Regular readers will recall that it was after DJ Cliffy compiled Strut Records’ Black Rio - Brazil Soul Power 1971-1980 album in 2002 that led onto the re-issue of Banda União Black back in 2006. So it was about time that the man behind the successful the Future World Funk series got out a Volume 2 of Black Rio out and Original Samba Soul 1968-1981 is as essential as previous releases mentioned.

A massive 18 tracks of “some funky-ass” Latin music that rarely touches any MPB. And when it comes to diggin’, pride of place must go to Renata Lu’s ‘Faz Tanto Tempo’ that’s so 60s, it’s like a Latin Northern Soul! Killer!

But is there no shame? Calling a track ‘Our Sound’ (Guimaes E O Grupo) is a bit of a cheek as they have clearly been influenced by the Motown, Stax and James Brown to create their own blend of ‘soul brasileiro’. And again on ‘It’s My Thing’ (really?) by the Cry Babies!

There’s also the oddity of Pete Dunaway’s disco-soul ‘Supermarket’; part of the period when artists gave themselves Western-sounding aliases (remember Paul Bryan’s Listen Of re-issued on Sonar Kollektiv).

That said, it’s a bit of effort picking out star tracks as the whole album is a treasure trove of soul ‘n’ samba. The most well-known tracks would be the (London) jazz-dance classics ‘Oi Gere’ and Emilio Santiago’s cover of Gilberto Gil’s ‘Bananeira’ (Don’t forget Damian’s interview with Gilberto Gill, HERE and a Hectic tip, don’t bother getting Emilo’s Ensaios de Amor album on Philips).

Like I say, it’s unfair to pick out any tracks but the tracks by Balanca Povo, Edson Frederico, Bebeto, Marlene and Sonia Santos are all exceptional in their own different ways making this the album of the week (by far) but I suppose the true essence of the spirit of Black Rio would by ‘BR Samba’ or ‘Ibere’?

If you’re into this, worth checking out Snowboy’s book The History Of The UK Jazz Dance Scene, DJ Cliffy’s other compilation this year Far Out Strictly Samba and the bi-monthly Batmacumba club night at the Notting Hill Arts Club.

Reviewed: Various - Black Rio 2 - Original Samba Soul 1968-1981 Compiled by DJ Cliffy (Strut) Cat. No: STRUT045CD Release date: 29th June 2009
Tracklisting:
1 Zeca Do Trombone & Roberta Sax - Coluna Do Meio
2 Renata Lu - Faz Tanto Tempo
3 Guimaes E O Grupo - Som Sagrado (Our Sound)
4 Pete Dunaway - Supermarket
5 Watusi - Oio Gere
6 Os Diagonais - Nao Vou Chorar
7 Som Nosso - Pra Swingar
8 Rubinho E Mauo Assumpcao - Ta Tudo Ai
9 Super Som Lord - Br Samba
10 Azambuja 7 CIA - Tema Do Azambuja
11 Avan Samba - Ibere
12 Cry Babies - It’s My Thing
13 Balanca Povo - Novo Dia
14 Edson Frederico - Bobiera
15 Emilio Santiago - Bananeira
16 Bebeto - Princesa Negra De Angola
17 Marilene - Sinal Vermelho
18 Sonia Santos - Poema Ritmico Do Malandro

Links:
www.myspace.com/deejaycliffy
www.myspace.com/barmacumba - Tiffany & Co Presents Batacumba
Ink 19 :: DJ Cliffy
www.strut-records.com
www.myspace.com/strutrecords