Nicola Conte Presents Viagem

Italian jazz hero Nicola Conte (Blue Note) sings his Brazilian tune!

‘Viagem’ is a compilation of Brazilian bossa nova and hard edged samba jazz from Blue Note’s recording artist, Nicola Conte. The first in a series of DJ compiled albums for 2008 and coinciding with the celebration of 50 years of bossa nova (1958 – 2008), ‘Viagem’ pays testament to some of the seminal jazz inspired bossa nova and experimental music circa 1962 – 1970.

Highlights include a re-interpretation of Baden Powell’s and Vinicius Moraes all time classic, ‘Canto De Ossanha’ by Trio Maraya and Bossa Jazz Trio’s version of Jorge Ben’s ‘Vamos Embora Uau’.

This unique collection of Nicola Conte’s personal favourites comes from a defining era in Brazil’s musical and cultural history. All tracks featured derive from the independent labels who helped develop the sound of bossa nova coming out of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in the 60s. RGE, Som Maior and Fermata record labels were focused on a new wave of artists heavily influenced by jazz and rock and in the case of RGE, would later develop Jovem Guarda artists such as Erasmos Carlos and Edgard & Os Tais and jazz groups like Zimbo Trio to great acclaim both in Brazil and on the international stage.

Tenorio Jr sets the tempo for the album with his pacey two minute piano laden anthem ‘Nebulosa’. First featured on Tenorio Jr’s only ever album called ‘Embalo’, ‘Nebulosa’ has been considered truly classic by many discerning jazz critics. ‘Samadhi’ is the other Tenorio Jr cut featured and is a much slower and more emotive affair also taken from his 1964 album on RGE. Tenorio’s influence on this album cannot be underestimated as his arrangements and virtuoso piano playing can be heard on Wanda Sa’s ‘Vivo Sonhando’. Original member of Sergio Mendes’ Brasil 66, Wanda Sa’s reinterpretation of this classic Tom Jobim track is a master-class in kitsch big band bossa, produced by Roberto Menescal.

‘Canto De Ossahna’ needs no introduction as it’s regarded as one of the defining tracks of the era originally on Baden Powell and Vinicius Moraes’ seminal ‘Afro-samba’ LP. Trio Maraya recreate the atmosphere originally intended with added vocal harmonies enlightening the experience. Ana Lucia also offers a moody and classic introduction to ‘Balanco Do Mar’, later bursting into life helped by a supreme piano and flute solo.

‘Viagem’ offers both high-octane jazz influenced bossa and the anthemic and African influenced samba associated with more traditional Brazilian world music. ‘Bambe Lo’ falls into the latter category produced by artist and TV commercial producer by day, Edgard and his band ‘Os Tais’. Other anthems come from Yvette with her uplifting rendition of ‘Preconceito’. With the help of flautist Hermeto Pascoal, Claudia & Brazilian Octopus produce an obscenely positive and smile inducing version of ‘Gusto De Ser Como Sou’. Djalma Dias provides equal measures of goodness with the help of Sambossa 5 and their track ‘Cidade Vazia’.

NICOLA CONTE (Blue Note/Schema Records)

The stamp of Nicola Conte is one that ensures integrity and quality in equal measure. His musical endeavours in the last decade surpass what most artists and producers would hope for in a lifetime. His album ‘Other Directions’ released on the historic and seminal jazz record label Blue Note Records in 2004 taking the pick. Synonymous with any endorsement by Nicola Conte is a jazz sensibility that speaks volumes and is based on a dedication and gut determination to revitalise and reignite jazz. Thus it is no surprise that ‘Viagem’ takes a discerningly jazz orientated approach to this very exciting period of bossa nova’s development.

“This is music that is completely lost now – the choice of chords, harmonies and melodies and how the rhythm section plays – people just don’t play music like this anymore. ‘There are some classic tunes that people will know yet also some tunes they won’t that are deep, deeper than many people would expect from a Brazilian record” Nicola Conte

The track ‘Zimbo Samba’ by Zimbo Trio - Brazil’s most famous instrumental jazz trio of the 60s - superbly exemplifies the stylistic bridge between bossa nova and jazz. Their intricate drum patterns and anthemic piano licks will keep the jazz-dance purists happy. The pianist Cesar Camargo Mariano features both with his 8 piece band on ‘Samblues’, a horn based jam, and with Som 3 - ‘Margarida B’ was their first ever recording in 1966.

Bossa Jazz trio replicate a Jorge Ben classic with their highly addictive version of ‘Vamos Embora Uau’, pushing all the right buttons for the dance-floor. Sansa Trio increase the frenetic grooves managing a
heavy double bass groove around a double trombone salute. Hector Costita’s Sexteto also reach for the brass with their homage to Japan, ‘Tokio’.

BOSSA NOVA AND JAZZ

Joao Gilberto is regarded as the father of bossa nova and the creator of the bossa nova beat. The birth and development of bossa nova and jazz spawned massive international interest in the genre with artists like Stan Getz, Burt Bacharach, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald all incorporating elements of this commercially recognised ‚cool bossa’ into their compositions.

The difusion of bossa into North America and beyond was of course guided by the composers and labels based in Rio De Janerio and Sau Paulo. Artists like the Zimbo Trio and Tenorio Jr were increasingly branching out from their tradtional roles as backing bands for the major artists and were seeking labels to release both their own compostions and instrumental interpretations of other artists.

Demand for this unusual form of bossa nova was growing rapidly, spurred by the emergence of jazz bars and clubs throughout Sao Paolo and Rio. Local groups and touring international artists were regularly jamming at the Beco das Gerrafas in Copacabana and The Stardust in Sao Paulo cementing the popularity of instrumental bossa nova groups in Brazil.

The Sau Paulo based record labels RGE, Som Maior and Fermata were massively important in the development of these artists. Fast forward 50 years to 2008 are they are still regarded as key influencers to the international popularisation of Brazilian music.

Tracklisting: