SIVUCA レコード& CD

Review: Severino Dias de Oliveira a.k.a. Sivuca is a small man with a big sound. He was a big contributor to classic albums by legendary Brazilian percussionist Airto first have been oft reissued since the 70s, but his own dazzling virtuosity on accordion, guitar, and keyboards paired with a powerful singing voice make hi a standout artists on his own. He toured with the likes of Harry Belafonte and Miriam Makeba and recorded for labels such as RCA and Reprise but this one for vanguard in 1973 was his pinnacle. It's a beautiful blend of Latin sounds, with joyful emotion, sweet summer sounds and melancholy all featuring along the way.

Review: Amongst fans of Brazilian music, Sivuca is arguably best known for his 1973 cover of "Ain't No Sunshine" - later a favourite on the rare groove scene - which re-casts the Bill Withers classic as a sumptuous chunk of shuffling samba sunshine. Here, the track gets reissued as part of Mr Bongo's brilliant Brazil 45s series, alongside his lesser-known - but no less impressive - cover of Edu Lobo's "Ponteio".