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Monday, February 13, 2012

10 Super Sexy Brazilian Songs - Valentine's Day + Carnival

MUSIC:
Valentine's Day and Carnival are bright spots in wintery February. Valentine's Day is a centuries old, heartwarming tradition celebrating romance. Carnival is a centuries old tradition too of bacchanalian parties and parades, that herald Lent, the pious period before Easter. In America, Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) in New Orleans is a famous Carnival celebration. The massive, world renowned Carnival parade in Rio de Janiero is steeped in passion, from exuberant samba to sexy costumes. Brazilian music oozes sensuality and romance.

Cooking Lounge invited DJ Greg Caz to select 10 Super Sexy Brazilian Songs to celebrate Valentine's Day and Carnival. 

Greg Caz garnered international acclaim with Brazilian Beats Brooklyn, co-founded with Sean Marquand. The Brazilian Beats DJ Sessions at Black Betty, a pioneering music venue in Williamsburg Brooklyn, are legend. Now, Brazilian Beats is an roving, occasional event. Greg Caz is a sought-after international DJ and a great writer too; so, we are jazzed to have him contribute to Cooking Lounge.

You can find music from Greg Caz here: 
At the end of this post, there are a few bonus links.
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GREG CAZ
...now, you must realize of course that "super sexy Brazilian songs" is a bit redundant, most people need only hear any music with someone singing in Portuguese and they're immediately thinking "sex," so I literally could put ANYTHING on this list and it would be all good. Right or wrong? But here goes anyway...
1. Marcos has been exploring different aspects of music and the sexiness thereof since the 60s, and this quiet-storm slow-burner from the early 80s is ideal for feeding each other grapes.
Marcos Valle "Fogo Do Sol"
2. Brazilians are sexy even when singing about Jesus, as on this late-90s gem from an all-Afro-Brazilian female gospel vocal group.
Grupo Ebano "Pe No Chao"
3. Pianist, composer, vocalist and Bossa Nova precursor Johnny Alf charms the pants off us with this 1971 beauty (with Os Tres Morais on backing vocals) about a lovely young lady named Anabela who keeps him awake at night thinking about her.
Johnny Alf "Anabela"
4. Doris is well-known for her understated, intimate and veeeerrry sexy singing style, as heard on this Caetano Veloso cover.
Doris Monteiro "De Noite Na Cama"
5. Donato is a giant and a myth and a legend, a pianist/composer who has made his mark in bossa nova, jazz, Latin music and all things funky. This is a collaboration with Gilberto Gil who also sings on this track.
Joao Donato "Tudo Tem"
6. The Marcos Valle and João Donato influences are clear on this very sexy number from the always-amazing Ed Motta.
Ed Motta "Coisas Naturais"
7. It would be a crime to leave out one of Brazilian music's most notoriously sexy singers. Her early records were a favorite around my house in my childhood, when I didn't know what "sex" was, but Fafa's voice and album covers definitely began to clue me in! Beautiful Milton Nascimento composition. "Seduction," indeed.
Fafa de Belem "Seducao"
8. If this classic song from Brazil's all-time iconic female singer doesn't put you in mind of a romantic dinner, romance and lovemaking, NOTHING will.
Elis Regina "Dois Pra La, Dois Pra Ca" 
9. Cravo & Canela only made one album in 1977 (not 1976 like it says on the video) but what a classic it is. "Iboru Iboyá" oozes sexiness and classiness from the first note to the last.
Cravo & Canela "Iboru Iboya"
10. "Come Sleep At My Place, so I can give you my dreams and my love." I love playing this at the end of a night DJing, when "deals" are being "closed"
Tim  Maia "Venha Dormir en Casa" (Come Sleep At My Place)
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If you like DJ Greg Caz's selections, check-out his YouTube Channel.

Cooking Lounge created a YouTube Playlist of the 10 Super Sexy Brazilian Songs, with over 30 minutes of 'getting busy' music for you.
Enjoy,
Cooking Lounge

Saturday, February 4, 2012

What to Eat? - Super Bowl Recipes - Top 10 Websites

 
Clock is ticking, countdown to the Super Bowl: New York Giants vs New England Patriots.

By 6:30pm the streets of New York City, and pretty much every city in the U.S., will be deserted, for the Super Bowl. The subway trains will trace the tracks with near empty cars. The city that never sleeps hits pause and roots for the hometown team, the NY Giants. Screams and cheers, and hopefully no bawling, will emanate from bars, apartments and brownstones, echoing down the empty streets, as taxis idle.

Once you have decided how to watch the game, usually the next question is 'What to Eat?.' If at bar, no problem, order off the menu or order delivery. The hassle comes when you have to bring food to a Super Bowl party where a bag of Doritos or a 6 pack of beer will not do. Or even more stressful, you are hosting a party with foodie friends. Need to prepare some tasty munchies that probably will not make it onto any healthy eating list? Go for it. It's the Super Bowl. Indulge! Have fun. Cook.

To make it a little easier to decide, 'What to Eat?'; here's Cooking Lounge's Top 10 sites for Super Bowl Recipes.


Cooking Lounge's Top 10 Websites for Super Bowl Recipes


 








Please Note: The websites are not ranked. The websites are the Top 10 picks from over 50 sites, featuring the best Super Bowl recipes, listed in alphabetical order.


Enjoy,
Cooking Lounge