Artist: Azymuth Album: Tudo Bem

Year: 1989
Duration: 0:0-1

Grooving to the Sounds of Azymuth's Tudo Bem: A

Brazilian music has always been at the forefront of innovation, producing sounds that have attracted audiences worldwide. Among these artists is legendary music group Azymuth, composed of bassist/vocalist Alex Malheiros, drummer Ivan Conti, and keyboardist Jose Roberto Bertrami. The group has been creating music for more than four decades, and their latest album, Tudo Bem, showcases their enduring creativity. In this , we’ll take a deep dive into Azymuth’s Tudo Bem, discussing the artist's history, the music genre of the album, the best songs, the most innovative parts, and my personal criticism.
Azymuth has been making music since 1973, under the guidance of Jose Roberto Bertrami, who was the group's main creative force until his death in 2012. Bertrami's influence on Brazilian music is massive and is noted for his keyboard playing on songs like Partido Alto, Maracana, and Jazz Carnival. These songs became symbols of the Brazilian jazz-funk sound—a mix of alluring Brazilian rhythms with the percussive grooves of African-American funk.
Tudo Bem, Azymuth's latest album, came out in 2018 on Far Out Recordings. The album name means ‘All Good’ in Portuguese and features seven tracks, each a sonic journey of infectious hooks, luscious melodies, and syncopated rhythms. Tudo Bem draws on Azymuth's jazz-funk roots, but the album also explores other genres, such as EDM, R&B, and Hip Hop.
The opening track, Jazz Carnival, is a remake of Azymuth's 1979 classic hit. This song features live strings that create a nostalgic feel and a 4-to-the-floor beat that adds to the track's danceability. The third track Inspiraçao, which means ‘inspiration’ in Portuguese, is a bombastic tune that showcases the trio's exceptional musicianship. The song is built around Conti's drums, which have a frenetic energy that is remarkable.
Tudo Bem's standout track is Fenix, named after the mythical bird that rises from the ashes. This track is electronic-jazz fusion that borrows elements from classic acid jazz—and it’s one of the best tracks on the album. Fenix blends complex electronic textures, thundering drum beats, and Malheiros' funky bass lines. I also enjoyed Papa Samba, featuring a hip-hop beat that's complemented by Bertrami's intricate keyboard flourishes and Conti's nimble drums.
The most innovative parts of Tudo Bem come from elements of electronic dance music. Azymuth's use of beat drops and filters is a smart decision that elevates the listener's experience. The album also features some live instrumentation that brings a spontaneous and lively feel to the tracks. However, in some parts, I found the overuse of electronic sounds to be monotonous, making it hard to tell the difference between tracks.
In conclusion, Azymuth's Tudo Bem is a solid album that showcases the group's exceptional musicianship, funk, and jazz roots. Azymuth's latest album brings forth their sound into this era, with deliciously modern touches to their jazz-funk fusion. The album has some great moments, with Fenix, Jazz Carnival, and Papa Samba being my personal favorites. However, despite my admiration for the album, there were moments when I felt parts of the album lacked originality, taking each track into similar sounding territory. Nonetheless, I strongly recommend Tudo Bem to those who love jazz-funk or electronic-jazz fusion, and as for longtime fans of Azymuth, you will surely listen with joy and appreciation for their evolving sound.
In conclusion, Azymuth's Tudo Bem is a solid album that showcases the group's exceptional musicianship, funk, and jazz roots. Azymuth's latest album brings forth their sound into this era, with deliciously modern touches to their jazz-funk fusion. The album has some great moments, with Fenix, Jazz Carnival, and Papa Samba being my personal favorites. However, despite my admiration for the album, there were moments when I felt parts of the album lacked originality, taking each track into similar sounding territory. Nonetheless, I strongly recommend Tudo Bem to those who love jazz-funk or electronic-jazz fusion, and as for longtime fans of Azymuth, you will surely listen with joy and appreciation for their evolving sound.