Various

Bossa Jazz: The Birth of Hard Bossa, Samba Jazz and the Evolution of Brazilian Fusion 1962-73 Soul Jazz****

Soul Jazz's ongoing exploration of Brazil's fertile music scenes continues to unearth gems. Bossa Jazztracks what resulted when fusion entered the mix, especially after key Brazilian musicians moved to the US and jazz found its way into their sound. The 30 tracks on this two-CD compilation tell a rich, vibrant, colourful story of the music's travels over that turbulent, halycon decade, with contributions from Sambalanco Trio, Luis Carlos Vinhas (the evocative Batucada), Sergio Mendes and Antonio Carlos Jobim ( Stone Flower). Of course, given the history of Brazil at the time, there was also a political and socio-economic edge to this counter-culture, something discussed in the extensive sleevenotes. See souljazz records.co.uk

Download tracks:Luis Carlos Vinhas, Batucada; Sambalanco Trio, Samblues; Antonio Carlos Jobim, Stone Flower