When first getting to know someone while traveling, they will eventually ask you ‘SO, why did you decide to travel to ______’.

Giving the answer that it is the genre of music ‘Tropicalia’ that turned you on to Brazil is just as confusing to any Brazilian as it is to basically anyone else. It’s like going to the UK because you are passionate about New Wave (if New Wave was exclusively British). Everyone will look at you like you are maybe very bad with your money or possibly a shabby looking rich person.

Regardless! I finally found a record store in Brazil and it is even called Tropicalia Discos!!! It was located in a building that looked liked it was built for offices or perhaps: a private investigator! It’s already pretty exciting, right?!

Entering the record shop felt like I was entering a room I wanted to hug (I’m not super into hugs). I was with Chris, so I had to keep somewhat chill and also be somewhat aware that watching a person flipping through records is probably only bearable for about 15 minutes.

I ask the store owner for recommendations and he starts playing me records (!!!!!) I dance around the store looking through the shelves, wishing I could keep them all. Wishing I had hours and not minutes to listen to one side after another.

I was so enamored with the store that I didn’t take pictures- thank god for google.

This is my happy place:

The reason I love Tropicalia is that it is an incredible hybrid on Hendrix, The Beatles, Dylan, African beats, Samba, and Bossa Nova. Right when you think you are listening to a rock song, it zags into a Bossa Nova beat. It’s also the most BADASS genre because it was a part of a whole movement of artists against the military dictatorship in Brazil. It eventually landed the leaders of the movement: Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil in jail and then led to their exile to London.

There is a great podcast that goes through this history of Tropicalia. A must-listen if you love music and the history of music:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03hjvv7

Yesterday I was sent an interview with Quincy Jones, who spends most of the article pontificating about how producers today are lazy, among other disturbing things. But then, somewhat out of the blue he says:

You like Brazilian music?

Yeah, but I don’t know much beyond Jorge Ben and Gilberto Gil.
Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso are the kings! You know, I visit the favelas every year. Those motherfuckers have a hard life. They’re tough, though. You think our shit in America’s bad? It’s worse there.

(Link to article)

Song of the day:

Caetano Veloso – Tropicalia