Two of our favourite records that we here at Real Gone Music have reissued in the last few years were the debut pair of records (both originally released in the early '70s) by legendary Brazilian percussionist Airto; each album serves up a savoury, bubbling stew of Brazilian folk, fusion jazz and bossa nova spiced with a hint of tropicalia. While Airto's contributions on each record were, of course, front and centre, there was another player on those records that almost stole the show: one Severino Dias de Oliveira a.k.a. Sivuca, a small, wizened man (often somewhat uncharitably described as "gnomish") whose dazzling virtuosity on accordion, guitar, and keyboards—coupled with a powerful singing voice that belied his small stature—made one instantly sit up and take notice. Vinyl, 12", LP, Reissue
