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It could be down to the fact that FIFA’s World Cup is now underway and the scorching hot weather, but the first few seconds of the opening track ‘Que Beleza de Nega’ could not sound more perfect!

But before all that, it’s been a couple of years since The Ipanemas released Call Of The Gods and the FLY interview with Wilson Das Neves (see HERE). And that followed the previous years’ Samba Is Our Gift, but Wilson Das Neves is far from picking up his pipe and slippers, even if he is 75!

Formed as a one off in 1963 with Das Neves and the other original members, Astor Silva (trombone), Neco (guitar) and Rubens Bassini (percussion) their debut album Os Ipanemas stood alone as one of the influencial albums. And then the project laid dormant until Joe Davis’ quest for releasing the best of old and new Brazilian music lead to the ‘revival’ of the band with 2001’s The Return Of The Ipanemas (Far Out’s 50th release) that featured both Das Neves and Neco.

Now 5 albums in, the new album is dedicated to the memory of Neco (aka Daudette de Azevedo) and the album title suitably translates as ‘That Beauty’; and ‘Que Beleza de Nega’ certainly is a beauty with Das Neve’s lovely lazy croon and featuring the laid back trombone.

There’s no increase in tempo with ‘Euê Ô’ that again features Das Neve’s on vocals and “lady crooner” Áurea Martins supports on four of the other tracks. I’d say she adds most to the tracks with the “back and forth “duets, particularly ‘Lembranças’ as they get a bit jazz skatty at the end.

The rest of the band consists of Azymuth’s Ivan ‘Mamão’ Conte on drums, Conte’s son on percussion, Jose Carlos on acoustic guitar and Jorge Helder on bass. But it’s Far Out’s trombonist on choice Vitor Santos who steels the show, particularly on the instrumentals, ‘A Cara Dele’, ‘Espelho d’Água’ and ‘Olhando Três’ to name just three and the mellow jazzers ‘Nega E Kota’ and ‘Passa O Ponto’; if there is a gripe, Jose Roberto Bertrami’s organ could be more to the fore in the mix .

Whilst the music might not be as hectic as Far Out’s last release (their 150th!), Irakere’s “lost” Cuba Libre but you can spot the connections in the heritage of both albums as they are packed with cool; especially as reviews of Os Ipanemas regularly draw comparisons with Buena Vista Social Club.

‘Eparrei’ is suppose in the most psych-percussive on the set, but as this is going to be the best Afro-bossa album of the year, get it now whilst the sun is shining and before the Ginga sounds of Brasil get going in full force.

Reviewed: The Ipanemas - Que Beleza (Far Out Recordings) Cat. No. FARO151CD Release date: 7th June 2010
Tracklisting:
1. Que Beleza De Nega (4:51)
2. A Cara Dele (5:13)
3. Euê Ô (4:19)
4. Espelho d’Água (4:34)
5. Olhando Três (4:33)
6. Festa Indigesta (4:06)
7. Lembranças (4:10)
8. Nega E Kota (4:21)
9. Passa O Ponto (2:47)
10. Traz Um Presente Pra Mim (4:47)
11. Eparrei (3:36)

Links:
www.myspace.com/theipanemas
www.faroutrecordings.com
www.myspace.com/faroutrecordings
BBC Radio 1 Gilles Peterson :: 9th Jun 2010 :: 02:00-04:00 Loads of new music!
The Ipanemas - Eparrei (Far Out Recordings)
Havana Cultura Band - Roforofo Fight (Louis Vega’s EOL Mix) (Brownswood Recordings)