Review: The Brazilian composer, pianist and producer, Mario Castro Neves, and his group Samba S. A.'s self-titled album from 1967 oozes with class. It possesses that archetypal 60s bossa nova, jazz, samba sound; up there with Sergio Mendes at his finest, Tambo Trio or Milton Banana - a breezy ride that touches on easy listening at times, but still held together with a cool swagger. Biba and Thais Do Amaral's vocals are on point, with a relaxed delivery that compliments the tracks with the sublime beauty a la vocal groups such as Quarteto Em Cy. Also appearing on the record is bassist extraordinaire Novelli, who worked with Milton Nascimento, Nelson Angelo E Joyce, Airto and many of the greats of Brazilian music of the time.
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