1 – Tim Maia – O Descobridor Dos Sete Mares
Tim Maia is a true legend of Brazilian funky music. This is one of my favourite tracks from him, a happy and uplifting cut. The horn sections of the track are another level.
2 – Kings Of Tomorrow – Finally
This one needs few words. True HOUSE MUSIC equals LOVE!!!
3 – Jamiroquai – She’s A Fast Persuader
I am a big fan of Jamiroquai and this is a must-listen in my opinion. The 1st time I listened to this track was during a trip to Europe with a friend and we used to listen this album a lot. The pads on the beginning of this track got me instantly hooked up.
4 – Buena Vista Social Club – Dos Gardenias
This is a true love song impossible not to touch any good latin blooded’s heart.
5 – Gilberto Gil – Nos Barracos Da Cidade
With reggae vibes and a political protest coming from the slums the master Gilberto Gil delivers this cut, a must hear in my opinion.
6 – Willie Collon – El Dia De Suerte
The riff of the horns that play on the beginning already got me loving this track since the 1st time I heard it. And the lyrics are superb.
“Pronto llegará el dia de mi suerte
Se que antes de mi muerte seguro que mi suerte cambiará”
“My lucky day will come soon
I know that before my death my luck will surely change”
7 – Lionel Richie – All Night Long
This track represents a lot of what a party should be. Super good vibes and “All Night Long”.
8 – Racionais Mcs – Estilo Cachorro
I really like rap and hip-hop too and for me Racionais MCs is my favourite rap group from Brazil. Super strong minimal and dark beats and lyrics of protest that talk about the day to day life of poor people struggling in the big cities. This track though is a more gangsta vibe. Tells the story of a true player that knows how to be on top and get all the girls.
9 – Vinicius De Moraes & Baden Powell – Canto De Xangô
Baden Powell and Vinicius de Moraes were among the greatest of the Bossa Nova movement. Baden made a series of tracks that are chants to the African religious entities. This track for me is very significant as it tells the story of an African prince that gets enslaved and chants to his father Xangô in sadness. You can find true beauty in sadness.
10 – Cartola – Preciso Me Encontrar
One of the biggest icons from brazilian Samba, Mr Angenor de Oliveira better known as Cartola has so many tracks I love but this one is special for me because it talks about the search to find your true self.
OLLVR, Morgado, Bruce Leroys, Tamara Franklin – Timale (Underdogs Music)
Underdogs Music’s recent debut release was extremely well received, sitting high in the Beatport Deep House chart and picking up broad DJ and press support. This second offering sees OLLVR, Morgado & Bruce Leroys dive into the percussive atmospheres of Afro-house along with a remix from Keene, whilst the Underdog’s crew transform Tamara Franklin’s 2019 single ‘Wakanda’. The EP celebrates African musicality and its melodies with three new tracks that layer in special Brazilian instruments and unique Latin flavor. The original, ‘Timale,’ debuted during a Circoloco party at Rio Carnival in 2020 and got a huge crowd reaction. It is a collaboration between three influential Brazilian artists. Morgado is a guitar player, and multi-instrumentalist turned DJ and Underdogs founder. Rio producer OLLVR, once known as Olliver Mach was one half of Tech House duo Toucan with Bernardo Campos and has held key residencies in Brazil and now Thailand, where he is currently based. Lastly, the veteran pair of Bruce Leroy, aka Marcelo Abreu and Diogo Vaille, has produced numerous Beatport Chart-toppers on labels like Armada, Get Physical, and Kittball. The majestic ‘Timale’ is a fusion between house melodies and deep chords and synthesizers that evoke African cultural ancestry. Add in percussive beats and vocal samples, which celebrate Afro-Brazilian roots, and you have a genuinely worldwide sound that cannot fail to make dancefloors across the globe get down. Panamanian duo Keene brings their signature sound with the more introspective atmosphere of melodic techno, preserving the original’s essence and genuinely hypnotizing with their chords. Lastly is the Underdogs remix of ‘Wakanda’, an original song from Brazilian rapper Tamara Franklin. Here we’re treated to a perfectly tribal percussive structure with the lush vocals and melodies having edgier synths as a counterpoint.
