Description
Azymuth, which has influenced the world since the 1970s by blending Brazilian jazz-funk and cosmic samba soul, presents a supreme studio recording crafted with the special guest appearance of Incognito's Bluey and other distinguished musicians in tribute to their legendary founding members.
Since their debut in 1975, Azymuth has continued to exert a profound influence on the global music scene with its unique sound, blending traditional Brazilian rhythms with jazz, rock, and psychedelic elements. The album Marca Passo, which expresses the band's signature Brazilian jazz-funk and cosmic samba soul with unprecedented depth, is now available on vinyl from Far Out Recordings.
This album was recorded in Rio de Janeiro to honor the great legacy of the band's founding members, the late keyboardist José Roberto Bertrami and drummer Ivan "Mamão" Conti. The band's sole original member, Alex Malheiros (bass), carries on the band's musical legacy, delivering an impeccable ensemble performance alongside Kiko Continentino (keyboards / has also performed with Milton Nascimento and Djavan) and the highly accomplished Renato Massa (drums / has also performed with Marcos Valle and Ed Motta).
The album is produced by Daniel Maunick, who has also produced the band's past works Fênix and Aurora, as well as albums by Marcos Valle and others. Furthermore, Daniel's father and a heavyweight of acid jazz and Brit funk, Jean Paul “Bluey” Maunick of Incognito, joins as a special guest. As a tribute to Bertrami, he delivers a striking guitar performance on a new version of the 1980s classic "Last Summer In Rio". The album also includes "Samba Pro Mamao", a new song dedicated to the drummer.
The album perfectly combines exceptional musicianship reminiscent of the golden age of MPB (Brazilian Popular Music) in the 1970s and 80s with a global musical sensibility that transcends borders. A must-have vinyl for all music fans, it connects the band's past and future.
A1. Belenzinho
A2. Fantasy '82
A3. Marca Tempo
A4. Andarai
B1. Arabuta
B2. Samba Pro Mamao
B3. O Mergulhador
B4. Last Summer In Rio (feat Jean Paul Bluey Maunick)
In an ever-expanding musical universe, Azymuth have long existed as a celestial giant, drawing countless artists, musicians and followers into their orbit. Marking fifty years since their 1975 debut album Azimuth, their new album Marca Passo proves that the band’s alchemic brew of Brazilian jazz-funk and cosmic samba soul remains as vital as ever, as the group honours the profound legacy of their departed founders.
Recorded in Rio de Janeiro, Marca Passo is the first full-length release since the passing of founding drummer Ivan "Mamão" Conti in 2023, following the earlier loss of keyboardist José Roberto Bertrami in 2012. Alex Malheiros, the sole remaining original member, sees his stewardship of the band’s musical legacy as his spiritual duty. He is joined by the equally devoted Kiko Continentino (Milton Nascimento, Djavan) on keyboards, who has been with the group since 2016, and new recruit Renato Massa (Marcos Valle, Ed Motta) on drums.
Yet since their earliest recorded music, Azymuth have always been far greater than the sum of their parts. The "three-man orchestra’s" unmistakable sound is rooted in Brazil's MPB studio scene of the 1970s and early 1980s—a time when artists blended traditional Brazilian rhythms with global jazz, rock, and emerging psychedelic and progressive elements. Marca Passo continues this legacy, seamlessly fusing Brazilian musical traditions with global influences while showcasing the exceptional musicianship that powers Azymuth's distinctive, multi-dimensional sound.
The album is produced by studio mastermind Daniel Maunick, responsible for Azymuth’s two previous studio albums, Fênix in 2016 and Aurora in 2011. Daniel’s credits also include albums by Marcos Valle, Sabrina Malheiros and Terry Callier. Azymuth also invited Daniel’s father, British jazz-funk royalty Jean Paul “Bluey” Maunick, of Incognito, to play guitar on a new version of Azymuth’s eighties classic “Last Summer In Rio”, in tribute to the song’s composer, José Roberto Bertrami. Equally, “Samba Pro Mamao” is a new composition dedicated to Azymuth’s beloved original drummer, Ivan “Mamão” Conti.
