Each week the Stacks Manager adds 4-6 albums we call P-cuts. Their aim is to dig up those forgotten gems that have been lost in obscurity, and to spotlight the innovative and influential works that have inspired the artists we enjoy now. If you would like to suggest an album/artist/or theme, please write to the Stacks Manager.

10/13 - 10/17: "It came from Brasil"

Jorge Ben - Personalidade (Verve, 1991)
Jorge Ben's smooth, expressive tenor pours all over beautiful samba grooves rich with character and rhythm on this "best of" compilation of his 70's and 80's work. Culling from indigenous Brazilian and African influences, these songs whisper carefree guitar melodies, boast beautiful orchestration, and cry out a feverous joy for life.

Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto - Getz/Gilberto featuring Antonio Carlos Jobim (1963, Verve)
An absolutely essential classic. A masterpiece. Most will instantly recognize the first piece, "Girl from Ipanema", as that cocktail ditty that has shown up in movies and commercials. Novelty value and my personal gushing put aside, the gentle, paper-thin-delicate music on this album brought bossa nova to the states and simultaneously created what has become one of the best selling jazz albums ever. Getz blows his saxophone like a warm summer wind while Jobim sprinkles crystalline piano melodies over Gilberto's warm song.

Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 - Equinox (A&M, 1967)
This is vocal jazz in a hip, Brazilian mod context. The rhythms are infections and the harmonizing is superb. Sung in English but covering both American and Brazilian standards, these short songs swing and fire up fast - so make sure you have a chilled martini to keep you cool.

Gal Costa - Gal Costa (Mercury, 1969)
Gal Costa infuses her sensual vocals over this psychedelic set of tunes. A swirling kaleidoscope of Brazilian tropicala and more experimental components, the music roots from Brazil's rich music history but creates a daring pallet that includes fiery horn and string instrumentals, Gal's growling and screeching, and "hey, Brazilians like acid too" guitar freak-outs.

10/6/03: "YO! KCPR Raps"
9/28/03: "We Put the ROCK in Cleveland Rocks"