Far Out Recordings pays homage to one of Brazil's most accomplished artist and composer whose influence in defining the shape and direction of bossa nova from the 1960s to present day cannot be ignored. Carioca Soul is a collection of Marcos’s personal favourite tracks from his three studio albums on Far Out Recordings between 1994 and 2008 and includes 3 previously unreleased live versions of Samba de Verao, Mentira and Batucada Surgiu.
The album features two of Rio’s bossa and samba veterans Joyce on the track Valeu and Wilson Das Neves playing on Escape. Carioca Soul is proof of Marcos’s dogged determination to transcend the traditions and structures of bossa nova and testament to his ability to re-ignite a genre whilst never veering away from its fundamental soul. The compilation acts as an indulgent blend of all the favourite songs which have been released exclusively on Far Out Recordings available on one complete collection for the first time ever.
Valle’s remarkable talent found him fortune during the 1960s - a period of feverish development in the bossa nova tradition. Marcos was regarded as a second generation bossa nova artist, a term also relative to artists like Edu Lobo and Sergio Mendes.
Marcos’s talent for re-invigorating bossa music was most evident in the 1996 release of 'Nova Bossa Nova'. Which literally translated as, 'new bossa nova' leapt out of the speakers with its grittier and funkier vibe and subsequently had the effect of bringing about a re-vamped bossa sound for ‘90s and beyond. This release showcases a new creative musical partnership in Marcos and Roc Hunter which would later be cemented with the milestone releases of ‘Escape’ (2001) known for the massively successful single ‘On Line’ which is featured on the compilation and ‘Contrasts’ (2003) yielded the dance floor hit Parabens also making an appearance in this ‘Best of’ selection.
From his Tom Jobim recitals on Globo TV back in the 1960s to becoming the purveyor of future bossa nova in the naughties. Marcos keeps continues to re-shape his unique take on the traditional Brazilian bossa nova style. Marcos Valle’s songs are constantly being re-interpreted through various 'nu brazil' artists such as Bebel Gilberto and Ceu; making his music truly inspirational. In addition, his music has been covered by thousands of artists including Sarah Vaughan, Dianne Krull, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Chicago, Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams and most recently Emma Bunton.
Reviews
‘Absolutely fantastic’ Independent On Sunday

‘Fresh, engaging and very catchy’ Songlines

“Sublime, he is the master” Rainer Trüby

“Marcos is one of the Greats of Brazilian Composition” Ron Trent