Carlos Dafe: ‘JID 025’

Jazz Is Dead Records can always be relied on to issue the most ground-breaking and extraordinary music. This time, it’s a collaboration between JID’s Adrian Younge and the Brazilian musical legend Carlos Dafé.

JID 025 is a blistering, ebullient celebration of this collaboration.

Reading about Dafé is eye-opening, with the music allowing his story to be told by the man himself. He collaborated not only with Younge on the production, but also with family and friends, writing melodies, lyrics and spoken-word passages inspired by stories he once told his children.

Born in Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro, he grew up surrounded by music and poetry. His father, a chorinho player, and his mother, a poet, nurtured his talent from a young age. In the 1970s, Dafé became a pillar of Brazil’s Black music movement, alongside Tim Maia, Cassiano, Wilson Simonal, and Banda Black Rio. Known as “The Prince of Soul,” a title bestowed by Nelson Motta, Dafé brought samba, soul and funk into harmony, creating enduring hits like A Beleza É Você Menina.

Dafé and Younge began collaborating in Los Angeles and the Brazilian legend was captivated by Younge’s creative process, saying: “I was in awe of the stupendous arrangements Adrian had created, so I made sure to leave plenty of space for the instrumentals to shine.”

As a baritone sax player, I just loved JID 025 from the opening notes of Amor Enfeiticado (Bewitched Love), released as a single earlier than the album itself.

Forming something of a title track, Jazz Esta Morte (Jazz is Dead) kicks all the musical detractors out of the way. Brazilian lyrics convey a staggering sense of soul and story-telling above the intensely intricate arrangements for a huge ensemble.

Another favourite track is the smoky ballad Como Entender O Amor (How to Understand Love), with Dafé’s poetic lyrics and vocal acrobatics flying high above the orchestrated arrangements. None of these tracks are extended, but each gives a tiny slice of this fantastic collaboration between Dafé and Younge.