UK’s Mr Bongo has recently released a brilliant new album from the highly creative Belarus-based collective SOYUZ (aka СОЮЗ), titled Force of the Wind. Led by composer, arranger, and singer Alex Chumak, multi-instrumentalist Mikita Arlou and drummer Anton Nemahai, the group’s third recording is heavily inspired by the popular Brazilian sounds of the 70s (known as Música popular Brasileira or MPB).

While this incredible nine-track album has all the elements we have come to love from this golden era of Brazilian music and artists like Milton Nascimento, Lô Borges, Arthur Verocai, José Mauro, and others, this music is very unique, as the vocals are sung in both Russian and Portuguese, and the group is able to incorporate Eastern Europe rooted jazz influences and electronics into the overall sound. The recording also features a nice blend of rich warm Rhodes piano, soaring strings, cosmic tones, and dynamic drum grooves.

Chumak handles much of the vocals on the album, however the record also features standout guest performances by Russian vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Kate NV, and rising Brazilian star Sessa (who also recently released the remarkable full-length LP Estrela Acesa). The session also includes New York-based musician of Turkish origin percussionist, Cem Mısırlıoğlu, composer Simon Hanes, who aided with string arrangements, and Netherlands-based Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Gabriel Milliet, on flutes.

Through the fusion of both Brazilian and Eastern European influences, SOYUZ have produced an original modern-day masterpiece that is without a doubt, one of the most notable recordings of 2022.

СОЮЗ / SOYUZ — ‘Force of the Wind’

1. Song With No Words
2. Offscreen
3. I Knew It (feat. Kate NV)
4. Glance
5. How Are You (feat. Sessa) (Como é que vai você)
6. Beige Days
7. Morning Moon
8. Force of the Wind
9. Weather Report

BUY RECORD

• Brazilian
• Cosmic
• Spiritual Jazz