Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad João Donato Jid007

Where's João Donato? It's a frequently asked question, referring simultaneously to the physical location and the musical moment he inhabits. A sampling of some of his more descriptive song titles suggests Donato's comfort with musical hybrids: 'Bluchanga,' 'Sambolero,' and 'Sambongo,' to name just a few. Lacking a name for his style of music, Donato's is a distinct sound, immediately recognizable from the first few bars of any of his compositions. He was funky back when 'funk' was a bad word (listen to either of his 1960s Brazilian LPs for proof). His compositions are deceptively simple, while his arrangements are harmonically complex, resulting in songs that are seemingly childlike, yet reveal their intricate details upon repeat listening. 1 Não Negue Seu Coracão 2 Aquarius (Bring Her Back Home) 3 Desejo de Amor 4 Forever More 5 Sua Beleza e Beleza 6 Liasons 7 Adrian, Ali and Gregory 8 Vermelho Quente 9 Conexão feat João Donato