Reviews (page 3 of 13)
pretty good
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.
Not my style at all. ★★
What a GREAT breath of fresh air!!!
Would be great to get high to.
'África Brasil' contains a good amount of funky fun. Top tracks: "Ponta de Lança Africano (Umbabarauma)," "Cavaleiro do Cavalo Imaculado," "África Brasil (Zumbi)"
i mean sure, whatever
--Ponta de Lanca Franco…head bopper --Hermes Trismegisto Escreveu…don’t understand the lyrics but the vibes are great. This could slide right into a Tarantino movie --O Filósofo…sounds like something Paul Simon stole for Graceland (complimentary) --Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro…starts out a head bopper but gets over complicated towards the end. still compelling --O Plebeu…maybe a little too busy but I could see this growing on me --Taj Mahal…fun groove. great rhythm guitar --Xica da Silva…another fun groove --A Historia de Jorge…Tarantino/Soderbergh shit. Hells ya --Camisa 10 da Gavea…nice bass but it’s too wordy. lyrics get in the way of the groove --Cavaleiro do Cavalo Imaculado...the hips don't lie. booty shaker --África Brasil (Zumbi)...another great bass groove. there's a cool percussive chirp in the background, not sure what instrument it is
My first 5 so far. I thought it would be a very hard decision and was trying to figure out if my love for these songs was only coming from it being the first album that was not American/British. However, after listening to the album (with the help of a bright sunny day) I couldn't find a single song with a problem. It was so FUN. Dancing music to be sure and more than happy for it to be my first high score.
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.
beautiful
Enjoyable to listen to, a few bops
Sorry i’ve been slacking but this was great, a top tier commute accompaniment!
Fun! But not entirely memorable.
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
taj mahal was a huge standout for more excellent 70s brazilian music, listen to the I'M STILL HERE (2024) soundtrack
I really enjoyed this and I can’t tell you why.
Ich habe mich gefreut, dass meine 2 Jahre Portugischer Wortschatzapp dazu geführt haben dass ich einzelne Worte wiedererkannt habe. Aber das hat mit der Musik ja nichts zu tun. Ich mag das, es läuft entspannt durch, ist okay abwechslungsreich. Aber es flasht mich jetzt nicht als absolute Entdeckung, vermutlich auch weil es so prägend für so viel gewesen ist was danach kommt. Solides Mittelfeld für mich. Fun Fact: er wohnt seit ein paar Jahren im Hotel, wie der Udo.
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
nope. Ich habe total Respekt vor dem was es ist. Aber fühle mich durchgehend angeklapt und vollgeplärrt durch die Stimme. Dazu in einigen Songs harte James Last Vibes. Es wäre super Musik für einen Soundtrack - aber nicht dass ich mir das noch einmal anhöre (hab am 2.11. schon 2 Punkte dafür gegeben und dabei bleibt es auch)
Great vibes! I've never listened to this kind of Brazilian groove before, but it definitely put me in a good mood. Ended up saving a couple of tracks to my library. Really cool surprise and a well-deserved 3 stars
A very fun listen! Upbeat and pleasant to the ear.
Not my style. Sounded fun though.
Great and very cool. Love Brazilian Music.
Not much to note for me. The beats were good but nothing else stuck out too much.
This is class, energetic and catchy throughout. Definite summer samba vibes. Loved it
Not really my kind of music, but I could enjoy the album and had a good time. Totally a must have on this list
Knowing next to nothing about African or Brazilian music, I expected something like samba or bossa nova, two genres I love (apparently, according to my top genres on this site…). This is neither, exactly - still excellent - and defies easy categorization, at least by me. It’s full of life, engaging, tropical-feeling, and joyful. One I’ll almost certainly return to. Favorite: Taj Mahal 4
jorge ben jor altijd leuk en gezeli
Ok musically but couldn’t keep my interest.
Hell yeah. This my shit.
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.
loved working to this, made me happy and calm
8.3/10
Heck yeah, this was fun. Also apparently the Soulfly cover was hidden in the back of my brain.
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.
This was a very fun samba, rock, soul album. I am enjoying the non english music I'm learning about, and this was great. Taj Mahal was particuarly good. I don't think I was fully into it, but still solid.
A beautiful album that is full of soul! Loved this
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
Lovely for a Friday morning drive to Brooklyn, windows down, reveling in the sunshine
It's a vibe
Really enjoyed this one, gave me Sergio Mendes vibes with hint of reggae
Great album!
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.
Ok
I love brasil
One of the best by one of the best. This album has everything a classic needs. Heart, soul and a lot of groove.
Great album. opened my eyes to foreign music
Discazo! Rock pero con identidad, sello propio. Me fascinó.
One of the better new-to-me albums I’ve listened to on this journey. Very fun, highly energetic, lots to like.
Bien.
всё ещё не знаю чем я это заслужила. иц ок)
Faves: O Filosofo
Every now and then this pops up an undiscovered gem like this, well worth a listen!
Fun and bouncy in a seventies beach hotel way with little umbrellas in the drinks but after a while it gets too much.
good listening, I wish it had been more widely known in N. America
HELL YES BRAZILIAN MUSIC WHAT A CLASSIC 5
Meh
I enjoyed this far more than I expected. Its a surprisingly easy listen given its a foreign language album and I usually put most of my value in the lyrics. That said I know I'll never listen again. Was nice to try something out of my comfort zone.
Zeitraubend! Nein, will ich nicht hören!
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.
solid 3. a few good songs (favorite is probably "Cavaleiro Do Cavalo Imaculado").
This was a satisfying listen from a highly regarded album by Rolling Stone and an example of samba fusion with rock elements. Not an outstanding album but clearly very influential on Brazilian popular culture and a real contrast with Santana's virtuosic take on the samba form.
some catchy tunes.
Fun, so funky and of a specific time!
Yeah, liked it. A bit samey overall, but good vibes, nice bass sound, enjoyable.
Very groovy and funky. Has a lot of replay ability
Pretty cool.
This album is ok.
One of the most classic Brazillian albums, Africa Brasil is a delightful listen that makes perfect beach/chilling/vibes music. You really can't go wrong with this type of music, Brazilians have mastered the art of working hard and relaxing into music simultaneously. Great grooves!
Osvježavajuće divan, savršen za dugu ljetnju prazničnu vožnju.
3.5 La primera mitad es buenisima
Groovy
Really good and soothing as background music.
tung tung tung jorgur
If I could understand it I would love it. But since I can’t I still like it just not as much. 3 stars
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
Another fantastic listen of an album from a place other than North America or the UK. Very groovy and funky, played with a lot of passion. Once again it made me wonder how many great albums are out there not from primarily english speaking countries. The inclusion of this album definitely puts a good portion of the english language albums on this list to shame. Would love to get some more fascinating world albums to replace the other crap on this list.
first listen really really really good
Fantastic instrumentation, rhythms, melodies, and vocals.
Never heard of album or group. Cool production on ponta de lança. Great bass line. Good vocals. Hermes is musically pretty good. Hard to comment on lyrics when I have no idea what they’re saying. Moderately catchy I guess. Really cool sounds on o filosofo. Again Greta production on meus filhos. Musically this album is super impressive. This one is pretty catch too. Good harmonies. Plebeu is pretty cool. I like the chorus best on this one. Some weird sounds that they used tho, don’t like the moaning type deal. More weird sounds on Taj Mahal but they work a lot better with the rest of the song. This is the best one so far I think. Xica da Silva is cool too. Very chill. Good writing even tho idk what he’s saying. Guitar solo towards the end is sick too. Just a really good song again. Jorge is fine. A little repetitive. Usually I hate whistles but it works really well on camisa. Really good keys on this one too. Cavaleiro is fine. Good production again but forgettable. The weird creaking sound they use in all the songs is really annoying me. Just unnecessary. Title track is really cool beyond that. Love the horns. Catchy vocals again. Overall this was a fun album. Nothing life changing but a really nice listen. 3.3/5
Killing! So glad to discover this
I really liked yesterday’s album! Surprisingly I, too, do not speak Portuguese, so some of it could’ve been lost on me. But, there was so much rhythmic interest in the songs with fun bass lines. And the cuica in the background (that’s the thing that sounded like a laughing monkey) was so much fun! If this was in English I think it would’ve been even more popular. I’ll toss a 8/10 out, I look forward to listening to it again!
If I was to educate an alien 👽 about humanity, I would show the little gray fucker this record. Maybe they would like the glorp
very fun
i dont know
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.
It's okayy but not my cup of tea
Have never heard of this artist. I've been pleasantly surprised with a bunch of the non-English language albums on this list - so eager to hear this one. Thoughts after listening 3 times... First song ("Ponta De Lanca Africano") has a great sound and fun energy. It also slightly reminded me of the Songhoy Blues group that I heard on this list. They are from Timbuktu, Mali in Africa. Their album from 2015 is on this list. Don't know if there is a direct influence there but it's cool to notice it. "Taj Mahal" - funny - while listening to this I noticed that the melody sounded like that Rod Stewart song - Do You Think I'm Sexy. Looked it up and sure enough Jorge Ben sued Rod Stewart and the settled out of court, This was from a couple of years before that song came out. This was a fun listen. I ended up liking 6 of the 11 songs - the 2 mentioned above plus "Hermes Trismegisto Escreveu", "Xica Da Silva", "Cavaliero Do Cavalo Imaculado", and "Africa Brasil (Zumbi)" Liked songs on Spotify: 6/11 Rating: 3/5
unexpected banger
THIS WAS dude no flipping words im genuinely wondering how come i never discovered this dude earlier holy
Groovy samba. The first track is a classic.
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
Ei mun musaa mutta arvostan silti.
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
África Brasil de Jorge Ben Jor me gustó mucho. Es un álbum que puedo escuchar otra vez fácilmente, especialmente como background music mientras hago arte. Tiene melodías muy interesantes y un ritmo que fluye bien sin distraer, pero igual te mantiene conectado. Se siente relajado pero con mucha vibra. Definitivamente le doy 5/5
Didn't understand anything about what he was saying, but it sounded good
Maybe it’s the language barrier but I did not like it
pretty nice and refreshing, but some instruments are a tas annoying
Very well done, but absolutely not my kind of vibe.
Previously unknown. Fun.
reza a lenda que esse album é o motivo do george harrison virar hinduista
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.
Had a hard time connecting to this music and the vocals annoyed me a bit on a couple of early tracks. But then it gets kinda fun and feels like it could playing at a cool party. Overall music is absolutely fine, and I’m sure it moves many people. For me , fun but meh.
Don’t know this one! Excited actually. Don’t need to know Portuguese. This gets a 4 based on rhythm and groove alone! This, this right here is why I am engaged in this project.
uhhh a really confortavel songg
I noped out by track 6. The squeaking sound (cuíca) is driving me up the wall. Will I listen again: sorry no
Very chirpy.
I enjoyed this album quite a bit. I loved having the full sound there, and it demanded a bit of attention.
Groovy
3.5
I thought this album just sounded okay, nothing bad but nothing that crazy
Listened to on my Apple EarPods. I threw this on before a walk on a bright, sunny day, and the album certainly matches that vibe. It's a genre I'm not too familiar with, MPB, and even though it is in a language foreign to me, there are still many rhythms and melodies to hook your ear in and engage. It's not my favorite style of music, and I found the album to be a little repetitive at times, especially with the heavy use of the cuíca instrument, which while fun and upbeat sounding seems pretty limited in range, making it feel a little tired to my ears as it carried it's way through the full length of multiple songs. I found myself particularly stuck on the track "O Plebeu", with a smooth and relaxing "la la la" singing out over many portions of the song, and I ran that one back many times. This was an enjoyable listen, and I'd definitely go back to it, even though I didn't get super attached to it.
jorge com certeza tinha esquisofrenia. dito isso, top albuns da história
Great album, never would have listened to it on my own, but it kept me engaged all the way through.
Interesting
once again: not my kind of music
langweilig
3.5 stars
Feels mean to give this a 2 because there's nothing inherently wrong with it, it's just not that enjoyable for me, but I'll be kind because it's fine really.
Get it Jorge!
fun and funky for the entire run. Perfect music for a heist movie set in the 70's.
Absolutely stellar album. Just pure fun and man is it funky
This got better and better as it went on, I need to give it another listen. 3 for now, but it could easily turn into a 4.
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 !
Right up my alley, tim maia meets fela kuti- groovy jams, anthemic choruses, awesome percussion
good album i liked it
Such a fun album, keeps the energy up from start to finish.
Its hard for me to rate albums I don’t understand but I’ll say this. This was a really well done record sonically. I love the funkiness/groovieness that it carries throughout. It’s one of those records that regardless of wherever you are listening, you are teleported to an entire different universe. I got this same feeling with a Brazilian Jazz record recently, and here we are again. Also, you’re telling me Rod Stewart ripped this dude off for a shitty pop song?? #loredrop
Peak Peak Peak! How can you be sad listening to this. It is a party in my ears and it is so so much fun. The massive changes in instrumental and the vocals. How is Taj Mahal just an amazing song with only a few words this is true easy listening and an easy pick for one of my favorite Brazilian records.
Tons of fun.
Awesome. Some ridiculous songs on here.
Masterpiece
Alright! Best Song: all of them Rating: 7.0/10 Stars: 4
Muy nice :D
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
Better than I thought it would be
Tenía que aprender portugués y banque totalmente esto, se alinearon planetas. Me gustó el ritmo :)
This rules. I'm a fan of bossa nova but the Brazilian pop is new to me.
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.
having fun while we learn yay an album that shouldnt feel any more foreign than the rest of anglosaxon music up to now, but it still does; despite living with this language just a few kilometers away, i understand less than I understand in any other english recording these rhythms invite you to move, bringing your hands together at chest level and taking little steps. i find the pauses for explanations amusing. very good vibes, but it feels like the songs dont go anywhere. entertaining from beginning to end
First time hearing the artist/album, super cool.
Didn't listen to all of it but really liked what I heard
Good but also it’s in another language so it’s harder to get into I like the background singers Probably like 2.5 Favorites: ponta De lança africano, taj mahal
2.5
Классный дядя. Мне понравилось!
Very creative MPB album.
Best Song: Cavaleiro Do Cavalo Imaculado
That I didn’t realize it had moved to a different album while listening on Spotify…
I’d feel bad giving this three, but it’s not really a two
Joyful
Funky
This was fun, but I found the cuíca pretty distracting/annoying. It sounds like someone squeaking a plastic straw in their cup.
This is great. Not as funky as i expected but well done.
the vibes:96.5%
Peppy and fun.
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
Excelente música para levantar el ánimo y despejar un día cansado , la recomiendo por la tarde o un sábado en la mañana bien temprano con una copa de vino ..
Weird shit, i have no idea what's happening but it would be perferct for samba dancing.
Perfectly timed listen whilst I am currently rereading Pelé’s autobiography. This album, combined with a bit of April sunshine, transported me to the beaches of Santos!
I listened to this while ripping through the nurburgring in an R34 Nissan GTR on a racing sim. The two didn’t match at all but it was a great experience. Also Rod Stewart fully stole the chorus from Taj Mahal
Yes. This is good.
Discoveries like this justify my continued participation in this project.
Truly fun funky music, I couldn’t find anything to dislike about it but could easily forget it.
This was groovy overall, but somewhat repetitive. Of course, I don’t know Portuguese, so the lyrics were lost on me. I truly loved all the auxiliary percussion throughout. So many fun sounds! My favorite tracks were Taj Mahal and Cavaleiro Do Cavalo Imaculado.
music is love
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.
Fun album, dancy, funky, vibey
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!)
Saaaammbaaa , 2.999999991/5
Not for me
lowkey peak
This was enjoyable, but the fact that the songs that came up on shuffle after I finished the album were markedly better/more enjoyable knocks it down.
bangers !! geheel onbekend maar erg van genoten
pretty funky
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
I liked most of this album. The mix of beats was compelling. I enjoyed most of the vocals. I might listen again.
Good but liked it less than I thought I would.
Like it 3/5
Interesting mix of styles
This is fun - Ben's decision to use an electric guitar was a good one.
Day 224 Looking at the previous reviews, glad I wasn’t the first person to immediately look whether this was before Rod Stewart. Highlights Ponta de lanca africano Take Mahal
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.
This was fun!
I didn’t expect to like this, but it is fantastic. It is fun and has an addictive energy to it. Found it engaging start to finish
Started strong with a great funky vibe, but lost me at the third track. After that it was uneven, with a mix of pleasant and less interesting songs. As often with Samba / Latin music, it's musically solid, but a bit too sweet for my taste. Instrumentals are good, especially the electric parts, but the slightly corny singing kind of puts me off. I prefered the more African-sounding tracks, like Meus Filhos Meu Tesouro (I could almost mistake it for West-African music if it wasn't for the language). The last track, Africa Brasil, was also gorgeous. I doubt I'll come back to it, but I'm glad I listened once. I did enjoy the overall vibe of the album, it works better for me than the Astrud Gilberto record we got a few days ago. 6/10
Genios absolutos, en Argentina los perjudicó mucho el carnaval cariocas de las fiestas de casamiento
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!
1001 Albums Generator 252 (3/20/2026) A wonderful, damn near perfect blend of Brazilian samba rhythms, funk, and rock, all performed at the highest level. Jorge Ben has been on my "to listen" list for a while and I am hitting myself for putting him off for so long. 4.5/5, rounded up to 5. I am amazed. Favs: Ponta De Lanca Africano Taj Mahal Xica Da Silva Least Fav: Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro
Rhythmic samba-funk and MPB built on syncopated guitars, percussive grooves, electric bass, and warm, fluid vocals pulses with vibrant, organic energy. Listening feels like moving through a sunlit street festival where rhythms overlap and constantly invite motion. The result is lively and infectious, sustaining momentum with effortless groove inviting to dance but without doing it lost my interest soon.
This was awesome - I’d never heard it before. Put a smile on my face from the beginning.
Groovy, funky, fun 👌👌👌
What a party! Listened to it all day long. I speak decent Spanish so I can understand some of the Portuguese lyrics and they are equally trippy. I love dancing around my house thinking about Hermes Trismagistus.
Day 21 — Jorge Ben Jor — África Brasil (1976) Listened: Mar 19, 2026 Genre: Brazilian Funk / Samba-Soul / Afrobeat-influenced Pop Vibe: Fun Latin music infused with funk and pop Highlights: • Ponta de Lança Africano • Taj Mahal • Xica da Silva Impression: I enjoyed it despite not understanding the lyrics because of the relentless energy and funk infused into the music. Rating: 2.7/5 Keep songs? Yes Revisit album? Probably
So, two days in a row with an album by a Brazilian artist from the 1970s. I did like this one more than the others I've listened to. The music was much more upbeat with a funkier beat. It also sounded more modern to me with Ben using an electric guitar and the use of horns throughout. Still ready to move on to a different time period and genre, so fingers crossed that the next album the generator gives me is something different.
OK.... Didn't understand any of it but the vibe was solid enough.
c’est bien, mais sans jamais être exceptionnel 3.5/5
kind of sounds like chase scene music for a 1970s Portuguese cop show
Cool album I really like the different sound.
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.
It was pleasant but nothing stood out on this first listen - I might go back though as it was a nice album and might click with me later on?
Quite enjoyed this album, feels like a weaker version of "Clube Da Esquina". Probably inspired by "Clube" which is fine. 3/5
Surprisingly modern sounding for a pop album from the 70s. Fun.
Another one I probably would not have ever heard without this project. Obviously I wish I spoke Portuguese, but it's still pretty dang enjoyable stuff.
Really enjoyable. More stuff like this would be very welcome on this list.
its good but this isn't where I parked my car
not my vibe but i see the vision
3,5
Another album I could have lived my life without hearing
I have had this on repeat since my first listen.
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.
bizzarro ma non mi dispiace troppo
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.
Despite the obvious language barrier (Although I’m pretty sure I caught a “feche a porta” on one of the songs) I actually enjoyed this album. The beats are lively on every track and full of energy. I liked the use of a multitude of instruments and back up singers to make this cool sound. Not gonna lie, it reminded me of the soundtrack to the animated movie Rio on more than one occasion while listening but it was still a good break from the normal selections.
Brazilian funk? All right, I’m in. Got a little repetitive for me after a bit, but still a funkin’ good time.
I've been hating on Brazilians for most of my life, but I have to say I've really enjoyed all the Brazilian artists on this list. Jorge Ben Jor being the best of them. Amazing ryrhyms and beats, socially conscious lyrics (those I understood, my Portuguese isn't super, my Brazilian Portuguese even worse), and even a bit educational. Xica (Chica) Da Dilva and Zumbi, both pretty interesting figures. Great album, amazing artist. Nothing wrong with this album.
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.
Cmon if you know me well you know this is my fave type of music hands down!! Squeaky balloon type of beats
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
Está bien incluir música brasileña en esta selección, pero no es memorable este interprete.
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.
nothing special in it
I thought I would like this one more than I did. The music is gorgeous, but I imagine this as a gold mine of tracks for a good playlist as opposed to a great single album listen.
The soundtrack for The White Lotus set in Brazil. This is a record to shake!
Good album. I can't speak to the lyrics of course, but the instrumentation is quite interesting. Doesn't overstay its welcome. Would be open to listening again, even if it's not my thing.
Didn't understand a thing but straight vibes
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
Not bad
pleasant sound for a hazy summer
醒了
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
I find it difficult to critique a genere i'm really not familiar with, but this was a good listen
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
It's fine. Won't listen to it again.
Solid enough world music. Didn't leave much of a lasting impact.
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
27# Damn this is randomly giving me the artists I most love. Jorge Ben Jor is my favorite Brazilian artist. Didn't had the chance to listen to all of his projects, and this is one of them. My god what an ascending experience.
had me nodding along and wanting to grab an instrument to join in the entire time. Banger after banger.
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.
I really like the sound of this album. The mix is superb. The guitars and drums mmm chef's kiss. It's very cohesive without being repetitive. I'd buy this one on vinyl! It'd be really cool for a collection. This album is just very listen throughable, which is making me strangely reconsider Illinois by Sufjan, which I probably should have given a 4.
Funky, groovy, fantastic. Get your butt wiggling and your head bobbing with this one.
I enjoyed this but it’s not something I see myself returning to. It definitely has a lot of great grooves and rhythms, and is extremely danceable, but for my taste it’s not something I would ever causally just throw on. I really appreciated the different blends of styles and genres between African and South American music, but for me personally they never came together to create anything wholly memorable.
Really catchy even though I have no clue what he is saying.
This was so great. I am familiar with the first song, Ponta De Lanca Africano. The rest of the album is just as wonderful. I'm so glad this artist is included on this list. Great choice!
Having never been to Brazil, I cant really be confident of this statement, but I feel like Africa Brasil is representative of music in Rio at carnival time. This album is full of samba rhythm and party spirit and even makes a dancing impaired person like me want to move their hips. Strictly speaking this is a MPB or samba-funk album, which is a style of music I have never experienced before. It has lead electric guitar and strings. So appeals to a western ear. But add the Cuica (the hooting friction drum that you will absolutely know from other samba or carnival songs), cowbell and funky backing singers and the whole thing is just taken to a rich and fun place. Would listen to again. (3.000)
Yllättävän menevä ja kiva levy. Nollaodotuksilla liikkeelle, mutta yllätti positiivisesti.
Tässähän oli kiva meininki, kolmosta ruutuun
Ei tämä ärsyttänyt, mutta ei tästä mitään kyllä kostunutkaan. Jammailumusiikkina meni työnteon taustalla ihan hyvin.
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!
The next version of the 1001 albums book will only be Brazilian albums and Jorge Ben Jor will be on the cover