- Soundway’s latest compilation Onda De Amor: Synthesized Brazilian Hits That Never Were (1984-94) comprises electronically inclined pop, disco and electro from Brazil. The sixteen-track selection was compiled by Millos Kaiser, half of the duo Selvagem.
There are a variety of styles on offer here. Vania Bastos’ cover of Sweetest Taboo is noteworthy. There are literally countless covers of Sweetest Taboo, but this one remains remarkably faithful to the synthy pop-r'n'b of Sade's original in its sound and it feels like the right time and place for that. Break De Rua by Villa Box is a classic piece of electro hip-hop complete with rapping and call and response vocals. It’sstrangely atmospheric in parts, then funky. Another electro favourite is the instrumental Electric Boogies by the bboy group Electric Boogies.
The track O Fogo Do Sol has an almost afrobeat groove in the verse before going into a smooth chorus. The last minute or so of this track is tremendous, launching a long break with a groovy repetitive bassline and dubbed out drums. Love is All by Via Nefromonte is a fun bit of synth-pop which is both catchy and well-produced. Andre Melo’s Onda De Amor is a highlight. It starts with a saxophone and bass before moving into a somewhat dubby groove with some great synth bass. Gotta love some space drums (as befits boogie of that era). The compilation finishes strongly with an instrumental by Regiao Abissal, a downtempo hip-hop track with some nice vocals. The song samples one of my favourite tracks by Average White Band (that was a pleasant surprise).
Soundways always puts together something interesting. There’s a good mix of bargain bin finds jostling together with hard-to-find hits. Onda De Amor explores a decade of music that is generally forgotten or maligned. I’m grateful it does.
- Hillfolk.