Africa Brasil

upbeat, portuguese

I have a particular soft spot for chill south american music. If I haven't mentioned it before Tagua Tagua's Inteiro Metade is one of my favorite albums of all time. I wonder if Jorge Ben Jor is an influence. Anyways this thing is solid all the way through. Meus Filhous Meu Tesouro and Xica a Silva aremy favorites. There's a lot to dig into in this well. I liked it well enough to explore some rainy day.

This was great. I know there are some serious lyrics in here from my extremely poor Portuguese but the whole thing just feels like a good time. I think this album also has the biggest use of the cuica drum I’ve heard ever. It’s a fun little addition that is very Brazilian. I liked “o filosofo” and “taj mahal” the most. I wonder if the song “a historia de Jorge” is a self hype song, because if so I like that he was making those in 1975. In any case, this was a good listen and it’s cool that we got someone other than Joao Gilberto (who is great too of course) from Brazil.

Great vibe start to finish. Sure to get the foot tapping.

Like! 4/5

Y'know, first of all, besides how good of an album I think this is, I gotta say, it does make me pretty happy just that the Randomizer finally gave my group a samba album that has nothing to do with Getz or Gilberto. Seriously, as much as I liked them (except BEACH SAMBA, honestly), it's just nice to move outside of the 1960's, y'know? And, yeah, like I said: I think this is a good album. I mean, it was good enough for Rod Stewart to rip off for "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?". As it's one of those "world" albums (as in, "it's not from America or Europe"), I'm not really sure what the lyrics are about. The top review of the album on this website tells me it's some pretty important stuff, although I don't think it really matters if you actually know the lyrics or not. Like, sure, it's probably better if you don't pull the "Y'all don't wanna hear me; you jus' wanna dance," but as just an album to dance to, absolutely, it's great. Like, sure, I don't think any of the songs really evolve once they get started, but I don't think that's a problem. As long as you can lock into its groove, that's all that matters — and fortunately, I can, especially because of its samba and MPB rhythms. It's a pretty solid 4 for me. And, uh, I don't know what else to say that I haven't already. It's just good, funky samba music — and, again, it's not BEACH SAMBA. I can't think of anything else I would've asked of this album.

Great!

Yes this was great! Will listen again.

What a great groovy album. Absolutely brilliant way to start the morning, puts a smile on your face when walking listening to this.

Not my first taste of Jorge Ben Jor, but this album is new to me. Goes without saying that I enjoyed it, but is it the best one to represent him on the list? The electric, rockier style dilutes a bit of the 'Brazil-ness' of his earlier work, IMO. I guess I'm pining for more of the feather-light acoustic guitar that underpins Mas que Nada and Take It Easy My Brother Charles. Still, there's still plenty of joy to be found here, especially on the tune that Rod Stewart nicked. 3.5 - rounding up for the artist more than the album.

я походу был в прошлой жизни черным. а возможно ещё и бразильцем.

Whoa, this was amazing! I had heard some of these tracks, probably most sampled in later electronic songs, but didn't know where they came from. This is easily one of my top foreign language albums so far.

slinky, swinging, uplifting

I really liked the monkey instrument

Fun! 4/5

3.7

Yes yes yes liked this a lot

I was pleasantly surprised by the musical themes of this album and it was a nice discovery. It has a nice distinctive sound, but also tries to align with a more modern (at the time) rock and roll sound.

I love getting albums like this. I've never heard of Jorge Ben Jor or would have ever had reason to listen to his music. But this sort of rock + Brazilian flavor is outstanding. You can feel the energy surging through the speaker and it's engaging even without speaking the language

3.5

This was pretty unique, but I found it very enjoyable to listen to. I need to do some research about this before I have a full opinion though.

Really nice vibes

Nikad čula, ali po svemu sudeći, imam jako velika očekivanja jer dosta brijem na afrički funk lately. Dosta kul, druga stvar mi ima baš dobar gruv. I taj portugalski baš daje neki novi, drugačiji štih, lajkam. Uh, treća i četvrta su mi vrh. Taj Mahal isto dosta dobra. Ma svaka stvar mi ima nešto ful dobro, čak i ako mi nije cijela napeta. Jao ovaj space moment u Đoletovoj povijesti je baš jeben dosta 🔥 Orguljice isto vrh! Baš something different, bio mi je gušt slušati! Meni je ovo 4/5, 8/10 👌🏻

7.5/10 Dosta zanimljiv album. Nisam puno ulazio u Brazilsku muziku osim par artista poput Eumira Deodatoa koji mi se odmah zavukao na prvo slusanje, ali i ovo dosta dobro sjeda. Najdraza stvar mi je Taj Mahal, koju si je Rod Stewart posudio za Da Ya Think I'm Sexy, ali ako cu usporedjivati mi je i puno draza od poznate obrade. Odlicna, Meus filhos, Meu Tesouro mi je odmah iza, odlican gruv! Generalno, nema mi losih momenata na albumu, neke stvari su mi bolje od drugih ali sve skupa mi ostavlja bas dobar dojam. Osim ganjanja lopte i ulijevanja straha u kosti hrvatima na prvenstvima, Brazilci znaju i odlicne albume snimit. A tek Brazilke kako plesu, pihh. Odmah sam se sjetio onog meme-a - Come to Brazil! Moze, evo me.

Enjoyed the rhythm and mellow sound - did not understand the lyrics at all but that's OK

It was pretty fun and upbeat

Ma che simpatico

che mood gigantesco

Not at all my usual kind of album, but enjoyed immensely and would def even listen again

funk is one of those genre i think about and assume is trash but then i actually listen to it and it's peak. i'm really feeling this album idk why this is so good the groove on this album is crazy. i have know when if I'll ever relisten to this but this first listen was very enjoyable. one of the best samba albums i've ever heard

This was super enjoyable and maybe because I couldn’t understand the language (I’m usually a lyrical person) . I was just going with the feel of the music and the sound of his voice .It seemed like he was saying something emotional or meaningful. For all I know the lyrics are m trash but the music certainly wasn’t. 4/5

I liked it even though I couldn’t understand a word

I keep saying this any time interesting world music comes up, but this is why I signed up for this. Brazilian Samba mixed with funk I'd never normally stumbleupon. Just a chill time, solid chair boogying and it has the song "Taj Mahal" that some might recognize as the song Rod Stewart ripped off for "Do You Think I'm Sexy?"

Loved this, wasn’t expecting the melody on Taj Mahal! Stolen by Rod Stewart / N- Trance?

Nice album! Even slightly weak tracks like O Plebeu have plenty going on in the background to keep you interesting. I particularly enjoyed the back end around A Historia de Jorge and Cavaleiro do cavalo imaculado.

Un sonido fresco, cargado de pasión y ritmo, su música no se detiene en instrumentos, coros, y el insesante tambor africano. Me gustó mucho.7/10

First time ever hearing this artist, and I really enjoyed this album! I don't speak the language, so I have no clue what he's saying, but I do like the rhythms and music! My Top 3: 3. O Plebeu 2. Africa Brasil (Zumbi) 1. Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro

Funky fresh and dynamic. Love the introduction to these beats.

Chill, groovy, and soulful Brazilian funk

In another language and still loved it!!

Swingin!!!

Very different but I loved it. Great drumming, they definitely have a sense of rhythm. Singing was nice too.

Couldn't understand a word, but very funky and enjoyable

Fun and upbeat. Slight jazz vibes interlaced with salsa overtones

Love it! Right up my street. Sounds like a lot of people liked the little melody in Taj Mahal.

Hyper sympa ! Bonne découverte

Pretty groovy stuff. The tunes are fun, the instruments are funky, the sound is very rich. It's exactly what you'd want out of a Brazilian funk album.

I only speak Spanglish, so I have no idea what Jorge Ben Jor is saying in these songs. I am not sure it matters much either. I found myself singing along with no idea what I was saying or moving along to. Panta De Lanca Africano could mean "The Land of Africa should wear pants" and it doesn't matter because it's just a vibe and catchy as hell. I spent time trying to figure out why I liked this album while listening to "O Filosofo" and decided there was a Stones-y "Waiting on a Friend" vibe to the song. I often don't know what the hell the Stones are talking about, especially with some of the 70's output, but the riffs and feel of the song causes me to enjoy it. There is a reason Rod Stewart stole the riff to "Taj Mahal," for his disco song. That reason is there's a lot to enjoy on here. I haven't heard any of his other work but the guitar driven songs with the background vocals...this is a really pleasant surprise and I'm putting this album on my personal list...just as long as the songs aren't offensive when translated to English.

Perfect energy for a dull Monday morning commute. Got me ready for the day. Am album who’s energy can jump out of the music is to be celebrated, well done.

have you ever seen the movie Rio because this is what ponta de lanca africano the album reminds me of because their are parts of the movie that have music that kinda sounds familiar to the music that is used in the movie and this album gives a peaceful feel because of the voices and how they use the instruments to add to it and makes it more peaceful it kinda reminds me when in Rio Rio was flying and music started playing ponta de lanca africano is a great album and i would recommend that you listen to this because it is good if your trying to meditate or doing some work

do you like songs that are different languages. Well you will surely love this album. I liked the instrumentals and I loved the drums. I recomend it 7.5/10

Beautiful song structure and addictive rhythm.

This was so much fun. I’d happily listen to this pretty much anytime.

Loved it. Great running and dance music.

This album is one that demonstrates how good the 4 star tier is from this list. I enjoyed it greatly. There are some absolute bops on it. It's an album that really has me reconsidering if music from the 1970s in just about any genre or type of music is just to my taste no matter how much I want to shake that image and understanding. When I give this albums 4 stars, it is only because after a few listens today there are a couple of tracks that pull this from a 4.5 to something just slightly lower and have me rounding down rather than up. I try to keep that 5 star assignment to stuff that I find truly sublime for one reason or another. This record is close, but not quite at that level.

vibey

This album is hoppin'

I've been really consistently impressed with albums from the global south that take American musical genres and incorporate them with local musical traditions to make something new. This reminded me of how Ali Farka Toure and Songhoy Blues took American blues and mixed it with African Music. American funk and Brazilian music sound so naturally together. The musicianship and production on this album are excellent. This album went by really fast, but I want to hear it again sometime soon 4/5

I had never heard of Jorge Ben Jor before, so it didn't know what to expect. Basically, this release doesn't disappoint. It has a lot of energy and fun. Not sure what the songs are about but it doesn't matter since you just want to get up and dance

Very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this without understanding a word being said. This list is really making me realise how much good music Brazilians have made.

Snilld, fíla mjög vel.

Nice! Especially last two songs.

I came into this album expecting it to be like the other Afro-Latino music I got on here. This one was a bit different. Jorge Ben Jor has some chops. Fun listen, would for sure return to the standouts, and wouldn’t mind listening to the whole thing again. Standouts: Ponta De Lanca Africano, Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro, Taj Mahal, Xica De Silva, and Africa Brasil (Zumbi).

First listen Saved 7/11 Top track: Xica Da Silva

-damn I actually love 70s Brazilian music sm. thank you os mutantes and Jorge Ben Jor for introducing me to this and the cuica drum -holy shit Cavaleiro Do Cavalo Imaculado is so good -Favorites are Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro, Xica Da Silva, and Cavaleiro Do Cavalo Imaculado

Enjoyed listening, impossible to sit still. Favourite track is Xica da Silva.

Wouldn't put it on all the time, but it's really nice to hear in the background when I need to focus. Added a point because my husband adored it.

Solid, funky, great rhythms

Really glad I got to meet this album!

Cool vibes, very entertaining album. Well deffo be listening again soon.

Tremendous fun.

Profoundly funky. A different type of groove. I enjoy very much

This is why this project is genius. Yes, of course it's great to have an excuse to listen to Fleetwood Mac or the Rolling Stones in album format rather than just individual tracks, but the real joy is finding an artist in a genre that you would never have listened to otherwise. And this absolutely SLAPS

very groovy

good album of samba rock

really joyful Xica Da Silva was my favourite

Proof again that you don’t necessarily need to understand the lyrics to enjoy the performance. Although even if all the songs were, “death to the colonizers!” it was still a lot of fun listening to this.

Fun, upbeat African beat throughout. Did I hear the sound of the chorus to “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” on one of the songs? Definitely influenced several artists of the time.

20240823 Jorge Ben Jor – Africa Brasil 4/5 Back from my busy period, I have to write reviews from a couple of overdue albums, and this one is the first. This was quite a nice surprise of a reveal. I had very low knowledge of Brazilian music apart from very known artists like Caetano Veloso, or some soft-pop songs recommended by Spotify; and it has been a very good introduction to some samba-rock fusion. It is a very energetic and melody-rich album, with a very contagious rhythm through and through. The most outstanding quality of the album is the perfect mix between 70’s rock and Brazilian music, with some notes of African sounds. Some of the songs are very funky, while others are closer to “pure” samba, being the last the ones I have enjoyed the most, like Taj Mahal. If I have to talk about negatives, the sound can be a bit overwhelming for a continue listening; and the “rock-ish” songs work worse for my taste. In summary, a great album I will gladly listen more closely in the future, and a reference to be introduced into Brazilian music. Favourite songs: Meus filhos, meu tesouro; Taj Mahal Least favourite songs: Pomta de lança africano (Umbabarauma), África Brasil (Zumbi)

really enjoyed

9/10. I love fun and ethnic albums. :)

For as open as I try to be, it’s rare that a foreign album really stands out to me. But it’s a great experience when one does. Being able to get such a clear view into other cultures like that is amazing. And I will never not be open to hearing the unique ways these people make music. Because it’s very often drastically different to how Americanized music is generally approached. Some of the most interesting music I’ve ever heard came from these places. So I was happy to see that this record had generally positive reception from most. Unfortunately a lot of ignorance tends to follow records like this due to people’s inability to perceive or get into anything that isn’t in fucking English. That will never be an issue for me. It just adds another level of originality you can’t find elsewhere. Beyond all of that, this album is full of an energy I rarely find in music, but I relish in every time I do. This really took me back to when I started doing this, and hearing the Fela Kuti live album for the first time. Because this feels like a fusion of the best elements from those performances and something like Clube da Esquina. Seeing African and Brazilian musical history come together like this is very powerful. It really is the best of both worlds too. Super funky instrumentals that have the great complexities and writing quirks of popular Brazilian music. If people don’t allow the language barrier to affect them and prevent them from hearing this, it’s a very worthwhile listen. Rating: 7/10

Fun and danceable. I’ve never listened to Brazilian music before but enjoyed hearing the Portuguese. May not give it another listen but it was good for to hear something new.

Nice

Gisterochtend geluisterd en vandaag nog een keer. Erg fijne en vrolijk swingende muziek. En wat me opvalt: het voelt helemaal niet gedateerd aan. Dit had dit jaar ook gemaakt kunnen worden. En dat is reteknap.

Muy guay!!!

Its lovely

This is just as good as his older masterpieces, but in a different style. A

The first song is killer diller, and I would credit it for single handedly reviving David Byrne's career (after he put it as the lead-off track on a Brazilian music compilation he put together that got a lot more attention than his solo records had up until then). The rest of it is very good, too, but that first track - apparently about a soccer player? - is kick ass. Note also the melody of Taj Mahal - Rod Stewart must be a fan! 😅

Camisa 10 da Gavea, Africa Brasil (Zumba) are too slow

Very nice!

4/5

This was pretty good! I probably never would've listened to this without this project, so I'm glad I heard it, but I probably won't revisit it. It was nice music for listening to while I was doing work.

I really liked this album. I was expecting something very different, and what I heard was something that sounded more modern, experimental, playful. Parts of it reminded me to the tongue-in-cheek Cornershop debut, for example. I will definitely listen to this album again.

Excellent groove and vibe!

Good all the way through; will definitely listen again

Good vibes. Was worried as we've had some awful Brazilian music, but this was enjoyable.

Just really enjoyable and something a bit different

Fun

Loved it!! All the layers of sounds. So so So good What a delight!

Smooth, great vocals, and made me want to move. A great discovery!

This album still sounds fresh and relevant; I was surprised to hear it came out in 1976. Psychedelic-tinged funky Afro-samba may be the best description. It feels like it almost has a hip-hop influence, but I supposed it’s just the blending of Brazilian/african/funk rhythms and sounds. Really enjoyable grooves and beats from the percussion and bass. Hard to not want to move to this album. Some catchy vocal lines over the top, even if I don’t understand them. There’s a spirit and light-heartedness that shines through the music. Solid album.

I'd never even heard of Jorge Ben before I was assigned this album. After listening, it's clear that I have some more research to do.

A welcome change from the last few albums that I listened to on this list. Above average

Very funky and soulful. I like it.

This album becomes a million times more enjoyable than it already is when you imagine Glep from Smiling Friends singing the whole thing.

I may not speak the language but the emotions come through anyway. This album was very fun. Good grooves and rhythms. Favorites were Ponta De Lanca Africano, O Plebeu, Taj Mahal, and África Brasil.

This list needs more world music.

This is Brazil, with some lousy lyrics.

Excellent, will Re listen

Another awesome brand new artist courtesy of the 1001 project! Really fun funky samba. The fact that it was sung in Portuguese didn’t matter at all!

legit lit

AlienDance

I didn’t understand 99% of what was said. But it didn’t matter. The grooves, man, the grooves. This was such a fun album. I’ve had a decent amount of music out of Brazil during this project and it’s all been so creative and interesting. It hasn’t all been amazing, but it’s been different and interesting, and I can’t help but appreciate that. This album is alive with funky bass lines, locked in drums, and enthusiastic vocals that all come together to make this a fun, punchy, and funky 40 minutes. I’d gladly listen again. It’s always fun to hear genres that we think of as American or western taken on by a culture that itself is so closely associated with its own genres. The result is often a fresh take on a genre we think we own and know inside and out. We’re often proven wrong. Four stars. Standout Tracks: Ponta De Lanca Africano, Hermes Trismegisto Escreveu, Xica Da Silva, Cavaleiro Do Cavalo Imaculado, Africa Brasil (Zumbi)

Honestly, Africa Brasil was really good for what it does. The songs are very catchy and upbeat in all the right ways. It also kept introducing new elements as the songs went on in a way that felt natural and not sudden at all. Jorge's singing was also really good too with his voice always managing to fit every song very well even if i can't understand the lyrics due to them being in a language i do not speak. I did feel like there were maybe a few times where i began losing track of what was going on but part of me feels that wasn't really the albums fault and it kinda just being my fault. All in all, its a pretty great album. Best Song: Africa Brasil (Zumbi) Worst Song: O Filosofo

Love Jorge Ben

Groovy, funky, and soulful. A good exercise in perspective to compare popular South American 70s music to what I have been listening to from the same era for my whole life.

It has almost a classic rock/funk flavour at times, sometimes more Motown but always with a Latin and especially Brazilian sound layered throughout. I enjoyed it very much.

Samba rock, MBP, Funk. Energetic and uplifting, infectious vibes. Love the fusion going in. Impossible to have a bad time. Light 4.5/5

This was really enjoyable Brazilian pop/samba. Upbeat and despite the lyrics being in Portuguese, quite catchy. Standout is "Taj Mahal".

While I could not understand any of the Portuguese, I liked the sound and his voice. I just made up the meaning in my head.

I enjoyed it. It was good. I thought in one of the songs he sounded like Sting but Brazilian Sting. The sound was upbeat and they all sounded happy.

I enjoyed this even though I have not learned any more Portuguese between this album and the last Brazilian group we listened to. It was very upbeat and joyful sounding and pretty funky too. Even though I couldn’t understand a lick of what he was saying I enjoyed it.

Quite enjoyed listening to this while I worked out-kept me interested & enjoyed all the different sounds & instruments

Wild and fun! I added a couple songs to my playlists.

Had never heard of Jorge Ben Jor, glad he showed up though. My musical journey certainly enjoyed this bit of funk, so much more than I thought I would!

I didnt get what the songs were about but the rhythms were infectious. Funky 70’s jams!

Reminds me of Quincy Jones.

Super funky and soulful!!! Really enjoyed grooving out to this!!

Really enjoyed this one! Loved the vibes. Didn't even care that I couldn't understand a word 4 ⭐️

It bops.

I haven't heard about this artist before but I thought a Brazilian samba-funk album can't go wrong, and I was right. It was very groovy and enjoyable, I loved it a lot!

I love the multiple musical layers of this music and how it all blends together. You can tell there's a lot going on, but it doesn't sound muddy at all. I don't know how I'd describe this type of music, but it is definitely what I envision when I think of Brazilian music. I really enjoyed this little discovery. Ponte De Lança Africano had a nice hook to it with the minor chords. Meaus Filhos, Meu Tesouro was a fun, catchy romp.

that was properly good, im kind of torn between a 4 and a 5

This was super enjoyable and I really wasn’t expecting to like this at all. Either a four or a five I’m not sure I’ll decided tomorrow

high marks as i didnt understand a word but was groovy as he77.

No clue what this guy is singing about, but man is this shit funky.

Another album I really liked but will unlikely ever hear again just because of my typical genres unfortunately. Nice groove throughout

Not what I was expecting. It felt more like a funk album, which I didn't mind at all. Whatever is African or Brazilian feels secondary or like it was sprinkled on top of a base layer of 70's funk. But I thought it was great. Right from the opening licks of Ponta de Lance Africano. It dipped at times, like when I got to Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro, A História de Jorge (felt both derivative of other tracks and like it was trying too hard), or the title track (too spastic). But plenty of other great tracks in between, including Hermes Trismegisto Escreveu, O Filósofo, Xica da Silva (best song on the album next to the opening track), and Cavaleiro do Cavalo Imaculado (what pace!).

Fantastic album with tons of great hits. The musicality is unique and uses a wide variety of instruments and sounds. There are better Jorge Ben Jor albums but this one is still great!

Not bad

Interesting fusion of samba and rock styles. Funky grooves!

Loved this. Had no idea what he was singing about, doesn't matter. Great vibes

Tough to hate this, strong funk influences with a Brasilian flavour. great sound 4*

Muy funky, instrumentalmente muy rico y variado y me gusto mucho la voz!

Agradable mezcla de samba y funk, necesito aprender portugués

Cool Rhythms

How do you say "smooth" in Portuguese?

I weas surprised by this album. It seems like a great album to clean the house to, nice mix of energy and groove.

I tend to enjoy foreign music, and this is no exception. Very upbeat.

A fusion with funk is sort of exactly what samba needed. Funk complements samba so well and opens up a lot of possibilities for experimenting, of which there is a healthy amount on this album. Without alienating his album from either genre, Jorge successfully blends two genres while expanding both of their possibilities. There’s an incredible amount of range, beautiful production, great writing, and I have no idea about the lyrics. Almost as good as his earlier couple records. 4/5

Fun

Funk + Rock + Portuguese lyrics = A surprisingly great album! 4/5. Did not expect something like this to be on the list, but I'm glad it is.

No clue what they were singing about. But that rhythm section can churn butter.

I don’t have much to say about this album except that it was a really fun international album. It was funky and jazzy and had some great backing vocals and production. Ponta de lanca Africano and xica de Silva were my favs.

God I love Brazilian music! I think it’s perfect in its own right. But it’s not something I am likely to listen to everyday.

A great vibe, don’t know what the guy is saying but it doesn’t matter does it?😂😂

Really dug this. Might’ve liked it more if I understood French. Every world music selection to date has been nice. 4

4.2 impeccable, great fusion of western and Brazilian styles of music and the riffs are so catchy faves: ponta de lanca africano, taj mahal

Very enjoyable, an accomplished album from a talented artist. Begs to be listened to in the sunshine.

I really enjoyed this and definitely have to revisit it sometime. I didn’t really have favorite songs but I think they would stand out more if I re-listened to it.

Interesting album. Since my Portuguese isn’t that great, I obviously can’t say much about the lyrics. I did enjoy it though, and could see listening to it again or possibly more of his stuff.

I listened to it three times out of excitement for how good it is, but I might have worn myself down too quickly. Still good, though!

Echt tolle Musik. Das Album hat mir sehr gefallen und ist eine schöne Entdeckung.

Very fun and funky. Favourites: ponta de lanca africano, o filosofo. Thank you to Jorge for joining the noble fight against british rock (prayer hands emoji), I appreciate the rare non western addition to the list. 4/5

Very enjoyable album, perhaps the vibiest one yet. I liked almost every second of it, even though this isn't the type of music I would usually listen to. Especially a nice change from the last few British albums + Antichrist Superstar, just something very nice on the ears. Frankly I don't understand why the album is on the list, but that doesn't really change my rating (and I don't think it should lol). 4/5, but on the low end—the rating this time is based almost fully off enjoyment rather than any deeper analysis of just about anything. No favourites, the whole album kind of blends together but in a good way.

Bro COOKED with this. I feel so happy and content while listening, I just love getting into completely new genres of music that I would've never listened to before. Instrumentals were banging too. Favourites were basically the whole album, but especially Xica Da Silva. Easily at least a 4

Vibes

Any album that the flow for da ya think I’m sexy? Was stolen from is good enough for me.

I liked this! I liked the sound effects in the background (not sure how to describe them), although they did feel a little repetitive after a few songs. This was pleasantly fun and funky. I would listen to this again.

Couldn't understand a word of this but I really really enjoyed it. Very upbeat funky samba thing

I liked it…reminded me of the first time I heard King Sonny; no idea what they’re saying, but the music is infectious…

Now this is fucking great! The album title sums it up really well. It reminds me of 1993 when World Music was all the thing. Thus has pit a big smile on my face and nothing to do with watching the wife grooving along to it. I think I need to move to Brazil. However I'm scared of all the guns and drugs out there. A well deserved 4

Love the style. I could have done without the shouty parts, but it wasn't a lot, so it's alright

1001 albums day one i’m not one to listen to a lot of music outside of spanish and english so i was pretty interested in how i was gonna feel about this one. for this review i’ll be doing a track by track review, ending with my overall thoughts on the project. track one: ponta de lança africano any doubts that i had about the project were immediately erased with this opener. instantly did it have my attention, i was hooked. i am a big fan of just about everything this song has to offer, and i love the background vocals that accompany it. after hearing this track, i have very high expectations for the rest of the album. 8.5/10 track two: hermes trismegisto escreveu this one definitely didn’t hook me immediately as much as the opener, but i suppose that should be expected from the second track. i enjoyed the spoken word during the first moments of the track, but i definitely didn’t love it. however, as the track progresses it reveals itself as pure funk with almost a little reminiscence of pink floyd. i definitely didn’t love this one as much as the opener track, but as it grew i definitely l liked more and more. 8/10 track three: o filósofo this track had me a little worried for the rest of the album. there is a woodwind(?) or some kind of instrument playing repeated notes throughout the entire song and it gets annoying pretty fast. i also really do not like the singing on the song, like at all. it feels very sluggish, and not in a way that previous singers have been able to pull it off. just sluggish. hopefully this is just a small detour and the album continues on the road the first two tracks were traveling upon. 5.5/10 track four: meus filhos, meu tesouro this song immediately picked things up for me. the singing was already so much more favorable to me, and the intro had me waiting to see what was going to happen next. what happened next did not disappoint. once the drums kick in, this song just keeps going and going and never stops. they bring that woodwind noise back in from the 3rd track, but unlike last time it’s not as repetitive and feels like it contributes a lot to the mix. definitely my favorite track so far, i really love it. 9/10 track five: o plebeu while this song is a lot less impressive than the others i’ve praised, i don’t necessarily think that’s a bad think. this track coming after the fourth works really well as it adds a playful vibe to the album after the more “dire” tone that took place in the fourth. i really like the synths on this song, and while i’m not usually a fan of la la las i like how they work on this song. the song is playful, and that’s really it. it’s not trying to be anything bigger than that, and i think that’s fine for where it is on the album. 8/10 track six: taj mahal keeping a similar feel to the fourth track, taj mahal makes me feel even better about track five. i think that the playful tone provided from the previous track was crucial to this song working. even if this song feels very similar to the fourth, i can still appreciate it equally because of the small break the song before gave me. that being said, this track still holds up really well, i just wish that flute solo at the end was drawn out long than 5 seconds. 8.5 track seven: xica da silva i really like how this track starts out. they take no time getting the song started, and i love that. at first, i thought i would find the metronome annoying but after a while it just kinda blended with everything else in this mix. this song was the first since the opener track to remind me how great the backing vocals are on this album, especially with how much they stand out on this song. overall, the song carries a great vibe and really doesn’t have any negatives. it’s just a genuinely good song. 8.5/10 track eight: a história de jorge the title alone had me pretty interested in this track, i’m happy that i wasn’t disappointed. the song takes home to one of the best vocal performances on this album as well as some great synth worked accompanied by saxaphone. the outro is also really catchy. this song is just a straight banger. 8.5/10 track nine: camisa 10 da gávea while this is one of the slower tracks on the album, i still enjoyed it a lot. that being said i don’t really much to say about it. it doesn’t really offer anything new to the album and just feels like a bit of a drag. 7/10 track ten: cavaleiro do cavalo imaculado i was beginning to reach a point in this album where i couldn’t really appreciate much of what was happening anymore. however, track ten really turned that around for me and had me genuinely enjoying a song throughout it’s entire length. this song features some really cool high speed percussive elements that are hard to not find cool. 8/10 track eleven: africa brasil (zumbi) the title track. if i’m being honest, i’m not sure what i was expecting when i first went into this track. the album isn’t very ambitious throughout it’s entirety (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but i love big grand outros so i wasn’t sure if i was going to get that). yet this outro really blew me away. the intro of the song features a piano intro followed by an instantly intriguing instrumental to accompany the lead singers AMAZING performance. the vocals on this last song are really what make it, but the instrumental is just that cherry on top. i think this song was the perfect way to close out this album. 9.5/10 i’m happy to say this album did not disappoint. while it had it’s lows, it introduced me into a new genre of music that i’ve never really dove into and can now appreciate. the highs were also, very very high, when they did happen. favorite tracks: ponta de lança africano / meus filhos, meu tesouro / africa brasil (zumbi) least favorite track: o filósofo OVERALL SCORE: 8/10

muito divertido

Thoroughly enjoyable. Added.

Banger after banger this is going into the rotation

I like the instrument that sounds like someone is washing the window

Ik vind dit erg leuk! Soort Braziliaanse masayoshi takanaka

Thought this was great

Vibey. Thanks it’s been like a million stinkers in a row…

This is a very fun album. Great energy and instrumentation

I have no idea what they are saying but I like the way they say it

Os gringos que não gostaram desse aqui não sabem o que estão perdendo! Ótimo álbum do Jorge Ben Jor, com elementos afro-brasileiros e afro-estadunidenses.

That’s the stuff. B+

This is a bop.

It didn’t feel like I was at the Taj Mahal, but it did feel like I was in Brasil.

usually not my style but this was pretty funky!

Really hard album to track down. I ended up accidentally listening to a song, "Magnolia" off of another album and loved it. The songs are carefree, and Jorge's voice is quite soothing.

This turned out to be a really good album. I'm glad to have discovered it!

Groovy

África Brasil Never heard of this or him. Wasn’t sure what I was expecting but I thought it might be some Afro-Brazilian jazz thing. I purposefully didn’t read anything about it before listening, so with some trepidation/fear/excitement/anticipation I put it on, and was very happily surprised to hear the first track is a kind of funky Afrobeat groove. I love the layers of percussion propelling the rhythm, augmented by the bass and guitar riff. No idea what he’s saying but I do like the sound of Brazilian Portuguese with all the shhs and jsss. Hermes Trismegisto Escreveu has an even more funk powered groove but with a more overtly samba/bossa nova vocal melody. This is good! Taj Mahal - Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?!?! I sort remember hearing about this, that Rod nicked that melody from here, and also the string line from another song, but claimed you were allowed to do that, or something. Can definitely hear elements of Barry Manilow and Copacabana in A História de Jorge too. Really liked Camisa 10 da Gávea, I guess that’s about the Brazil no 10 shirt? The one after, Cavaleiro Do Cavalo Imaculado is a superb groove. I was listening on my headphones while doing some housework and it made me dance around. I wouldn’t have looked out of place at the Carnival in Rio. I was already wearing the headdress and thong which helped though. Super. I don’t want to know what he’s actually singing, I just like the sound and trying to guess what it’s all about. What’s with the Cuckoo Clock sound on some of the tracks? I throughly enjoyed this! Without this 1001 album thing I doubt I would ever have heard of it let alone have listened to it, so I’m very glad I did. It was even better on the 2nd listen. The groves are excellent, and the Brazilian element takes it in a slightly different direction that is pretty novel to me. By the 3rd listen it lands comfortably in the 4 zone. It’s got great tunes, grooves and rhythm and it’s incredibly fun and joyful. A foot tappin’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tengo como materia pendiente escuchar más de Brasil. Es un semillero de artistas sumamente diversos. Y éste tipo va en esa línea. Lo desconocía por completo pero lo que es innegable es que ya desde la primera canción hay algo. Un groove tremendo. Es un disco bailable. Lo imagino para una reunión con amigos, bailando mientras se cocina, bailando después de comer. Lo obvio es caer en la imagen diurna de playa pero también lo siento nocturno. Un muy buen trabajo.

I really liked this one! had a great energy to it that I dug much more than I expected. great stuff.

Good vibes

Time for (what I believe to be) my third Brazilian album! I liked the debut album from Os Mutantes as well as Arise by Sepultura, so how does Jorge Ben's "Africa Brasil" compare? It's also really good! I guess there's just something about the Brazilian albums I've gotten so far that appeals to me. What appeals to me with this album is the sound. It's funky and I love it. The singing and writing are also both pretty good, even if I can't understand it. Though, from what my browser's translations gave me, there's some substance in these writings. Overall, given the quality and the apparent cultural impact that Jorge Ben has in Brazil, I think this is a worthy inclusion in this list. 4/5.

Think I might have done this one a disservice. Didn’t have lot of time yesterday so ended up listening as I got ready this morning . It’s getting a 4. Funky is a win for me

The grooves were tight!

Super funky and gets your feet tappin'! Definitely worth a second listen.

Pretty nice album

Nice vibe, smooth and make me want to move

There is something so musical about the brazialian language <3

This album is a complete blast. Great rhythms, songs that pull you in. I'd sing along if I spoke a lick of Portuguese. Loved it. 4 stars

Continuing my reductive comparison of artists I feel like this has a slight Serge Gainsbourg influence (or maybe the other way around), mainly with the cuckoo (?) noise. Another good Sunday chores album.

Really enjoyed this album

3.8 - this was a nice surprise. Instrumental parts were sick. This might be an unpopular opinion, but I actually thought his voice ruined it a little. I loved the beginning, but it started to feel too similar towards the end.

This was quite fun

Africa Brasil is a 1976 album by Brazilian artist Jorge Ben Jor, who was known as Jorge Ben at the time. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest classics of Brazilian popular music, and a landmark in Ben’s career12 The album showcases Ben’s switch to electric guitar and his incorporation of both Afro-Brazilian and American funk music styles into his sound. The result is a vibrant, energetic, and groovy fusion of samba, funk, soul, and rock that reflects Ben’s African roots and his admiration for black culture12 The lyrical themes of the album are diverse and often playful, ranging from soccer to mythology, from history to romance. Ben reworks three of his earlier songs: “A Princesa e o Plebeu” (The Princess and the Commoner), “Taj Mahal”, and “Zumbi”. The latter is a tribute to Zumbi dos Palmares, the leader of a 17th-century quilombo (a community of escaped slaves) who resisted colonial oppression and became a symbol of black resistance and freedom13 The production of the album is crisp and clear, with a tight and talented band that includes José Roberto Bertrami on keyboards, Dadi Carvalho on bass, Gustavo Schroeter on drums, and several percussionists. The album was produced by Marco Mazzola, who also worked with other Brazilian legends such as Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, and Gal Costa14 The influence of Africa Brasil is immense and lasting, both in Brazil and abroad. The album is considered one of the precursors of the mangue beat movement, which emerged in the 1990s and blended regional rhythms with rock, hip hop, and electronic music5 The album also inspired many artists from different genres and countries, such as David Byrne, Rod Stewart, Ambitious Lovers, Soulfly, and Manu Chao126 In conclusion, Africa Brasil is a masterpiece of Brazilian music that showcases Jorge Ben Jor’s creativity, versatility, and originality. It is a must-listen for anyone who appreciates funk, soul, samba, or world music in general. some of the standout tracks of the album are: Ponta de Lança Africano (Umbabarauma): This is the opening track and one of the most famous songs by Jorge Ben Jor. It is a catchy and funky tribute to an African soccer striker, with references to Brazilian culture and mythology. The song has been covered and sampled by many artists, such as David Byrne, Soulfly, and Manu Chao Taj Mahal: This is a reworked version of a song from Ben’s previous album, Ben. It is a lively and upbeat song that tells the story of how the Taj Mahal was built by an Indian emperor as a monument of love for his wife. The song became controversial when Rod Stewart used its melody for his hit song “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” without crediting Ben. Ben sued Stewart and donated the royalties to UNICEF Xica da Silva: This is another reworked song from Ben’s previous album, Ben. It is a soulful and sensual song that narrates the life of Xica da Silva, a former slave who became a powerful and wealthy woman in colonial Brazil. The song was composed for the soundtrack of the film Xica da Silva, directed by Cacá Diegues These are just some of the highlights of the album, but I recommend you to listen to the whole album to appreciate its diversity and quality.

Quite fun.

v bossa vibes — simultaneously liked it a lot but it was also a real struggle to get thru (bc i got bored sometimes) 5/7

awesome jams

Funk, African/Cuban beats, love this album!

6 / 10 Mezcla rara de Samba - Funky - Guitarra Eléctrica. Aún así buena instrumentación .

Just back on this album now. Never heard of jorge Ben but I'm a fan, wish I understood a bit of Portuguese though! Good voice, funky tunes.

Never Heard of him but I liked him, the rhythm and the lyrics

i can’t rmb most of my notes now but i enjoyed the blend of influences in this

Vibrant, bright, energetic and really well developed for its time. Great production as well. Eccentric and diverse musical themes coming from a variety of influences. I don't have anything bad to say with this albo and I'm gonna re listen to it often!

Jorge Ben albums are always a lot of fun, and this one blends his sound with a Herbie Hancock-esque funk that just complements it so well. An utter delight

already listened twice!

Once again, not understanding the lyrics is probably working in the favor of this one for me. In fact, I recently stumbled on this quote from Henri Lopes: "Whoever speaks one of our languages can understand them all, and I could easily have followed the songs of these nubile maidens. But a song always sounds better if we don’t understand the words." So, I'm digging the grooves. Love the Brazilian percussion. Appreciate the squeaks and dog barks (or whatever's going on there). Vibing on the repetitive melodies and lyrics. Bass lines were slamming, even if the tone wasn't always incredible. "Taj Mahal" had a vocal line that sounded like Rod Stewart's "Da Ya think I'm Sexy" — or the other way around, as this predates that by a coupe of years. Where my Kid Rock review mentioned how that idiot was a riff killer, this guy's vocal contributions add to the party and swing of the album. A 4-star may be a little generous, given my limited understanding of the genre and language, but it lifted my spirits, and that deserves something!

This was a real treat to hear. What I loved is how this made me feel small and insignificant---in a good way. The world is so large and full of cultures and music and sounds and languages I've never explored. Jorge et al put my own troubles aside for 40 minutes and I was thrilled to hear all that big sound come together. Taj Mahal was a nice standout but I really loved every single song and suspect this will be on the background playlist if I ever throw a big party!

Catchy, fun Brazilian funk music. The album is one big vibe throughout, and while nothing sticks out, it is a very enjoyable listen.

groovy

01) Ponta de Lança Africano (Umbabarauma) - 9,0 02) Hermes Trismegisto Escreveu - 8,5 03) O Filósofo - 8,0 04) Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro - 8,0 05) O Plebeu - 7,5 06) Taj Mahal - 9,0 07) Xica da Silva - 8,5 08) A História de Jorge - 7,5 09) Camisa 10 da Gávea - 7,0 10) Cavaleiro do Cavalo Imaculado - 7,0 11) África Brasil (Zumbi) - 7,0 TOTAL: 7,91 (79/100) Another one I have to listen on You Tube. It started interesting but towards the end it started to sound a bit repetitive. "Taj Mahal" is the only song I know, it's played frequently on my local radio station. We also know it as the song Rod Stewart sang as "Do ya Think I'm Sexy".

Alright, this was an interesting entry. It opens with some really solid funk/rock and has a rad overall feel from track one. Very cool Funk/Reggae/Rock vibes throughout with implementation of traditional and modern instruments in ways that blended nicely. Highlight Tracks - Ponta De Lanca Africano, Hermes Trismegisto Escreveu, Cavaleiro Do Cavalo Imaculado, Taj Mahal, Xica Da Silva Less Liked Tracks - O Filosofo

Do I think the Taj Mahal is Sexy?

da ya think I'm sexy? well yes, in fact

"Africa Brasil" by Jorge Ben Jor, released in 1976, is a vibrant and rhythmically captivating album that transcends language barriers through its infectious energy. Even if the Portuguese lyrics remain elusive, the dynamic and rich musicality of the album offers a universal appeal. Ben Jor's fusion of samba, bossa nova, and funk in tracks like "Ponta de Lança Africano (Umbabarauma)" and "Xica da Silva" creates an irresistibly danceable atmosphere. The album's Afro-Brazilian influences are palpable, contributing to its unique and engaging sound. For an album to captivate a listener who doesn't understand the lyrics speaks volumes about its musical prowess. "Africa Brasil" earns a resounding 4/5 for its dynamic rhythms, cultural richness, and its ability to transcend linguistic barriers, providing a thoroughly enjoyable musical experience.

I actually LOVED this album. It was so groovy and the vocals made me want to dance even more. I had never heard of this album before but it felt like I could enjoy the songs as if they were up there with my faves. I really want to save my 5/5s for AMAZING albums so I give this a reluctant: 4/5

nice fusion

Ponta lanca has been a favorite since high school. Oustanding song. The rest of the album was disappointing. Nice funk sounds, but not nearly as smooth as the first track.

Probably won’t listen again but enjoyed listening to it this time.

Really enjoyed jamming out to this on a sunny day. Primed for a low-key day party dance. Impossible not to groove. Fave track: Cavaleiro Do Cavalo Imaculado

Great groovs, added to the library.

Pretty catchy! I don't know the language so it's a bit like easy listening, but still good.

"Africa Brasil" by Jorge Ben Jor is a captivating album that seamlessly blends samba, funk, and Afro-Brazilian influences. Released in 1976, it's a musical journey that showcases Ben Jor's unique style and rhythmic prowess. The album's fusion of genres and socially conscious lyrics make it a timeless and influential piece in Brazilian music history.

Pretty good. Up beat and catchy but smooth. Foreign language so good background music. Not really my usual thing but I liked it.

A funky little slice of Brazilian and African music. I can't understand a word of it, but enjoyable nevertheless. 4/5. Favorite Track: Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro

Gave it an above average review. The musicianship was brilliant but hard for me to appreciate the vocal aspects not knowing the language.

Fun!

Very catchy

Really happy to have expanded my knowledge of Brazilian funk and Tropicalia. This definitely feels like the kind of album Questlove would recommend. The first two songs are absolute bangers. Learned that Rod Stewart used Taj Mahal sequences in Da Ya Think I’m Sexy. An energetic album.

Really dig this! At least a 3.5 for me. Kind of a surprise.

Really good Way more funky than I was expecting Easy listen 4

Best one so far as of 1.1.24 I like very funky

I admit, it was a cool and relaxed album

Was pleasantly surprised by this from the first note on. I've rated my previous tropicalia album as a three star. This one gets four but there's been a decade of evolution between the two albums

Breezy, fun. 3.5 rounded up.

Anything brazil I eat up right away. Opening track grabs u right away with the hypnotic drums, catchy lyrics, and the dope classic rock style guitar. O Plebeu is a vibee

This is the first album on this last I had never heard of - knew of - in any way aware of... This is Jorge Ben's fourteenth album - a seasoned artist who apparently adopted an electric guitar and elements of American funk for this album. I know very little of Brazilian music - this is of a dated funk/soul style - great vocalist and back-up singers in an r&b/motown-type sound. He integrates a range of latin rhythms with the other elements of a big funk band - a horn section and strong keys.

Discoveries like this make slogging through the scores of mediocre albums on this list worth it.

I've never heard of this artist before but I enjoyed it. Don't think it was life changing but I'm glad I was introduced to him. Got some cinematic vibes to.

Funky

I've heard this once before and I think if I gave it another couple serious listens, it would really start to click with me. Even now I was seriously getting into it on that last run of songs, the energy is palpable, from the instruments to the wild vocals. It's just natural that music not in your own language can take a bit more time to digest since there's no hooks or choruses to latch onto, but this one is definitely going into the memory bank as something to revisit.

Good to groove to, really enjoyed this

Me gustó escuchar otra cosa que no fuera rock 100%. Sonidos latinos, con alma y política.

FUNKY

There's an obvious language barrier but the rhythms and vibes are great. 4/5.

Next 5 songs played by my Spotify Algorithm: Secos & Molhados - El Rey Sergio Sampaio - Sinceramente Los Sebosos Postizos - A Jovem Samba Milton Nascimiento - Para Lennon E McCartney - Por Que

Dont be silly. Brasil is not in Africa!

Beautiful music. Makes you want to get up and dance. Grooving, vibrating, flowing, pulsing music for the soul. More alive and vibrant than many albums here, Jorge Ben Jor sings with passion and emotion. From the little I can find in translation, it seems he is a mystic, searching deep the ancient mysteries. And a bit of a political provocateur, calling out injustice and corruption. A welcome addition to my world music playlist.

Wat een lekkere muziek zeg, word er helemaal vrolijk van Haha huh Rod Stewart heeft de melodie van Taj Mahal gebruikt in 'Da ya think I'm sexy' 🤯 Ja heel nice album, luister eigenlijk niet vaak dit soort muziek maar zou ik meer moeten doen 5 nummertjes opgeslagen, would buy!

Album klinkt als vakantie in de oren

6/11, 55%

Pretty joyous and funky.

Great brazilian music

I enjoyed this a lot and understood nothing.

Brilliant vibes!

Absolute vibes. What a brilliant Portuguese bop selection

Fun and danceable songs in his native portugiese. Very nice listen

It’s a shame that Rod Stewart didn’t rip off any more of this album, otherwise his late career might actually have been good

Brazilian world music. Good.

I love O Plebeu. The vibe of the album is so chill and sunny. No idea what he’s talking about but that’s fine with me.

Komplette Album nicht vorhanden

hino

Now this is a solid jam. I can get down with some bossa-nova style and solid funk. Some tracks and effects were a bit off-putting for my ear, but others had such a strong foundation they were irresitable.

An absolute vibe. Two of my fave genres blended together. Definitely will be playing this next summer.

Guy has a great voice. Ton of energy on this album with fun beats. Seems like it’s great for dancing or just a good headphone listen

Wow, this was surprisingly good considering I have no idea what the words mean. Great grooves that combine rock, funk and latin sounds. Sounds very contemporary despite being almost 50 years old. Foreign language rock music is pretty unusual to hear in the US, but this proves it can be really, really good.

A mix between scorpions and Sex Pistols. Some of the shredding was out of this world but otherwise my great music.

Very cool

Heard before. Taj Mahal has been staying in my rotation since the first time I heard it. Feel good album. + Ponta de Lança Africano + O Filósofo + Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro + O Plebeu + Taj Mahal + Xica Da Silva + A História De Jorge Voa Jorge, voaaaa

Such a fun album, really enjoyed it.

I didn't know a single word he said but I vibe with it. 8/10

Was not expecting this one. I’m a big rhythm guy so not being able to understand the lyrics didn’t bother me. The album had some really great new sounds I’ve never heard together that really harmonized well. The monkey drum got me good. Added Xica da Silva and Taj Mahal to my personal playlist. Had me singing and listening on repeat 8.5

Fun! First album I was previously unfamiliar with, though I'd heard the first song on an old Luaka Bop compilation CD I owned. Great energy and just enjoyable stuff.

Fun! First album I was previously unfamiliar with, though I'd heard the first song on an old Luaka Bop compilation CD I owned. Great energy and just enjoyable stuff

I love it !!! Too bad it’s not available in spotify. Great production, great voice, smooth melodies. Stand out track: Taj Mahal

Fav: Taj Mahal LF: O Plebeu Goos vibes all around, mid 8

This is cool. Never heard of it. Kind of a wild mashup, definitely world music, great energy, nice vocals, interesting instrumentation. I'm a bit more than 100 into the 1001 and am discovering I definitely have a bit of a blind spot when it comes to world music.

Enjoyable. Very much my jam. This listen was my first exposure to this album and artist that I’m aware of. Sounds like something that would be in a Wes Anderson film, if it hasn’t already.

Really good actually. Can't give it a 5, but its a really nice listen and fun to hear

Some heist music rn Killer instrumentation, most of these drum breaks have such a good pace and intensity to them. outside my realm but crazy listening experience. the outro title track is some explosive transcendental stuff, the raspiness of his voice is matched perfectly with the fast drums. Idk what that whooping, bird call sounding instrument is but it’s used perfectly throughout this album. Favs : O Plebeu, Xica Da Silver, Africa Brasil Least fav : camisa 10 da gavea Overall: 88/100

So so so fun and full of bops! Saved Ponta De Lanca Africano, Hermes Trismegisto Escreveu, and Xica Da Silva, but nearly all the songs were memorable and enjoyable to listen to. The moment the album was over I actually re-listened to about half of it. I only wish this was in English and not Portuguese so that I would be more likely to revisit it, but then perhaps I wouldn't find it as appealing. Would love to sing along to the songs though! I would give this a 3.5 if there were half ratings, but bumping up to a 4 because of how much I enjoyed my listen.

Never heard of this guy before, but this is a fun and enjoyable album. I definitely see why he sued Rod Stewart; Do Ya Think I'm Sexy owes a big debt to Taj Mahal.

- Do I have the proper knowledge of cultural context to really judge this? Probably not! I know very little about Brazilian music, nor Jorge Ben Jor's place within its pantheon. I could not tell you what makes this album, specifically, as significant as it apparently is. All I can say is whether or not I enjoyed listening to it. And I did! - Jorge and his band really lock into a groove here. I'm reminded of Sly and the Family Stone, or Funkadelic, or 60s Miles Davis; not in terms of sound, really, but in the way that all the musicians involved seem to know exactly how to play off of each other. You could imagine any of these songs spinning off into a 15 minute jam session and still being great, because there's a palpable energy to these people making music together. - I wish I understood the lyrics; they're quite foregrounded in a few songs and apparently his satirical bent was one of Jorge's claims to fame. I should try and find a translation later. - Great album! I will definitely be listening to this more.

Really makes you want to dance. I liked it.

I loved this. Sounds so familiar yet was brand new to me. Can see it as a high influence for Japanese jazz fusion.

Fun!