In 2018, when it came to Brazilian releases, I couldn’t keep up with Far Out Recordings . There were two LPs by comedians, Anysio and Rodrigues, Azambuja & Cia and Baiano & Os Novos Caetanos, where Azymuth provided the musical backing. There was Os Catedraticos` Ataque, featuring some of the first recordings by Eumir Deodato. Classic albums by Edu Passeto & Gui Tavares, and Emilio Santiago were reissued. The label also revisited its own archives, by repressing Marcos Valle`s Nova Bossa Nova, and Joyce`s “lost” Parisian sessions, Visions Of Dawn. But there were not only reissues. Far Out have always supported, and funded, the creation of new Brazilian music. This year they handled fresh long-players for Amaro Freitas, Hermerto Pascoal (in collaboration with British saxophonist, Sean Khan), Itibere Orquestra Familia, and Azymuth`s Ivan Conti. 

Mr Bongo seemed concentrate more on Soul and sides from Africa, but still reissued some Brazilian essentials. Their Brazil 45 series included Silvio Cesar`s Nao Nasci Pra Jogador – taken from a super rare 1972 seven-inch. There was the 1974 debut LP from Octavio Burnier & Claudio Cartier, and the one from Tim Maia with E Necessario on it (IDing Maia`s LPs is always a bit tricky `cos he`s made a load and around half of them are self-titled). Bongo`s also licensed Maia`s first single, What You Want To Bet. 

Selvagem, on their Selva Discos, in collaboration with Optimo, released Marlui Miranda`s Tchori Tchori, and that Jan Schlute remix of Barbatuques that drove everyone`s dance-floors nuts. They then put together the essential Onda De Amor (Synthesized Brazilian Hits That Never Were 1984-94) comp for Strut. 

Grupo Controle Digital`s A Festa E Nossa featured on that compilation, but Soundway also reissued the entire LP it was lifted from. 

Athens Of The North had Helio Matheus` 1975 debut. Spain’s ViNiLiSSSiMO did Osmar Milito`s star-studded …E Deixa O Relógio Andar! from 1971. Covering Herbie Hancock and Jorge Ben, with Marcos Valle on Fender Rhodes, and Quarteto Forma on vocals. Sam Shepherd AKA Floating Points` Melodies International pressed up the super sought after A Gira by Trio Ternura. A perfect 45 reproduction of the original, impossible to find Jazz Dance classic, from 1973. 

Go! Bop! shouted Samba Encore! and rescued Stan Getz & Luiz Bonfa`s 1963 Verve sessions. I`d been after a mint copy of this LP since Pharcyde sampled the beautiful Saudade Vem Correndo back in 1995.