The record that started off Soul Jazz Records' "love affair" with Brazilian music… Brasil, recorded in Rio De Janeiro, has been out of print for over 20 years, but here's a fully remastered 2018 re-release. In 1994, Gilles Peterson and Joe Davis brought singer-songwriter Joyce to the UK, and following a successful performance, the idea for Brasil was conceived. Joyce, along with a group led by her drummer husband Tutty Moreno, started working on the album, and more artists agreed to take part in the project: Sivuca, Raul de Souza, Celia Vaz, Wanada Sa, Teco Cardoso — aka "legendary figureheads" of Brazilian music. Percussionist Pirulito also signed on to complete the group, and what came forth was an "important cross-cultural musical moment in time between Brazil and London." The reissue comes complete with original artwork + mp3 download code, check out "Bataucada No. 1," "Zanzibar," "Magica," and "Forro."

• fully remastered
• mp3 download included
• music label: Soul Jazz Records 1994 / 2018

reviewed by rei kwondo