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Ivan Conti

Ivan Conti (aka Mamao) is one of the greatest drummers on earth. A true rhythmic innovator, he is Brazil’s answer to Tony Allen, Steve Gadd, and Bernard Purdie (no small claim considering the country’s famed samba connection). Known by most as one third of Azymuth, his career spans far beyond with over half a century’s worth for recordings with the likes of Milton Nascimento, Eumir Deodato, Marcos Valle, Hyldon, Gal Costa and Jorge Ben. More recently Mamao recorded an album with hip-hop royalty Madlib under the shared moniker ‘Jackson Conti’. 


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9
Album Review

Azymuth: Telecommunication

Read "Telecommunication" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


This Brazilian trio had its roots in the 1960s but under different group monikers. They also recorded for the renowned jazz label Milestone Records, releasing several albums. To a considerable extent they were largely praised by critics via the musicians' tightknit but not over-cooked spin on jazz fusion, featuring indigenous percussion tinted with samba-like overtones. According to the press release, “simultaneously, [they all] enjoyed flourishing solo careers during their downtime from the band. While guitarist/vocalist Jose Roberto Bertrami sadly passed ...

5
Album Review

Ivan Conti: Poison Fruit

Read "Poison Fruit" reviewed by Chris M. Slawecki


If the music on his fourth solo album Poison Fruit is a true indicator, Ivan “Mamão" Conti hasn't lost his uncanny producer's ear or instrumentalist's touch for clubbers or dancers in Brazil. A legendary bandleader, percussion and drum player, and composer, Mamão sweetens Poison Fruit by letting it ripen in the hands of two younger, next generation translators / ambassadors: Mamão's son Thiago Maranhão, who oversaw this set's five bonus remixes; and keyboardist Daniel Maunick, son of Jean-Paul “Bluey" Maunick ...

356
Album Review

Ithamara Koorax: Brazilian Butterfly

Read "Brazilian Butterfly" reviewed by Chris M. Slawecki


Except for two ballads--the cosmopolitan “Carinhoso with her Brazilian jazz fusion compatriots Azymuth, and Herbie Hancock's title track--Ithamara Koorax's ninth album is her most adventurous release. It seems constructed to honor legendary Brazilian vocalist Flora Purim and her husband/bandleader/percussionist Airto. This Brazilian Butterfly soars and flutters while multiple percussionists (often as many as four on the same song, most often led by the late and legendary Dom Um Romão, with Koorax frequently flailing away among them) knit together, pull apart, ...

287
Album Review

Ithamara Koorax: Love Dance: The Ballad Album

Read "Love Dance: The Ballad Album" reviewed by Chris M. Slawecki


Ithamara Koorax has released several albums in Brazil and Japan, but Love Dance is only the second US album for this star from Rio, the follow-up to her debut Serenade in Blue.

With her unmistakable voice, Koorax sings English, Portuguese, and Spanish love songs composed by such masters as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Luiz Bonfá, Marcos Valle and Ivan Lins, plus songs by Claus Ogerman and Jurgen Friedrich (in German). Her voice manifests this diversity to its advantage: ...

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