For those of you that love Brazilian music...

Sakamoto is intriguing now indeed!

My favourite so far Rhythmstick...
Featuring Airto, Flora Purim, Dizzie Gillaspie, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker and other ultra-famous fussion and jazz artists.

I just bought Casa, Day in New York, and Ryuichi Sakamoto's Film Music on Amazon.com. Heheh.

This is pretty old, but if you haven't heard Charlie Byrd's "Bossa Nova Pelos Passaros" it's a must have. It's been reissued as A K2 and sounds fabulous as well as having fabulous music.

Dennisb:

Thanks for the thread about the Casa CD.

The album is extraordinary. I don't know what's better, the sonics, the performances, or the compositions. I played it about five times a week for the first six months I owned it.

The follow-up Day in New York is not as magical, but is a fine album (and it was recorded in DSD).

In summary, one of the top five redbook CD's I have heard.

PS - Since we're on the topic, Keith Richards' "Main Offender" CD from 1992 is about as good as rock CD's get for sonics.

Sakamoto and the Morelenbaums recorded "Casa: Tribute To Jobim" in Jobim's house, on Jobim's piano. They later expanded the idea to include Joao Gilberto and others of the ilk on "Day In New York".

For a contemporary, equally tasty slice of Brazil try Vinicius Cantuaria.