Three years ago, NYC’s Veteran DJ True of radio’s Deeper Than Disco fame got together with percussionist Miller Cruz to create a new Brazilian sound they’ve coined as “neo-Brasilian fusion”. Drawing on their Brazilian roots, they’ve created a sound that has quickly won the world over with big batucada beats and a soulful NYC cool. ALMA ("soul" in Portuguese) "All for the Love of Music & Art" fuses live instrumentation with Brazilian grooves, house, broken beat, and other forms of underground electronica and has received nothing but rave reviews since its start. The idea is to feature the traditional sounds of Brazil, from samba to bossa, and incorporate all the newly inspired sounds coming from a new crop of musicians from Brazil and beyond. The party has featured Louie Vega and The Elements of Life, Joe Claussell, Osunlade, DJ Afro, and countless others.

Dedication and heart takes centerstage on this album with legendary Brazilian soul singer Ed Motta collaborating with Alex Attias (Bel-Air Project, Beatless, Mustang and Catalyst). Ramiro Musotto traveled to the Amazon to record with the Native Indians while SUBA was the late great producer founder of the label Ziriguiboom who met a tragic death. “Valldemossa (Pélé Version)” features a great interview with soccer legend Pélé when he was only 26 years old and Banda Black Rio was the first band to place Brazilian Jazz-Funk on the international scene, back in the late 70’s/early 80’s and has influenced such acts as Jamiroquai and Incognito.

VIDEO CLIP :

ALMA NYC's CD Release Party at Spiegel Tent
(Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymRWJ6rWnyM)

PRESS QUOTES & REVIEWS:

• BPM MAGAZINE:

“ALMA has become one of Gotham City’s premiere monthly events and eclectic underground scenes. Launched in 2004 by creators Joann Jimenez, Manchildblack and resident DJs True and Miller Cruz, the multicultural soiree has evolved into a quintessential spiritual oasis for serious music lovers. Since its inception, Alma has become renowned for its "Neo-Brazilian Fusion" sound that melds live instrumentation with soul, jazz, Brazilian, Afro-Latin, Bossa Nova, deep house and broken beat creating a transcendent nirvana where exotic cosmic vibes converge and disseminate in vibrant hues. It’s not surprising that nitelife veterans like Francois K., Louie Vega, Danny Krivit and Joe Claussell have all been spotted basking in the poly-rhythmic soundscapes among the throngs. This inspired collection features some of the party’s most feverish, crowd-pleasing anthems including offerings from Azymuth, 4Hero, Richard Dorfmeister, Suba, Restless Soul, Belladonna, Slope and Alex Attias. This is a must-have for fans of Body & Soul, Dance Ritual, Roots and The Loft.” -- Craig Roseberry

• BATANGA (Aug/Sept 2007 Issue):
"There is nothing like Brazilian music to bring out the good vibes. Mixed by DJ True and Miller Cruz (the main record spinners at NYC’s amazing ALMA parties), The Soul of Brazil taps into the eclectic Brazilian sound that made these parties successful. You get some funky wah-wah on Azymuth’s "Partido Novo" and by the time you get to Karizma’s percussion filled mix of "The Caribou", there is no question about who owns the soul of Brazil in New York." -- Rodrigo Salazar

• STRAIGHT NO CHASER (Summer 2007 Issue):
ALMA charted #6 on NYC's Top 10 by Andy Thomas

CD DETAILS (OUT NOW):

Artist: ALMA
Title: The Soul of Brazil in New York
Format: CD
File Under: Dance / Deep House / Brazilian House "A"
Suggested List: $15.98

TRACKLISTING:

Azymuth - Partido Novo
Patricia Marx - Submerso
Ramiro Musotto - Ijexa
Cabruêra - Zabê Sabe (Electrococo Remix)
SUBA - Voce Gosta (Restless Soul Mix)
Belladonna - Ebatulé
Richard Dorfmeister / Madrid de los Austrias - Valldemossa
Alex Attias and Ed Motta - Sus 4 Jam
Teddy Douglas - The Caribou (Karizma Remix)
Banda Black Rio - Magia Do Prazer (Faze Action Remix)
Danny J Lewis - Ballistica (Club Mix)
Slope - Para Los Pinchas
Rosalia de Souza - Fica Mal Con Deus (Truby Trio Treatment)

* requires RealAudio.

Labels: alma, brasil, brazil, deep house, dj true, joe claussell, latin, louie vega, miller cruz, osunlade, richard dorfmeister, wave music