DEODATO

Pop/Art Song/Folk / RnB / Latin Jazz / Big Band • Brazil
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Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from Italian and Portuguese origin, Eumir Deodato got his start by playing the accordion at age 12. Shortly thereafter, he started studying piano as well as orchestration, arranging and conducting. Strictly self-taught, he immersed himself in theory books while spending countless evenings sitting behind orchestras and carefully observing how each part was played. His first break came at age 17 when he arranged and conducted his first recording session for a 28-piece orchestra. It wasn't long before Deodato became one of the most active and respected arrangers and pianists in Rio's busy music scene, recording for such artists as Milton Nascimento, Marcos Valle, Elis Regina and Antonio Carlos Jobim.

In 1968, Deodato moved to New York and began working with Luiz Bonfa, the legendary composer of Black Orpheus, while also doing extensive studio work for Astrud Gilberto, Walter Wanderley, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Marcos Valle
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Thanks to js for the addition and snobb, kazuhiro, dreadpirateroberts for the updates

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DEODATO Discography

DEODATO albums / top albums

DEODATO Inútil Paisagem album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Inútil Paisagem
Pop/Art Song/Folk 1964
DEODATO Samba Nova Concepção album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Samba Nova Concepção
Pop/Art Song/Folk 1964
DEODATO Idéias album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Idéias
Pop/Art Song/Folk 1964
DEODATO Percepção album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Percepção
Pop/Art Song/Folk 1972
DEODATO Os Catedraticos 73  (aka Skyscrapers) album cover 4.00 | 1 ratings
Os Catedraticos 73 (aka Skyscrapers)
Pop/Art Song/Folk 1973
DEODATO Deodato 2 album cover 3.19 | 4 ratings
Deodato 2
Pop/Art Song/Folk 1973
DEODATO Prelude album cover 3.96 | 8 ratings
Prelude
Pop/Art Song/Folk 1973
DEODATO Whirlwinds album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Whirlwinds
Pop/Art Song/Folk 1974
DEODATO First Cuckoo album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
First Cuckoo
Pop/Art Song/Folk 1975
DEODATO Asi Hablo Zaratustra (2001) album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Asi Hablo Zaratustra (2001)
Pop/Art Song/Folk 1977
DEODATO Noches De Blanco Satén album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Noches De Blanco Satén
Pop/Art Song/Folk 1978
DEODATO Love Island album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Love Island
Pop/Art Song/Folk 1978
DEODATO Knights Of Fantasy album cover 3.00 | 1 ratings
Knights Of Fantasy
Pop/Art Song/Folk 1979
DEODATO Night Cruiser album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Night Cruiser
Pop/Art Song/Folk 1980
DEODATO Happy Hour album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Happy Hour
RnB 1982
DEODATO Motion album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Motion
Pop/Art Song/Folk 1984
DEODATO Somewhere Out There album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Somewhere Out There
Pop/Art Song/Folk 1989
DEODATO The Crossing album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
The Crossing
Pop/Art Song/Folk 2010

DEODATO EPs & splits

DEODATO live albums

DEODATO Deodato / Airto : In Concert album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Deodato / Airto : In Concert
Latin Jazz 1974
DEODATO Artistry album cover 3.00 | 1 ratings
Artistry
Big Band 1974
DEODATO Very Together album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Very Together
Pop/Art Song/Folk 1976

DEODATO demos, promos, fans club and other releases (no bootlegs)

DEODATO re-issues & compilations

DEODATO Deodato album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Deodato
Pop/Art Song/Folk 1974
DEODATO Eumir Deodato And Best Of Friends ‎: Daybreak album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Eumir Deodato And Best Of Friends ‎: Daybreak
Pop/Art Song/Folk 1976
DEODATO Arranjo E Regência Vol. 1 album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Arranjo E Regência Vol. 1
Latin Jazz 1976
DEODATO Arranjo E Regência Vol.2 album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Arranjo E Regência Vol.2
Latin Jazz 1976
DEODATO Arranjo E Regência Vol.3 album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Arranjo E Regência Vol.3
Latin Jazz 1976
DEODATO Preludes & Rhapsodies album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Preludes & Rhapsodies
Pop/Art Song/Folk 2001
DEODATO Deodato : Lounge '64 album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Deodato : Lounge '64
Latin Jazz 2002
DEODATO Whirlwinds/Artistry album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Whirlwinds/Artistry
Pop/Art Song/Folk 2009

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DEODATO movies (DVD, Blu-Ray or VHS)

DEODATO Reviews

DEODATO Prelude

Album · 1973 · Pop/Art Song/Folk
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FunkFreak75
Another addition to my list that may surprise many readers but take pause to read that list of musicians contributing to this album: it's a practical Who's Who of Jazz-Rock All-Stars! Plus, the album produced an anomoly in the world-wide Top 5 hit single, "Also Sprach Zarathustra"--a phenomenon that may have changed the course of Jazz music forever!

Side A: 1. "Also Sprach Zarathustra" (9:00) a song that changed the course and direction of Jazz music: letting record companies know that a certain kind of jazz could make them money! Listening to the album version of the song lets you know why this album belongs in this Compendium. (20/20)

2. "Spirit of Summer" (4:04) a heavily-cinematic Burt BACHARACH-like display of orchestral magic out of which emerges several very brief individual performances: Eumir's BOB JAMES-like Fender Rhodes, Jay Berliner's classical guitar (which is, in my opinion, a little over the top), and Hubert Laws' tasteful flute. The highlight, however, is truly the orchestra. (8.875/10)

3. "Carly & Carole" (3:38) an obviously-sexist homage to two of the era's premier female singer-songwriters. (8.75/10)

Side B: 4. "Baubles, Bangles and Beads" (5:20) so fitting with all of the Latin jazz-rock that had been flowing through the American airwaves during the previous ten years. Great lead guitar work from John Tropea. (8.875/10)

5. "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun" (5:13) despite Billy and Airto's contributions, this is really more of a duet between Stanley and Eumir. The smooth transition into Latin-jazz for the second half is so cool: Ray Barretto's congas and Jay Berliner's rhythm guitar providing so much for Eumir and trumpeter Marvin Stamm to fly over. Another chaotic dismantling to get back to the bass and Fender simplicity of the opening in order for Marvin to complete the cover of Debussey's timeless piece. (9/10)

6. "September 13" (5:24) back to the funk. Love those wah-wahed rhythm guitars. Great melody line from the horn bank 90 seconds in. I love it when Stanley and Billy are in sync and the playful flourishes are flowing. (8.875/10)

Total time: 32:39

A-/five stars; a minor masterpiece of jazz-rock fusion and one of my top 30 Favorite Jazz-Rock Fusion Albums from the "Classic Era."

DEODATO Artistry

Live album · 1974 · Big Band
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dreadpirateroberts
On ‘Artisry’ Deodato’s arrangements of classical covers (and his Latin, smooth jazz pieces too) are fleshed out by an orchestra and it’s great to hear them with extra depth compared to the studio recordings.

The sound is maybe a bit ‘warmer’ in a live setting and the band seem to be having a good time too, which I noticed on “St. Louis Blues” and “Superstrut” – especially John Tropea on guitar. Maybe the set list draws a little too heavily from ‘Deodato 2’ compared to what I’d hoped for but if you want a more comprehensive collection of live songs you might have to look to the latter stages of his discography.

DEODATO Deodato 2

Album · 1973 · Pop/Art Song/Folk
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dreadpirateroberts
'Deodato 2' the follow-up to 'Prelude' follows a similar path to its predecessor.

Which is both a strength and a weakness. The album has the same laid back feel, the same classical reworkings and employees a similar cast (who are still in fine form) but adds a funkier approach to many songs. When taken as a whole it is perhaps a collection of less memorable material, but is hardly unsuccessful.

The CD reissue messes with the original running order, placing the sometimes effective Moody Blues cover as opener and following with Ravel's 'Pavane For A Dead Princess.' It's a slower and delicate perhaps, than the original (and I do miss the more typical brass) but represents a point in the album where Deodato strays a little from the territory covered on the previous album.

Unlike 'Rhapsody In Blue' which treads very closely to what was achieved with 'Also Sprach...' and is not as effective second time around. What does work better on '2', is kicking the up the funk another gear for 'Super Strut' which is probably the best cut on the record and a fantastic opener to the LP. There's pretty much no way to get tired of Clarke's bass line and everyone else seems to be having a blast, whether it's Deodato's solos, Cobham's high quality drumming or Tropea's guitar.

There's every chance you'll enjoy this album if you liked 'Prelude' but you wont see any massive diversions in sound or material, which isn't always a bad thing - everything still sounds great, I'm really only giving it three stars because it covers similar ground, and not because of any huge deficiencies in the recording, playing or arrangements.

DEODATO Prelude

Album · 1973 · Pop/Art Song/Folk
Cover art Buy this album from MMA partners
dreadpirateroberts
Once again CTI and Van Gelder combine for what was, by now, bit of a tried and true method of releasing successful jazz records, and records that were getting smoother and smoother.

But the warm sonics and classical-meets-jazz arrangement of mid-tempo pieces with laid back grooves works perfectly for Deodato, whose electric piano, skillful arrangements and bossa nova past are employed to fine effect here in 'Prelude' his first US album as leader.

The Latin Jazz feel to the pieces works a treat too, equally pleasant across his three originals and the reinterpretations that are as much a hallmark of CTI as they are a testament to Deodato's savvy arrangements. There's no denying that the pop sensibilities are part of the album's joy. It isn't a noodly record. It's relaxed - it summons up impressions of lying back in the sun, cool drinks clinking with ice, or cruising down sweltering streets with the windows down.

Ron Carter and Billy Cobham (among others) provide the perfect accompaniment to Deodato's breezy horn and string arrangements and occasional guitar or piano solos. In fact, nowhere is this combination more lush than on 'Spirit of Summer' and nowhere is it more successful than on his reworking of the 2001 theme 'Also Sprach Zarathustra' a 9 minute funk odyssey and international hit. Elsewhere, we have another classical adaptation, in 'Prelude To "The Afternoon Of A Faun"' which despite a nice solo from flautist Laws, is not as effective and gets a little lost toward the middle. Much more expressive is 'Baubles, Bangles And Beads' with its fuzzy solos from John Tropea's electric guitar or the strutting 'September 13' co-written by Cobham.

If you are turned off by Pop Jazz or the smoother side of Latin Jazz, then you won't enjoy this. If, on the other hand, you're content to take a break and let yourself be swept along, then you should buy this one from Deodato. 'Prelude' serves as an excellent introduction to his work for CTI, representing quite a peak.

DEODATO Deodato 2

Album · 1973 · Pop/Art Song/Folk
Cover art Buy this album from MMA partners
Sean Trane
After the timeless classic album of Prelude, the next album came as simply called 2, but it’s rather deceiving, since Eumur Deodato had a 60’s career as a samba and bossa artiste. But what we as a site are looking at are these wild JR/F albums that the Brazilian released in the most essential year of musical freedom, the early 70’s. And just like Prelude, 2 repeats the formula of mixing some awesomely arranged covers like Moody’s Nights In White Satin, Gershwin’s Rhapsody In Blue and Steely Dan’s Do It Again and a bunch of often torrid self-penned jazz-rock-fusion compositions. Some of the JR/F giants are present like Cobham, Clarke, but there are two dozens no-less deserving lesser-known musos as well, including large brass and string sections. As is usually the case with all of those killer JR/F essential albums from that classic era, this was again on the Columbia label

Starting on the 9-mins+ 100MPH Super strut funk-fusion piece, complete with a fuzzed-out guitar solo, courtesy of the relative unknown John Tropea, but shinning all the way through the album; the rest of the A-side glides smoothly on the best known Gershwin piece giving it the full works mixing strings and jazz-rock instrumentation and later on a brassy bluesy rendition of the classic Moodies hit. If the former takes an attentive ear to recognize the original piece, the latter is instantly recognizable. The A-side closes on a rearranged version of Ravel’s Pavane For A Dead Princess, which is a little too cheesy and slow for my tastes.

Opening the flipside is a superb 150MPH Skyscrapers fusion piece, where you can find Eumur’s Hammer-Corea influences on synths, followed by a sitar-sounding guitar leading Latin Flute track and a much slower (and cheesy) Venus piece. Closing off the debate is a rather cool and swingy instrumental version of Steely Dan’s first mega-hit Do It Again, just as good as the original. Definitely a worthy follower to Deodato’s previous album, but with slightly less merits since the formula of the former is mostly repeated without much variation.

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