Pecado Capital by Paulinho da Viola

"Pecado Capital"
by Paulinho da Viola


Dinheiro na mão é vendaval
É vendaval!
Na vida de um sonhador
De um sonhador!
Quanta gente aí se engana
E cai da cama
Com toda a ilusão que sonhou
E a grandeza se desfaz
Quando a solidão é mais
Alguém já falou...

Mas é preciso viver
E viver
Não é brincadeira não
Quando o jeito é se virar
Cada um trata de si
Irmão desconhece irmão
E aí!
Dinheiro na mão é vendaval
Dinheiro na mão é solução
E solidão!
Dinheiro na mão é vendaval
Dinheiro na mão é solução
E solidão!

Dinheiro na mão é vendaval
É vendaval!
Na vida de um sonhador
De um sonhador!
Quanta gente aí se engana
E cai da cama
Com toda a ilusão que sonhou
E a grandeza se desfaz
Quando a solidão é mais
Alguém já falou...

Mas é preciso viver
E viver
Não é brincadeira não
Quando o jeito é se virar
Cada um trata de si
Irmão desconhece irmão
E aí!
Dinheiro na mão é vendaval
Dinheiro na mão é solução
E solidão!
Dinheiro na mão é vendaval
Dinheiro na mão é solução
E solidão!
E solidão! E solidão!
E solidão! E solidão!
E solidão! E solidão!

Minha Filosofia/Agoniza Mas Não Morre/Vou Partir

A super favorite of mine, this final track is a medley of 3 songs from Os Meninos do Rio, a compilation of roots samba songs sung by their original composers. You should really learn Portuguese. Below are lyrics, links to composer's web presence, and videos of the composers singing.

Minha Filosofia (composer: Aluísio Machado)

Vai passar
Esse meu mal estar
Esse nó na garganta
Deixe estar...
O próprio tempo dirá
Água demais mata a planta

Tudo que é muito, é demais
Peço, me perdoe a redundância
Entrelinhas só quero lembrar
Que a terra fértil um dia se cansa
É uma questão de esperar
Relógio que atrasa não adianta
E o remédio que cura
Também pode matar
Como água demais mata a planta

Aluísio Machado on
Blog
Facebook

Agoniza Mas Não Morre (composer: Nelson Sargento)

Samba
Agoniza mas não morre
Alguém sempre te socorre
Antes do suspiro derradeiro
Samba
Negro, forte, destemido
Foi duramente perseguido
Na esquina, no botequim, no terreiro
Samba
Inocente, pé-no-chão
A fidalguia do salão
Te abraçou, te envolveu
Mudaram toda a sua estrutura
Te impuseram outra cultura
E você nem percebeu
Mudaram toda a sua estrutura
Te impuseram outra cultura
E você nem percebeu

Nelson Sargento on Facebook

Vou Partir (Nelson Cavaquinho/Jair do Cavaquinho)

Vou partir não sei se voltarei
Tu não me queiras mal
Hoje é carnaval

Partirei para bem longe
Não precisas te preocupar
Só voltarei pra casa
Depois que o carnaval acabar, acabar

Vou partir não sei se voltarei
Tu não me queiras mal
Hoje é carnaval

Hoje é carnaval

Nelson Cavaquinho on Facebook
About Jair do Cavaquinho

"Amor Fiel" by Monarco

This is the order in which I learned about Brazilian music: capoeira --> Bossa Nova --> samba enredo --> partido alto and samba de raíz.
Roughly. What I had really been looking for was samba de raíz and partido alto. You could call it roots samba. I mean, that swing! This recording by legendary samba composer Monarco from 1976 is one of my favorites -- the surdo is so deep and I love how it sounds throughout this album. I don't see enough English-language blogs or info on partido alto, samba de terreiro, and the artists who kept the culture alive (and many of the legends continue to do so, and are still active). And I definitely don't hear it played enough or at all by some DJ's who have a Brazilian music collection. Bossa nova is beautiful, but samba will always be my isht!

Also let's appreciate the blackness of this album cover:

Panty Soakers 5 by Budgie

--> 14. "Lessons of Loss" is the one.

Someone once said my samba show was 'cute'. I proceeded to unfollow them on all social media.

Someone once said to me in real life that my samba performance was "cute". I said 'thanks!' and proceeded to unfollow said someone on all social media.

Cute. Practicing for hours outside of class for years until I got my first samba gig. And continuing to study, adding ballet, Afro Brazilian, vogue and several other types of dance to my repertoire so that I could really consider myself a "dancer." Studying samba videos, studying with every Brazilian I could get my hands on. Suffering through Dunham Technique with Ned Williams so I could get stronger. But my samba is 'cute'. Cute??!!!!!!??? WTF do you mean cute?!! I lived in Brazil, I learned to speak Portuguese. I play several Brazilian percussion instruments. I studied the history of samba and various sub genres of samba and rhythms. I've taught samba dance for years. But this is 'cute'. Does this look like a game, people?!!? I put in honest work to make my performance authentic, beautiful and real. After 10 years in the game, I feel like I can honestly say, eu sou o samba: I am samba. Everyone who sees me dance says it's obvious that what sets me apart is, I love this! Cute is a puppy or a kitten. Cute is the dude at the coffee shop you have a crush on. Your outfit at work today is cute. My samba is LIFE.

STFU and Dance

Sometimes, that's just the best thing to do. Okay, all the time. Enjoy and share this quick mix featuring contemporary dance music from Brazil, Angola and Portugal. See full tracklist below.

Tracklist: 
“15 Barras” DJ Nigga Fox
“Abertura do Jogo” Os Batuqueiros
“Fighting Spirit” Boddhi Satva
“Samba” Sarz ft. Wizkid
“Baile de Favela” MC João
“Baile de Favela” (Afro Remix) DJ Malvado ft. Homeboyz
“Carnaval” DJ NinOo
“Axibangonfu” DJ NinOo
“Sarra Para Direita” (AfroFunk Mix) JackBass
“African Groove” (Original Mix) DJ Lilocox and DJ Nax
“Sapolo Gi” Staff Paulo

Mayer Hawthorne's "Christmas Caipirinhas" Mixtape

I know it's past Christmas already, but I had to share this mixtape. Those of you already educated on Brazilian music will recognize many of these classic samba and MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira) tracks. Those just getting started, enjoy! Track list below.

01 Doris e Miltinho - A Pedida É Samba
02 Djavan - Serrado
03 Cravo e Canela - Preco De Cada Um
04 Tenorio Jr - Nebulosa (Haircut Edit)
05 Tamba Trio - O Amor Que Acabou
06 Jorge Ben - O Telefone Tocou Novamente
07 Maria Bethânia - Último Desejo
08 Quarteto Em Cy - Tudo Que Voce Podia Ser
09 Jongo Trio - Feitinha Pro Poeta
10 Os Novos Crioulos - Mar Afunda
11 Emilio Santiago - Bananeira
12 Burnier e Cartier - Mirandolina
13 Orlandivo - Tamanco No Samba
14 MPB4 - Palhaços e Reis
15 João Donato - Amazonas
16 Marcos Valle - Mais do Que Valsa

(Download this mix free at Soundcloud)

"Lucky Samba" J Boogie Edit

"Benção do Samba"

Download Benção do Samba

On Repeat: "A Massa Quer Dançar" by Flávio Renegado

Flávio will perform at NYC's Central Park Summerstage at opening night of the 2nd Brasil Summerfest on Saturday July 21....details here.

A massa quer dançar by Flávio Renegado

Download


Listen to the entire album "Minha Tribo é o Mundo" here.

Is Samba the same as Zumba?

The short answer is: No.

Many people are just now becoming aware of samba dance thanks to the popularity of the "Latin-inspired" Zumba dance-fitness program. Zumba brings together many different types of dance and each instructor creates a specific workout including their choice of various dances. Samba can be one of the dances included.
Also, Zumba is a registered trademark, samba is not.

What does samba look like? Like this:

There are several styles of samba dance including samba no pé, gafieira, axé, and samba rock. Rio and Bahia styles of the basic samba step also differ. Samba also refers to the music to which samba is danced. There are several variations or types of samba rhythms including but not limited to: samba reggae, partido alto, samba canção, samba enredo, and samba de roda.

"Meu Palco" by Oba Oba Samba House

Think I'm gonna add it to my warm-up or use it for the next routine...

Sample Series II: Looking for the Perfect Beat in Samba: "A Procura da Batida Perfeita"

(This post is the second installment in my Sample Series)

My students were asking what song we have been dancing to in class the past few weeks. Here it is:

"A Procura da Batida Perfeita" by Marcelo D2 (on A Procura da Batida Perfeita, Sony BMG Brasil, 2003)

A Procura da Batida Perfeita means "looking for the perfect beat"; probably a reference to Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force's "Looking for the Perfect Beat" (single released 1983 from Planet Rock).

"A Procura da Batida Perfeita" starts out telling the story of an artist who makes it big and becomes focused on pursuing material wealth and status, of which D2 is critical. He puts himself in opposition to the materialistic type saying it's not money that makes him happy ("não é um saco de dinheiro que me deixa feliz"). Instead D2 states he is about staying true to the music, committed to the roots of samba and hip hop. As the hook says, "Eu vou no samba, a procura da batida perfeita" (I go through samba to look for the perfect beat).

Some Brazilians are critical of D2 saying he is not really as "true" or genuine a part of Brazilian hip hop culture as other talented yet less internationally recognized rap acts like DMN (one of the founders of which happens to be based in the Bronx), Racionais MCs or Rappin' Hood.

But this may be a subject for another post...

Lyrics aside, the production on this track is undeniably great, and the sample goes perfectly with a hip hop beat.

Personnel: produced and mixed by Davi Corcos; bass: Kool G Murder; drums: Mamão; percussion: Tuca; moog: Davi Corcos; scratching: Mixmastermike; sample: "Bonfa Nova" by Luiz Bonfá (Universal Music).

(Fellow music heads may find it interesting that Luiz Bonfá's guitar was sampled by late producer Jay Dee for California-based hip hop group The Pharcyde. See my 10/24/2010 Sample Series post on this)

(NYC) Beleza NYC presents SAMBA 7/22

BELEZA NYC presents SAMBA
Friday July 22nd
at
Canal Room
10:00pm - 4:30am
285 West Broadway
New York NY 10013

$5 before 11:30pm, say LETICIA'S LIST at the door!
$10 before Midnight, $15 after


*LIVE BRAZILIAN BAND : Cesar Vieira and MISTURA PERFEITA


*DJ David Medina spinning Samba, MPB, Afro Brazilian, Axe, Salsa, Forro all the world music.
Also

*DJ Beto spinning Baile Funk, Batucada, Dancehall, Reggaeton, Mambo & Mash-ups!!!

*SPECIAL performance by: ALE ALE DRUMMERS and JUSTIN JUSTIN "aka TOCA"


*First hour drink specials: Caipirinhas and Mojitos!!!

*If JULY is your birthday month – Facebook(http://www.facebook.com/ev​ent.php?eid=14801249191772​8) and let Beleza know – they’ll provide you some special treats and a birthday you wont forget!

2011 Photo Business Card

I put some of my favorite samba photos into my new samba photo business card. Thanks to the excellent and generous photographers (from left: Zander Price; Zander Price; David Preta; Stan Rifken).

Clara Nunes

My friend and dance partner Larisa introduced me to a Brazilian street vendor from Cachoeira, Bahia up in Harlem near the Apollo Theater on Sunday. He recommended a greatest hits compilation containing songs by one of his favorite Brazilian vocalists, Clara Nunes. I included links to some of my favorite tracks on the album below (click on song title to listen):

Juizo Final
Canto das Tres Raças
Tudo é Ilusão
Portela na Avenida

(Tracks from Clara Nunes Raizes do Samba series, Label: Msi Music/Super D, 2002)



Clara Nunes was a factory worker when she decided to compete in a music contest, placing third at the finals held in São Paulo in 1959. She got a day-job at a radio station in Belo Horizonte (capital of Minas Gerais, Southeast Brazil), and sang in nightclubs.

In 1965, Clara moved to Rio de Janeiro, recording boleros (Spanish music made for dancing) and samba songs on her first album. After a few LPs featuring assorted styles, she signed her name as a samba vocalist in the 70s. In 1974, her album sold approximately 300,000 copies, thanks to the hit samba "Conto de Areia" (Romildo/ Toninho). It was a remarkable number then, helping put down the common idea that women weren't big record sellers and stimulating the companies to invest in other female samba musicians, like Alcione, who made her first album in '75, and Beth Carvalho, hired by RCA in '76.

The following albums transformed her into one of the three samba queens of the '80s, along with the two above-mentioned musicians. In the second half of the decade, she would release one album every year, all of them selling well and featuring historic tracks like "Juízo Final" (Nelson Cavaquinho/ Élcio Soares), "Coração Leviano" (Paulinho da Viola) and "Morena de Angola" (Chico Buarque).

Clara was also famous for songs crafted upon the rhythms of Candomblé, her African-Brazilian religion, and for her typical costumes, as she always dressed in white and wore lots of necklaces and African beads. She died prematurely, after a botched surgery, causing a popular outcry.

(Source: National Geographic Music, http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/view/page.basic/artist/content.artist/clara_nunes_16312/en_US)

Upcoming Performances

||SATURDAY 9/4|| Lavagem da Rua 46 (Official Brazilian Day opening parade and cultural festival)
Parade:
10:00am to 12:00pm
44th Street and 6th Ave to 46th Street and Madison Ave

Festival:
12:00pm to 6:00pm
46th & Madison Ave

||WEDNESDAY 9/8|| The Brazilian Boat Cruise
||WEDNESDAY 9/15|| The Brazilian Boat Cruise

Boarding: 6:30pm
Sailing: 7:30pm – 10:00pm
Where: Pier #40 – West Houston Street & West Side Highway
Description: This after-work party sizzles with a performance by two samba dancers and hot Brazilian beats & top 40 dance hits from DJ Fabio Soul. Don’t miss the Caipirinha drink specials!
Special Guests: Performance by 2 Samba Dancers, DJ Fabio Soul
Details: Cash Bar & Cash Buffet available. The boat is enclosed and climate controlled. We sail rain or shine.
Requirements: All guests must be 21 & over with proper state ID or passport.
Dress Code: Trendy / Business Casual. No sneakers. We reserve the right to be selective.
Admission: $10 in advance; $15 at the pier
Group Rates: Arrange your group in advance
Purchase: 212-987-9200 OR Click Here
More Info.: www.TheBrazilianCruise.com

Free Samba Dance Class, Sunday 5/2

I will be teaching a FREE samba dance class Sunday 5/2 from 3:30 - 5:00pm.
This will be an open level class, all are welcome!
There will be live percussion by Carlos de Oliveira.
Bring yourself! Bring a friend!


@Humble School of Martial Arts
973 Fulton Street between Washington Ave & St James Place
Brooklyn 11238
718 398 7228

Brazil strikes again!

Another case of the Brazilian musical influence!

Samba & Brazilian-style melody with electronic/deep house:
"Belo Horizonti (Brix Edit)" by The Heartists (a Basement Jaxx alias).

From the 1994 - 1997 compilation Atlantic Jaxx Recordings: a Compilation.

Thanks to Armando for putting me on to the track!

Buy a Samba Costume!

If you are interested in purchasing a used Brazilian Samba costume, please contact me!