Brazilian
Bossa nova, samba, MPB, Tropicália — the most rhythmically generous music ever pressed to wax. Brazilian vinyl at Wax Trax.
Brazilian Vinyl Records
Brazil has a frankly unfair amount of great music. João Gilberto and Tom Jobim floated bossa nova out to the world; Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil and Os Mutantes blew it all up with Tropicália; and the MPB songbook (Milton Nascimento, Elis Regina, Jorge Ben) runs deeper than a lifetime of digging could exhaust. The reissue labels have been very, very good to this genre lately, which means more of it is in print and on wax than at almost any point since the originals.
What You'll Find Here
Bossa nova, samba, MPB, Tropicália, and Brazilian funk and soul, on LP. A healthy share of reissues from the labels doing the archival work, plus import pressings. This is prime crate-digging territory — the deep cuts are where it gets really good.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tropicália?
A late-'60s Brazilian art movement that smashed bossa nova, rock, psychedelia and the avant-garde together — politically charged, gleefully strange, and hugely influential. Start with the Tropicália compilation or Os Mutantes.
Do I need to speak Portuguese to enjoy this?
Not for a second. The rhythm and melody do the talking. Plenty of our Brazilian-vinyl regulars don't speak a word of Portuguese.