Jorge Ben - Brute Force (1970, Philips/Mercury)
LWNORWAY | MI | 04/14/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I haven't discovered Jorge Ben's music until late 2006. I've personally discovered Brazilian music in 2005, when I was introduced to Milton Nascimento, Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso & Azymuth. I admit since then, I was turned out and fell in love with Brazilian music. In this day and age, where most new music is simplified, many people like myself embrace old music that doesn't tarnish. Music that has meaning to it. It took me awhile to get into Jorge Ben's music, because most of his back catalogue is out of print and has been for years and even decades. Some of his albums have never even been released on CD before.
I would personally like to say that Jorge Ben is like the James Brown/Al Green/Stevie Wonder of Brazil. Without saying his style is reminescent to the R&B artists that I have mention, In Brazil, he is embraced just like the R&B artists that I've mentioned. Although he has been around since 1963, his music is becoming more popular as the decades go by. Although he was a phenomenon in the 1960s and 1970s, he is more known than he was back then. This is mainly because more people worldwide are becoming familiar with his music. Once people listen to his work, they become addicted, like I have. Jorge Ben was a bad MF and it's only fair that even though he's becoming more known worldwide, his music will become more avaiiable to the public someday.
"Forca Bruta" is Jorge ben's 7th studio album that was produced and released in 1970. After listening to this album, I just knew that I had to have a copy. This is one of Jorge Ben's five greatest albums, alongside with "O Bidu/Silencio no Brooklin", his self-titled 1969 album, "Sacudin Ben Samba" and "Negro e Lindo". This album was done the year after Jorge ben decided to go back to his home recording company (Philips/Mercury). Of all of the albums Jorge Ben has done, this one is just as free-spirited and exuberant as his two previous albums ("O Bidu/Silencio no Brooklin" & "Jorge Ben" [1969]).
This is an album that I can listen to all the way through without skipping tracks and is a much better album than the overrated (1976) "Africa Brasil" album. I am happy that it has been reissued on CD. Although the sound is great, this reissue isn't the best. I say this only because the reissuing company (Dusty Groove) used a worn LP cover for the artwork and the lyrics and additional photos that originally came with this album are missing.
Although back catalogues for Milton Nascimento, Gilberto Gil & Caetano Veloso have been reissues within the past few years, we have yet to see many of Jorge Ben's works reissued and I can't say why at this time. I just hope for the day when Jorge Ben's entire back catalogue will be reissued.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS: "Ze Canjica", "Charles Jr.", "Pulo, Pulo", "Apareceu Aparecida" & "Mulher Brasileira""
Another Gem from Jorge Ben
Paris Treantafeles | New York USA | 04/11/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'll admit it, I haven't heard a recording by Jorge Ben that I didn't like. As you may already know, Jorge Ben Jor is a prolific singer/songwriter from Brazil with a career spanning several decades.
This recording was done in 1970 - a transitional time the artist's career as he moved from his earlier Tropicália recordings to his more esoteric works of the mid 1970s. As with his 60's recordings it features the excellent backing band, Trio Mocotó.
Although I enjoy the whole album, I think my personal favorite track is Mulher Brasileira.
If you already like Jorge Ben and don't have this one, you won't be disappointed.
"
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1