music is a fantastic mix of bossa nova and latin funk. The album is filled with vibrant energy and some really good grooves. 4.5/5 Will definitely listen again
I just started to listening to Jorge Ben Jor the other day bc my friend made me a playlist with a collection of her fav global music and he was on the list a few time bc mpb is close to her heart. It's rlly nice to hear a whole album of his and I was groovin the whole time lol- I will def be revisting the album as a whole bc out of everything I've listened to so far in the process this is the most my speed and something I can see listening to often! Top 3: 1) Ponta De Lança Africano 2)Taj Mahal 3)África Brasil
The blend of styles is really neat. There is one instrument, however, that sounds a lot like a straw, and it seemed to be a bit overused in my opinion.
Funky, groovy, fantastic. Get your butt wiggling and your head bobbing with this one.
Kyl tässon kovaa ajoo pitkän linjan brassijarrun toimesta. Saundit ja tuotanto täyttä timanttii, kuten näissä tuppaa olemaan. Kivasti yhistyy sambarytmit vähän rokimpaan menoon. Nykysessä tikitaalisessa protools-ajassa helposti unehtuu, että tällaset groovet ja soiton rullaus ei oo välttis kauheen helppo toteuttaa ainakaan näin laajalla kokoonpanolla. Biisitkin nopeella kuuntelulla mieleisiä. Annetaan sit viis tähtee seuraavalla 1001 kuolemaa edeltävää albumin läpikäymisellä 20v päästä.
Tää oli ihan hauska! Toi oikeasti hymyn huulille kun loskapaskan keskellä juoksin perjantain iltapäivälenkkiä työpäivän päälle. Useammassa biisissä kuului taustalla joku soitin mikä kuulosti ihan siltä saksalaiselta kukkuu-mieheltä. Taj Mahal -biisi oli semmoinen että ihan piti tarkistaa että kumpi on vanhempi. Brasilian Jorge vai Rod Stewartin Da Ya Think I'm Sexy. Näköjään Jorge on ollut pari vuotta aikaisemmin skenettämässä. Tykkäsin ihan oikeasti tästä!
4.5, it was fun
Really liked it. Funky but had no idea what he was singing about!’
First track! funky blues riff welcomes in the choir of people singing in Portuguese. Very lively and rich with swag. Beat is insane and I love the call and response structure to the lyrics and melody.
It’s totally my thing!
Where have you been all my life? Absolute smoke, T to B.
Funky, interesting, great! Fav: Xica Da Silva
I’d never heard this before but you know who clearly had? Rod Stewart. I get why you’d want to steal from this fun, groovy album though.
classico brasileiro
Album Review 072 Africa Brasil by Jorge Ben Jor (1976) Rating 4/5 Wow, what an album. Funky soully bossa-nova samba rock with dirty(-ish) electric guitars and liberal use of a cuica, giving a full-on, dense, and energetic feel. Haven’t a clue what Ben is singing about, but when it sounds this good, should I really care??
Was a joyful listen, straight into the replay list
What a beautiful soulful record!
This ruled!
A fun listen. A bit funky and definitely is unique compared to some of the albums I've had on this site.
Very cool record. You can tell Rod Stewart ripped the melody for Da Ya Think I'm Sexy off of Taj Mahal. I was not expecting the synth to kick in so hard on the last song. The whole thing flows and works really well. Obviously I don't speak the language, but I felt like I understood what he was talking about a lot of the time. I found myself nodding along.
No. 360/1001 Ponta De Lanca Africa 4/5 Hermes Tismegisto Escreveu 3/5 O Filosofo 3/5 Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro 3/5 O Plebeu 4/5 Taj Mahal 5/5 Xica Da Silva 4/5 A Historia De Jorge 4/5 Camisa 10 Da Gavea 4/5 Cavaleiro Do Cavalo Imaculado 3/5 Africa Brasil 3/5 Average: 3,64 This was a really pleasant surprise. Enjoyed the listen very much. Great blend of genres.
Overall: 8/10 Awe man, this album is so much fun! I loved the mix of different styles, and the melodies were so catchy. This is easily my favourite non english album I've gotten so far, and it was easy to just treat the vocals as another instrument instead of something I need to analyze. It anybody ever asks me about non-english albums, this will be the first one I point them to. Fav Song: Taj Mahal
Invigorating and shockingly modern feeling
Nice! Didn't expect to like it, but that's what the list is for, like I've already said in multiple reviews and I hope someone has the same experience too.
not what i was expecting for a Brazilian album. chill 70s vibes
Beautiful energetic album. I could listen to this one again for sure.
250226 19:02 4
Pretty sure this is the first non-English album of the challenge. Didn't;t know what to expect, but it was very cool and well-produced.
Fun
I'd never heard this one by Ben. His 1969 album is incredible, and then his work becomes more mainstream as the 70s continue. Lots of good songs here, though!
A funky, dense, polyrhythmic good time. I really enjoyed this record and look forward to revisiting it and exploring more Jorge Ben Jor.
Love the rhythms and sound of portuguese
If an album is in a language I don't understand, the instrumentation better be good. And was this ever good! Digging it immensely. 4/5
Ritmos eclécticos A pesar de estar en portugués percibí el mensaje claro y el humor Se disfruta muy bien Merece relisten en momentos donde se ocupe de algo diferente
This was a really fun album. Liked the beat and the Portugese language.
Immaculate vibes. Brazilian music is just the coolest in the world, and Jorge may be the coolest motherfucker on Earth. The stylistic blending mixed with the depth and warmth of the recording itself, it makes any room just feel like a jungle hangout. And any record that heavily features the cuica is a winner in my book. 4/5 from me
First time listening to a Brazilian/Portuguese album. Great style of music and fun listen