B.B. Seaton
Voice of the People

Favorite Recordings proudly presents Natureza, first album of Joao Selva. The story of Natureza is made of the meeting between two passionate artists who are Jonathan "Matuto" Da Silva and Bruno "Patchworks" Hovart.Born and raised in Ipanema and son of a pastor, Jonathan Da Silva grew up in a community of ex-prisoners and converted artists. He made his first guitar notes before his 10th birthday, under the watchful eye of Wanda Sa (muse of the bossa nova), and influenced by a father who in addition to his work, was also a true music lover with a collection, where black music, rock and classical meet. From the age of 18, Jonathan began a life of entertainer, traveling the world to offer shows for disadvantaged children and intensively practicing the Brazilian traditional music arts (Capoeira Angola, Maracatu, Samba de Roda, Coco de Roda...). It was later in France and in Lyon that he put down his instruments. There he formed the trio Forro de Rebeca in 2008, touring the all country and winning many praise in media. The trio recently joined forces with American producer Maga Bo on the project Sociedade Recreativa, whose album was released in 2016 on The Jarring Effects label.Bruno Hovart is a recognized producer, multi-instrumentalist, and remixer. After passing through Angers, Birmingham and London, he’s based in Lyon since 2001. Bassist and guitarist for various bands, he switched to production in the mid-90s. Passionate about music and tireless creator, Bruno has practiced in almost every imaginable style, when it comes to groove music, collecting many aliases and projects for more than 10 years: Patchworks, Voilaaa, Uptown Funk Empire, Mr President, Taggy Matcher, Mr. Day, Hawa, John Milk, Lightnin 3, The Dynamics or Metropolitan Jazz Affair ... Nothing resists and escapes his talent and production skills. Thus, when he discovered and met Jonathan and his music, Bruno saw an immediate opportunity to broaden the spectrum of his discography a little more, by looking at Brazil.Beyond its traditional heritage, Brazil has always been a land of extremely varied music, influenced by the international scene. Soul, Jazz and American Pop did inspire many local stars such as Chico Buarque, Carlos Jobim, Gilberto Gil, Tom Zé, or Erasmo Carlos. Both fervent lovers of this movement and these names, it’s with the idea to pay them a faithful tribute, that Jonathan and Bruno began the Joao Selva adventure. Together they gave birth to Natureza and embark us for a trip into the heart of the Tropicalist Pop influences of Jorge Ben and Caetano Veloso, the intoxicating Funk of Tim Maia, and the social poetry of Vinicius de Moraes.

Lucas Arruda’s born in 1983, in a Brazilian state called Espírito Santo, near Rio de Janeiro. Coming from a musical family (his dad and older brother are musicians) he started playing and listening to music very young. At the age of 13, he was also playing professionally already.After studying electric guitar and a few years spent playing in various bands with friends, Lucas passion quickly turned into Rhodes and keyboards, expanding his musical range of skills. At the same time he started a project called Du Black, with his older brother, Thiago, quickly receiving various local support from people such as Ed Motta, William Magalhães (Banda Black Rio), Robert Lamm (Chicago) or Hyldon (Brazilian soul legend).From the growing notoriety obtained with their first release, the band began to work with various other artists and singers such as Tamy Macedo, Idalina Dornellas, or Bossa Nova’s legend, Leila Pinheiro. Lucas also worked on the side for several other projects, which led him to build a recording studio with Thiago in 2011. This decision was a large step in his musical career and the next two years were indeed filled with great new collaborations alongside artists like Azee Project, Danny Perez (English producer), or Guida de Palma (Jazzinho). Now 2 years after he launched this home-studio, here comes “Sambadi”, first single and title of Lucas Arruda’s upcoming first solo LP!In Lucas’ words, Sambadi is highly inspired by Rio de Janeiro: “I’m living between two places, but my music and my heart are all in Rio”. As for the musical side, the album almost sounds like a tribute to his longtime heroes, with tasty influences by Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, Marcos Valle, Azymuth, Robson Jorge & Lincoln Olivetti amongst many others. And Lucas also humbly concludes: “With Sambadi, I really hope to honor all the guys who influenced me.”

In a world governed by stereotypes, Lachinos break down the boundaries between people and gender. It is impossible to clearly distinguish the origin, roots and cultures that are specific to each of its members. An association that turns out to be as unexpected as it is effective on their first EP America Lachina, out on Goutte d’Or, a sub-label of french team Cracki Records.America Lachina is also and above all an ode to Latin American music. One travels to the rhythms of merengue, cha cha cha, cumbia or even Brazilian surf, always with a musical commitment to rock accents.

Following the recent release of their 2nd longplayer, "180.000 Miles & Counting", The Dynamics are back in 2012 with a dope remixes package of their new single "For the Love of Money".We couldn't resist to ask the mysterious bootleg Kings 7 Samurai (GAMM) to do a remix, and he turned the track in a massive Reggae-Disco version.There are lots of Steel Funk recordings by huge orchestras from Trinidad and other Caribbean islands. We were wondering what would become "For The Love of Money" in their hands, the answer is given by the master of Deep Funk, The Mighty Mocambos, with the participation of the Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band .