Reviews (page 4 of 13)
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Good vibes, but not something I find myself coming back to.
4.5, it was fun
na kraju mi je, nažalost, bilo prenaporno i bezveze...
Really liked it. Funky but had no idea what he was singing about!’
Poucos artistas encarnam a musicalidade de um lugar como o Jorge Ben encarna o Rio de Janeiro, é impressionante como o som dele praticamente tem cheiro e imagem do lugar, brasilidade e latinidade reverberam. O titulo de Africa Brasil cai como uma luva o disco transpira o que é a afrobrasilidade, ele mescla figuras negras históricas como Xica da Silva e o componente da fé das religiões vindas da Africa como em Ponta de Lança Africano. Um discão onde o Jorge até se permite uma auto referência, um boa descoberta de um artista local que conheço pouco
One of the more enjoyable international records for me. Esp that Tah Mahal song LOL it’s Funky!
Not bad despite not knowing what they were 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.
Nice
Voa, Jorge, voa! I wish I could give this even more stars *****
(4/7) a little too funky for my general lifestyle
Intressant med sydamerikansk funk och portugisiska. Stabilt sväng men många halvtrista låtar. Kul allmänbildande anekdot att Rod Stewart snodde melodin till Do you think im sexy rakt av från Taj Mahal.
Fav Songs: Xica Da Silva, Taj Mahal, Cavaleiro Do Cavalo Imaculado, Hermes Trismestigo Escreveu Least Fav: O Filósofo 9.0/10
It’s totally my thing!
I like it, but i wont listen to it again.
Not awful, but not something I'd search out either. High energy kind of party vibes. I don't really like it for desk sitting.
I have no idea what he is saying, but the music is pretty groovy. It's got a classic latin feel, with a 70's vibe. Lot's of sax, synth, horns, with some bongo and symbols. I think if I understood it, I would like it a lot more. I find myself moving to the beat pretty often. Upbeat, groovy, dance music.
Well, this was a properly funky treat. Jorge Ben takes samba rhythms and adds a hefty dose of funk and soul drawing on African and American influences to produce something quite unique. If this album sounds familiar it’s because it influenced artists as diverse as David Byrne and Rod Stewart. I just wish this list had more albums like this!
Where have you been all my life? Absolute smoke, T to B.
Starts off so fun Taj Mahal has such an addictive groove, had me moving. Very much Brazilian music, very tropical and organic. LOVE Album follows kinda same genre throughout so if you like the album as it starts you'll likely enjoy it throughout The BPM increase at Cavaleiro Do Cavalo Imaculado scratched an itch for me and the instruments in the background?? - reminds me of Working Day and Night by MJ Not really something that’d be on repeat but great album
Maybe the coolest thing I have heard, maybe ever? Why do we as humans listen to anything else? Mr. Jorge Ben Jor I was not aware of your game?! Catch me listening to SO much more Brazilian disco funk in the future this is so incredibly my jam. Never before has so much dance energy been infused into one album. Makes me want to learn Portuguese immediately. Especially enjoyed Ponta de Lança Africano. and O Filósofo. and Meus Fihlos, Meu Tesouro. and Taj Mahal. and Africa Brasil (Zumbi).
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.
porra quer que eu fale o que?!?!!???!!! um dos maiores já feito por um dos maiores artistas? talvez um dos melhores álbuns já pensados e executados nesse brasilzão de meu deus, quiçá do mundo? eu fico emocionado só de lembrar que tive a oportunidade de ver o homem ao vivo ano passado e valeu cada segundo e digo mais: eu amo o tábua de esmeralda, foi um rito de passagem pessoal escutar ele pela primeira vez mas a migração pra guitarra que o jorge ben fez no africa brasil é um show a parte NÃO TEM NADA RUIM. só não tem. o que ele transpassa aqui é loucura total de vdd, pedrada master bruta pro max turbo
escuta taj mahal e não dança que nem maluco = tá morto já pode enterrar o jorge ben eh dos maiores artistas brasileiros, de longe. cabuloso demais. o que me deixa embasbacado eh que esse NEM EH O MELHOR DELE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! que absurdo pqp. um album animadaço, daquele jeitão, bem versátil só pedrada atras de pedrada. não tem jeito, eh dos melhores do MUNDO mesmo ((((infelizmente estou arrependido de nao ter ido ver ele ao vivo, mas vamo ter fé que ele vai fazer mais show.))))
Ran to Wikipedia to see if Rod Stewart got sued for lifting the melody of ‘Taj Mahal’ for ‘Do You Think I’m Sexy?’. Answer - yes, he did! Anyway - holy moly this was great! Sun has just come out today, I’m inside at work and trying desperately not to groove at my desk. Putting this into the regular rotation.
just like the bad bunny halftime show: don’t know what he said, but i enjoyed it.
classico brasileiro
Noice
Loved it, and loved hearing something that was clearly so influential on the world and something I have never heard before!
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??
Not my genre
Was a joyful listen, straight into the replay list
I'll have to give this another listen. It was growing on me. I'd stop and listen if I passed them live at a festival. The playing is tight, they know what they're doing. Not really my go-to vibe though, especially the vocals.
Jorge Ben, África Brasil ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Album #17. I’d never heard of this album until I joined this and started the 1001 album generator. I’d seen it reviewed a few times and people have really waxed lyrical about it, giving it five stars. For me, it’s good. At points it’s very, very good. It’s just not really my thing. I like African-influenced music — I’m a big fan of Fela Kuti — but I don’t really care much for samba or that style in general. I don’t hate it. I just don’t feel much towards it. The positives: the vocals are incredible. Some of the songs, like the opener, “Xica da Silva” and “História de Jorge”, are class. And the repetitive rhythms are something I usually really enjoy in music, but unless the rhythm really catches me, it doesn’t bear repeating, if that makes sense. It’s an interesting album. I gave it a few listens when I had the time, but it didn’t click with me in the way it seems to for most people. Just my opinion. That said, I’m looking forward to more stuff like this. It was a completely new discovery for me, and I really enjoyed that part of the experience.
Interesting album. Cool grooves and catchy hooks.
What a beautiful soulful record!
Very fun
Amazing.
OHH YEAHHH BabeY!!!!!! S. W. A. G!
This ruled!
A fun listen. A bit funky and definitely is unique compared to some of the albums I've had on this site.
Didn’t care for
This album is so much fun. I'd never heard of this guy before. Sofia said that he was pretty popular in Italy back in the day and they used to play his songs at the disco.
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.
originally heard this record by receiving it as a record of the month thru Vinyl Me, Please (which used to be great but now is 100% scam). very cool to listen to this compared to Jorge Ben Jorge’s earlier recordings. the rhythm section throughout is so much fun, and the group/backing vocals elevate these tracks to another level. also did Rod Stewart rip off Taj Majal for Do Ya Think I’m Sexy???
Those studio sessions must have been a blast. I want to know how one specializes in playing the rubber chicken... 3.4/5
This shit is so fun.
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.
This isn’t a music genre I seek out; however, I loved this album and added to my list to buy.
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
I need to listen to this again, so many good grooves but I was a little distracted.
Holy crap I loved this. What a brilliant album. Cannot fault it at all. This is definitely one of those albums that make me appreciate doing this list. There is absolutely zero chance I ever would’ve discovered this on my own. Top Track - Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro
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.
Ass
not what i was expecting for a Brazilian album. chill 70s vibes
Party vibes with a grungy twist I LOVE
Beautiful energetic album. I could listen to this one again for sure.
250226 19:02 4
Not my thing, but thank fuck for something other than a shitty Brit pop record.
I'd never heard of the artist let alone the album but this was a lot of fun and really exciting and joyous fusion of music. Everyone talks about Taj Mahal from this album but that wasn't the one that landed best for me personally. Playlist Track: Africa Brasil (Zumbi)
Agree with the rater that was reminded of sims music
There's quite a bit going on here, but works together really well. I have a soft spot for Portuguese and really enjoy the sound of it in music. I don't know what the lyrics are saying, but I appreciated the tunes and vocals a lot. 7/10
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
This was unlike anything I’ve listened to before but was a lot of fun.
Not great - just couldn’t get into it
Fine, but not something i will revisit.
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!
I danced like crazy to this album
BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT party album in a language I have zero familiarity with or knowledge of (not that it mattered!)
Slow, plodding. The sound of a thousand trainer adverts. Of its time i guess but not particularly vibrant or interesting
Surprisingly fresh and relatable for a fifty year old Afro-Brazilian record. Very enjoyable but it lost a star because many songs have someone yelping or making a sound like pulling a straw in and out of a McDonald’s cup. I found it very irritating and distracting. I’m sure it’s traditional AF but I hate it.
A funky, dense, polyrhythmic good time. I really enjoyed this record and look forward to revisiting it and exploring more Jorge Ben Jor.
I'm usually more of a groove guy than a lyrics guy so this was cool. Cool music from someone I'd never heard of.
Very good vibes
Ta muzika je preveč živahna za depresijo in nesmisel, ki ga trenutno čutim.
This is great fun, and a reason I'm enjoying the journey of these 1001+ albums as I'd never known this existed until now. Didn't understand a word but it makes you want to dance. Taj Mahal is a banger and one I'll be adding to my playlists for a long time.
Didn't find
:)
love love love brasilian musiccc
Love the rhythms and sound of portuguese
This was such a fun album to listen to. Who knows what he is saying but it’s still a great time nonetheless.
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
OMG I LOVE HIM NVM JORGEEEE AMO VC
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
Incredible vibe
Mouaiiiiiiiis
Great and groovy!!
interesting. reminds me of davyd byrne work. rod stetewart story is crazy
3.5/5
This was a really fun album. Liked the beat and the Portugese language.
Hard to get into for me. Good music, but I didn’t understand most of the words. Nothing added to my playlist.
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
Will listen again - highly enjoyable
This is incredible. Blending samba and bossa nova with some psychedelic rock, soul and funk. It’s tons of fun, incredibly catchy and super fresh. Five stars.
I mean this is great and without this whole site I wouldn’t have found it. Great funky and fun tunes, I couldn’t care less that I don’t understand the lyrics, the vibe you get is all you need.
Cool background music, a few songs are really vibey. Portuguese still sounds like Russian to me.
Amazing! Most all genres of modern music are dependent on music from Africa. This shit was produced in 1975. I can the roots of so much music that followed and it still holds up today. Fuck yeah! This is why I suffer through the questionable shit!
First listen to this one. Pretty Cool.
I wanted to like this more than I did. I'd never heard of the record or the artist and it started well, but it all began to sound a bit samey pretty quickly. I love the brassy sounds and the percussion that characterises a lot of Brazilian music, but that bird-like hooting sound* is maddeningly overused on this record, making it hard to listen to the whole thing all the way through. I could do with fewer whistles too. In short, not for me. *a Cuica, apparently. I looked it up. You live and learn.
When I saw this album pop up I was genuinely really interested. Rightly, or wrongly, I consider myself to have pretty eclectic music tastes and something new, "world" (laziest genre name ever?) And I had high hopes. Unfortunately I was disappointed. I suppose it's an artists perogative to experiment etc. but there is too much funk in this for my liking which takes away from the interest and makes it blander than it might be.
Decent album, some good ones, hard to understand bc I only speak English
Started out funky and groovy, felt repetitive by the end. 3/5 stars.
Genuinely got me moving but I know other people who would admire this album
Actually heard this one before long ago, really sick MPB record. Very funky
I know EXTREMELY little about Brazilian music. Without being able to understand any of the lyrics, this was good music to have on in the background while working. I really liked "O Filósofo" - the melody reminded me of something but I can't put my finger on it. This was fine. Not a genre I'm into, so not something I would probably choose to listen to again, but I am glad I was exposed to it.
I can get down
shaken my ass to who knows what he said!!!
I don’t have anything crasy to say
One delish of an album, with one funky track after another. The music alone forces you to move, but it’s so good I wish I spoke the language too. One of Vinyl Me Please’s home run releases.
helps with mood
8 / 10
Another album that fits into the category of not something I would ever seek out on my own but glad it was assigned.
tuff, I do not speak any Portuguese but absolutly loved this banger of an album.
9/10 this album was so good and fun but the last song wasn’t my fav
There were a Brazilian good songs on this one All jokes aside I really enjoyed this album. Every song was fun as hell and it just makes you want to move. Love the instrumentation as well. I’m sure it would be even better if I actually understood the lyrics but I’m sure it’s not that important Out of all the albums we’ve had where I didn’t know a single song beforehand this was probably my favorite. Thank you 1001 albums
you know when you get a new favorite song and listen to it over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over until it sounds like mush i have to stop myself from listening to taj mahal. what a song. what a time to be alive. In all seriousness this is a club banger. I got a new obsession so there you go.
Recorded in Brazil in 1976, released that same year. Good sounds, good rhythms. Well BUILT songs, basically from intros through the main bodies of the music. Defined as "samba rock" and also "samba funk." I would lean toward the second genre, good blend of elements that could have been produced in LA or New Orleans in the same era First song follows my rule of Opening Tracks, really grabs your ear. A few really good songs throughout, the only limit really bring my non-existent study of Portuguese. Alas, by the end of the album, a lot of the songs seemed like they were written/recorded with the same formula. It's a good formula, don't get me wrong, but kind of made them all a little less memorable for me. Good music, not great. Probably 3 1/2 stars, but 3 for this poll...
Is it wrong for me to say I don’t really vibe with this music because it’s not in english? The music is groovy and fun to listen to, but I feel like I could enjoy it more if I knew what he was singing. Forget the last statement, Taj Mahal is the best song on the album hands down, I was going to give it a 3, but this song makes it a 4.
I have to be completely honest I have never listened to any form of Brazilian music before, so I feel like I have nothing to compare it too. And, of course, the lyrics are completely lost on me. So all I really had to go on was the beat, the melody, the rhythms, and the general vibes, of which there are plenty. As something of an introduction to this genre, this album is incredible. While I though the first half to be amazing, the second seemed to be trying the same ideas but to a lesser effect. Camisa 10 Da Gavea has a great counter melody on flute, but just doesn't have the same intensity as some of the earlier tracks. The last two songs redeem things a bit, with Cavaleriro de Vacalo Imaculado returning to the high energy and the finale closing it off with a chorus of layered vocals. I had a great time listening to this album and now I want to listen to more of his music, especially considering this is his 14th studio album, and other similar artists. Did I need to hear this before I die? Definitely
Really interesting background album. Couldn't understand a single word, which is fine. Guitar work is really great on this and I loved how lively the best and flow was throughout. Some fun riffs here and there.
Album atemporal do Ben Jor, não tem como dar outra nota
hit the whip and neigh neigh to this
7/10
8/10 Best songs: Ponta Da Lança Africana, Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro, Taj Mahal '70s Brazilian samba meets African beats. As someone who doesn't really listen to any of this (and has little prior experience with it), I'm surprised by how much I like it. It's a good album.
3+
Yes
Had my head bobbing almost immediately. A masterclass in layering percussion with some fantastic grooves and energy. A few songs gave me kind of a Paul Simon Graceland/Rhythm Of The Saints vibe, but this record stands on it's own. One of the rare times I'd say maybe it's a little too short as the closer left me wanting more.
I would have thought this came out in the 1990s, not the 1970s. Impressive.
Did not understand a word of this, but had some pretty good grooves
Definetly a more interesting album on the list, was having fun while listening from the beginning and that is what music is all about. Most likely will return to this at some point.
Lowk a vibe
Absolutely loved this, was tapping my foot throughout, will definitely check out more of his stuff
Quite good fun. Hadn't heard it before.
Great fun. Such a strong opener but the album doesn’t then let up. A fascinating mix of sounds that just seems to work.
8/10 19.01.2026
Très cool
The 1998 World Cup was my first proper football tournament. Bouncing between the Beeb and ITV, I don’t think I missed more than 15 minutes of the whole thing. Scotland out in the group stages; Ronaldo’s swallowed tongue (and R9 boots, which I pestered my mum for a pair of); Zidane’s towering, masterful performance in the final. (Over the past 27 years, any memory I might have had of England’s run has been almost completely eclipsed by the strength of my enthusiasm for Sainsbury’s petrol station’s commemorative player coin collection.) Airport 98 might, then, be the first TV advert I fully remember having an opinion of. (27 years later, the very idea of a kid having a “favourite advert” is faintly ridiculous; we simply don’t anymore have the monoculture to support such a notion.) And while the ad’s iconic soundtrack of “Mas, Que Nada!” is neither on this album, nor is it Ben’s original recording that features on the Nike spot anyway … that’s sort of beside the point for me. Because it’s there that this record takes me. To a time when the whole world felt so extraordinarily exciting. In crucible of the 90s, football and entertainment melded together in a way that’s now totally irreversible … but it strikes me listening to this record that, without the borrowed cultural capital of creators like Ben, that might never have happened. As metonym for carnivale Brazil – that arresting phantasmagoria of colour and sound that just means “party” no matter what language you speak – Ben is unsurpassable. Of course it was one of his compositions that Wieden+Kennedy used to land the idea of football as a form of physical poetry. Africa Brasil is full of transcendentally fantastic party songs (what else would you call something with this much cuica?). Ben’s delivery is forward to the point of cheeky at times and always, always maddeningly cool. (There was a moment listening to “Taj Mahal” where I laughed aloud at the thought of Rod Stewart trying to get away with stealing Ben’s melody … representing as it does a sort of historical tragedy of self-esteem for we Northern Europeans.) I really enjoyed this record, and loved discovering Jorge Ben as an artist. Turns out something of his universe-level cool has always been with me; I’m delighted to be able to put a name to the feeling. Obá obá obá.
Not my vibe
9/10. Loved it! Super funky and some really interesting sounds
Ethnic African folk sounds. Interesting
Thought I might enjoy this, but sadly not, Brazilian beats are always upbeat, but this didn’t hit any heights
This album is a lot of fun.
1. Porta de Lanca Africano - very upbeat, i enjoy the rhythms. a lot of fun. 2. Hermes Trismegisto Escreveu - what language is this? 3. O Filosofo - i love love love the squeaky sound. i assume this is portuguese but theres smth french sounding in his pronunciation. 4. Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro - gorg gorg riff at the beginning. 5. Taj Mahal - this is a good one !! bit dooo you u think im sexy tho .. idk what that songs called but it sounds like that one. im really enjoying this album. GOOD fucking album
i can see at times when i really like it
Loved this album. I've never heard of it before, and it gets you in the mood to party and dance like nothing else.
Fav: A História De Jorge Least Fav: O Filósofo If you’re not listening to this on a hot summer’s day, then you’re not listening to it correctly
Fun
On most accounts this would be something that I think I would have liked, but I just could not get into it maybe it's just me.
Taj mahal fire Would.listen again
Album #3 January 14th 2026 Favorite Song: A História De Jorge This album was sung in Portuguese. While I couldn't understand it, it was a really upbeat and fun album to listen to. Most of the songs in this album are songs I would play at a party or during a car ride with the windows down just enjoying the moment. Since I couldn't understand the lyrics I don't believe there is much else that I can comment on. I give this album a 9/10.
Really liked this one Been listening to more of his stuff
Mäh
Awesome. In the rotation
⭐⭐⭐⭐ En positiv överraskning. Kul och annorlunda och förvånad hur många lyssningar den fick men kan vara att det kändes befriande med det i sammanhanget ovanliga Brasilianska soundet. Det är första spåret Ponta De Lanca Africa är det som jag tycker bäst om. Skulle jag se detta albumet ute i det vilda skulle jag nog överväga att köpa det för att ha något annorlunda i samlingen. Betygsätter det som en svag 4.
French African doesn't do it for me
I like it. Super funky
groovy!
This is such a fun album, particularly the faster paced tracks. The energy is just so infectious. Vocals are quite good, though I don't know what any of the lyrics are about. I love the instrumentation, it's so varied and interesting. The guitar and bass are pure funk. A couple of tracks used sounds that reminded me of the really stupid sound effects from the keyboards when I was in school, but somehow in a way that really works. I'm not familiar with the Brazilian music scene, but the production and musicality on this album sound so far ahead of its time. Such a cool blend of samba and rock. Genuinely so impressed that this is from the 70s. Highlights: - "O Filósofo" - "Taj Mahal" - "A História de Jorge" - "Cavaleiro do Cavalo Imaculado" (this one secured the 5 rating for me) Exactly the kind of album I want to discover from the list, but feel like I'd have got more out of it if I understood the lyrics. Can't blame that on Jorge Ben Jor though. Low 5.
O álbum é incrível, foi muito bom ouvi-lo e tenho como o melhor da lista até então
fun sound!
Here's an example of an album that I don't really feel qualified to talk about. Africa Brasil at it's samba-filled core seems like it'd be right up my alley. Maybe it's because I don't have the knowledge to understand the lyrics, but musically nothing really stood out here for me. Except the Cuica. The Cuica kills every time. Highlight: O Plebeu
#824. Decent. 3/5: good.
Fun, engaging, smart
Do I like Brazilian bossa nova now? I guess I kinda do. A significant upgrade from my first experience with Brazilian music (Os Mutantes).
Eu gostei disso. Me dá vontade de ir para o Brasil e me divertir muito com o Bolsonaro, ou com quem eu encontrar primeiro.
This is so awesome. No qualifications on this, immediate favorite. Have to check out more of these 70s funk/post bossa nova bands from Brazil. Made me wish I knew Portuguese... Favorite Tracks: Ponto da Lanca Africano, O Filosofo, Taj Mahal, Camisa 10 de Gavea, Africa Brasil (zumbi)
Cool world music. Great rhythms, just an enjoyable background listen for me.
1/12/26. Great discovery! Loved the fusion of Brazilian music and funk, works really well. First song grabbed me right away, and the rest of the tracks I enjoyed. Definitely want to learn a few of these on guitar.
Fabulous, listened while at the gym. Makes me wanna learn to dance.
um dos meus artistas favoritos, jorge ben nunca erra. apesar disso, sei que ele tem álbuns melhores!
Brazilian folk,good fun
Listened Before? N This was unexpected! A very rockin' world-music album. I guess according to Wiki it's considered Samba Funk or Samba Rock. Whatever it is, I found it charming and groovy. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Ponta De Lanca Africano
Tropical, groovy, and playful. Simply fantastic. 8/10
What a great album. So energetic and full of life. I think it’s amazing when the power of music overthrows language. I didn’t know what Jorge was saying but I believed every word. My favourite was Taj Mahal, a song I would return to and have 2 times during this listen. Many additions of this album in my playlists now.
Proper Friday record. This was great fun, my smile was like building every song. 'Taj Mahal' is just a great pop tune all in. Very tight, lots of points of difference, feels way ahead of its time and influential on lots of other music I like.
Groovy
theres two major things that bothered me very much in this album that was the way he sings have absolutetly nooo range besides sometimes calm and sometimes not and the use of repetition in the songs that im yet to figure it out if its intentional or not. besides that the lyrics itself and the story behind each one of them plus the genial mix of genres and instruments and such its just perfect and as a brazilian myself that was quite an experience as a listen. it would not be an album that i would listen winlingly again but it would be an album that i would love to discuss with people because it actually left an impression on me on the first listen!
Nice beats
I enjoy hearing world music from time to time. This was enjoyable.
surprisingly pretty good. Not what i usually listen to but i enjoyed it quite a bit
This one was fun. 3.5/5
cool as heck
Pretty good. Not into it enough to warrant a 4 though.
Enjoyable good music. Nice to get something from somewhere other than the US/UK.
Good instruments and voice.
Nice. Very cool rhythms. Short but chill.
Helt ok album, inget speciellt. Kändes som om många av låtarna antingen var inspirerade av andra eller inspirerade andra. Tredje låter som ”Sugar, Sugar” (1969) i refrängen medan sjätte lät som ”Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” (1978)
I've listened to a number of Jorge Ben's albums before, and always found him pleasant but lacking an engaging, or 'gravity' quality to his music. That is a personal and subjective opinion, and to confidently feel so, I also acknowledge that I'm continuing to form that opinion when listening to him without understanding possibly enough of his cultural context, or importance for the music. Also I fully acknowledge that my Portuguese comprehension is minimal. Brian Eno and countless others in Ambient and Experimental spaces have proven that music can exist with validity as purposefully dis-engaging, and have enough intention and innovation to easily supersede 'elevator music' epithets. My previous gripe with Jorge Ben Jor is that in everything I've listened to, he's rode a line between seeking engagement (this is music from a singer, songwriter, and entertainer) and air of casual relaxation, which works for relaxation but fails to draw me in. It makes me uncomfortable to be presented with a clearly thoughtful and talented singer's inherent plea to be listened to, while also having a vocal quality that says 'just relax, it's not important'. These two poles exist in Bossa Nova, and for me it does work. It's just something about Ben's voice and delivery that comes across almost milquetoast. That being said (and said fully overly-harshly, but necessarily to make a point), his music has always been oozing with talent and musicality. No shortage. Hence, my discomfort; I'm handed a paradox and Ben says 'do with it what you will.' And, I'm like 'what if I can't be bothered? Does that make me a bad guy?' Listening to Africa Brasil changed my opinion greatly. His voice still immediately presented the same subjective problems that I've felt previously. His voice grew on me though. In fashion that I admire greatly and put on a highest pedestal, this became an album that started off as take-it-or-leave-it, and slowly drew me in. It drew me in to the point of Xica da Silva, which is a track I have loved from DJ sets, but never (due to no effort on my part) identified as Jorge Ben. Tracing the line from 'meh' to slowly revealing a world that I have been to before and felt excitement, fascination, and comfort in, was a wonderful journey. It is also a journey that I know this album will offer me in repetition over many listens. I should probably give it 5 stars for that quality alone, and to Jorge Ben, for 4 stars, I am sorry. While I now eagerly await future journeys of discovery with his music, I'm still currently, as a subject of my own sometimes mal-informed or naive tastes, not there yet.
Felt like I was on a vacation in Brazil, good vibe music. I loved the first song in particular.
Not a huge afrobeats enthusiast but very summery and upbeat which I enjoyed
Really fun listen for not know a word he's saying. Good turn off the brain and have a good time album.
Albums like this is why I wanted to do this! This is fantastic!
Before listening some research cs idk who he is. Jorge Ben Jor is from Brazil, the father of samba rock ok cool. Dudes 86 and still performing wow. Great opening sounds like it will be a fun album. I get a vibe from this album that it would be perfect to experience live. There are a lot of live elements so it does put you in that space perhaps that's why he still performs because that's when his music really shines. I'm in the middle of listening/researching and this is almost like a historical artefact - the storytelling element is so prevalent. The Afro-Brazil experience with his own personal inspirations and stories of love, football and joy. The soundscape suggests it wouldn't be about such deep topics but I think that's what makes it so enjoyable. There is something so empowering as well in the reinterpretation of preexisting material (though I haven't heard it yet). Fav songs - Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro (so fun), África Brasil (Zumbi) (the ultimate embrace of the shared culture it is so refreshing to hear in this perspective). 7.5/10
μέτρια βραζιλιάνικα τραγουδάκια. δεν με τρέλανε κάποιο
Smells of white boy critical paternalism. (I’ll like this so that they’ll think I’m progressive. ). Not bad. But not essential. 3. Just.
The first ten tracks are the same song, Pink Floyd would be proud. The last song is the only one that sounds different. No.
There have been a number of South American albums on this list and most have been variations on soft, pleasant, largely unmemorable samba or tango or whatnot. Os Mutantes are an exception and so is Jorge Ben! I dig the more muscular playing; the hybrid of latin, funk and African rhythms is exciting. This is new to me, but I really dig it. This is what I came to this project for. Music from anywhere other than US and UK is really poorly represented, so this has been an unexpected pleasure. Would buy. Rod Stewart totally plagiarized Taj Mahal for Do Ya Think I'm Sexy. That was no accident.
Hade högre förväntningar baserat på första låten. Sen höll den inte riktigt tyvärr. 3a i alla fall, från både mig och från pappa.
Definitely a very seasonal album, but surprisingly fun. Infectious groove and overall great composition.
Can recognise it was good but wouldn’t reach for it again
Great album. Great beats, great vibes. A much needed reprieve from the relentless torrent white men.
Sykt bra Så gode Vibes på trysil
I enjoyed this. The first song was covered by Soulfly years ago so I loved hearing that one. A nice relaxed production, top stuff
Fun
Jorge Ben is a brilliant musician who should never be overlooked, and this album is further proof of that. While it is not my personal favorite of his catalog, I still enjoy it a great deal. I lean more toward Fôrça Bruta. The blend of Brazilian samba-rock with funkier Afrobeat influences makes for a consistently engaging and enjoyable listen. That said, it does start to feel a bit repetitive toward the end, partly because I do not understand the lyrics, which limits my connection to the songs. Even with that personal drawback, it is a strong release and easy to recommend. 8.5/10.
Pleasant. I would play this again for background music at a party to act cultured. joking aside, even though I dont understand the language, it's genuinely pleasant.
I liked this because, well, I like anything that's got some FUNK. "O Plebue" was super fun.
This is very much outside my wheelhouse, but enjoyable all the same. The book highlights how much Jorge Ben incorporated James Brown-style funk, which I can definitely hear in songs like "Ponta De Lanca Africano." I saved that one to a playlist, but I doubt I return to this otherwise. Glad to hear it though.
Wow, certainly an album to make you move and dance!
This was awesome! I think my only issue is knowing the time and place for this
Pleasant listen but not rememberable
Enjoyable, but probably wouldn't think to put it back on again.
thank you jorge ben for this vibe of an album
Not bad, but doesn't really do anything for me. I'm not into the funky pop-rock sound. The fact that I can't understand the lyrics doesn't help either.
If I was Brazilian, or on holiday in Brazil I reckon I'd really like this. But I am neither. I see one of the top reviews says it's their new dinner party album. Which kinda figures, it was inoffensive at best.
Didn’t understand the lyrics but the music spoke to me
Majority of the album is hidden for some reason Nice and energetic
This was really fun! The album was a nice cohesive listen. Enough contrast to stay interesting, and everything was well executed.
This reminds me of wonderful Christmases past at the Davidson's listening to a Brazilian jam band and having a great time.
There is so much joy emanating from this record.
Hell yes!! This is a fantabulous funky Brazilian dance party is what this is. And you can bet your ass that I’m boogie-ing mine to exhaustion. New favorite Hermes Trismegistus song, that’s for sure. (Don’t ask which it replaced.) That fkn cuica too. I love that thing. This is exactly what I hoped for in beginning this project: discover great new-to-me artists that I might otherwise have never encountered. Cannot wait to continue this man’s discography I def had 5stars of fun with this one, but I’m hesitant to pull the trigger on the full 5 overall. I love it, but is it truly great among its peers? I’m afraid I won’t know that without a lot more listening. I’mma have fkn fun doing it tho. Official rating is 4.5 stars. You know what? Let’s nudge that over to 4.51, which rounds nicely up to 5
At no point did I have any idea what was happening in this album but it was so fun to listen to
Cool funky rhythms. For which the album gets a 3. But I don't want to hear a load of singing (and even more talking)! In a language I don't understand. Call me a xenophobe I don't care, but I wouldn't listen to this again. I would actually say it's probably more because I don't particularly dig the fella's voice, because if this was Astrud Gilberto it would be added to my playlist.
At least you don't have to worry about the meaning of the lyrics when I don't know the language! I don't have anything against this album, but I probably just wouldn't listen to it on my own. I like the unconventionality though. The funky vibe reminds me of my father, I like the groove. You could probably dance to a lot of these songs.
I truthfully did not pay enough attention to this album to know what specific tracks I liked or disliked. Sorry Jorge. Will give it a relisten one day I promise!
Goated, actually added to library. Don’t remember any details but it made driving through snow bearable.
I liked this. Not sure what he's talking about or what's going on, but it seems like Jorge Ben here is having a good time.
The album starts and it is VERY funky. Some excellent playing all around. But, there is only so many times you can feature electric jug before it gets annoying. It started taking over songs, I couldn't focus my hearing on anything but that goddamn jug
3+ Stars (9/15)
Á𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢 𝘉𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘭 is a vibrant showcase of MPB at its most rhythmic and infectious. Jorge Ben blends Brazilian grooves with strong African influences, building songs around driving percussion, hypnotic guitar lines and a deep sense of forward motion. The album feels both rooted in tradition and effortlessly modern, powered by repetition, groove and warmth rather than complexity. It’s confident, joyful music that proves how naturally Brazilian popular music can absorb and transform African elements without losing its own identity.
I enjoyed listening to this record. I had never heard of it and I thought that it did have a pretty original sound. The Samba/Funk fusion is definitely original and I want to spend more time with this record to see if I can really start to enjoy it.
Fun
Has a great energy to it
An amazing consolidation of Jorge's styles, a must listen.
It’s fun, it’s groovy, it’s engaging. I could listen to this album at a party, I could dance to it, and I could do a days work to it. It’s just good stuff. Never heard it before but it’s definitely staying in the library. 4.5/5.0 Best Song: Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro
So much fun, Jorge Ben is fucking class. Imagine not being able to shake your white boy booty to this.
Loved it, Brazilian essence felt throughout. Also, major heist movie vibes. Favorites are "Ponta De Lanca Africano", "Hermes Trisnegisto Escreveu", "Xica Da Silva", and "Cavaleiro Do Cavalo Imaculado. "O plebeu" was very sweet.
The part of the production that sounds like a rubber chicken is very distracting. I would like all the songs more without it.
chill
Not a bad album, I didn't understand any of the lyrics but I liked the cuica sounds. It's a very Brazilian album and a fun listen. 3/10
Best album yet
Love this album
Such cool sounds and soul and grove. I love it. There's something about the cuica and the whistles and all the Brazilian and African mixed percussion and rhythms. It just travels in such a wonderful way. The electric guitar sits so well in the ensemble too (I was really shocked to read that he played acoustic prior to this record). Definitely one of my favourite discoveries
Love the beats.
Good
I couldn't understand a word he said and I didn't care. This music is fire.
Not what I’d normally listen to but very fun music
It's good can't understand what they're saying tho
Where samba meets rock. Too bad it’s in a foreign language.
Nicely composed album
vou ser muito cringe e dizer que é muito lindo ouvir um álbum que afirma seu amor pelo seu país e a cultura que você nasceu com, e esse álbum é definitivamente um deles! nao tenho nem as palavras para descrever o quão genuinamente delicioso ouvir esse álbum é. talvez é pela data que foi lançado mas é o tipo de músicas que sao tao boas que passam o sentimento que “é claro que essa musica existe. não faria sentido viver em um mundo onde taj mahal e hermes trismegisto escreveu nao existem”. enfim!!!!! eu amo muito!! 🫀
Pelo jeito meu presente de Natal veio atrasado esse ano (26/12)! Nessa era, em meados da década de 1970, Jorge Ben já havia alavancado o seu gênero-criação Samba Rock para a sua natural apoteose, e em discos como África Brasil a inevitável consequência dessa evolução se dá na expansão vertical, que é o que vemos aqui, com uma sonoridade voltada à síntese do funk americano e até com pitadas de prog e com canções abordando temáticas variadas e até mesmo esotéricas. O resultado é invariável: Um disco tremendamente divertido, engajante, desenrolado, profundo e inconfundivelmente brasileiro. O tipo de álbum que não é estranhado em nenhum contexto, seja em uma escuta intimista com fones de ouvido na sala de casa em um setup hi-fi audiófilo, seja em bailes de salão lotados, seja em confraternizações familiares ou amigaveis. Pau pra toda obra. Apenas toque Taj Mahal e veja todo mundo agitando como se algo no fundo de cada uma de nossas almas clamasse por aquele som. Eu adoro todo o gameta que esse disco engloba. Você pode ouvir faixas que parecem bobas, com temáticas futebolísticas por exemplo, e no fundo de tudo, há um arranjo surpreendentemente complexo, envolvendo um arsenal de diferentes instrumentos e de influências diversas, tudo marchando progressivamente na mesma direção de forma autoritária. Impossível não se envolver. Percussão afinadíssima, baixo implacável, e o trabalho incrível da guitarra elétrica de Ben Jor, sendo esse o primeiro envolvimento do artista com o instrumento. Fantástico. Alma puramente analógica, linda a paleta de cores aqui empenhada. Voa Jorge, Jorge voa. 5/5
Lots to enjoy in here 😀
I lowkey loved this!! Fav: Ponta De Lança Africano
oh this is fire. wish i could understand the lyrics. big fan of that sound that repeats itself over and over in all the songs. shower soundtrack of the day. from now on i'll say my 3 fav songs from each album :) meus filhos, meu tesouro xica da silva áfrica brasil (zumbi) this is my FAV
First song was awesome
This was a fun one. Not that I've got my finger on the pulse of Brazilian popular music, but I'd never heard of this artist. Chalk up another discovery thanks to 1001 albums!
different than what i normally listen to but kind of awesome. really cool mix of sound, nice signing, and good beats. listened to while reading so wasn’t paying too much attention but it was great background music rating: 7.8/10
A nice boppy listen. Good for work since it is French.
Yeeeaaah this is the type of stuff I'm here for, big fan Highlights: Xica Da Silva O Plebeu Ponta de Lança Africano
It was certainly unique but it suffered from everything blending together. High 3
I’m glad to learn this musical selection, but would not ever turn to this style by choice. It was fun and felt like I was outside doing the salsa to sunset with a drink in my hand while laughing.
Classic album from MPB (Brazilian Popular Music) and the godfather of Samba Rock. "Camisa 10 da Gávea" refers to Zico, the biggest player ever of Flamengo, the team Ben Jor support and the team with biggest numbers of supporters in Brazil. Gávea is a neighbour in Rio de Janeiro where Flamengo's headquarters is and the place where the team used for practice as well. Obviously, 10 is the number of the shirt (or jersey) that Zico used during his whole career, mostly playing for Flamengo. He also played in Italy and was the Kickstarter of Football in Japan alongside with another Brazilian players. And yes, I support Flamengo as well. Interesting fact: Jorge Ben changed his name to Jorge Ben Jor to avoid confusion with George Benson.
A new band for me. Foreign language. Nice vocal and great beat. A good album.
Fun listen.
I wish I spoke Portuguese! This was ok, not really my thing. But I was happy to hear some international music.
good vibes
reviewing the songs as i listen to them for the first time ever:: ponta de lança africano: interesting. not my style at all. i'm invested. hermes trismegisto escreveu: portugese sounds interesting. maybe i should consider learning it after italian and serbian. i have no idea what the lyrics mean but greek mythology mentioned ! o filósofo: the songs' melodies are quite interesting and nice but i honestly don't see myself listening to them everyday. maybe i'll crave them once in a while. meus filhos, meu tesouro: i'm enjoying this one more than the first three. but again, not something that i'd listen to on a daily basis. at least not for now. o plebeu: this album is really growing on me. taj mahal: again, i'm starting to really enjoy this genre, whatever it's called. i could've never discovered this album or this genre on my own. most of the album isn't even available on spotify in my country. xica da silva: it's a nice song that made me interested in the lore of chica da silva. i'll look into it. a história de jorge: might be my favorite song so far. cavaleiro do cavalo imaculado: i like the name. again, like all the others, nice and interesting melody that i'm not used to at all. áfrica brasil (zumbi): very nice start. i don't really have anything to say lmao it's not that different from the rest of the album. would i listen to this album again? maybe. maybe i needed to look the lyrics up. great experience overall.
This was somewhat difficult for me to evaluate. Most of the lyrics rest pretty high in the mix and cover the instruments. I don't mind that ordinarily, but I don't speak Portuguese, so all I have is the instruments to rely on. The vocals I don't understand being the most prominent feature, for me, isn't ideal. If there was an instrumental version of this album, I think I'd like it a lot.
it was okay, some of the instruments were a bit annoying
its quite good! probably won't go back to it but an enjoyable listen and something a bit different to what I normally listen to!
Part of the reason why I started this adventure, find things I wouldn't have on my own. Enjoyed this. Funky beat, don't understand the words, but the body knows the groove.
Surprisingly fun listen. Upon seeing the title and album cover, my mind went to the Cubano albums that I was given previously that I did not care for. However, this one is quite different. I can't understand any of the lyrics, but I do enjoy the groove a good bit. Each song has a good groove, easy to make me dance. Each song has a very full and original sound. I would have appreciate some variance in the tempo of the songs, as they all are right about the same tempo. But this also provides an album that is easy to groove to, front to back. O Plebeu mellows things up a bit, but still a very similar groove to the other songs. Shoutout to the cuica in many of the songs here.
Sounds fine, but not my music
I heard a cover of the first track about 25 years ago. I didn’t know it was a cover until today. Great world music album with great drums and vocals. 3.8/5.0
The first artist I hadn't heard of before! I liked it.
Noice
An enjoyable album, a pleasant surprise.
Um álbum muito divertido
Good world music.
8/10 hermes trismegisto escreveu 12/19/25
Im a huge dummy. Classic English pilled American. I dont know languages i guess. I had this pegged as French but more like Ghana rsther than the European type. But its just Portuguese. Jesus. I thought i was listening to afrobeat type shit. But either way its good no matter how dumb I am. I love the classic McDonald's hi c straw ass instrument. Very funny but it fits too. The backing track other than that is pretty good too. Its maybe not my favorite thing but I got a couple songs outta this one. Worth
Brilliant! The mix of funk and Latin styles is so much fun. I found myself dancing to this more than any of the other albums I've listened to on the list.
I'm getting more out of this album with each listen, lots to love here but it hasn't hit the sweet 5 star point yet, pretty sure it'll get there with time.
Big fan of this! It's got a great grooove.
The history on this album is super interesting in how the artist avoided censorship while recording in a military dictatorship in Brazil. Also how they switched styles from acoustic to electric guitar for this album too. The afro-Brazilian sound was very well done. Listening to it without really knowing the title of the album or artist. I figured it was some sort of cultural fusion.
Fucking banger. I loved this album. Such good rhythms and grooves
Love the Brazilian, western fusion. Quite the album to listen to while driving home through a blizzard and shoveling 2 feet of snow off my driveway. Loved the cuica (monkey drum) but at times I thought they could have done without it. Less is more and in this case they had too much of it. 7.5/10
I’ve seen this album art before… I’m sure I’ve listened to some of this. Love bossa nova, although this ain’t bossa nova, just Portugués music. From the get go this is a vibe. Yeah. I will definitely be listening to this album again, saved. This slaps. Very much in the same genre realm as the Sergio Mendes album I constantly listen too. Idk what to call this genre but it’s so fun. The little squeaky horn sound this makes me happy. The album most definitely builds. Last two songs are crazy. I had to stop listening and jumped back in on those two later, it was a bit jarring tbh. It’s funny the title song is my least favourite. Sooo last two songs not for me, but the rest of the album is top notch. 4.5
Hit me with that funk. I love the analogue colour on this shit, the slightly detuned and tape saturated bass, gat, horns. The lyrics are smooth, songwriting lighthearted and fun. High energy, horn lines are golden. The wide high end hats, cymbals and shakers makes ya wanna get your fuckin maracas out. Exactly my wheelhouse in terms of sampling. If this shit wasn’t so popular I’d flip it in a heartbeat. The play of tension and release in the writing is a journey, done super well. Smack bang in the pocket for some of my favourite genres. Giving Curtis mayfield, funkadelic, parliament. Super refreshing to hear some music not just out of Britain or the US. Keep it coming. Excited to go through this cats catalogue.
If I could dance I think I would enjoy this album even more but it was still a fun album to listen to. And from an artist that I had never heard of.
Glad I heard this. Reminds me of City of Good soundtrack (I'm well aware that it predated that movie, but it's what I, a white boy from the USA heard). I loved it
África Brasil was my first exposure to Brazilian music, but it felt familiar. I heard echoes of the funk from my early childhood memories of the ’70s, backed by a steady rhythm. The call-and-response vocals evoked the image of a storyteller leading a participatory crowd, somewhere between sing-along and ritual. Not well-versed in Portuguese, I read the translations and saw themes of history, practical wisdom and soccer, all carried by rhythmic and hypnotic grooves.
Good feel from this album, unfortunately I don’t understand Portuguese, so the lyrics are lost on me, but it feels good
A fun album throughout I found. I mean I don't speak the language, but my head bobbed a bunch