AZYMUTH - Carioca (1989) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Carioca would be a swan song of sorts for Azymuth -- the last album for keyboardist/leader Jose Roberto Bertrami, who left the group around this time, and their last album for Milestone, which spelled the beginning of the end for them as players in the U.S. music scene. Indeed, Bertrami doesn't even include his longtime cohorts Alex Malheiros and Ivan Conti on the lovely waltz tune "Valsa Se Uma Cidade," or the smooth showcase for Hammond organ, "Guaratiba," preferring the solid, mobile work of guests Paulo Russo (bass) and Jurim Moreira (drums). The selections with Malheiros and Conti are often more reflective than much of Azymuth's past work, with a few references to American funk ("Toque De Cuica") and fewer overtly Brazilian rhythmic influences (Malheiros' nicely soft-focused "Bom Tempo" being a nice exception). In sum, a handsome if diffuse farewell performance right down to Bertrami's brief solo piano postlude and the cryptic inscription at the bottom of the list of credits -- "P.S. The End."  by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist :
1    Love Beat 4:22
Written-By – José Roberto Bertrami
2    Valsa De Uma Cidade 5:30
Written-By – Maria, Netto
3    Beyond The Door 5:21
Written-By – Ramos, Bertrami
4    Bom Tempo 3:04
Written-By – Alex Malheiros
5    Labaredas 5:19
Written-By – Ramos, Bertrami
6    O Bloco Do Eu Sozinho 3:09
Written-By – Valle, Guerra
7    Toque De Cuica 4:27
Written-By – Bertrami
8    Guaratiba 3:10
Written-By – Bertrami
9    Love Beat Prelude 1:34
Written-By – Bertrami
Credits :
Acoustic Guitar – Alex Malheiros
Bass – Alex Malheiros (1, 3 to 7, 9)
Drums – Ivan Conti (Mamão) (1, 3 to 7, 9)
Guest [Special Guest], Acoustic Bass – Paulo Russo (2, 8)
Guest [Special Guest], Drums – Jurim Moreira (2, 8)
Guest [Special Guest], Flute, Soprano Saxophone – José Carlos Ramos (Bigorna)
Percussion – Ivan Conti (Mamão)