A roundup of great masterpieces and popular songs of Brazilian music

SAMBA MEU & O HOMEM FALOUMaria Rita

01 MARIA RITA SAMBA MEU & O HOMEM FALOU DVD SAMBA MEU HD 640×360 XVID Wide Screen

Maria Rita has continued to grow not as the daughter of Elis Regina, but with a voice that perfectly complements her own beautifully unfolding samba.

Samba is not just music for dancing.

It is music that powerfully expresses many facets of life, carried on rhythms that make your body move without thinking.

O Mundo é um MoinhoCartola

Cartola – O Mundo É Um Moinho (Áudio – VIVA)

Cartola, the legendary musician who greatly contributed to the development of samba.

This song he created at the age of 68 is filled with both affection and sternness, like a father speaking to his daughter.

Many listeners may feel deeply moved by its poetic worldview, which gently warns that life’s sweet dreams will eventually be ground down by the mill of the world.

The piece is included on the masterpiece album Cartola II, released in 1976, and you may have heard Beth Carvalho’s cover version, which was used in the TV drama Lado a Lado.

It’s the perfect song to listen to quietly on a contemplative night.

Várias QueixasGilsons

Gilsons – Várias Queixas (Clipe Oficial)

Gilsons is a new-generation trio composed of the son and grandsons of Gilberto Gil, a treasure of the Brazilian music scene.

Highly recommended as an introduction to MPB, their anthemic track released in 2019 as the title song of their debut EP fits the bill perfectly.

Originally a cover of a classic by Bahia legends Olodum, the song pairs a sense of helpless frustration toward a lover with the festive rhythms of samba-reggae—a striking contrast.

Riding the attention sparked by this track, they went on to achieve international success, including a Latin Grammy nomination in 2022 for their album Pra Gente Acordar.

Their breezy groove, blending tradition and modernity, makes it the perfect song to lift your spirits.

Oba, lá vem elaJorge Ben Jor

Jorge Ben Jor – Obá, la vem ela (Áudio Oficial)

Jorge Ben Jor is one of the innovators who left his mark on the history of Brazilian music.

Known for his distinctive style that fuses samba with funk and rock, he was ranked fifth in Rolling Stone Brasil’s 2008 list of the greatest artists in Brazilian music history.

This track, included on his classic album Força Bruta, is a romantic piece suffused with the feel of the night.

The song conveys a pure longing: a heart fulfilled simply by gazing at a woman passing by.

The easy, improvised groove born from sessions with Trio Mocotó gently wraps around those delicate emotions.

Released in September 1970, the song later gained attention when a cover version was used in the television drama Vitória.

It’s a timeless tune that feels like a quiet companion to a peaceful night.

Feito a MaréJota.Pê

Jota.pê e Gilsons • Feito a Maré { Visualizer Oficial }

The singer-songwriter drawing major attention in Brazil’s music scene right now is Jota Pê.

Grounded in MPB while blending in soul and pop, he’s a proven talent who won two major categories at the 2024 Latin Grammy Awards.

This track shines with a collaboration featuring the popular group Gilsons.

Using the ebb and flow of the tide as a metaphor, it portrays the delicate feelings of rejoicing at a reunion with a loved one while hesitating to draw close again.

The acoustic guitar tones and beautiful harmonies gently envelop that bittersweet emotion.

The song is included on the acclaimed album “Se o Meu Peito Fosse o Mundo.” It’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to sink into a mellow, sentimental mood or savor the lyrics’ world at a leisurely pace.