Reviews (page 6 of 13)
I heard a rumour Brazilians really love this guy
funkadelia baby
Banger after banger after banger after banger after banger. Loved this album as it was very unique and unlike anything I’ve heard before TWU
Fuuuuuuuck me. I’m sure there’s a market where this music is very much appreciated- but I ain’t it.
There are actually some highly catchy bangers on this, annoyingly so as 1) I was expecting to hate it and 2) I can't really sing along to them without sounding like I've tried funnelling too much food into my trap, as I don't know the slightest bit of Portuguese. However, there are also some very dated moments on here when it decides to sneak some synth work in. I suppose if I'm ever looking for a fix of some funky Nando's background music, this is where I'd be gravitating towards after the sample size of two albums I've heard, but how often will that itch present itself?
Bylo to fajn.
while not my favorite of his work, it's always a treat to see something non-Western on this list. and Taj Mahal is such a great song. Brazilian music is great deserves to be one of the 1001? Jorge Ben should have like, 3 albums on here
This one immediately grabbed my attention. There were also a few songs that shuffled on after the album that I enjoyed.
Good instrumentals
So, this is only my second album on this journey and also the second Brazilian one. I was looking forward to expanding my repertoire but at first I was worried I checked the wrong setting or something. There's a very funk vibe. Another album for listening with headphones due to the use of the different channels. I think I hear an organ or electric piano in the right channel on track two. Rhythm egg/maraca or some such and a bunch of instruments I am unqualified to identify but which are not the standard guitar/drum/bass. Okay, now I finished the album and I liked it okay. It's not my cuppa but I can get behind some of it.
Immaculate vibes
Jorge Ben (and the 1001 Must Hear List) have a winner with this one. All songs listenable, the album improved as it progressed. Kinda like a softer, Brazilian Santana. He definitely had a good idea going electric; although this album is nearly 50 years old it holds up well compared to his earlier acoustic work which is bossa nova and sounds very dated. Africa Brazil comes in at (3.2*s)
Africa Brasil fits right in with the other jungley works on the list but with a little more rock edge. The album started out great but began to wear on me after a while. I did find the background flute tootin' got a little annoying by the end too. Not a bad record at 2.02 stars.
You never know what you are going to get when a random foreign album shows up on this list. A handful of them have been surprise hits, some others have been understandable exposure to a foreign genre that doesn't interest me beyond a single listen. Africa Brasil is little bit of column A and a little bit of column B. It opens up with some pretty nice guitar and backbeats with some afro influence. I was digging it for a little while, but unfortunately it isn't able to maintain the level once original novelty wears off. It's a decent entry that features some pretty competent music from a foreign country. Perhaps I would have enjoyed this more had I been able to fully understand the lyrics? 2.29 stars
never heard of this guy. couldn't understand the lyrics. makes no difference with music this brilliant. 5 in every way.
Pretty good didn't understand the spanish tho
random Album irgendwie Taj Mahal ähnlich zu as you move your body, as you think I’m sexy…. Melodie Nicht mein Type Verstehe nichts
Some really interesting vibes here. This made for nice background music. Another album that I’m glad I got to hear.
Nice
very interesting sounds. this album incorporated lots of unique tones into its beat. In addition the rough vocals were a very good complement to the specific sound of this album. It was also especially interesting to have some variety in language. I look forward to the next non-English album on this list!
58/1001 Jorge Ben Jor - Africa Brasil Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ✅ What can I say, I really enjoyed this on first listen. Combining samba with funk and some call and response, it's a constantly engaging listen. I could easily envisage sitting at a beach bar, this being played and having a few caiprinha's and having the time of my life.
Класна весела музика, мені ще сподобались тут футбольні референси, як, наприклад пісня присвячена Зіко.
a very funky and groovy album with its rhythms on point! i do wish some of the tracks on here were on spotify because i really liked the closing track.
How? How have I never heard this before? How have I never heard of this before?? This was awesome! Thank you album generator. You’ve done marvelous work today.
Haven't heard of Jorge before. Quite a nice album! And very Brazilian 3/5
I feel a profound happiness when I hear the monkey drum <3
Is this a 5/5 album? Only time will tell I suppose, I never love love an album from first listen so I probably should be a bit more generous with my reviews. Usually I find that albums start out strong, and then get progressively less and less interesting - but that wasn't my experience with this one! For starters, I think Brazilian Portuguese is like one of the prettiest languages- so I suppose it already got a head start. But further, the albums starts out good and then becomes better. Such a fun and energetic listen! I screenshotted the following songs to mention as faves: Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro O Plebeu Xica de Silva But I likely liked others just as much. Not sure if I would put any of the songs in a playlist? But certainly will remember the album for the right occasion.
This album is a vibe, and so different to the usual stuff this website has been throwing out. more of this please!
Fun
1976 Largely passed me by. Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ✅️ Revisit ❌️ Nondescript ★★☆☆☆ (4/10)
Funky, although I have no idea what is going on here. And he has a lot to answer for, for providing the inspiration for Do Ya Think I'm Sexy (as seems beyond any reasonable doubt yer honour) 😐
The review I was forming in my mind while listening went something like, "one of my favourite non-English language albums so far, although it's giving ✨Sims music✨ in places". Imagine my surprise when the next track was... actual Sims music. But one of my favourite non-English language Sims tunes, so, go figure.
This album is a lovely mix of funk, soul, and latin that I would have never discovered if not for this project. Wonderful sampa rock record that's sound and influence is heard today!
Perfectly good musicianship, just not my vibe. I don't see how this is any different from the other music on this list from the same niche genre. I didn't hear anything that made this stand out other than the vocals were better than the previous albums. It has some very popular songs with 19M listens (Taj Mahal) and 7M listens (Ponta de Lanca Africano) and 1M+ on most of the other tracks. People like it! I didn't hate it but I'd never give it a second listen. 2 stars
Ça, j’aime! C’est définitivement le genre de son qu’il manque cruellement dans cette liste excessivement anglo-centriste. Je trouve juste qu’il manque un peu de juice dans la section groove, j’aurais mis plus de funk dans la bass de certaine track. Je mets à réécouter aussi
Muito swing
Best new to me album/artist in weeks.
A good full tasty treat
Fun and lively!
Funky, cool, a 41-minute dance party. Has all my favorite qualities of 70s music.
The music was really great here, but Jorge Ben Jor’s voice was shakey and painful in many of the songs.
Normal
7.6/10 really thought i’d hate this but the instrumentality and vocals are so so good. can’t understand a word but that’s what makes the songs so interesting, love the heavy guitar in each song, very latin. The lads clearly crazy which is what makes the music so fun. Fav song:cavaleiro do cavalo imaculado
Heard before: N/A Favorite tracks: O Plebeu This would be a good beach album
The best of many worlds.
Make you wanna dance
Ponta De Lanca Africano // O Filosofo // Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro // O Plebeu // Taj Mahal // Cavaleiro Do Cavalo Imaculado // 4.5/5
Ok
3/5 Ikke et album jeg nødvendigvis ville lytte til igen, dog har det en meget glad lyd, som alligevel er ret hyggelig.
absolutely delighted to discover more world music! i've listened to brazilian jazz music before but definitely not this SUPER GROOVY and fun to listen to! feels like summer
Honestly, I was really digging it for the first few songs and then the novelty wore off. I still think that the first few songs and maybe a few in the middle are great. The squeaky straw sound bites and the whistle trill trying were fun if a bit gimmicky.
This one wasn't for me. Perhaps if I had been in a more high-energy mood...
Really cool but not my style at all
One of the most fun listening experiences this daily album challenge has provided me. The sheer musicality, rhythm, and funky energy just exploded. Sadly, the second quarter of the album lacks a bit of power; the other three quarters are perfect.
Funky, kinda like it despite not speaking Portuguese
gozei
Probably the first Tropicalia record I heard that really grabbed me. This record is so catchy and fun, it’s hard not to love it. The call and response part of “Ponta De Lanca Africana” is amazing, because you can actually sing along with it even if you don’t speak Portuguese. Can’t recommend this enough.
An interesting soul-fusion album. It has a good solid groove to it. Pretty fun listen.
This was such a fun album to listen to. The vocals fit the music wonderfully and not being familiar with the artist or the genre it kept me guessing and I really enjoyed that
This was a damn delight. Extremely lively, interesting, and complex throughout. Don't have enough experience to grade it relative to other exemplars of the genre, but I would definitely throw this on to hang outside, at a get-together, or just cuz.
Fun album I enjoyed it 7/10
Fun international album.
Listens: 3 Standout tracks: Meus Filhos Meu Tesouro, Xica Da Silva This album is excellent. I seem to have a thing for "world" music, where I can't understand the lyrics because I don't speak the language. Perhaps it allows me to really focus on the music itself. The songs a varied, unique, exciting and catchy. Its crazy to me that this came out in 1976. It's so fresh!
Um....
Fell in love with this album as soon as the first song started, 'cause you're really just thrown right into the madness here. This is easily the best Samba record on this list so far. It's all so lively, so catchy, so groovy, and so infectious. And I really want to emphasize the "lively" part, because there is so much life, so many little planets and musical organisms existing within this record - it's like the musical Amazon. Be it the various bluesier elements, the funky and jazzy musical interludes, the addictive use of the cuica (a usually very hit-or-miss instrument for me), the way the backing vocals are just as essential as Jorge's lead vocals, or those infectious as-all-hell lead melodies. 'A Historia De Jorge' is perhaps one song that perfectly captures all I love about this album; it just goes in so many directions that it's honestly ridiculous - with so many instruments, yet it's never overwhelming. Something this album does really well is knowing exactly when to pull away the vocals to let those delicious conga-drum-based grooves ride out, if only for a little bit, before bringing everything back - it happens several times on this album, and it's always super effective. And don't get me started on 'Taj Mahal', maybe the best song I've heard recently, I'm in love with it (especially a live performance I found of it on YouTube). There isn't a dull moment on this album, just the best 40-minute party you could imagine - gotta get around to checking out more Jorge Ben ASAP.
this is so entertaining to listen to, even if I have no clue on what's being said
I generally liked it. Won't likely go into my rotation but still was nice.
Mixed bag on this one. Some good, some bad, but mostly just not my cup of tea. Kudos to this site for actually including something wildly different though.
clearly very influential but not my personal style of music. rlly liked the first two songs but everything else fell flat for me. 2.5/5
It was alright
I really wanted to like it and really thought I would after the first couple of songs but the more it went on the less I could shake the feeling (which is unfair, as this probably predates them by decades) that I was listening to the looped whistle and drum presets you get on yamaha keyboards at school. Probably a 2.5 but not enough to give it a 3
this and a spicy mango marg.
Smooth, cool vibes. Equally fit for a chill dance floor or as background music
This is the second awesome Brazilian album the generator has been kind enough to bestow upon me. I can't understand the lyrics but I think I read my favourite song is about a football player. I'll choose to remain ignorant. Also there is no such thing as too much cuica.
África Brasil is a vibrant, electrified fusion of samba, funk, and Afro-Brazilian rhythms that captures Jorge Ben Jor at the height of his creative power. It marks a major stylistic shift for him, moving from the acoustic samba-pop of his earlier work to a heavier, funk-driven sound powered by electric guitars, tight grooves, and layered percussion. The result is an album that feels both deeply rooted in Brazilian tradition and completely in step with the global music scene of the mid-70s. Standout tracks like “Ponta de Lança Africano (Umbabarauma)” and the reworked version of “Taj Mahal” are full of energy and rhythmic complexity, with Jorge’s charismatic vocal style tying it all together. There is a hypnotic quality to many of the songs, driven by looping guitar lines and propulsive drums, yet the album never feels repetitive. It balances cultural pride, dancefloor energy, and lyrical playfulness in a way that feels effortless. África Brasil is a compelling listen that bridges genres and eras, and it remains one of the most influential Brazilian albums of its time.
Fantastic!
> The Beatles
Passion! When I think of the music from Brazil I think of samba, I think of bossa nova, I think about the language and the percussion. This record is something else (although the percussion is absolutely delicious.) A very passionate and intricate display of local sounds, maintaining a modern feel after decades. It's hard to believe this banger is from the 70s, it could have easily been produced in the 90s-00s, so I feel it ahead of its time, or better yet, with an excellent air of timelessness. Excellent use of funk and afro-beat to compliment the local sounds. Critiques? Maybe a track or two could lean more on the memorable side, but this comes from someone who barely understands the language. Otherwise, as a project in its entirety, it's pretty solid.
I don’t know a ton about whether this is good or not by the standards of the genre,but I liked it.
Great album - so much fun to dance to
WE BUMPING THIS IN THE TAJ MAHAL🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Another album I've never heard of before. It's really good throughout. There's an interesting mix of genres on "Africa Brasil". Rod Stewart accidentally ripped off one of the songs from this album. "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" ended up borrowing from "Taj Mahal". 3 stars for "Africa Brazil".
Out of all the foreign language albums I’ve had so far, this was my favorite.
Not my vibe, didn't get any joy out of this.
Afro Brazilian, Samba infused Taj Mahal - do you think i'm sexy
Loved this album, thought it was great. I do like some me some good world music and this fits the bill. I listened while stuck in traffic on the way home and I didn’t care it took ages to get to where I was going to!
Loved the vibe of this, the penultimate track was top notch (Cavaleiro do Cavalo Imaculado) in fact I’m going to listen to that song again.
Rv
This is pretty much why I’m here. Revisiting Boston is fine, but this was cool. I’m a fan of Brazilian music like Astrid Gilberto and Os Mutantes but don’t have a particularly deep well to draw from. Liked this record a lot and the samba soul sound. O Filosofo was a particularly great cut.
Some good passages, but the songs lose their freshness after a few minutes and sound repetitive.
4/5 - I needed to hear this because I am unfamiliar with the genre and this was a fun, easy listen. I wouldn’t have guessed this was from the 70s. Taj Mahal and the song after it were standouts for me.
A fun and funky album I’m rating on sound, feel and vibes. Not a Portuguese speaker, so no clue about the lyrics. Still, I enjoyed listening. 3.5⭐️
Jorge had me dancing, chilling, and imagining myself sambaing in the Brazilian sun. Never enjoyed a song about a footballer so much since "Oooh, Ahh, Paul McGrath". Great energy and joy - well recommended.
Really fun! Great music.
Energetic music in a language that I can barely understand. Quite problematic for me since I seperate songs using lyrics, also doesn't help that the songs sound similar to me. The songs do sound good enough for me though.
Surprisingly good. i dont usually enjoy international music, but this is really good. Very melodic and funky. 8/10 Favourite: Ponta de lança africano (Umbabarauma) Least Favourite: O filósofo
Fun beats with African/brazilian beats
Not for me…
This album is alright, guy has a decent voice. But the sound of the cuica is just awful, I’ve never liked that instrument. And it’s in every damn song.
fantastic
Continent Country.
So good!
Not that keen on this one. Wasn’t offensive to my ears but didn’t find it engaging besides some funky bass lines.
Surprisingly good vibe
Banger, especially the first song
Loved the melodies and production on this one, but overall this kind of music is kinda unsettling for me for some reason
Love the Brazilian, African, and Caribbean rhythms!
Ik was erg sceptisch voordat ik begon met luisteren aan dit album als eerste album. Deels omdat ik hier uit mezelf nooit naar zou luisteren en vooral ook omdat ik de taal niet spreek en er dus niks van versta. Ik had verwacht dat het veel van hetzelfde zou zijn, wat het deels ook wel was maar toch had elk nummer steeds wat anders. O plebeu vond ik erg cute met de lalala's en ondanks dat ik geen portugees spreek herken je het woord amor uiteraard wel. De grootste verassing was taj mahal wat ik opeens herkende, blijkt dat do ya think I'm sexy de melodie van taj mahal gebruikt. Niet verwacht maar grappig om te herkennen. Ik vond de eerste helft van het album beter, aan het einde vond ik het toch wel wat lang duren met veel hetzelfde maar over het algemeen een prima album.
Some really funky jams on this. I was surprised to see it was released in 1976, the sounds in this album are so contemporary. The repetitive rhythms are really hypnotic with some great vocal work over the top. I’ll be adding this to the summer rotation for sure.
Well this sounded awfully familiar in a rather samey but slightly vibey way
Like the entire world samlles or interpolated from this dude
Really pleasant, even with the few moments that came off as a little weird.
A vibe, a real humdinger of a party where Brasilia, African rock, and a dose of dance and disco make for a fun listen. The middle gets a little muddled but this is a cool record with some real high points.
Nice vibes
I like when the list breaks out of the US/UK bubble
Just like going to Spanish Mass with mom I did not understand a word but I liked the music 3.5/5
DNF? 🫣
It’s a groove.
What an excellent find! I may not know the words, but the performances from everyone more than make up for it.
Not my cup of tea. All respects.
Really great listen. Incredibly skillful and really unique. For all I know he could be singing about skinning live basset hounds. Still a total vibe. I'm glad this list introduced me to Jorge Ben Jor! Fave songs: - Ponta De Lança Africano - Hermes Trismegisto Escreveu - Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro - Xica Da Silva - Cavaleiro Do Cavalo Imaculado - África Brasil (Zumbi)
I heard so much amazing music when I was in Portugal that I never managed to catch the name of, and this guy's the exact vibe. Really enjoyable listen.
interesting sound
BEST SONGS: - Taj Mahal - Xica Da Silva
Pretty fun, I liked the beaT(s)
Loved this album! I have not heard it before. I know Jorge Ben for his classic album called A Tabua de Esmeralda, but this surprised me. I will keep listening to him :)
Menevää musaa on, mutta mikä on tuo vinkuva instrumentti joka biisissä joka alkaa syömään oikein kunnolla? Tarkistin ja se on cuica, rumpusoitin. Kaiketi sambassa usein käytetty. No levyllinen on varmasti liikaa näin tottumattomalle korvalle.
I put this on for a morning run and had a great time. Great version of Taj Mahal on this (maybe thats the original recording? The one on my playlists is a lot longer...)
It was super fun! Great for dancing, but I honestly couldn't differentiate between any of the songs really. Perhaps it was just because of the language barrier, but they all sounded very similar to me. However, I can say 'O Filósofo' was likely my least favourite track. Somewhat enjoyable, but I don't see myself relistening!
Good sound. Great beats. I like th music. The words sound good too though I don't understand it. Lol. I like it.
Great album
Not my usual taste in music, but in fact very good. Very Swaggy 7.5/10
Although this wasn't a chore to get through, it didn't do much for me, and the cover is appalling. 3 stars.
Fun & funky, great vibes. Added to my library.
Yeah it’s ok just not my thing
Very vibey I enjoyed the mood it set
I dug the instrumentals but the vocals weren't really my cup of tea.
Just Jorge
great vibez. 4.5
Trop cool
A little of this goes a long way.
A surprisingly enjoyable 1970s Brazilian romp. It's a delight discovering the origin of Rod Stewart's "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" - especially when that track isn't even the best part of the album.
Not really my cup of team, but an enjoyably listening
Was groovy baby
Awesome album. Really cool groove
Another nice discovery for me. I'd heard of Jorge Ben before - "Oba, Là Vem Ela" on an old Dancefloor Jazz compilation I have as well as "Mas que nada" - but this was new. I was a sceptical at first, as the ~World Music~ inclusions are often just the most easily digestible tokens but this is definitely an AYMHBYD and it seriously slaps! If I've ever heard something in here so far to use that word with, it's this one and I don't know if it makes sense but here it is: 𝘬𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘪𝘥𝘰𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘤. Special mention: that cuíca rhythm/lick starting to play in "Xica da Silva" - made me smile - and how the phased strings in "A Históira de Jorge" sent me onto a sidequest to find out what they remind me of. Great album.
I just don’t like his voice. The instrumentals were great.
Brazilian jazz and proto-funk from the mid 70's. The music is fun stuff, sometimes a little too breezy and it can just fade into the background, but over all a good album and nice to have more new world music on the list to try out.
So fun and lively. Wished I'd checked it out sooner.
I feel like any music with a strong emphasis on percussion like African inspired or Brazilian inspired music is an automatic win for me and this album is heavily focused on Brazilian percussion with African style backing vocals and it works really well. It’s very energetic and catchy and though I can’t understand the lyrics it really doesn’t matter because it only really acts as an instrument itself. The electric guitar aswell as a western inspired funk addition really makes this album aswell, it’s carried by both this and the percussion, I read this is Jorge’s first time using an electric guitar for his albums as well which is clearly a good decision on his part, although it would be interesting to see hear his more acoustic ones in comparison. I noticed a Herbie Hancock watermelon man whistle noise on a lot of the songs aswell which was cool. Anyway, a very fun album, overall, 7.5/10.
These albums are the reason I wanted to do this. A little gem I'd have never found by myself.
A lot of fun stuff on here. Doesn't grab me quite the same as Burns Vista Social Club, say, but someone I'll keep exploring.
This album is delightful. Jorge Ben’s music is unique and this album is just a great blend of his Brazilian style and African beats and singing. I think if any of his music is added to a soundtrack for any popular movie he would gain a bigger following in the States.
Never heard his before. Loved it.
Pretty good.
Couldn't understand a thing (language barrier) but the music had me grooving throughout. It was a superb fusion of samba and funk (love the bass in songs like Xica da Silva and Historia de Jorge). I don't know if I'd come back to it per se, but the quality of the production and uniqueness of the music pushes this to a low 4 for me. This music is just good ass vibes.
Straight through, this album was a delightfully unexpected ripper. Ponta De Lanca Africano is straight jam to open things up. Hermes is a bit funkier in tone -- has a nice swagger about it. A lot of swag in here. Love the shiftiness of Meus Filhos. Didn't take note towards the backhalf of song names, but this was a hoot. Solid 4
Nothing wrong with this one, but it really just came and went. Had a decent beat to for focusing, but I was ready for the next album after a couple songs.
This had some really fun noises going on in the background the whole time. Gotta love an album that just makes you bop around the whole time while listening to it. Especially Taj Mahal that song was catchy as heck. Just a great fun album that brought some samba variety which is always nice to mix into this list
The percussion on this album was incredible. SO much going on in pretty music every song to get down to. I also really like that hooting sound they have in the background for most songs. If anyone knows what instrument that is please tell me. Also thought I heard a didgeridoo at points but could be wrong. Obviously had no idea what he was saying the entire time but I was doing was I picture was samba in my office at certain points. The last song definitely felt different in an angry way but still finished strong. Surprising 4 for me here.
Not for me, not bad, but doesn't do anything for me...
What a party beat! Fantastic album of great tracks to boogie with.
A nice blend of funk and afrobeat, perfect for driving on a cool morning of a summer day. There's funky guitar riffs with lush modulation, interesing use of percussion and jazzy melodies to keep it fresh. No need to skip anything, just vibe.
When I don't understand the lyrics because they are in a different language I often wonder if the music matches the theme of the song. This album sounds very joyful, hopefully the lyrics convey the same or I will feel very guilty for enjoying this so damn much.
Not world music this
Nice vibes, would have put 3.5 if I could :)
A little bit too similar
2,1/5
It was a beautiful day and this music worked perfectly for it.
I loved this it’s so vibey. Bonus points for being the first album so far with my name in a song.
Good and interesting
good album but not my type
Wow, niet verwacht Jorge Ben op deze lijst te zien. Vijf sterren uiteraard, zelfs als dit niet eens mijn favoriete plaat van hem is.
This is fun!
Curiously muddy. Lacking dynamics. Backing singer doesn't lift it. Loads of great rhythms and grooves. Didn't feel the samba so much. Even Taj Mahal isn't as good as that brilliant live version. Nevertheless, four-to-the-floor Brazilliance!
Ganska hyggligt faktiskt.
Good
<3
The music and vocals are good, I just don't understand the language. 4 stars or B-.
Good start. There will be a language barrier throughout the album but the beat and rhythm on Track One has hooked me in. As track 2 starts, I realize that this album was recorded in 1976. It doesn't sound dated as some music from the 70's does. Interesting. Nice use of horns on this one, as I'm sure will be a running theme. A bit slower pace on Track 3. Curious about the high-pitched instrument in the background. I'M AN IDIOT. The high pitched "instrument" i was curious about on the last track is featured on this track and it is clearly someone's voice. Duh! Track 4 is a nice mid-tempo number. Another mid-tempo track for number 5. So far I'm enjoying this album more than I thought I would, considering I don't understand the lyrics. Track 6 is the most played song from the album on Spotify and it did not disappoint. Although I still like Track 1 the best. Track 7 is another mid-tempo song. Not bad but not memorable. (edit. I spoke to soon. The 2nd half of the song took off. Not bad at all.) By George Track 8 is a standout. It's got everything. I enjoyed the psychedelic elements is the middle. Such an upbeat song (without knowing why they were singing about George) Track 9 slows us back down a bit. Funky drums keep this song moving. Pump up the jam. Track 10 is bouncy and jaunty in the best ways. In the conversation for my fav of the album. The title track to finish off the album. A very full sounding song, like they used all the instruments featured in the album and put them all together. Solid track for sure. Overall, I really enjoyed this album. Outside of my wheel-house, but there was a lot to like about it. Perhaps I'll learn Portuguese and get a deeper connection to this music. But for now, I don't think I would skip any of these if they came up on my shuffle. 3.6/5
Interesting, but not for me.
Yo solid world music, love this
I'm 129 albums into this, and this is the first hidden gem I've drawn. I haven't heard this (or even heard of Jorge Ben Jor) before, but this is the first truly worthy entry into the world music section. Funky, fun, soulful, and poppy, I'll definitely listen again and will probably add a copy to my collection. Nothing too deep, or life-changing here, of course, (particularly to an English-speaker, but it does pay tribute to Brazilian football legend Zico which is as good a reason for a song to exist as any in my book) and the playing and production is tight and soulful rather than revolutionary, but definitley the kind of album I would have hoped to encounter in this list. My only real complaint would be that there is way way way too much cuíca playing. No, seriously, put it down for the next track, please. And Rod Stewart deifintely ripped off Taj Mahal on Do Ya Think I'm Sexy? the cheeky beggar.
Very fun, summery album! I don’t know what genre this is, but I love it!
Love it. Would buy.
musically great, just not my thing
Today I learned a drum can make monkey noises.
I really dug this. Very cool sounds (I love a good guiro) and fun grooves and just a happy, cool-sounding record. I had no idea what he was singing the entire time, but I didn't care because it was just so much fun to listen without understanding. I listened to it twice -- four stars.
It's hot where I live. But take a cooler full of ice, a bottle of good rum, some limes, and plant yourself in an Adirondack chair while this album is blasting on the patio and, VOILA, instant good vibes, instant good mood. I could go on about the rhythms and beats, but the best thing I can say about this disc is I started out drinking alone, and three songs in three sets of neighbors were in my backyard with their coolers.
Completely new to me, perfect for a hot summer’s day
I liked the music for the most part, but why does every song have that same noise that sounds like a bird's mating call? I swear I would enjoy these songs more if that wasn't being repeated over and over and over.
Solid album. Very vibrant sounding and each song sounded very enticing and compelling. I don’t usually listen to a lot of non-English albums so I’m glad I got exposed to this one.
Infectious energy and incredible vocals. Had never heard of or any music by Jorje Ben before, so this was a treat.
Good fun music but as I don’t speak Portuguese, has a hard time connecting with the lyrics.
Doesn't matter what language he's singing in, the music is so joyous anyone could enjoy this. 4 stars.
Not for me.
Favorite Track: Meus filhos, meu tesouro
A really nice listen that's easy on the ears, something I can definitely see myself having on in the background. Sadly it didn't make me lose myself in the music as much as I lost focus after a while, but a positive experience overall.
“Africa Brasil” by Jorge Ben Jor (1976) Never heard this album nor this artist. But i have to say, I loved it. I'm not sure what i was expecting but I loved the rhythms and the samba feel to the music. I'll be adding this to my saved albums
9,25/10
I dig this. Lots of good energy. Strong vibes. It's not hard to appreciate this, even without speaking the same language
Did like the music and the beats. As with a lot of the “world” music on this list I fear I don’t really get it when I can’t understand the words. 3.5/5
I'm reading all the reviews and amazed at how highly rated people are finding this.
It's the right kind of rhythmically interesting, energetic, fun type of music I love and can't get enough of, brazilian music was on another level huh.
Good
Funky fun!
Groovy and cool surpasses language barriers.
Favorite: Cavaleiro Do Cavalo Imaculado
I’ve never had an ear for world music, so was pleased with how much I enjoyed this one! A very solid album, from the first track. I could also hear many bits which must have been sampled over the years.
Totally my jam
A nice surprise that stands out in this list. The blend of samba, funk, and African rhythms creates a unique sound that’s refreshing and vibrant. While not every track hits the mark, the overall vibe is enjoyable.
This album was quite fun. I don't understand the language, but I did find the music easy to move to and vibe along with. It was an enjoyable listen at first. However, it did lose some momentum to me as it went on. I tend to enjoy albums with variety, and this is a funky, dance album through and through.
Not the same place wtf Actually quite enjoyable
I want to know the correlation between people who give this album a 1 or 2 and people who only have post punk 5's on their summary page. If you're not having an absolute banger of a time listening to an album from a genre that's on this list like two total times I really don't know what to tell you - maybe you're one of those soulless psychopaths that only likes 'deconstructed music' and can't appreciate when an album is just plain fun.
This one brings the sun into your living room
I really struggled with this one. It’s my first listen and it was a bit too samba/ funky disco samba for me. He has a good voice and the guitar is really fresh and crunchy but I didn’t really connect with it. Nice to listen to once, and nice to hear more samba and less bossanova, but I won’t be checking it out again.
Would listen again!
Nice. Never heard of him before. Favorite song: cavaleiro do cavalo imaculado
3-4
The opening bars of Ponta De Lanca Africano hit and....wait a second...I know this song. Hold up, Soulfly covered this guy? Soulfly covered this song, sure enough. I'm not sure I'll ever go back and listen to this again as it's just not my thing really, but it's quite good and I can recognize the talent.
Obrigado, this was excellent
Funky music reminiscent of Herby Hancock. The vocals are all in Portuguese, but the singer is strong and the lyrics are rhythmic. Overall a really enjoyable listen
2.5/5 not my taste
I’d never heard of this album or artist, nor had I any idea what they’re saying, but I can feel the funky grove of it throughout. Sure, some songs don’t hit as hard as others (‘O Filósofo’ mar shampla) but the opening 'Ponta de lança africano' is simply a bop. It gets a littleeeee bit holiday resort-y with ‘Camisa’ and ‘A Historia de Jorge’ but there are solid songs sprinkled throughout.
Groovy
albums with brasil in the title are guaranteed to be good...(see: brasilian skies)
Ricura. Cuica y descanso del rock genérico. Nada más que decir. Nota: 4.0
Fun island style. Great background music for a party or restaurant in setting the vibe.
great instruments, good vibes.
It was good and soulful. Very easy to do homework to.
ja lekker energiek en zomers, spotify algoritme gaat er goed op. zeker vandaag met 30 graden
Even early on a Sunday morning, drinking coffee and trying to ease into the day, Africa Brasil by Jorge Ben Jor got me tapping my foot, swaying and dancing in my chair. Well, not so much dancing but wiggling around a bit. The beats and rhythms are just too damn infectious. The language barrier makes no difference. I really like most of the album. There were a couple songs that were just okay. They were close to the end of the album. The standout track for me was Xica da Silva. This is a pretty easy 4 rating for me. 4/5
This album is from Brazilian singer Jorge Ben, and is characterized as samba-funk. Since I don’t speak Portuguese, I did not understand the lyrics. The music is pretty good, though. On a 0-10 scale I would rate it at 7.
Not the usual 70s fare! Still got plenty of electric guitar though. Anyway, I appreciate the Brazilian Portuguese representation. This guy's really into history, alchemy, and futebol, huh? I enjoyed listening to this, more than I expected, but I'm not sure it quite reaches a 4, since it's something I view as more background music (probably because I don't speak the language). Chill and fun and pleasant, but the high pitched whistle-y noises are not my jam, and there are a lot of them. So that's a 3 for me. Highlights: 'Hermes Trismegisto Escreveu', 'O Filósofo', 'Taj Mahal'
I like something different every once in a while but I wouldn’t go out of my way to listen to this
6/10 Highlights: Ponta de Lança Africano África Brasil
Fun album. Went on a tangent after it into Brazilian pop
Me esperaba una bosa nova y me he llevado una sorpresa. El estilo mola muchisimo, es algo para escuchar en cualquier situación chill. Agradecido con este album
Zuhause, Heidenheim, Deutschland Nicht meine Tasse Tee.
Funky! But not something I'd listen a lot to. Maybe on a bbq playlist :)
What a fun album this was. The type of shit I wanted to do this project for. Fun, exciting, important history, and something I never would have listened to. More of this and less boring ass brit pop and 12 records from the same American groups please. 9/10
This album was so fun, I was sad when it ended. So I played it again.
Good background vibes album, lots of jangly guitar and that classic 70s voice that'd so warm and cozy
This album was ok. It’s hard to fully enjoy a foreign language album. The rhythms and music were very familiar as I played a decent amount of samba and other Latin style music in jazz bands in my time.
A lot of fun. Very catchy. But I am not sure I connect to it all that much.
Not to my taste at all but it had good vibes. It's just a matter of my personal taste with this one.
There was some really cool beats and production techniques on here. Flowed nicely from start to finish.
World music, bossa nova, first track must have been the original or the lyrics are a chant. I’ve heard it on Soulfly’s self titled and fell I love then. Umbabarumba. Maybe it is a chant, I don’t know. The steady thumping keeps the pace at a beautiful tempo. Definitely worth checking out his discography.
Best Song: Taj Mahal The music is fine. I can't understand a word that is being said so rating is kind of hard. For all I know he can be talking about adding ice cream, peanut butter, and pickles to a a spaghetti dinner. Mmmmmmm, spaghetti.
Very good album
An album in which I learn about an instrument of which I was previously unaware (e.g. the cuica) is a five star album.
A new experience for me music wise and despite not being able to understand the lyrics I actually really enjoyed myself.
Out of my comfort zone a little with this one but I thought I’m going to give it a try anyway. Obviously I don’t know any of the lyrics as I don’t speak Portuguese, but the vibe and the production on the album is pretty admirable. Really enjoyed the first few tracks but then I think the middle doesn’t give me that same samba-funk fix the first leg did. Despite this, a varied, lush, and deftly curated record, with the percussion taking centre-stage and Ben Joe’s vocals are hypnotising and invigorating. Despite this, I most likely won’t be returning to this.
2.5
Brilliant upbeat record with fantastic rhythms, hard to go wrong blending African and Brazilian music with a nice blend of funk.
Great beats
Excellent
Absolutely loved this!!
Not for me
hintergrundmusik, aber gute stimmung.
Cooler Anfang und interessante Mischung. Aber ganze Platte durchhören war dann etwas viel.
listen again
super intresting, my first time hearing of him and this album. amazing beat, amazing groove, beautiful melodies.
its quite enjoyable and well structured. 3/5
Liked it a surprising amount, although i liked a lot of his other stuff More
Jolly good time, this one
I had to read up on this album to understand some of the sounds. The drum work is really cool and Taj Mahal is a great example of the unique sounds found on this album.
There is skill on display here and certainly some good pop sensibilities. Good album construction and production. It didn't hit for me on first listen, but it grew on me. In the right mood, probably an early morning coffee mood it would really click.
Nie ten klimat
This album rocks and rolls. It’s groovy and funky and jammy. A very fun listen but not sure how often I’ll revisit.
Not bad. Actually quite good amongst 70s albums. It’s very exotic for me at first, and I can tell the artist put his efforts to make it diverse and interesting. I do like Taj Mahal. Can’t understand the lyrics but I do think it represents the album Africa Brazil?
Really fun vibes and energy. I enjoyed several songs thoroughly despite not speaking any Portuguese. Split between a 3 and 4 because while I was vibing heavily at first it felt like the middle part was running together a bit with less distinction. It came in swinging though. That first song woke me up.
fun album. i do love some good samba-funk occasionally. i think this would have been a four stars, but O Plebeu and Taj Mahal with the weird wiping/monkey sounds threw me off in the middle of the record. overall, enjoyable for sure.
Cool
Language barrier aside, a very fun album to listen to. Kept me engaged the entire time and had a lot of variation and funk. Would listen to again as some background music.
A really solid album. I love the somba sound. It was really consistent throughout, and I would really enjoy listening to the whole thing again. Also, did Rod Stewart just straight up steal "Taj Mahal" for "Do You Think I'm Sexy"?
Nothing particularly standout, just a pleasant listen. A História De Jorge is the best one.
Probably a 3, saved a couple songs, liked the album in general! Was mostly just cleaning and organizing so not 100% focused
Enjoyed.
Dad- 7 Mom- 7 Mike- NA Lori- 6 Michael- 8 Miles- 5 Cole- NA Avg- 6.6
His 14th album. Funk / Latin Funk / African Funk. Ponta De Lanca Africano is a very dancy, funky opening track. Taj Mahal is an interesting track. Rod Stewart lost a case for plagiarism of the music for his hit song Do Ya Think I'm Sexy. The Brasilo-Portuguese lyrics are not a barrier to enjoying the funky, soulful energy of this album.
Warm, smooth, and loose in all the right ways. Sometimes it dips, but the highs are undeniable. Don’t understand the lyrics, but it feels like an after party. Also famously a Rod Stewart theft. Great housecleaning music—and I mean that in the best way.
This had more highs than lows so I'll hang a but of an extra star on it
Interesting but a little to poppy
Didn't understand a single word...but I get it
Favorite Track: Ponta de Lança Africano
Funky afrobeat rhythms and jazzy Brazilian melodies, it's a very natural combination for high energy psychedelic dance music that goes hard. Hands down my favorite of the Brazilian albums on the list so far (no coincidence as it's as much Lagos as Rio sounding). Even though this is as good as it gets I still don't like Portugese singing - something always feels off key and off kilter about the harmonies and phrasing. But this just has so much percussive force, infectious groove, soul delivery, and sheer charisma to the performance it's undeniable. A highwater mark of global funk.
I wore out a Sergio Mendes album that I “stole” from my stepdad. Loved that album. I wish I would have found this album sooner.
I love this sound.
I want to like this, I really do, but I don’t. The music washes over me with little affect.
do not like it
A fun sound, that was probably a big influence on K’naan.
Fun listen, probably wont return to it. 3/5 Favorites: Ponta De Lanca Africano, Xica Da Silva
This was pretty groovy and enjoyable but not much above a 3 for me.
This album is killer. Mix of Brazilian Samba and African Funk. The grooves are infectious. Loved every second of this album. Added bonus, hearing an actual cuíca (as opposed to the one or two samples we hear in modern music). 5 stars.
Veldig masse gnikkelyda
From the description, I thought this would be amazing, but I was not amazed.
Great music
An enjoyably riotous and interesting piece with samba, funk, African rhythms and rock influence. A toe tapper throughout.
Liked this. Didn’t understand a word of it.