Bassist of the legendary Brazilian fusion trio Azymuth, Alex Malheiros, who has also contributed his pioneering space-funk sound on records by Jorge Ben, Milton Nascimento, Roberto Carlos, Marcos Valle, Mark Murphy, and others, has recently released a brilliant new album on Far Out Recordings, appropriately titled Tempos Futuros.

Written and recorded in Niterói, Brazil, this incredible nine track record (12 tracks digitally and on CD versions) blends together Malheiros’ signature jazz-funk bass lines with spacey cosmic synths, disco grooves, and samba-influenced drum rhythms that capture the same fusion magic that we hear on the most classic Azymuth material. Produced by acclaimed London-based producer Daniel Maunick (son of Brit-funk legend Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick), the futuristic recording is primed perfectly for dancefloors on this planet and the next.

The session features an superb cast of musicians, including Alex’s daughter and Brazilian vocalist star Sabrina Malheiros (on the record’s two most standout tracks “Prece” and “Alto Verao”), Brazilian percussion master Sidinho Moreira, London based saxophonist Sean Khan, Marcos Valle’s main drummer Massa, and Brazilian keyboard player Dudu Viana. The record also features the late Azymuth keyboard maestro Jose Roberto Bertami on the album’s title track “Tempos Futuros” (which is unfortunately only available digitally and on CD versions … hopefully that just means a follow-up release in the future). 

Overall, another masterful recording by one of the most innovative and influential jazz-funk/fusion bassists of our time. Tempos Futuros is definitely up there with some of the best releases of 2021!

Alex Malheiros — ‘Tempos Futuros’
(Far Out Recordings)

Side A

1. The Razor’s Edge
2. Prece (feat. Sabrina Malheiros)
3. Telegramas Para Arp
4. Retrato (feat. Sean Khan)
5. Requiem For A Storm

Side B

1. Alto Verao (High Summer) (feat. Sabrina Malheiros)
2. O Temporal
3. Marcinha
4. Kuarup

BUY RECORD

• Brazilian
• Cosmic
• Jazz Dance
• Jazz Funk