Marcos Valle is a giant of Brazilian music whose classic albums from the 1970s deservedly met fresh ears last year when they were reissued by Seattle-based label, Light in the Attic. And what gems those records are (check Garra from 1971 and 1973’s Previsão do Tempo for a good introduction), covering samba, bossa nova, soul, jazz and Latin rock. In truth, though, Valle’s music never fell out of favour - in his 50-year career, his songs have been covered by jazz greats like Oscar Peterson and Dizzy Gillespie, and sampled by hip hop’s big guns, including Jay Z and Kanye West.
Valle has also always moved with the times - continually recording new music (sometimes with contemporary groups, like the Phenomenal Handclap Band) and giving traditional Brazilian forms, like bossa nova, a modern twist, as he did on his most recent album, 2013’s Ao Vivo, a collaboration with American jazz singer Stacey Kent. Over the years, you will have heard his music being played by Gilles Peterson and Gideon Coe; now it’s time for Valle to bring a little Brazilain sunshine to Glastonbury. Doesn’t matter if it’s tipping it down.
Marcos Valle is a giant of Brazilian music whose classic albums from the 1970s deservedly met fresh ears last year when they were reissued by Seattle-based label, Light in the Attic. And what gems those records are (check Garra from 1971 and 1973’s Previsão do Tempo for a good introduction), covering samba, bossa nova, soul, jazz and Latin rock. In truth, though, Valle’s music never fell out of favour - in his 50-year career, his songs have been covered by jazz greats like Oscar Peterson and Dizzy Gillespie, and sampled by hip hop’s big guns, including Jay Z and Kanye West.
Valle has also always moved with the times - continually recording new music (sometimes with contemporary groups, like the Phenomenal Handclap Band) and giving traditional Brazilian forms, like bossa nova, a modern twist, as he did on his most recent album, 2013’s Ao Vivo, a collaboration with American jazz singer Stacey Kent. Over the years, you will have heard his music being played by Gilles Peterson and Gideon Coe; now it’s time for Valle to bring a little Brazilain sunshine to Glastonbury. Doesn’t matter if it’s tipping it down.
