Far Out Recordings

With all the cosmic energy and masterful musicianship you’d expect from the three-man orchestra, Azymuth rise from the ashes! Continually pushing the boundaries of jazz, funk, electronic music and disco, as expressed through their signature samba swing, the Brazilian mavericks have recreated the energy of those seventies’ sessions which would launch them into international recognition and confirm their status as one of Brazil’s most successful bands.Since the passing of keyboard maestro Jose Roberto Bertrami in 2012, remaining members Ivan Conti and Alex Malheiros have worked tirelessly to keep the spirit of Azymuth alive, and to continue the legacy of Bertrami’s genius. But Fênix also marks a new era as the Azymuth trio is complete once again, by special guest keyboardist Kiko Continentino. A hugely talented pianist, composer and arranger, Kiko has worked with the likes of Milton Nascimento, Gilberto Gil and Djavan, and the fresh energy and inspiration he has brought to the group is undeniable. The album also features Brazilian percussion legend Robertinho Silva, one of Brazil’s most important and influential players.From the disco-carnival title track to sunny jazz-funk head-nodder Orange Clouds, through to the deep-space samba Corumbá, Azymuth have drawn upon five decades of consummate craftsmanship - which coupled with their endless desire for experimentation and improvisation - has resulted in a 10-track journey encapsulating the full spectrum of Azymuth’s brilliantly coloured expressionist fusion.

he highly anticipated follow up to Arthur's eponymous debut album from 1972, Encore saw Arthur joining the dots over 35 years to create a modern classic of Brazilian music that, like his debut, combined Brazilian influences with his take on American soul and cinematic experimentation, and shows Arthur's sound is as poignant now as it ever was.

Following the recent release of Azymuth's new album Fênix, Far Out Recordings announce the release of a 12" reissue of two of the Brazilian mavericks' heaviest dance cuts, remastered from the original Outubro tapes.Alex Malheiros' earth-shaking slap bass in the first few seconds of 'Dear Limmertz' makes up an iconic moment in jazz-funk history. Next to their groundbreaking disco hit 'Jazz Carnival', it's one of the heftiest of Azymuth’s dense and still growing catalogue of floor fillers, along with being one of the trio’s most recognized tunes. The flip is home to the equally club ready ‘Maracana’, another super-heavy jazz-funk belter encompassing Ivan ‘Mamao’ Conti’s signature swing, backing Jose Roberto Bertrami’s effortlessly slick keyboard harmonies. Both tracks were classics on the London Rare-Groove scene in the 80’s and remain as relevant today as ever.Now re-mastered from the original tapes and pressed onto heavyweight 12” vinyl, the sole purpose of this release is to make these career defining tracks sound bigger and bolder than ever before, and we honestly can’t believe how PHAT these new remasters sound.

Following the recent reissue of Jose Mauro’s Obnoxius, Far Out Recordings presents the second release in the treasure trove of the Quartin catalogue, Victor Assis Brasil Plays Jobim.Over the course of the 60s, Roberto Quartin released more than 20 albums in Brazil on his label Forma, by artists including the likes of Eumir Deodato, Quarteto Em Cy, Baden Powell and Vinicius De Moraës. Selling the rights of Forma to Polygram in 1969, Quartin struck out for pastures new at the dawn of the 1970s with the launch of his self-titled label. Significant works and high-water marks for Brazilian music overall followed in that decade’s first year, with Victor Assis Brasil Plays Antonio Carlos Jobim and the aforementioned Obnoxious. These singular gems in Brazilian music, difficult to categorise yet compellingly haunting, have for too long gone unheard.Unlike Jose Mauro, whose biography is almost completely shrouded in mystery, Victor Assis Brasil’s tragically short life is a better known story. He passed away aged just thirty-five, but by this point his status was already cemented as one of Brazil’s top players. Gifted his first saxophone by his aunt at the age of fourteen, his debut LP was recorded just four years later, alongside some mercurial greats of Brazilian jazz, Tenorio Jr and Edson Lobo. Following the release of his first two albums, Victor was granted a place to study at Berklee College of Music, and it was during this period he recorded toca antonio carlos jobim upon returning to Brazil in the summer of 1970. At a time in Brazil when the smooth n’ easy groove of the bossa beat no longer reflected the inflamed politics of a nation under the cosh of military dictatorship, Victor Assis Brasil morphed Jobim’s soothing originals into raw, deep jazz cuts, with the help of Brazilian legends Edison Lobo, Helio Delmiro and Edison Machado. The album’s influences spans both American continents, finding a meeting point for Latin jazz and North American post-bop, with Roberto Quartin’s perfectionist approach to sound elevating the already incandescent music to divine new heights.Like all Far Out reissues, the album has been remastered from the original tapes, and pressed to high quality heavyweight vinyl. A second Victor Assis Brasil release Esperanto will appear later in the series, alongside another Jose Mauro release A Viagem Des Horas and Piri’s long forgotten gem Vocês Querem Mate?

Limited heavy-weight 12" vinyl to 300 copies only. Azymuth drummer Ivan 'Mamao' Conti's forthcoming self-titled solo project, remixed by West London broken beat pioneer IG Culture for a scorching club monster, alongside three future-funk remixes from 22a records family Tenderlonious, Reginald Omas Mamode IV and Jeen Bassa.Azymuth drummer Ivan ‘Mamao’ Conti’s forthcoming self-titled solo project, remixed by West London broken beat pioneer IG Culture for a scorching club monster, alongside three future-funk remixes from 22a records family Tenderlonious, Reginald Omas Mamode IV and Jeen Bassa.Ivan ‘Mamao’ Conti is one of the greatest drummers on earth. A true rhythmic innovator, he is Brazil’s answer to Tony Allen, Steve Gadd, and Bernard Purdie (no small claim considering the country’s famed samba connection). Known by most as one third of Azymuth, his career spans far beyond with over half a century’s worth for recordings with the likes of Milton Nascimento, Eumir Deodato, Marcos Valle, Hyldon, Gal Costa and Jorge Ben. More recently Mamao recorded an album with hip-hop royalty Madlib under the shared moniker ‘Jackson Conti’.Now aged seventy, Mamao’s work ethic is as strong as ever. In anticipation of a new Ivan Conti solo album set for release in 2017, Far Out Recordings have commissioned a series of remixes to be spread across two separate 12”s. The first is a strictly London affair, with a fiery broken-boogie club monster from West London pioneer IG Culture, joined by the signature future-funk of 22a Records family Tenderlonious, Reginald Omas Mamode IV and Jeen Bassa. The second 12” will host remixes from Max Graef, Glenn Astro and Contours.

Limited 180 gram vinyl LP with obi-stripFar Out Recordings presents the peerless and criminally undervalued Quartin catalogue, beginning with the reissue of Jose Mauro's forgotten masterpiece 'Obnoxious'. Far Out Recordings presents the peerless and criminally undervalued Quartin catalogue, beginning with the reissue of Jose Mauro's forgotten masterpiece 'Obnoxious'. Over the course of the 60s, Roberto Quartin released more than 20 albums in Brazil on his label Forma, by artists including the likes of Eumir Deodato and Quateto Em Cy. Selling the rights of Forma to Polygram in 1969, Quartin struck out for pastures new at the dawn of the 1970s with the launch of his self-titled label. Significant works and high-water marks for Brazilian music overall followed in that decade's first year, with Victor Assis Brasil Plays Antonio Carlos Jobim and the aforementioned Obnoxious. These rare and unique gems in Brazilian music, difficult to categorise yet compellingly haunting, have for too long gone unheard. Far Out Recordings hopes that listeners out there, be they seasoned Brazilian music aficionados or simply those in thrall to bewitching, hypnotic powers of music from the outer reaches, will appreciate and enjoy these works as much as we appreciate having the opportunity to present them to you.There is very little information to be found about Jose Mauro and as a result those searching for some kind of insight on the man behind the music must attempt to glean what they can from the music itself. In a musical landscape in which the context from music emerges can often overshadow the music itself, Jose Mauro is an increasingly rare phenomenon. Mauro is said to have died in a car accident shortly before the release of ‘Obnoxious’ in 1970, a fact that could have lent his brief musical career a touch of mythology were it not for how scant the details concerning any other aspects of his life are. All tracks on the record were composed by Mauro and Ana Maria Bahiana… Production on the record was cancelled after Mauro’s death and it was never sold commercially until it was rereleased decades later. What appeal does Mauro’s music stand to hold to today’s listeners, forty-something years removed from its conception? Simply put, there is very little else, even within the realm of contemporaneous Brazilian music employing similar tropes, that sounds much like it all. Take the title track of the ‘Obnoxious’ LP, included here. A wholly singular piece of music, it blends string-drenched melancholia with orchestral pomp, sunny psychedelic strumming with propulsive percussion, topped off with Mauro’s yearning vocals. The result is indicative of Mauro’s unique blend of sounds from Latin Jazz and samba to psychedelic folk and baroque orchestration.Today, Obnoxious retains its strange, otherworldly appeal – A firm favourite amongst a small circle of deep diggers including Madlib, Gilles Peterson, Floating Points and DJ Nuts. Jose Mauro’s mournful and melancholic vocals create a dark, brooding atmosphere that stands in contrast to the usual joyfulness and high-spirited rhythm of the more prominent Brazilian music of the era. Despite this air of foreboding, Mauro’s confident baritones, chord patterns and sumptuous arrangements have the ability to induce in the listener in an almost trance-like state of ecstasy. Mauro’s long hidden masterpiece, a complex and uniquely stunning work is being offered the chance to be heard by the wider audience it has always deserved. A second Jose Mauro release, A Viagem Des Horas, compiling more incredible tracks unreleased in Mauro’s lifetime, will follow, alongside other unreleased jewels from the Quartin catalogue, from the likes of Piri and Victor Assis Brasil…All songs written by Jose Mauro and Ana Maria Bahiana

Natural is the latest collaboration between musical travellers and kindred spirits Nicola Conte and Stefania Dipierro, the culmination of a relationship rooted in a shared belief in the spiritually healing powers of music. The Italian duo is set to take 2016 by storm with a sensual, sumptuous and highly accomplished record, firmly anchored in the traditions of Brazilian bossa nova, samba and jazz.Stefania and Nicola first came together as members of the seminal 90s musical collective Fez, with Nicola leading the group. This period, one full of inspiration and discovery, laid the seeds for Natural. Though Stefania lent her enviable vocal talents to many bands over the years and Nicola went on to an illustrious production career, outside of a handful of tracks from Nicola’s album Jet Sounds, it was not until now that the stars aligned again, allowing these two mercurial talents to merge their musical sensibilities once again to access the deep spirituality that is at the core of their approach to sound. Stefania’s ongoing musical journey has ensured that her connection to, and understanding of jazz runs deep, as she resoundingly demonstrates throughout Natural. With Nicola once again in the production seat, the album serves as the defining showcase for her inimitable vocal talents.Nicola first achieved international acclaim for his signature style of samba-influenced acid-jazz, which also drew inspiration from 60s and 70s Italian film soundtracks. Alongside his production work Nicola has laid out his musical vision through his guitar playing and songwriting, with numerous studio albums including 2004’s Other Directions, released on Schema, a French Subsidiary of Blue Note Records. His compilation series Viagem, all 5 volumes of which have been released on Far Out, provide an insight into the sounds of the past that have inspired his music of today, a peerless collection of lost bossa and samba jazz from the swinging Brazilian 60s.On this new collaborative release for Far Out, Conte’s forward thinking production cleverly compliments and contrasts with the warmth of Dipierro’s laid back inflection and gloriously rich timbres. Natural is aptly named, considering the ease with which Stefania and Nicola have re-assumed the roles of muse to one another, a musical relationship providing the deepest access to the poetry within their sound. The album’s title track and first single is a perfect introduction to their world, a masterful blend of global influences in which a propulsive Afro-rhythm bolstered by a searing funk guitar, whilst soothing Rhodes chords provide a distinctly Brazilian warmth and Stefania’s vocals offer up an enriching melody to soothe the heart and engage the mind. Alongside original compositions from Nicola and others, Natural also tantalisingly promises some inspired re-interpretations of classic Brazilian and jazz pieces: Trio Tenura’s exemplary bossa groove A Gira and Steve Kuhn’s beautiful The Meaning of Love are among the tracks respectfully imbued with an updated resonance. The scintillating blend of jazz and bossa alongside a contemporary sensibility makes for a debut collaboration. A timeless example of the special places Brazilian music can go with a beautiful voice and a smooth groove, marking out Dipierro as a natural talent of the highest order.

The Far Out Monster Disco Orchestra is Far Out's in house Brazilian disco super group. It features the arrangements of Azymuth's late Maestro José Roberto Bertrami and the legendary Arthur Verocai alongside a host of other Brazilian musical icons. FOMDO013 is the latest in a series of vinyl only 12" remixes and edits on Far Out. Previous producers providing their re-works to the series include Theo Parrish, Marcellus Pittman, Mark Pritchard, 4hero, Isoul8, LTJ Xperience and more.Having graced the most recent FOMDO 12" release with his signature touch, Detroit veteran Andres returns on the imprint with an alternate take on the same track. Taking the classy disco cut 'Where Do We Go From Here?' into moodier, deeper territories, with freshly chopped vocals and a hazy hip-house bounce, it's a warm late-night stepper, laced with classic OG Detroit funk.With a world renowned disco collection and over thirty years' in the DJ and production game, Italy's Luca Trevisi, A.K.A. LTJ Xperience, proves yet again just what a dab hand he is with an edit. Bringing out yet more colours and textures from the FOMDO original, his rework is pure sunshine-hedonism inducing disco magic, with just the touch of dubby hypnotics that might well cast some minds out to the Balearic Islands ...