A number of folks from Brazil have released amazing stuff this year. This network is really eclectic in style and can vary quite a bit in sound from track to track. Almost all of these folks appear on each other's stuff in one way or another making for a fun game of connect the dots. There are a few other records but here are a few for starters:

Antonio Neves - A Pegada Agora E Essa - only 35 minutes long but this thing comes out of the gate swinging "Simba," whose complicated rhythms and strange vocals can rightfully be called "Zappa-esque", I think... and seriously, the album just doesn't quit. One of my favorites of the year, easily -- check out the afrobeat-laced title track.

Antonio Neves & Jules Hiero - Nove Miden. Jules Hiero is a producer with a really beautiful approach to mashing up jazz and hip hop, as evidenced here by his collaborating with Neves. This feels like a mixtape in the best way; fans of that Jazz Spastiks album from earlier this year would probably like this a lot.

Jules Hiero - Bento Box (Hiero's not from Brazil but including here bc of the collabs; similar to above)

Jadsa - Olho de Vidro


Bonus mention:

Sophia Chablau e Uma Enorme Perda de Tempo - s/t (produced by Ana Frango Eletrico -- probably the least "jazz" of the bunch, definitely on the freak rock end of the spectrum but in a really vital and vibrant way)




-thebigfunk

~ i could still snort you under the table ~