Now on their forth album on Joe Davis’ label after last years’ Samba Is Our Gift, Call Of The Gods sees their powers of afro-bossa mastery undiminished. Not only that, they’re coming over to Europe this month to appear at La Linea in London and Liverpool and loads of other dates.

This is about as cool as they come. Like inhaling Viagrem for 50 years and mixing it up with my current favourite afro-jazz guitarist, Lionel Loueke and spreading it out all over Rio. I’m not surprised people are claiming this as their best album yet! Gilles Peterson and Patrick Forge are out in support as you’d expect.

The Ipanemas spirit is of a sublime laid back time where acoustic guitar, strings, trombones, vocals and everyone else are as cultured as you would imagine any group that are led by a pair of Brazilian septuagenarians who have spent their lives perfecting their sound. With the added bonus of the combined production talents of Davis and Ivan Conti (see interview with Azymuth’s stick man HERE) and Os Ipanemas themselves HERE.

Like I say, don’t expect the fusion madness of Conti al a Azymuth or his lastest poject Sunjinho with Madlib (aka Jackson Conti). Call Of The Gods is closer to Arthur Verocai; this is probably why this album is getting such a reaction. By the time you get to the last track, ‘Afro Imortais’ your thinking “brilliant, I want lots more of this”. And you should have (see below dates).

No surprise The Ipanemas are dubbed, Brazil’s Buena Vista Social Club; but better if you ask me.

Forthcoming Tour Dates with special guests Alex Mahleiros and Ivan Conti of Azymuth!
13 Apr 2008 13 Tilburg
14 Apr 2008 Tivoli Utrecht
15 Apr 2008 Paradiso Amsterdam
16 Apr 2008 Barbican / La Linea Festival London
17 Apr 2008 Royal Philharmonic / La Linea Festival Liverpool
18 Apr 2008 Turner Sims Southampton
20 Apr 2008 Komedia Brighton
22 Apr 2008 College of Music Leeds
23 Apr 2008 Warwick Arts Warwick
24 Apr 2008 St Georges Bristol
25 Apr 2008 Phoenix Exeter
26 Apr 2008 Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea

Reviewed: The Ipanemas - Call Of The Gods (Far Out Recordings) Cat. No. FARO127CD Release Date: 7th April 2008
Tracklisting
1. Canto Pra Oxum
2. Era Bom
3. Gana
4. Tema do Neco
5. Um Novo Amor Chegou
6. Dorivà
7. Chama o Donato
8. Deus do Céu
9. Fonte de Prazer
10. Afro Imortais

Links:
www.myspace.com/theipanemas
www.faroutrecordings.com
http://www.myspace.com/faroutrecordings
Jungle Drums No. 56 April 2008 p14 Ipanema’s Old Timers - Rare presentation is the icing on the La Linea Cake www.jungledrums.org
The Ipanema Set: Classic Grooves On Club Brasil
Ipanema is a district located on the southern zone of the city Rio de Janeiro, between Leblon and Arpoador. The beach at Ipanema was immortalized in the song Girl from Ipanema, written by Antonio Carlos Jobim and performed by Jobim, João and Astrud Gilberto, and Stan Getz.
www.brazilianartists.net The A-Z of Brazilian Arts, Entertainment and Cultural Events in the UK.
The Roots Of Brazil (inc. Elis Regina) @ rootsworld
Elis Regina: “A very brief biography”
Gilles Peterson :: 17th April 2008 :: Quantic soul Orchestra Maida Vale Session
Quantic Soul Orchestra - Que Te Pasa (Live in Session) & Karen P’s Pre Mulatu Astatke ‘Broad Casting’ Mix
The Ipanems - ‘Dorvia’ (Far Out)