Friday, May 03, 2013
Nilo Lopes and His Copacabana Orchestra - Product of Brazil-Bossa Nova
From 1943 until the late 1960s, the Seeco record label promised "The Finest in Latin American Music." The company, for the most part, lived up to that promise, with a roster that included Celia Cruz, Vicentico Valdez and Noro Morales.
Seeco also diversified into jazz and cabaret music, releasing recordings by Cy Coleman, Eartha Kitt and pianist Jose Melis, who served as music director for the Tonight Show when it was hosted by Jack Paar.
Product of Brazil - Bossa Nova came relatively late in the life of Seeco Records, coming out in 1963. The LP cover states "Recorded in Brazil" and there's no reason to doubt that claim. The company was known for the authenticity of its recordings, with representatives travelling throughout Latin America to record its artists.
Whether Nilo Lopes is a real person is another matter. There is no other reference to him in connection with Brazilian music other than this album. Nonetheless it's a pleasant listen overall, although the string section tends to be a bit strong in some places. There's a sample track below.
Creo Que Si
Many titles from the Seeco library have been available on CD and as downloads, although a lot of them appear to have come from dubious sources, i.e., someone's record collection. However, Product of Brazil - Bossa Nova has not so far made it into a digital format.
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