This is the 30 year anniversary box set of David byrne’s legendary brazil Classics series. This is one of the first compilations of pop music from Brazil, and one of the most important compilations of music from anywhere. It became the beginning of a shift to music in other languages and from places other than where you are now. And, it was the beginning of Luaka Bop, which we are pretty happy about.

Limited edition! Colored vinyl! New notes from David B!

the songs are the evidence – David Byrne (excepted from the notes, 2019)

It’s been many years since the Brazil Classics series came out, and the musical landscape has changed considerably in that time. When these records came out, Brazilian music meant two things to many people in the North: bossa nova (“The Girl from Ipanema” rivals “Yesterday” as a song known round the world) and a smiling dancing woman with fruit on her head (Carmen Miranda). A lot has changed since then.

The first record we put out in this series - Beleza Tropical - became a restaurant staple in the North and in Europe. Sales of that first collection exploded, well, for a compilation anyway. Three hundred and fifty thousand copies, mostly vinyl, in North America and Europe.

These records were not meant as a snapshot of Brazilian music being made at the time, instead they looked back over precedingdecades to give an inkling of the riches and pleasures to be found beyond the usual clichés. It worked, compilations like these could do that in those days. It was a moment in time, when what was essentially a playlist could change people’s perceptions of music and their place in it.

This music often reflected the social and political convulsions of the time. Gil, Caetano and others were jailed and sent into exile. As joyous as they often sound they are deeply serious, and the dictatorship was afraid of them. Joy, beauty and pride are potent weapons. As we go through our own present period of political turbulence, maybe these songs can serve as an example—how to maintain one’s creativity and humanity in the face of forces that seek to grind innovators down and silence voices that dispute those in power.

LP1 Brazil Classics 1: Beleza Tropical
Side 1
1. Ponta De Lança Africano (Umbabarauma) - Jorge Ben
2. Sonho Meu - Maria Bethânia & Gal Costa
3. Só Quero Um Xodó - Gilberto Gil
4. Um Canto De Afoxé Para O Bloco Do Ilê (Ilê Ayê) - Caetano Veloso
5. O Leãozinho - Caetano Veloso
6. Caçada - Chico Buarque
7. San Vincente - Milton Nascimento
Side 2
1. Quilomba, O El Dorado Negro - Gilberto Gil
2. Caixa De Sol - Nazaré Pereira
3. Queixa - Caetano Veloso
4. Andar Com Fé - Gilberto Gil
5. Fio Maravilha - Jorge Ben
6. Anima - Milton Nascimento
7. Terra - Caetano Veloso

LP2 Brazil Classics 2: O Samba Brazil Classics
Side 1
1. A Deusa Dos Orixás - Clara Nunes
2. Ijexá (Filhos De Gandhy) - Clara Nunes
3. S.P.C. - Zeca Pagodinho
4. Sufoco - Alcione
5. Formosa - Ciro Monteiro
6. Olerê Camara - Alcione
7. O Encanto Do Gantois - Beth Carvalho
Side 2
1. Aldeia De Okarimbé - Neguinho Da Beija Flor
2. Quem Me Guia - Almir Guineto
3. Ela Nao Gosta De Mim - Agepê
4. Claustrofobia - Martinho Da Vila
5. Batuca No Chão - Martinho Da Vila
6. Sarau Para Ramadés - Paulinho Da Viola

LP3 Brazil Classics 3: Forró, etc.
Side 1
1. O Fole Roncou - Luiz Gonzaga
2. Festa do Interior - Gal Costa
3. Tum-Tum-Tum - Jackson do Pandeiro
4. Danado de Bom - Luiz Gonzaga
5. Querubim - Dominguinhos
6. O Sucesso da Zefinha - Anastácia
7. É de Dar Água na Boca - Nando Cordel & Amelinha
Side 2
1. Vou com Você - Dominguinhos
2. Asa Branca - Gonzaguinha
3. Recordação de Vaqueiro - Clemilda
4. Bom Demais - Jorge de Altinho & Dominguinhos
5. Aniversário do seu Vavá - Genival Lacerda
6. Rejeição - Trio Nordestino
7. Sanfoninha Choradeira - Luiz Gonzaga & Elba Ramalho