Banda Black Rio - Super Nova Samba Funk
(CD/LP/Digital) Far Out Recordings FARO159, 2011-07-04

William Magalhães forms a modern-day Banda Black Rio epitomising the spirit of his father Oberdan's original '70s Brazilian samba soul and funk group. Banda Black Rio defined the Black Rio movement now enjoying a revival headed by Magalhães' incarnation with the passion of soul and funk again linking Rio and New York for a feel-good blast that also takes in hip-hop, samba, pop and bossa. Brazilian icons Seu Jorge, Marcio Local and Elza Soares feature alongside bossa pioneers Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil as well as Flame Killer and GOD PT3 from the famed NYC Mobb Deep crew. Super Nova Samba Funk brings Rio's black music cultures together to embody the ecstatic revival of Brazil and the Black Rio movement.

Azymuth - Aurora
(CD/LP/Digital) Far Out Recordings FARO157, 2011-04-18

Returning to their huge old school sound, this new recording celebrates 35 years of Azymuth as "arguably the most successful band to come out of Brazil". The signature swing samba is heavier than ever with a string of unforgettable tunes: from dance-floor fillers and lush jazz to hard, grooving samba funk and warped psychedelia. Together the original three piece Azymuth orchestra has made their strongest album since the seminal recordings Azimuth and Light as a Feather. Discover why musicians as diverse as Friendly Fires and Madlib are addicted to this innovative boogie monster.

Sean Khan - Slow Burner
(CD/Digital) Far Out Recordings FARO158, 2011-05-16

"Stunning new album from multi instrumentist visionary Sean Khan featuring some of the UK s most talented musicians. This record comes packed with pulsating grooves that mix contemporary urban sounds with classic jazz and Sean's incredible improvisation skills. The Soul keeps flowing, Eclectic jazz at its best, it's all here and there are a few dance floor fillers for good measure. Truly essential." says the promo release... a perfect sunday record that's been playing on repeat in my living room the whole weekend!

Various - Nicola Conte presents Viagem 3
A Collection of 60s Brazilian Bossa Nova And Jazz Samba
(CD/Digital) Far Out Recordings FARO156, 2011-03-28

Travelling back to 1960's Brazil the Viagem series takes its third voyage. Digging further still Brazilophile and Italian jazz don Nicola Conte has re-discovered eighteen choice rarities 1963-1970. As the global centre for all that was musically chic, these bossa nova and samba jazz hybrids blend the passion of South America and Africa with the sophisticated style of Europe and North America. Often written to take bossa back to the people and in protest against the dictatorship that took hold in 1964 these long-neglected classics are expertly conjured together by Blue Note and Schema recording artist Conte. Poetic and wildly evocative the mix perfectly mirrors the creator's laid-back cool and a swinging cosmopolitan Brazil. Nicola Conte's love and dedication to Brazilian music is astounding. Evident in his own soulful approach to his music Conte has brought to the fore a truly legendary era in jazz and Brazilian music that has until the Viagem series been long forgotten. The selection of so many undiscovered tunes is sure to reignite the flames for many who have been digging for these rarities since their initial popularisation. Balancing a mix of instrumentals and sung bossas expertly sequenced Viagem 3 is an almost classical take on Brazilian pop Music.

Raf Vilar - Studies In Bossa
(CD/Digital) Far Out Recordings FARO 155, 2011-03-07

The debut album from one of Brazil's most exciting young solo-artists. A beautiful bossa inflected record that showcases Vilar's classic songwriting flourish and modern spark. A special talent. The latest addition to Far Out's growing stable of new Brazilian talents Rafael Vilar fits in perfectly with bossa-influenced close friends Sabrina Malheiros and Clara Moreno. On Studies in Bossa Vilar moves between Portuguese and English vocals through tracks that evoke the great bossa nova, folk and samba of 60's and 70's Brazil whilst incorporating global jazz and electronica. With this recording Vilar is unveiled to an international audience. Until now undiscovered, the quality and beauty of these recordings is undoubted: a rare nu-bossa star has arrived.

Rubens Bassini Y Los Latinos - Latino Fantastico
(CD/Digital) Far Out Recordings FARO 154, 2010-10-29

Far Out begin their classic re-issue series with a much sought after Brazilian rarity. Rubens Bassini was one of Brazil's finest and most respected percussionists and a vital component of the original Os Ipanemas and Sergio Mendes' Brazil 66, plus later 77 and 88 incarnations. This 1963 solo outing, originally released as a limited vinyl LP, is full of deep traditional African, Brazilian, Cuban and South American rhythms and moments of unexpected blissful folk and hypnotic psychedelia. Wind and strings provide unusual arrangements for Bassini's pulsating bongos and endless exotic percussion to explode through. Featuring an all-star team of '60s Rio players this vivid percussion dream can finally be heard in all its mythical glory. Rubens Bassini is the forgotten percussion master of Brazilian music. While those he played with - including Wilson Das Neves and Sergio Mendes - rose to huge international fame Bassini's solo recordings became rare mythical collector's items. Rubens Bassini e Os 11 Magníficos' 1964 Ritmo Fantastico was re-issued back in 2002; however it's this 1963 Latino Fantastico project with Los Latinos that is his true solo masterpiece.

Marcos Valle - Estática
(CD/LP/Download) Far Out Recordings FARO153CD/FARO153LP 2010-10-08

Original Rio beach boy Marcos Valle returns with a Brazilian masterpiece. Evoking his Carioca sound – where expansive orchestral sweep meets beautiful melody and complex harmony – Valle mixes perfect romantic bossa-pop with cinematic brass and strings. This new recording explores a six decade career that has swung between pop, bossa nova, delicate psychedelia, jazz, and funk. Responsible for bossa classic Summer Samba (So Nice), Valle has collaborated with Leon Ware, Sarah Vaughan, & Chicago; seen his track Ele E Ela sampled by Jay Z for Blueprint 3; and his songs recorded by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Bebel Gilberto.

Various - Far Out Spaced Oddyssey (Volumes 1 & 2)
(2xCD) Far Out Recordings FARO152DCD, 2010-07-12

Psychedelic Folk, Electronica, Jazz & Rock from the Out There Edges of Brazil. Far Out voyages through the Brazilian archives with this wild trip deep into mutated South American psychedelia, esoteric curios, and trippy electronics. Those broadcasting from the outer regions include the irresistible dreamy folk trio Joyce, Mauricio, and Nana; medieval sambista Jose Mauro; guerrilla space-rockers Binario; Mark Pritchard's sci-fi exotica Troubleman guise; and freaking out lady Aleuda. Having taken a leap of faith with some of Brazil's edgiest artists, the high quality production never falters on 24 mind blowing compositions spread over two genre straddling disks. Twisted soft psych and hard experimentalism from the further fringes of Brazil makes for a cinematic, dancing brew. The result is intoxicating.

The Ipanemas - Que Beleza
Majestic New Recording From Original Afro-Brazilian Kings
(CD/LP) Far Out Recordings FARO151CD, 2010-06-07

Brazil's greatest Afro-bossa band conjure up wickedly rich and charm laden vintage sambas on this fifth recording for Far Out. Three generations of Rio de Janeiro musicians combine to evoke a nostalgic and raw tribute to their diverse musical city. Wilson Das Neves' crooning, melancholic notes combine with special guest diva Aurea Martins' hypnotic vocal while glorious trombone and afro percussion add to the deep pleasures. Five decades after Brazilian music was transformed with cult debut 'Os Ipanemas' Das Neves and the Ipanemas return to honour the memory of genius guitarist Neco in the only way they know - playing samba from the heart.

Irakere - Cuba Libre
(CD) Far Out Recordings FARO150CD, 2010-05-03

It's with great pleasure that Far Out Recordings can re-issue this extremely rare, cult record from one of the finest bands to emerge from Cuba. Stepping out of Brazil Joe Davis has been digging through the dustiest crates to re-discover one of the very best Latin American records. Recorded in Japan in 1980 and released as a Japanese exclusive vinyl LP 'Cuba Libre' was composed, arranged and produced by the remarkable Japanese musician Chikara Ueda. With almost the entire original line up in place including Chucho Valdes, Arturo Sandoval, and Jorge Alfonso this is a record of sublime quality that retains all of the authentic essence and beauty of Cuban music. Among the most influential Latin bands Irakere's mix of fiery funk anthems and sophisticated jazz has rarely sounded better than on these six classic tracks.