This album has a loose confident swagger throughout, irrespective of whether we are listening to the more rootsy tracks, the ballads or strutting our dance steps to Samba Rock. Released in Europe through Proper Distribution on 23rd June 2008.

This is Seu Jorge's first album of original material since Cru in 2005. His album in 2006, The Life Aquatic was a homage to the songs of David Bowie. Reworking such classics as Ziggy Stardust and Life in Mars in his own sensuous samba style led Bowie to comment " had Seu Jorge not recorded my songs acoustically in Portuguese I would never had heard this new level of beauty which he has imbued with them "
Whilst his album Cru, was very much aimed at the International Market, America Brasil is aimed for his Brazilian audience " who who wanted some traditional samba, samba rock, ballads and gafiera to dance to and enjoy at weekend barbecues."

My personal favourites is the opening track " Americo Do Norte" who's gentle warm up style guitar playing at the beginning belies the pacey, exciting rootsy nature of the track. Sway, clap and skip around to this one.

Within the album's songbook he looks at the relationship of wealth and poverty and of North and South America, saying that Brazil wants some of the action. Jorge says: " The Instrumentation is a joke on US culture. Brazil grew up with European influence principally from Portugal but is more influenced now by the US. Now we want to be winners like Americans."

Hold your breath, with America's shrinking economy, its businesses being bought by foreign investors making use of a sliding dollar coupled with the continuing opposition to the war in Iraq means we could see the balance of power changing. In the meantime, leave everything to fate, its time to get the barbeque charcoals out, ring up a few friends ( especially those that know the dance steps) and enjoy this album played loud outside and in the sunshine.

Seu Jorge made his live UK debut as part of La Linea '05 at the Royal Festival Hall where the line up consisted of acoustic guitar, cavaquinho, percussion and bass. On his recent triumphant return to the same venue the line up had grown to include keyboards, violin, harmonica, kit drums with Jorge on occasional electric guitar and flute. This is the line up showcased here.

Adriano Trinidade : Drums
abio Mundinho - Percussion
Nene Brown Percussion
Jr Gaitto - Harmonica and Violin
Sidao Santos - Electric Bass and 7 string guitar
Pretinho da Serinha - Ukele Banjo and Percussion
Joao Vianna - Drums ( track 10 )

Alex Robinson for Songlines states, "With America Brasil, Seu Jorge shows that he is the rightful pretender to Jorge Ben's crown. And Bezerra Da Silva's. Each track is as joyous a celebration of daily life in Rio" The track Mino do Condomino appears on the Songlines Top of the World Aug/ Sept covermount CD.

Tracks:

1. America De Norte
2. Trabalhador
3. Burguesinha
4. Cuidar De Mim
5. Mina Do Condominio
6. Mariana
7. So No Chat
8. Samba Rock
9. Seu Olha
10. Eterna Busca
11. Voz Da Massa

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