Monday, November 29, 2021

Alex Malheiros - Tempos Futuros (November 2021 Far Out Recordings)

Stargazing from the sands of the Niterói beach, Tempos Futuros is low-end-led Brazilian futurism from one of Brazil’s most prolific and influential bassmen. As one third of legendary trio Azymuth, Alex Malheiros has pioneered a unique fusion of space-funk, samba and jazz since the early seventies. His playing can be heard on the records of Jorge Ben, Milton Nascimento, Roberto Carlos, Marcos Valle, and Mark Murphy (to name a few), and he’s performed and toured with everyone from Stevie Wonder to Chick Corea.

Written and recorded in Niterói, Brazil, overlooking Guanabara and the beaches, mountains and forests of Rio de Janeiro, Tempos Futuros has deep roots in Brazilian soil. The rhythms of Malheiros’ homeland have always permeated his music. But just like the Oscar Niemeyer designed Niterói Contemporary Art Museum which stands spaceship-like over the water, Tempos Futuros - while inspired by terrestrial forms, reaches out, deep into the great unknown.

Produced by acclaimed London-based producer Daniel Maunick, who has worked with Marcos Valle, Azymuth, Terry Callier, and Ivan Conti, the funk comes full circle. Daniel’s father Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick and Alex Malheiros shared a reciprocal stream of influence throughout the 80s, between London and Rio; Azymuth and Incognito; brit-funk and samba-funk. But just as with Azymuth’s music, you can also hear the influence of stateside jazz-funk masters like Roy Ayers, Weather Report, Lonnie Liston Smith, Mtume and Pleasure.

Tempos Futuros features Alex’s daughter, a Brazilian star in her own right, vocalist Sabrina Malheiros, Brazilian percussion master Sidinho Moreira, London based saxophonist Sean Khan, Marcos Valle’s go-to drummer Massa, and Brazilian keyboard player Dudu Viana. Featuring the late Azymuth keyboard maestro Jose Roberto Bertami on Fender Rhodes, the title track “Tempos Futuros” was originally recorded as a demo in 1995. On this finished version, Alex Malheiros used Bertami’s original keyboard take, explaining the posthumous release.

Tempos Futuros will be released via Far Out Recordings on vinyl LP, CD and digitally on the 26th November 2021 

1. The Razor's Edge
2. Telegramas Para Arp
3. Retrato (feat. Sean Khan)
4. Prece (feat. Sabrina Malheiros)
5. Nikiti
6. Kuarup
7. O Temporal
8. Alto Verão (feat. Sabrina Malheiros)
9. Sereno
10. Marcinha
11. Tempos Futuros (feat. Jose Roberto Bertrami)
12. Requiem For A Storm

Alex Malheiros: Electric Bass, Fretless Bass, Acoustic Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion & Vocals
Daniel Maunick: Organ, Synths & Effects, Additional Keyboards, Drums & Percussion
Sidinho & Ian Moreira: Percussion
Sabrina Malheiros: Vocals
Sean Khan: Saxophone
Victor Bertrami: Drums
Renato Massa: Drums
Dudu Viana: Keyboards

Produced & Arranged By Daniel Maunick
Co-Produced By Alex Malheiros

Mixed By Daniel Maunick @ The Sugar Shack, Carluke, Scotland
Recorded & Engineered By:
Daniel Maunick & Heber Ribeiro @ Castelo Studio, Niteroi, Brazil
Daniel Maunick & Dudu Viana @ DV Estudio, Rio, Brazil
Daniel Maunick & Alex Malheiros @ Estudio Dos Calangos, Niteroi, Brazil

Executive Producer: Joe Davis
Recording Co-ordinator: Livia Malheiros
Artwork: Noopur Choksi